Description

The BS/MS in Public is a 150-credit hour, 5-year academic program that provides students with an accelerated pathway to an advanced degree in public health. Students gain core knowledge, research, and practice skills necessary for the advancement of evidence-based public health, while eliminating redundancy if the degrees were completed separately.

Students complete a public health internship in year 4 of study.  The bachelor’s degree is awarded at the completion of year 4 and the master’s degree is awarded at the completion of the 5^th year of study. Each degree requires a culminating experience. The bachelor’s degree requires a capstone internship paper.  The master’s degree requires a thesis. 

Admission

Entry to the accelerated program is a 2-stage process.  1) Undergraduate stage:  Students initiate interest in the program no later than 2nd semester sophomore year.  Interested students meet with the undergraduate program director to determine if the program can be completed within the 5-year time period.  After meeting with the undergraduate director, students confirm their interest by completing ‘An Intent to Pursue’ form.  A personal statement, note of support from the academic advisor, and UG GPA of 3.3 is required. 2)  Graduate program application stage: Students formally apply to the graduate program during the fall of the senior year. A personal statement, letters of recommendation, and an UG GPA of 3.0 is required for this application.  The GRE is not required.

Financial Support

Undergraduate financial aid will be provided as awarded via Syracuse University Financial Aid Office.

Graduate assistantships for year 5 will be provided as are feasible under the Falk College annual budget.

Facilities

Courses will be taught in classrooms across the newly renovated Falk Complex. Public health faculty and administrative offices are housed in 2 suites within the Falk Complex. In addition to administrative and academic program offices and classrooms, the Falk Complex also offers student access to dedicated study/collaborative space, computer labs and comforts like a café and student lounge.

Transfer Credit

The usual Syracuse University rules will apply for the consideration of transfer credit. 

Transfer credit will be considered for undergraduate level courses (100-499) that are an integral part of the program.  Grades of C or better are required for UG courses considered for transfer.  A maximum of 66 credits from a combination of credit from a two-year college and any other credit (e.g., AP exams, experiential learning) will be accepted.  A maximum of 90 credits of transfer credit or a combination of transfer credit and any other credit (e.g., AP exams, experiential learning) will be accepted from a combination of two and four-year colleges.

Transfer credit will be considered for graduate level courses (600-799) that are an integral part of the program.  Grades of B or better are required for graduate courses considered for transfer.  A maximum of 9 credits of GRAD coursework may be transferred.

Part-time Study

Part-time study is not available for this program.

Satisfactory Progress

Students are required to maintain a CUM GPA of 2.0 or higher to meet degree requirements for the BS degree.

Students are required to maintain a CUM GPA of 3.0 or higher to meet degree requirements for the MSPH degree.

Total Credits Required

B.S.  Public Health:  123
Master’s Public Health:   42
[15 credits shared across both programs]