Bachelor-Master of Public Health (MPH) Program Overview
The Bachelor-MPH is a five-year program – four years in undergraduate studies and one year of in graduate
studies. The graduate portion/program/courses are offered by the School of Public Health and Information
Sciences (SPHIS).
 Students earn a bachelor’s degree in the major of their choosing in the first four years.
o The major need not be related to public health or the health sciences.
o Five core MPH courses (15 credit hours) are taken during undergraduate studies and count toward
both the bachelor’s degree and the MPH.
□ PHST-500 Introduction to Biostatistics
□ PHMS-501 Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration
□ PHEH-500 Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health
□ PHPB-501 Introduction to Health Promotion and Behavior
□ PHEP-501 Introduction to Epidemiology
 Students earn an MPH in graduate studies during the fifth year
o A total of 47 graduate credit hours are required for the MPH degree:
o Three courses (8 credit hours) in the summer after earning their bachelor’s degrees.
o Eight courses (24 credit hours) in the fall and spring semesters of the fifth year. program
Admission to the Bachelor-MPH program
o Undergraduate student in good standing at the University of Louisville
o Completed at least 45 credit hours of undergraduate studies
o Minimum GPA of 3.3
o Permission of the student’s major program director Completed online application
 Undergraduate performance
o Maintain student status in the university
o Earn a B- or higher in each of the five core MPH courses
o Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
 MPH program continuation
o Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville
o Completed graduate application and $50 application fee
o Undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher for unconditional admission (3.0+ for conditional admission)
 Graduate performance
o Select a concentration area prior to joining the second-year MPH class
– Biostatistics
– Environmental and Occupational Health
– Epidemiology
– Health Management
– Health Promotion and Behavior
o Maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
o Receive no more than two grades of C+ or lower
Contact: Pete Walton, Associate Dean, School of Public Health and Information Sciences
pete.walton@louisville.edu, 502-852-4493
FAQs on other side
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should a student apply to the Bachelor-MPH program?
Students have the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree in their declared major and an MPH degree
more quickly. The program strives to graduate public health leaders who are committed to improving the
health and well-being of our local, national, and international communities.
What is the job market like for MPH graduates?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the US will need 250,000 new public health
workers by 2020. While not all of these need to have an MPH, those with one will be the leaders and managers
in the field. There are many health-related industries and organizations that are looking for employees with an
MPH, including pharmaceutical companies and health insurers.
What are the application deadlines?
All application materials should be submitted to the SPHIS Office of Student Services by the deadlines below.
Incomplete applications can not be reviewed.
 Fall semester admission: July 1
 Spring semester admission: November 1
Where and when are the five core courses taught?
Initially the courses taken by undergraduates will be taught at the School of Public Health and Information
Sciences on the Health Sciences Center during fall and spring semesters. All MPH courses are scheduled at 4
p.m. . or later. Both graduate MPH students and undergraduates will be in the same classes. As the number of
students in the program grows, the courses will be offered on Belknap..
What if a student’s major does not have room for 15 credit hours of open electives?
If the student and the major department are not able to figure out if any of the core courses can be counted
toward the major, then the student is only able to participate in the program by taking the core courses
Are any of the five core courses accepted as electives within divisions of A&S?
Not at this point but we are exploring this with A&S.
Why are the five core courses taught at the graduate level only?
The MPH accrediting body, Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH), requires that the curricula for all
variations in earning an MPH must be equivalent, both in credit hours and in level. This is relevant since the
qualifications for taking the MPH certification exam include passing the five core courses at the graduate level.
What is the MPH certification exam and why take it?
The exam is a recent advance in addressing the need for a more formal and recognized public health
profession. Only students or graduates of CEPH-accredited schools and programs are eligible to sit for the
exam. The US government has established a higher pay grade for public health workers with an MPH
certification than for those with an MPH and no certification.
What happens if a student is removed from the program after getting a C in one of the core course?
The student would be encouraged to apply to the traditional MPH program and, if admitted, could apply for
and likely receive credit for the core courses already taken, including the one in which he or she got a C.
Program Overview on other side