4+1 Joint Degree Program

The 4+1 joint degree program allows outstanding BSPH students to complete the class requirements for both undergraduate and master’s degrees at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in a period of approximately five years. Fifteen credit hours of graduate core coursework taken while completing the BSPH applies towards the BSPH and the MPH (or MSPH) for those accepted into the joint degree program. The MSPH and MPH degree offerings at SPHTM require 42 to 45 credit hours of graduate coursework. 

The general outline of the 4+1 program is as follows:

Years 1 to 4: Minimum total of 120 credit hours and completion of BSPH requirements.  During Year 3, the student must apply to the 4+1 program by July 15^th.

Year 5: - Fifteen credit hours of graduate core coursework taken while completing the BSPH applies towards the BSPH and the MPH (or MSPH) for those accepted into the joint degree program.  All 4+1 students take a minimum of 42 to 45 graduate credit hours for their graduate degree, depending on their program. No more than fifteen (15) of these credit hours may be from credit hours earned during the BSPH degree.  Completion of a practicum and the culminating experience are requirements for all students completing a graduate degree.  Note that depending on the timing of the practicum and culminating experience requirements by the student, completion of an MPH may take some additional time after the 5^th academic year.  Students should work closely with their advisors.

4+1 Admissions:

In order to apply for the 4+1 joint degree program, the following materials must be submitted to the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine using the Schools of Public Health Online Application Service (SOPHAS http://www.sophas.org/):

• SOPHAS on-line Application and fee (note that this application includes a career statement essay, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts due upon graduation from the BSPH program)

• GRE or MCAT scores (GMAT scores are acceptable for the department of Health Systems Management)

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine’s Degrees

The following specializations are available at the master’s level and open to 4+1 students:

• Biostatistics-MSPH

• Community Health Sciences-MPH

• Environmental Health Sciences-MPH, MSPH

• Epidemiology-MPH

• Health Systems Management-MPH

• International Health and Development-MPH

• Tropical Medicine-MSPH

The 4+1 program may not be combined with any other joint degree program offered through TUSPHTM. 

Please note that this webpage is an abreviated version of the official 4+1 joint degree program guidelines.  Click here for full program guidelines, or please see the BSPH student handbook.

Questions about the Master of Public Health program should be directed to: Director of Admissions to SPHTM, Office of Admissions - (504) 988-8876, or to the Undergraduate Public Health Studies Program Manager – (504) 865-5140