Overview
Students pursuing the Public Health Minor who plan to apply to UTK’s Master of Public Health Program (MPH), may apply to the Accelerated program for advanced placement in the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. The Accelerated program saves students money by allowing seniors to complete approved graduate public health courses while paying undergraduate tuition.
Key component
Qualified undergraduate students can take up to 9 hours of approved graduate courses during their senior year. These courses count toward both their undergraduate and MPH degrees.
Eligible Students
- Bachelor’s Degree: Any student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) at UTK.
- Additional Requirements: Must meet certain criteria described below.
Approved Graduate Courses for Seniors:
- Term 7:
- PUBH 530 Biostatistics (3 Credit Hours)
- Term 8:
- PUBH 510 Environmental Health (3 Credit Hours)
- PUBH 520 Health Systems, Policy, and Leadership (3 Credit Hours)
Note: Only on-campus course sections are available to seniors; Distance Ed sections are not an option.
Admission Process
Students will apply to two different programs: 1) Accelerated Program and 2) MPH Program
When to Apply
Apply to the Accelerated Program during spring of junior year. Apply to the MPH program during spring of senior year for a summer (recommended) or fall admission.
How to Apply
1. Accelerated Program
Students submit an electronic application form via the Public Health website by March 1st of their junior year. Students will be notified of acceptance by April 1st.
2. MPH Program
During senior year, Accelerated students will apply to the MPH program through the Graduate School using the standard application procedures. Acceptance into the Accelerated program does not guarantee acceptance into Graduate School or MPH program itself. Minimum GPA for graduate admissions is 3.0. Accelerated students won’t be eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship until bachelor’s degree is completed. Accelerated students may apply for summer admission (recommended) or fall admission. Before selecting summer or fall admission, students should review course offerings schedules on the public health website for their desired program (campus or DE) and MPH concentration to verify a curricular pathway fits the desired timeline and is financially feasible. Refer to OneStop for Graduate Tuition and Fee schedule.
More information about MPH program concentrations is available in the Graduate Catalog.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Accelerated program, students must:
- Have a minimum overall UT GPA of 3.3.
- Be declared as a Public Health Minor.
- Complete PUBH 201 *, PUBH 202 , and PUBH 320 * with at least a B grade.
- By fall of senior year, complete at least 90 out of required 120 credit hours for Bachelor’s degree.
- Conditional admission is possible if listed courses are in process.
- Graduate with Bachelor’s degree in May or August.
* Meets Volunteer Core Requirement.
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