Overview

Bachelor of Science in Public Health/Master of Public Health (4+1 BSPH/MSPH)

The University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) and the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) offer a 4+1 program that combines a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). SONHS academically-qualified juniors are eligible to apply to the MSPH program. If accepted, students complete the combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 5 years. 

Applicants must be enrolled in the BSPH program with the SONHS and apply separately into the 4+1 BSPH/ MSPH. Applicants must be in good academic standing as defined by the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the time of submission. Acceptance into the BSPH program does not in any way indicate or guarantee acceptance to the MSPH degree program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) admissions requirement is waived for the BSPH students. 

Accepted students take 12 credits of master’s level (600) Public Health courses during their undergraduate senior year, not to exceed 6 credits per semester. These 600 level credits count towards the MSPH degree., Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the graduate level courses in order to matriculate into the MSPH program. The summer following the completion of the BSPH degree, students may take 3 to 6 graduate-level credits at the 600 level Public Health courses and then take the required the following fall and spring semesters to complete the 45 credit MSPH degree.

BSPH students must apply through SOPHAS during the undergraduate junior year by February 15 to start the MSPH program in the fall. Admission decisions regarding the entry of BSPH students into the MPH program are made solely by the Admissions Committee of the Department of Public Health Sciences.   

BSPH students interested in pursuing the 4+1 program must meet with their undergraduate advisor to develop an academic plan. The advisor will also explain the policies and procedures of the program and link the student with the graduate program advisor.

Admission Requirements

SONHS academically-qualified juniors are eligible to apply to the MSPH program. Applicants must be enrolled in the BSPH program with the SONHS and apply separately into the 4+1 BSPH/MSPH. Applicants must be in good academic standing as defined by the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the time of submission. Acceptance into the BSPH program does not in any way indicate or guarantee acceptance to the MSPH degree program. Admission decisions regarding the entry of BSPH students into the MSPH program are made solely by the Admissions Committee of the Department of Public Health Sciences

BSPH students must apply through SOPHAS during the undergraduate junior year by February 15 to start the program in the fall. All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letter of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS. The recommended minimum cumulative GPA of all public health coursework is 3.50. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.   

BSPH students interested in pursuing the 4+1 program must meet with their undergraduate advisor to develop an academic plan. The advisor will also explain the policies and procedures of the program and link the student with the graduate program advisor.

Curriculum Requirements

BSPH Degree Requirements120-121
Refer to the link below for more information on the BSPH requirements.
MSPH Degree Requirements45
Refer to the link below for more information on the MSPH requirements.
Total Credit Hours165-166

Sample Plan of Study

BSPH degree

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the public health major.  Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin and the Student Handbook to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.

The School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) recommends students create their own plan of study that accounts for their ENG, MTH, and modern language placements and incorporates their major, minor, and cognate interests.  Once students draft their initial plan of study, they are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services (OSS) to review their plan, address any questions or concerns, discuss areas for improvement, and brainstorm ways to integrate research experiences, study abroad opportunities, global initiatives, graduate school requirements, and career preparation experiences.

The sample plan of study listed below is based on the following WRS, MTH, and modern language placement information and major, minor, and cognate selections:

  • Written Communication placement: WRS 105
  • MTH placement: MTH 101
  • Modern Language placement: SPA 101
  • Major(s): Public Health
  • Minor(s): None
  • Cognates
    • Art & Humanities: Popular Culture (RAU = English)
    • People & Society: Public Health major (RAU = Nursing & Health Studies)
    • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Biology and Chemistry for Pre-Health Sciences (RAU = Chemistry)

MSPH degree 

BSPH students will complete 12 of 45 graduate-level credits (6 in spring and 6 in fall) for the MSPH during their senior year of undergraduate studies. This requires special permission from advisors and deans. The remaining MSPH credits will be completed during the summer, fall, winter intersession, spring, and summer semesters immediately following graduation from the BSPH program.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
BPH 206 Introduction to Public Health (W) 3
MTH 101 Algebra for College Students 3
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BPH 208 Introductory Epidemiology 3
WRS 106, 107,
First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
MTH 107 Precalculus Mathematics I 4
SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall
BPH 310 Global Health 3
BIL 150
BIL 151
General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory
5
BPH 202 Introductory Statistics in Health Care (W) 3
SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I 3
Major Elective (*) 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
CHM 121
CHM 113
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
5
ENG 383 The Literature of Science Fiction 3
PSY 240 Psychopathology 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Junior Year
Fall
AMS 322 Topics in American Studies: Literature 3
BPH 321 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (W) 3
BPH 352 Biological Principles of Public Health 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BPH 309 Health and Environment (W) 3
BPH 322 Introduction to Health Policy 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Senior Year
Fall
BPH 465 Public Health Statistics and Data Management (W) 3
GSS 210 Popular representations of Queer sexualities 3
Major Elective (*) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
EPH 600 Introduction to the Science Practice of Public Health 3
EPH 617 Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 3
 Credit Hours21
Spring
BPH 305 Issues in Health Disparities 3
BPH 490 Field Practicum in Community Health (W) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
EPH 621 Fundamentals of Epidemiology 3
EPH 632 U.S. Health Systems 3
 Credit Hours21
Year One
Summer
EPH 614 or 652 Global Outbreak
or Health Policy
3
 Credit Hours3
Year Two
Fall
EPH 601 Medical Biostatistics I 4
EPH 641 Environmental Health 3
EPH 651 Research Methods 3
EPH 810 Master's Thesis (Master's Thesis (Proposal)) 1 3
Elective in public health 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
EPH 602 Biostatistics II 3
EPH 656 Qualitative Research Methods 3
EPH 810 Master's Thesis (Master's Thesis (Defense)) 1 3
Elective in public health 2
Elective in public health 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours167
 

(W) = Course is designated as writing-intensive

 

(*) = Students may choose an elective from the following courses: APY 205BPH 301BPH 303BPH 306BPH 317BPH 319BPH 355BPH 365BPH 402BPH 419BPH 461BPH 487BTE 450HMP 460COS 324COS 325COS 426COS 427COS 472GEG 231GEG 241GEG 334GEG 336GEG 341GEG 343GEG 345GEG 346GEG 348GEG 366GEG 412INS 570INS 571INS 572INS 573INS 599KIN 155, HMP 270MKT 388, and SOC 480

§

MSPH Graduate Program: BSPH students will complete 12 of 45 graduate-level credits (6 in spring and 6 in fall) for the MSPH during their senior year of undergraduate studies. This requires special permission from advisors and deans. The remaining MSPH credits will be completed during the summer, fall, winter intersession, spring, and summer semesters immediately following graduation from the BSPH program. In this MSPH Study Plan sample, Year One refers only to the summer immediately following completion of student's undergraduate degree; Year Two begins with the fall semester of full-time graduate courses.

1

Master's Thesis courses:  EPH 810 section 01, Proposal must be completed prior to enrolling in EPH 810 section 03, Defense. The 810 Master Thesis follows the ETD requirements from Graduate School.