Boston University’s BS/MPH program is offered jointly by the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College and the School of Public Health (SPH). At the completion of this dual degree program, students will earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in one of the specified concentrations at Sargent College and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the School of Public Health. This bachelor’s to master’s combined program typically requires five years of full-time study.
Why pursue a BS/MPH?
In the BS/MPH program, students passionate about improving health at the population level take public health courses to enhance their health sciences-related bachelor’s degree. In addition, the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s format streamlines a student’s public health education so students can enter their intended career or pursue further education earlier.
Curriculum
In order to accelerate the completion of this bachelor’s to master’s program, 16 credits of graduate-level School of Public Health coursework are completed in the last two years of undergraduate study and applied to both the BS and MPH degrees. The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded at the completion of the BS degree requirements (128+ credits). At the end of the fifth year or a minimum of 32+ additional credits of SPH coursework, the Master of Public Health degree will be awarded.
Students in the public health minor must take note that courses which have been applied towards an undergraduate public health minor cannot be counted towards a graduate degree in public health, even if the courses are in excess of the credits required for a bachelor’s degree at Boston University. In addition, the 500-level courses from the School of Public Health may not be applied towards a graduate degree at the School of Public Health.
Careful planning and full-time enrollment can result in students receiving their 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.
Course Planning
Shortly after being accepted into the dual degree program, students are required to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Education, Sophie Godley, at the School of Public Health to plan their public health courses. Proactive planning is essential for timely completion of all MPH requirements. The tentative schedule of courses should then be reviewed with the student’s advisor at Sargent College.
Admissions
Application & Admission
The BS/MPH program is available to Sargent students who are majoring in any of the undergraduate concentrations except for the combined AT/DPT and BS/DPT professional degree programs.
Students may apply for admission to the MPH program in the second semester of their sophomore year (June 1 deadline) or the first semester of their junior year (December 15 deadline). Visit the Sargent College website for more information.
Matriculation to the BS/MPH
Accepted students will be conditionally admitted to the MPH program. Students in the program must maintain the GPA and other degree requirements for their BS concentration at Sargent College. They will be expected to achieve a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 in all SPH courses. Students who meet this standard will automatically matriculate into the MPH program. Students who do not meet the standard will be considered for full matriculation on a case-by-case basis.
Checklist for Dual Degree Students
- Meet with undergraduate BS/MPH faculty advisor or program director in the fall of sophomore year to discuss application to the BS/MPH program.
- Complete required 4+1 BS/MPH Application Approval Form and have the form signed by BS/MPH faculty advisor.
- Submit completed application through SOPHAS by June 1 of sophomore year or December 15 of junior year.
- Submit 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.
- 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.
Learn more about admissions at SPH.
Learn More about BU's BS/MPH Program
BU’s combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program is designed for students who want to pursue public health as part of their health science undergraduate degree. Students begin their studies in College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College and then transition into the School of Public Health.
Request information to learn more about the BS/MPH program.
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