Accelerated Bachelor/Master of Public Health, MPH

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply to the Accelerated MPH program if you: 

• Have at least 60 credits in your undergraduate degree program. 

• Have at least a 3.25 GPA. 

• Have taken ENGH 302 (waived for Honors College students) 

• Have taken GCH 300 

• Have taken a Mason quantitative reasoning course 

We encourage any students who are not eligible for the Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH to apply to the MPH program through the traditional application. 

Benefits of the Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH Program

• No application fees associated with the program. 

• Lower tuition by taking up to 6 graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. 

• Complete degree requirements by double-counting certain courses for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Accelerated Master’s Degree information through the Office of Admissions 

Pre-Application

Meet with your undergraduate advisor to determine eligibility for the Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH program. You may want to discuss: 

• What MPH concentration you want to apply to. 

• Your public health career goals. 

• Your eligibility for the program, including: 

  • GPA of at least 3.25 

  • If you’ve taken at least 60 credits, including the prerequisite courses. 

Application Materials

The Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH application is found on the Office of Admissions website. Students must select an MPH concentration at the time of the application. The application requires: 

1. Letters of Recommendation

The accelerated MPH application requires two letters of recommendation. Request letters from the following individuals: 

• Your academic advisor. 

• A faculty member in your major.   

Third recommendations from an additional professor are encouraged but not required. We do not recommend including recommendations from non-public health-related work supervisors or community members. 

2. Statement of Purpose and Objective

The statement of purpose and objectives is your opportunity to speak directly to the faculty reviewers of the Accelerated MPH program at George Mason University. Please clearly and directly address the following:  

• Why are you applying to the Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH program, and the concentration you chose? 

• How will earning an MPH help you achieve your professional goals? 

• What have you learned from successes and/or challenges in your past educational, professional, and/or personal experiences? Please use specific examples, as applicable. 

Statements should be no more than 2 pages. 

3. Resume

Coursework Requirements

Once admitted and successful completion of 75 approved undergraduate credits, Bachelor’s/Accelerated MPH students may complete up to 18 credits (6 courses) of approved graduate coursework toward the MPH in one of two categories. 

• Advanced Standing: Credits can apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Classes taken in Advanced Standing must earn a minimum grade of B to count toward the graduate degree. 

• Twelve credits (4 courses) are allowed as Advanced Standing. This document lists approved Advanced Standing courses. 

• Reserve Credit: Reserve credit is earned when a student takes a graduate-level course while still an undergraduate, but the course does not count toward undergraduate degree requirements, only the graduate degree requirements.   

• Six credits (2 courses) are allowed as Reserve Credit. 

• Students in Senior-Plus status may take any 500- or 600-level course required by the MPH program for Reserve Credit. 

Note: A student must take a minimum of 3 credits (1 course) in either Advanced Standing OR Reserve Credit to be allowed to transition into the MPH program. 

Deadlines

Students may apply on a rolling basis, but it is recommended that applications are fully complete and submitted by  

• Spring semesters admit: November 1      

• Fall semester admit: August 1 

For more information:

Frequently Asked Questions

AP.6.7 Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degrees in the University Catalog