Bachelor's-Master of Public Health

Play a crucial role in improving the health and well-being of others with a dual degree in public health

The best prescription for any community’s well-being is public health professionals who have the skills and experience to create and advocate for effective public practices and policies that promote equality and sustainability and allow everyone to thrive.

Dual degree students are guaranteed admission to the Master of Public Health (MPH) program provided they continue, as undergraduate students, to meet program-specific criteria to progress into graduate program enrollment.

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s-Master of Public Health at Sacred Heart?

At Sacred Heart University, students studying public health can earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four or five years, which can save time and money. Graduates of SHU's CEPH-accredited MPH program are well-prepared for careers in public health, epidemiology and biostatistics, and they have achieved a 100% placement rate working or studying in related fields. They build experience as students with the opportunity to complete a practicum, in which they partner with an external community partner to apply what they have learned in the classroom in a real-world setting.

There are two tracks to choose from:

Accelerated 3+1 Bachelor’s-Master of Public Health

Students complete three years of undergraduate work and one year of graduate work. With this option, students work closely with their undergraduate adviser to complete studies for the bachelor’s degree in just three years which requires completion of some courses during the summer and winter terms. Students who are pursuing the 3+1 option may move to the 4+1 option by consulting with their academic adviser.

The 3+1 track is available to students pursuing the following undergraduate majors: Exercise Science, Health Science or Psychology.

4+1 Bachelor’s-Master of Public Health

Students complete the traditional four years of undergraduate work and one year of graduate work in the MPH program.  Students may begin their MPH coursework during senior year, counting up to 12 MPH graduate credits toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees and thus completing the MPH in only one year. This option is available to students pursuing almost any undergraduate major, and careful planning of course schedules is necessary to ensure students have space in their schedule to begin graduate coursework.

Students in the 4+1 track may be eligible for additional scholarship support beginning in their junior year.

Other benefits of SHU’s Dual Degree Program include:

Find support

As undergraduates, students have an academic adviser, as well as other faculty and counseling resources to help them stay on track and progress toward their graduate degree. Industry-specific events and student clubs are also available for undergraduate students to become more deeply involved in their graduate field.

Save money

Students who participate in dual degree programs may save on tuition costs as compared to completing a separate graduate program.

Less stress

When you take advantage of the dual degree program, your spot in graduate school is already reserved. There’s no need for last-minute applications to graduate schools during the final months of senior year.

Criteria for Admission as an Incoming Freshman

Students apply to the Bachelor’s-MPH dual degree program by selecting the dual degree program on the Common Application. Admission to the dual degree program is competitive, with minimum criteria including:

• Overall high school GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Four years of math and science academic coursework
• Grade of a B or better in all math and science coursework

Students admitted to the dual degree program must continue, as undergraduate students, to meet program-specific criteria in order to progress to enrollment in the Master of Public Health program, as outlined below.

Criteria to Progress to the Master of Public Health Program

• Successful completion of the bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• A minimum grade of “C” in any graduate courses taken during undergraduate study
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) that highlights (a) Any previous experience volunteering, working, or researching topics related to public health (b) Career goals: how you will leverage your MPH degree for a career in public health practice, research or medical practice
• Dual degree students pursuing the MPH degree are encouraged, but not required, to gain experience during their undergraduate years volunteering, interning or working in public health or researching topics related to public health

More Information

For additional information for prospective first-year students, contact:

Undergraduate Admissions
203-371-7880
enroll@sacredheart.edu

For additional information for current dual degree students, contact:

Graduate Admissions
203-365-7619
gradstudies@sacredheart.edu