Microbiology BS/Public Health MPH(Epidemiology)(non-thesis)

The College of Public Health had a 54% employment placement rate for the MPH class of 2023. Graduates with an MPH go on to work in federal and state agencies as well as non-profit organizations, and consulting firms. Approximately 12% of students pursue fellowship, postdoc, or residency programs, and roughly 24% of graduating students pursue further advanced degree programs such as medical or doctoral programs.

Top employers include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Service, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Health Policy Center, Kaiser Permanente, University of Georgia, Emory University, and Hospital Systems (to name a few). Our expectation is that the Double Dawgs pathway will provide a clear step towards careers in agencies focused on preventive efforts in target populations (i.e. women and minorities, disenfranchised populations, families, school age or aging populations, incarcerated populations, urban and rural populations, high risk groups for disease or disability). A few fields that will be new opportunities for our pathway graduates include data management specialists, data analysts, research specialists, consultants, and coordinators of public health research or programs.

Admission to Program

Students typically apply to the College of Public Health Double Dawgs pathway at the end of their second year, but should discuss their Double Dawgs plans with their undergraduate academic advisor before the application. MPH coursework may begin prior to Year 3, but students must first complete all pathway application and advising prior to enrolling in any MPH coursework. Applicants to the Double Dawgs program are expected to have an excellent academic record and an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.5. Applications are evaluated each semester, and once accepted, new Double Dawgs students may enroll in MPH courses the following semester. More information on the pathway application can be found on the College of Public Health Double Dawgs website: https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/double-dawgs/

Once accepted to the Double Dawgs Pathway, students must earn a “B-” or higher in all Double Dawgs courses and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 to remain in the College of Public Health Double Dawgs program.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

1. BIOS 7010 will place as a Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics course in the Major Elective section of the undergraduate curriculum.
2. EHSC 7010 will place as a Major Required II course in the undergraduate curriculum.
3. EPID 7010 will place as a Major Required III course in the undergraduate curriculum.
4. EPID 7020 will place as a General Elective in the undergraduate curriculum.

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

The MPH is a 44-credit hour, non-thesis degree program. The typical pathway student must express interest in the pathway their freshman year and be willing to take summer courses, in order to successfully complete the undergraduate credit hour requirements as well as the MPH credit hour requirements within the allowable 4+1 pathway model. Students are encouraged to first speak with their undergraduate coordinators and advisors and establish a preliminary program of study, prior to reaching out to the MPH program to formalize the program of study and successfully complete the application process.

Admission to Graduate Program

After completion of up to 12 graduate hours of coursework, students must then apply for official acceptance into the MPH program. This process occurs no later than March 1 of Year 4, for a Summer Year 4 official start term. Most students will enroll in 6 credits of MPH coursework the summer after graduating from the Bachelor’s program. The MPH admissions process should ideally be completed PRIOR to the commencement of May Session courses. Applications should be made to the BS/MPH program (Area of Emphasis in Epidemiology) through SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). The application process is detailed at https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/master-of-public-health-program/, and requires:
- A current CV or Resume
- A statement of interest (max. 1,500 words)
- Academic transcript verification
- Three letters of recommendation (2 academic and 1 professional recommended)

Double Dawg Pathway students are NOT guaranteed admission to the MPH program, and are required to apply to the MPH during the semester of their enrollment in the 12th graduate credit hour. Admission to the graduate program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a completed application packet that is reviewed by the department’s faculty to determine whether the students’ academic records align with the program requirements. Once accepted, students are subsequently enrolled in the MPH program in Summer Year 4. Students who are eligible to enter the MPH program in Summer Year 4 must ensure that timely graduation of the Bachelor’s degree occurs in Year 4. Students who fail to follow the established pathway in any way, may be subject to loss of credit hours towards either degree program completion, extended time in the MPH program, or expulsion from the Microbiology BS/MPH pathway.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Kathryn Pollett
  • Email: kathryn.pollett@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-1104
  • Address: Health Sciences Campus, 105M Rhodes Hall

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Microbiology (also offered at Griffin) B.S.
  • Department/College: Microbiology

Advising Contact

  • Name: Francine Scott
  • Email: francine.scott@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-0947
  • Address: 327B Biological Sciences Building

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Public Health M.P.H.
  • Department/College: College of Public Health

Advising Contact