Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts/Master of Public Health program, offered jointly by the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and the School of Public Health (SPH), is a blend of the undergraduate experience and graduate professional study leading to increased career opportunities in the field of public health.

Students complete all degree requirements for the (128-credit) BA and all requirements for the (48-credit) MPH. Up to 16 credits of graduate-level School of Public Health coursework completed in the final two years of undergraduate study may be applied both as elective credit toward the BA and as credit toward fulfillment of requirements for the MPH.

Careful planning and full-time enrollment can result in students’ receiving the MPH after a total of five years of study, rather than the usual minimum of five-and-a-half years. Students may complete the MPH degree on a part time basis if desired. The BA is awarded at the completion of all BA requirements; the MPH is awarded once students have completed all MPH program requirements.

Students are required to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Education, Sophie Godley at the School of Public Health shortly after being accepted into the dual degree program in order to plan their public health courses. Proactive planning is essential for timely completion of all MPH requirements. Students are also expected to review this tentative schedule of courses with their academic advisor at CAS. Students who have previously declared an undergraduate minor in Public Health will formally “un-declare” it at CAS Academic Advising, 100 Bay State Road, 4th floor, since courses taken toward the minor cannot also be counted toward the MPH degree.

Additional information about the BA/MPH program may be obtained by making an appointment with the Director of Prehealth Programs in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Pre-Professional Advising Office. Students must meet with the Director of Prehealth Programs well in advance of application to discuss their interest in the BA/MPH program and obtain the Director’s signature on an application approval form.

Checklist for Students

• Meet with Director of Pre-Health Programs in the fall of sophomore year to discuss application to the BA/MPH program.
• Complete required BA/MPH Application Approval Form and have the form signed by BA/MPH faculty advisor.
• Submit completed application through SOPHAS by June 1 of sophomore year or December 15 of junior year.
• Request an official BU transcript be sent to the SPH Admissions office at the end of the semester in which the application is made.
• If accepted, “un-declare” public health minor (if applicable).
• If accepted, schedule a meeting with the SPH Director of Undergraduate Education or the Assistant Director of Advising.

Admissions

Public health is a diverse field that draws on expertise from many disciplines, including math, science, law, ethics, psychological and brain sciences, sociology, political science, and communications. Students applying to the BA/MPH program will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to public health as evidenced by their previous coursework, personal statement in the SOPHAS application, and past employment and extracurricular activities. Students in all CAS undergraduate concentrations are eligible to apply for the BA/MPH program, provided that they are not concurrently enrolled in another dual degree program. Students pursuing an undergraduate minor in Public Health must drop that minor if they are accepted and choose to enroll in the BA/MPH program.

Students must apply for the program by June 1 of their sophomore year (for Fall admission) or by December 15 of their junior year (for Spring admission) and may apply prior to taking any courses at the School of Public Health. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.20, and successful applicants will generally have a GPA above 3.50.

Application to the dual degree program will consist of:

• an application approval form signed by the Director of Prehealth Programs at the Pre-professional Advising Office, 100 Bay State Road, 4th Floor;
• a completed SOPHAS application to the School of Public Health;
• submitting two Boston University undergraduate transcripts: you will submit one transcript directly to SOPHAS during the application process. You must submit another transcript directly to SPH at the end of the current semester with completed up-to-date grades;
• three letters of reference, specifically addressing the student’s capacity to do graduate-level work

Students accepted to the BA/MPH program will be required to meet certain standards and undergo further review prior to entering the SPH for their final year of study. For their undergraduate major in CAS, they must maintain the minimum GPA graduation requirement and fulfill all other requirements. Additionally, they must adhere to the SPH grading policy for all SPH courses. Upon completion of the BA degree, the student’s overall record will undergo a review by SPH staff who will make a final decision regarding a full transition to the School of Public Health. This review may be referred to the SPH Admissions Committee.

Contact Information

Sophie Godley
Director of Undergraduate Education
Boston University School of Public Health
Phone: 617-638-5296
Email: sgodley@bu.edu

Admissions Office
Boston University School of Public Health
Email: asksph@bu.edu
Phone: 617-358-4095