Step-by-step process for pursuing the BS to MPH Program
- Meet with your School of Public Health advisor as early as possible by making an advisor appointment to determine if you are eligible for the BS to MPH program.
- Complete 75 B.S. Public Health degree credits.
- After undergraduate advisor approval, schedule a meeting with the appropriate MPH Graduate Director to determine your chosen MPH specialization, determine graduate course enrollment and complete the BS to MPH powerform.
- Kristen Clements-Nolle, Graduate Director of Epidemiology, clements@unr.edu
- Eric Crosbie, Graduate Director of Social and Behavioral Health and Health Administration and Policy, ecrosbie@unr.edu
- Ensure submission of BS to MPH powerform to the Graduate School for approval (by June 1 to take MPH courses in the Fall, and November 1 to take MPH courses in the Spring)
- Following the completion of 90 undergraduate credits, including PBH 281, PBH 340, PBH 345, PBH 473, register for graduate courses recommended by the appropriate Graduate Director and noted on the BS to MPH powerform.
- Begin your first semester as a BS to MPH student attending graduate courses.
- Review MPH admission requirements and prepare application.
- Apply to the Master of Public Health program (ONLY) through the Graduate School (by November 1 to be admitted as an MPH student in the Spring, and June 1 to be admitted as an MPH student in the Fall)
To start the graduate school application for 2024, follow these directions:
- Access the application through the Graduate School's online application portal.
- Click create account to create a username and password and then log in and begin the short application.
- At the end of the application, there is an "Application Fee Waiver" section with instructions. The coupon code to use is SPH2024.
- Enter the coupon code (SPH2024) and click "save and review."
- After you finish reviewing click "save and pay."
- This will take you to the next page where you will select "request a waiver" and then "submit waiver request". This can take a few minutes, but please wait for it to finish. You should get a congratulations page when it is complete.
*Submit undergraduate graduation application by the appropriate deadline.
*Note: An approved BS to MPH powerform does not guarantee admission to the graduate school.
MPH admission requirements
- BS Public Health degree with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
- GRE scores (optional): The GRE is NOT required for the MPH program but may be submitted if the applicant believes it will strengthen their application. If test scores are submitted, they should be official scores from an exam taken within the past five (5) years.
- Three letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for graduate study.
- Statement of purpose: The essay should be approximately 500 words in length, outlining the student's interest in graduate study in public health, potential research interests, career objectives, and specifying the MPH emphasis of interest (Epidemiology; Health Administration and Policy; Social and Behavioral Health)
- Resume or CV: Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates professional and/or educational health-related experience.
Additional program guidelines
- Up to 12 credits of graduate work may apply to BS degree program.
- Students must have an approved BS to MPH program form on file before graduate courses can be taken.
- Students who do not finish the requirements for the MPH will be allowed to finish their BS degree; graduate coursework completed will not revert to undergraduate credit but may be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements.
- Students begin graduate coursework after completing 108 undergraduate credits.
- Only those graduate credits approved to meet specific undergraduate degree requirements will contribute to the credit requirements to receive undergraduate financial aid. The graduate-level courses will require payment of graduate credit tuition. Students should discuss their financial aid options with the Office of Financial Aid.
- A Program of Study (POS) must be completed after the student's first semester as a graduate student in the program.
Continuation requirements
To continue in the program, students must maintain a University of Nevada grade point average of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate courses, and at least a 3.0 in graduate courses. Students whose undergraduate GPA falls below 3.0 and/or whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation within the program for one semester. If they raise their GPA to meet the standards above, they will be removed from probation and returned to good standing. If after one semester, students are not able to raise their GPA sufficiently, they will be removed from the program. Students who have been removed from a program may pursue bachelor's and master’s degrees through normal requirements.
Bachelor’s degree completion
Students must complete a bachelor's degree before advancing to graduate standing and/or receiving research or teaching assistantships. Students are expected to meet regularly with their advisor to ensure they are progressing appropriately.
Financial issues
The 12 graduate credits approved to meet undergraduate degree requirements apply towards full-time status as an undergraduate student. Undergraduate financial aid is not available to students in the BS to MPH program after their undergraduate degree has been posted.
