Declaring the Public Health Sciences Major

Information for transfer students and those currently enrolled at UMass.

New and Incoming Students

Prospective students may apply as incoming first-year or transfer applicants from another college or university. Admission to the undergraduate program is handled by the University Undergraduate Admissions Office. Please visit their website for application requirements and deadlines.

Students Currently Enrolled at UMass

Current UMass students may join the Public Health Science (PHS) major using the following process: 

  1. Review the Major Declaration Module: Review the "Joining the Major: Next Steps" module in the Public Health Sciences Canvas course to determine whether the PHS major is the right fit for your academic and career goals. Click here to enroll in the Canvas course and begin the module review.
  2. Submit the Major Declaration Form: Once you have completed the module review, please submit the PHS Major Declaration Form to acknowledge the program requirements and confirm your intent to join the PHS major.
  3. Meet with a PHS Advisor: Once your major change has been processed, your next step is to connect with a member of the PHS advising team. This meeting is an important opportunity to help you get oriented to the major, review your academic plan, and make sure you are on track to meet your goals. You can stop by the Peer Advising Office in the SPHHS Hub (Room 316) or schedule an advising appointment through Navigate after receiving your major change confirmation email.
    • If you join the major during the fall or spring semester, please meet with an advisor within two weeks of receiving your confirmation email. 
    • If you join during the summer or winter break, please meet with an advisor within two weeks of the start of the following semester.
    • To help ensure you receive timely guidance and stay on track with course planning, a registration hold will be placed on your SPIRE account if this advising meeting is not completed within the required timeframe.

If you would like to learn more about the Public Health Sciences major but are not ready to declare, you are welcome to stop by our Peer Advising Office in SPHHS Hub 316 for support. 

The Public Health Sciences major at UMass Amherst is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, which is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health, and public health programs outside schools of public health.