Admission to Program
Students typically apply to the Double Dawgs Pathway no later than the beginning of their third year, but should already have discussed their plans in their first or second year. 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.
Curriculum
Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.
1. HPAM 7010 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum
2. HPAM 7600 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum
3. HPAM 7400 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum
4. HPAM 7700 will count 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 January 5 of year-4, for a summer year-4 official start term. Most students will enroll in 9-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 Health Policy and Management) 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 the12th 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 BS Cellular Biology and MPH Health Policy and Management double dawgs pathway.