Accelerated B.S. in Public Health/M.S. in Health Science
The Department of Health Sciences offers an accelerated program that allows you to attain both a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a master’s degree in Health Science in less time than it would take to pursue each degree separately. The accelerated B.S. in Public Health/M.S. in Health Science program enables students in the Administration, Community Health, or Dual tracks to substitute nine (9) units in the M.S. in Health Science program for undergraduate classes in the Public Health Major. Undergraduate Public Health majors who have completed 60-80 units (junior status) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply for admission to the B.S. to M.S. Program. Students accepted into the program begin graduate-level course work during their senior year.
Undergraduate students who have successfully completed 60-80 units (junior status), may apply for admission to the accelerated B.S. to M.S. Program. This program allows students to complete accelerated undergraduate public health and graduate M.S. in Health Science degrees.
Students accepted into the program begin graduate course work during their senior year. Nine units taken at the 500/600 level after completion of the junior year will be double-counted toward the B.S. in Public Health and M.S in Health Science. The GPA for these units will be applied to the undergraduate record, but not to the graduate record. A bachelor's degree will be awarded to accelerated program students after all degree requirements for the bachelor's degree are met. Students who do not complete the B.S. portion of their track/major or maintain a 3.0 GPA may not proceed to the M.S. level unless deficiencies are resolved.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of /or current enrollment in 60-80 units (may include transfer units)
- Declaration of a Public Health Major (all concentrations are eligible)
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00 by the end of the Spring term preceding screening for admission
- Completion of the following courses with a grade of B or better:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HEALTH BEHAVIOR THEORY 1 | ||
HLTH 2xx | Any 200 level HLTH course | |
Statistics | ||
Biology | Course with a lab |
- 1
Students completing their Public Health BS in catalog years prior to Fall 2023 may substitute HLTH 339 with HLTH 222.
- 2
Statistics equivalent is determined by the Graduate Program Director
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following documents via email to the M.S. in Health Science Program Director by December 2 for Spring semester admission, and June 1 for Fall semester admission:
- Admission application provided by the department
- Admission essay following the guidelines provided by the department
- Two (2) academic references
- Official transcripts that include coursework taken through the term preceding application to the program
- During the second term of the senior year, students must also complete a graduate application with Admissions to be officially admitted to the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program is not guaranteed.
Screening
Screening will occur in January for Spring semester applicants who have complete files by December 2, and in the Summer for Fall semester applicants with complete files by June 1. The department’s admissions committee will evaluate all completed applications based upon GPA, essay and two (2) academic references. The top candidates from this pool of applicants will be selected for admission.
Degree Requirements
Once admitted, students can select to take up to 9 units (3 courses) toward the MS in Health Science degree. Health science undergraduate majors can plan to enroll in any three (3) of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HEALTH COMMUNICATION (in place of HLTH 402) | ||
| DRUGS IN OUR CULTURE (in place of HLTH 405) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (in place of HLTH 451) | ||
| EPIDEMIOLOGY IN PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE (in place of HLTH 435) | ||
| HEALTH EDUCATION: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (in place of HLTH 425) | ||
| HEALTH INFORMATION AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT (in place of HCMN 435) | ||
| LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (in place of HCMN 441) |
Students who have already completed the undergraduate sections of the above courses, will NOT be allowed to repeat the graduate version of the course. Admitted BS/MS students will work with their undergraduate advisers and the Health Science M.S. Graduate Program Director to develop an alternative plan of study.
Withdrawal and Ineligibility
Students who complete the bachelor’s but decide not to continue with the M.S. portion of the program will terminate their program with the fulfillment of all requirements for the undergraduate degree. Students may withdraw from the accelerated degree program by informing the Director of the MS in Health Science graduate program in writing.
Students who do not successfully complete the bachelor’s portion of the accelerated program, or who do not maintain both an overall 3.0 and a 3.0 GPA in the double-counted courses, may not proceed to the graduate level unless such deficiencies are resolved. If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the accelerated program, the Director of the MS in Health Science graduate program will inform the student in writing.
A student who is ineligible to participate or who withdraws from the accelerated degree program cannot double-count any courses for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.