Admissions Information for the 4+1 BS/MPH Program in Epidemiology

The accelerated MPH degree program in epidemiology is designed to offer high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree with only one year of graduate studies after completing their undergraduate degree.

The program is rigorous and demanding, requiring students to take courses toward a graduate degree during their last year of undergraduate studies. Students in the program complete the remaining requirements for the graduate degree during one year of study as a graduate student.

Who is eligible to apply:

• This program is open to all UMass Amherst students, AND to students from the Five College Consortium.
• Students from any major can apply.

Credits needed to apply:

• Students interested in the 4+1 should have earned a minimum of 96 credits going into their senior year.

GPA needed to apply:

• Students should have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Timing of graduate coursework:

• The MPH in epidemiology requires 42 credits in coursework. The accelerated degree program requires students to take 18 of these graduate credits while still an undergraduate student. Students are required to complete a minimum of 96 credits by the end of their junior year to ensure they have room in their schedule for this required graduate coursework.
• If accepted to the MPH program, students complete the required MPH practicum and enroll in graduate coursework during the summer term immediately following their undergraduate graduation.
• The remaining graduate credits are completed during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year following completion of the undergraduate degree.

Additional requirements:

• Successful applicants should have demonstrated ability to manage the workload, strong quantitative skills, and excellent writing ability.
• Applicants should have successfully completed PUBHLTH 223 and/or PUBHLTH 224 prior to applying to the 4+1 program in epidemiology. Successful applicants to the 4+1 program in epidemiology typically have earned a grade of A- or better in PUBHLTH 223 and/or PUBHLTH 224. We strongly recommend that applicants complete PUBHLTH 413 during their junior year (fall or spring) with a grade of B+ or better.

Application information:

• Applications are due by February 1 during the student’s junior year; students should have earned at least 75 credits prior to applying to be on-track to enroll in the program.
• To apply, students are required to submit a completed application, unofficial transcript, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from faculty or an internship/work supervisor. Letters from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities (i.e., faculty members with whom you took a class) are preferred.
• Junior-year admission to the 4+1 MPH program does not entitle students to enter the MPH program directly. In their senior year, 4+1 students formally apply to the Graduate School and must meet admissions requirements to continue in the MPH program.

Link to application portal:

• Apply now!

Questions?

• If you have questions, contact the Epidemiology Accelerated Degrees Program Coordinator by sending an email to epi4plus1 [at] umass [dot] edu (epi4plus1[at]umass[dot]edu).