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 Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). SONHS academically-qualified juniors are eligible to apply to the MPH or MSPH program. If accepted, students complete the combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years.
Applicants must be enrolled in the BSPH program with the SONHS and apply separately into the 4+1 BSPH/MPH (or 4+1 BSPH/MSPH). Applicants must be in good academic standing as defined by the School of Nursing at the time of submission. Acceptance into the BSPH program does not in any way indicate or guarantee acceptance to the MPH or MSPH degree program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) admissions requirement is waived for the BSPH students.
For more information, please visit the University of Miami's SONHS website here.
Accepted students may 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 MPH or MSPH degree. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the graduate courses in order to matriculate into the MPH or MSPH program. The summer following the completion of the BSPH degree, students may take 3 to 6 credits of 600 level Public Health courses and then take the graduate courses the following fall and spring terms to complete the master’s degree in only one additional academic year. Students must complete 45 credits to attain the MPH or MSPH degree.
Undergraduate students who require financial aid during their senior year must take 12 credits of undergraduate coursework each semester to maintain eligibility. The Department of Public Health Sciences will waive the cost of the 12 credits of graduate courses taken during the undergraduate senior year. Upon graduation with the BSPH, accepted students matriculate into the MPH or MSPH program and complete the remaining MPH or MSPH courses at the regular UM graduate school tuition rate.
BSPH students must apply through SOPHAS during the undergraduate junior year by March 1 to start the program in the fall. Admission decisions regarding the entry of BSPH students into the MPH or MSPH 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.
- The timeline is as follows:
| Undergraduate Junior year - Apply to 4+1 program |
| Undergraduate Senior fall term - Take 6 credits of graduate courses |
| Undergraduate Senior spring term - Take 6 credits of graduate courses |
| Summer post BSPH - Take 3 to 6 credits of graduate courses |
| Graduate fall term - Take 12 to 15 credits of graduate courses |
| Graduate spring term (may include winter session) - Take 15 to 18 credits of graduate courses |
| TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS TO ATTAIN AN MPH OR MSPH DEGREE - 45 CREDITS |
Curriculum information and course descriptions can be found here.
For the program application, click below.
