4+1 Accelerated MPH in Community Health Education
Fast-track your education to a public health education master’s program.
Community health professionals are on the frontlines of efforts to address health inequities and improve quality of life. UMass Amherst’s 4+1 BS/MPH in community health education prepares students to join them in this vital mission.
The 4+1 program is rigorous and demanding, offering eligible undergraduates a quick pathway to a terminal graduate degree. Students will finish the health education degree program with both a BS and an MPH degree, for a total of 162 credits.
MPH Community Health Education course requirements:
- Four public health graduate core courses (12 credits; required minimum grade of B-)
- Six community health education core courses (18 credits)
- Two community health electives of your choice (6 credits)
- Community applied practice experience (3 credits)
- Integrative learning experience (3 credits)
Benefits list
Get Started as an Undergraduate
The 4+1 Accelerated MPH program allows interested undergraduates to take 12 to 18 credits of graduate coursework in their senior undergraduate year (i.e., 6 to 9 credits of graduate coursework per semester during their senior year), and then complete their master’s degree with just one additional year of full-time graduate study.
Undergraduate Focus Area
The 4+1 focus area requirement allows students to explore areas of interest and relevance to public health and draw connections between disciplines. The classes students choose will enhance their understanding of the field and better prepare them for a career as a public health professional.
Practicum Experience
MPH community health education students complete an 80- to 100-hour community applied practice experience that demonstrates attainment of both foundational and concentration competencies. The practicum allows them to work with a community or public sector organization to assess public health needs.
Featured class
The theory of internal organization and management applied to health care organizations. Analysis of management functions. Interrelationships between health institutions, their surrounding communities, and government.
Featured Faculty
Lawrence Pellegrini
Senior Lecturer in Health Policy and Management
Focus on Social Security disability, health economics, mental health
Aline Gubrium
Program Head, Community Health Education
Focus on sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice; participatory digital, visual, and narrative research methodologies; health promotion
Daniel López-Cevallos
Focus on health equity, social determinants of health, Latinx immigrants, community-engaged research, Latin America
Elizabeth Evans
Associate Chair, Department of Health Promotion and Policy
Focus on opioids and other substances of abuse; women’s health; life course; social determinants; health services utilization and outcomes.
Application information & deadlines
Interested students should apply for the 4+1 program during their junior year and must meet all eligibility requirements.
Fall Application Deadline
Students submit the 4+1 application to the department by February 1st.
Community Health Education
Addressing health inequity and improving community health for all.