Dual Degrees

GWSPH offers students multiple options to enroll in a combined undergraduate/MPH dual degree program. Our programs are geared toward exceptional undergraduate students who strive to become leaders in the public health community.

All dual degree programs offer students admission to an MPH program without having to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In addition, students can complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees more efficiently and at a lower cost than had the degrees been completed separately.

GWSPH Dual Degree Programs for GWSPH Majors

• BS Public Health/MPH
• BS Nutrition/MPH

GWSPH Dual Degree Program for GW majors outside of GWSPH

• Environmental and Occupational Health MPH Dual Degree Program

GWSPH offers a unique opportunity to outstanding students each year to enroll in the combined Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health/Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This dual degree program strives to produce graduates who become public health leaders committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national, and international communities. This is an appropriate program for pre-professional students who are interested in public health issues.

As incentive to move beyond the traditional undergraduate curriculum, Milken Institute SPH offers participant's admission to the MPH program without having to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In addition, students can complete both the BS and MPH degrees more efficiently and at a lower cost than had the degrees been completed separately. The BS/MPH program is a multi-level, dual-degree program, meaning that students are concurrently enrolled in one undergraduate program and one graduate program. The degrees will be awarded in different semesters.

Applicants may apply to any of the MPH programs.

Admissions Requirements

BSPH majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher are eligible to apply to the BS/MPH program. Students must be admitted to the BSPH major before applying to the BS/MPH program.

Students interested in the BS/MPH program apply directly to any of the MPH programs. For most programs, students apply to the BS/MPH program in the summer after their sophomore year. However, The Department of Global Health will only consider BS/MPH applicants to their programs after completion of a student’s junior year.

Admitted students are considered to be provisionally admitted.  Admission is conditional upon on earning a B or higher in PUBH 6003, 6007, and 6011.  Students who do not obtain a B or higher in all four courses will remain a BSPH major, but they will not be eligible to continue in the BS/MPH program.

The BS/MPH application is submitted online and will be activated annually during the application period after the spring semester has concluded. Applications are due June 5th (if on a holiday or weekend, applications are accepted the next business day). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The online application will be made available here for three weeks prior to the admissions deadline in the late spring. Applicants must choose one MPH program to which they will apply.  The application requires the following:

1. A personal statement
2. Two letters of recommendation – GW faculty preferred
3. Your resume 
4. Your unofficial transcript from BanWeb. Admissions will cross-check it against an official copy.
5. GREs are not required, but scores will be accepted. 

Admission to the program is made on a selective and space available basis.  Each department's admissions committee considers applications holistically, looking at an applicant’s academic strengths, commitment to public health, leadership qualities, and other attributes. 

Curriculum

Undergraduate Courses

PUBH 1010 | First-Year Experience in Public Health (1 credits)
PUBH 1101 | Introduction to Public Health and Health Services (3 credits)
PUBH 2110 | Public Health Biology (3 credits) 
PUBH 3130 | Health Services Management and Economics (3 credits)
PUBH 3133 | Global Health and Development (3 credits)
PUBH 3135W | Health Policy (3 credits)
PUBH 4140W | Senior Seminar (3 credits)

Research Methods Selective (3 credits)- see program guide for approved options

Note: Per GW policy, undergraduate students may not take courses on-line during the fall or spring semesters.

TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CORE: 22 CREDITS

Electives (9 credits)- see program guide for approved options

Graduate Level Cross Over Courses

PUBH 6003 |  Principles and Practice of Epidemiology- replaces PUBH 3131 (3 credits)
PUBH 6007 |  Social & Behavioral Approaches to Public Health- replaces PUBH 2112 (2 credits)
PUBH 6011 |  Principles of Environmental Health Science- replaces PUBH 3132 (3 credits)
PUBH 6002 |  Biostatistical Applications for Public Health - replaces PUBH 2142 (3 credits)
PUBH 6021 | Essentials of Public Health Practice and Leadership I (1 credit)

TOTAL CROSSOVER: 12 CREDITS

Students will also take PUBH 6021 - Essentials of Public Health Practice & Leadership 1: Leading Self and Teams in Public Health (1 credit) during their Senior year. This course will not count toward undergraduate credits, but it will count toward the MPH program and allows students to start their practicum experience sooner.

See the BS Public Health/MPH program guide for more information.

Program Guides

This is a link to the BS/MPH 2023-24 Program Guide. 

Previous program guides (follow program guide from the Academic Year in which you matriculated into the program):

BS/MPH 2022-23
BS/MPH 2021-22
BS/MPH 2020-21
BS/MPH 2019-20
BS/MPH 2018-19
BS/MPH 2017-18

Please see the GWSPH Undergraduate Handbook for more information and program policies.

Advising

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Gray, [email protected]. 

Program Director

Program Director: Elizabeth Gray

The George Washington (GW) University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH) offers a unique opportunity to select students who not only demonstrate academic excellence in their undergraduate studies, but also demonstrate a strong commitment to nutrition and public health. The Milken Institute SPH will accept a small number of outstanding students each year to the BS in Nutrition/MPH program. Undergraduate majors in Nutrition may apply to the MPH in Public Health Nutrition (PHN) or to any of the MPH programs offered at GW

As an incentive to move beyond the traditional undergraduate curriculum, SPH offers admission to the MPH program without having to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the opportunity to begin graduate coursework during the junior and senior years. This dual degree program strives to matriculate nutrition students who are committed to applying their background in nutrition to improving diet and health on a population level.  This is also an appropriate program for pre-professional students with an interest in public health nutrition.

Admissions Requirements

Students must be enrolled in the BS in Nutrition program before applying to the BS NUTR/MPH dual degree program. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 to be considered for admission to the dual-degree program.

Students apply directly to the residential MPH program of interest.  MPH program through a special online application. Students must apply in the summer after completing 60 credits and at least 2 semesters of undergraduate education. Applications are due June 5th (if on a holiday or weekend, applications are accepted the next business day). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Students admitted to the dual degree program with the MPH are considered to be provisionally admitted.  Admission is conditional upon earning a grade of B or higher in the approved crossover courses (see Program-at-a-Glance below).  Students who do not obtain a B or higher in all four courses will remain a Nutrition major, but may not be eligible to continue in the BS NUTR/MPH program.

The link to the online application form is made available here at least three weeks prior to the admission deadline on the Milken Institute School of Public Health Undergraduate Programs page. A complete application includes: 

1. A personal statement 
   1. The Statement of Purpose should explain how you became interested in your field of choice; the contribution you hope to make to your field; and how you believe GW's program will help you reach your career goals. If there is anything unusual in your transcripts, standardized testing, or resume that you wish to explain to the admissions committee, please include this information in your Statement of Purpose.
2. Two letters of recommendation - faculty members preferred;
3. Your resume;
4. Your unofficial transcript from BanWeb (Admissions will cross-check it against an official copy);
5. Students applying to the Department of Epidemiology must have completed MATH 1220 or higher OR STAT 1051, 1053, 1127 or higher;
6. Students applying to the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics must have earned a B or better in Calculus I (MATH 1220 or 1231).
7. GRE scores, if you choose to submit them.  (GRE or other standardized test scores are not required for admission.  However, applicants may submit standardized test scores if they feel that including this information will enhance their application.)

Admission to the program is made on a selective and space available basis.  Each department's admissions committee considers applications holistically, looking at an applicant’s academic strengths, commitment to public health, leadership qualities, and other attributes. 

 

Curriculum

Students who matriculated into the BS Nutrition/MPH program before Fall 2023 follow a different curriculum.  Please refer to the 2022-2023 Program Guide for curriculum requirements. If these students wish to follow the new curriculum, please reach out to your dual degree advisor to discuss options.

Undergraduate Courses

BS in Nutrition Core Courses

PUBH 1010 | First-Year Experience in Public Health (1 credits)
PUBH 1101 | Introduction to Public Health and Health Services (3 credits)
BISC 1111*   | Intro Biology: Cells & Molecules³ (G)
EXNS 1110 | Applied Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab ( 4 credits)
EXNS 1111 | Applied Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab (4 credits)
CHEM 1110 | Fundamentals of Chemistry (2 credits)
EXNS 1109 | Professional Foundations in Nutrition (1 credit)
EXNS 2119 | Introduction to Nutrition Science (3 credits)
EXNS 2120 | Assessment of Nutritional Status (3 credits)
PSYC 1001 | General Psychology (3 credits)
EXNS 2123 | Nutrition and Chronic Disease (3 credits)
EXNS 2124 | Lifecycle Nutrition (3 credits)
EXNS 3111W | Exercise and Nutrition Science Research Methods (3 credits)
EXNS 4112 | Nutrition Science Capstone Seminar (1 credit)
COMM* | 1002 or 1041 (satisfies Social Science & Oral Communication requirement (G)
ANTH* | 1002 or 1003 or 1004 (satisfies Social Science & Global/Cross Cultural Perspective requirement) (G)
STAT* | 1051 or 1053 or 1127 or PUBH 2142 (G)

* General Education

Note: Per GW policy, undergraduate students may not take courses on-line during the fall or spring semesters.

Students who choose a concentration take additional core courses. Details are available in the Program Guide and on the department page.

TOTAL NUTRITION CORE: 34 CREDITS                                                                                                                                                                    

Graduate Level Cross Over Courses

The curriculum for the dual degree with an MPH in Public Health Nutrition is different than the curriculum for the other MPH programs.

Students who are pursuing a BS Nutrition/MPH Public Health Nutrition (PHN) should take the following 13 credits of graduate courses instead of their undergraduate counterparts:

• PUBH 6611 Nutrition Assessment – replaces EXNS 2120 (2 credits)
• EXNS 6242 Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle – replaces EXNS 2124 (2 credits)
• PUBH 6007 Social & Behavioral Approaches to Public Health – replaces PUBH 2112 (2 credits)
• PUBH 6002 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health  - replaces PUBH 2142 (3 credits)
• PUBH 6003 Epidemiology – replaces PUBH 3131 (3 credits)
• PUBH 6021 Essentials of Public Health Leadership I (1 credit)

Students who are pursuing a BS Nutrition/MPH (other MPH) should take the following 12 credits of graduate course instead of their undergraduate counterparts:

• PUBH 6007 Social & Behavioral Approaches to Public Health – replaces PUBH 2112 (2 credits)
• PUBH 6002 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health  - replaces PUBH 2142 (3 credits)
• PUBH 6003 Epidemiology – replaces PUBH 3131 (3 credits)
• PUBH 6011 Environmental and Biological Foundations for Public Health – students should not take PUBH 3135W (3 credits)
• PUBH 6021 Essentials of Public Health Leadership I (1 credit)

 TOTAL CROSSOVER: 12 or 13 CREDITS

Students should consult the Program Guide for the remaining MPH program requirements.

Program Guides

This is a link to the 2023-24 BS Nutrition/MPH Program Guide. 

Previous program guides (follow program guide from the Academic Year in which you matriculated into the program):

​BS Nutrition/MPH 2022-23

Please see the GWSPH Undergraduate Handbook for more information and program policies.

Advising

For more information, please contact Allison Sylvetsky, [email protected].

Program Director

Program Director: Allison Sylvetsky

This program is for non-SPH undergraduate students

The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH) offers a unique opportunity to a select group of non-SPH students who not only demonstrate academic excellence, but also demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental and occupation health. The Milken Institute SPH will accept a small number of outstanding students each year to the EOH Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program. As incentives to move beyond the traditional undergraduate curriculum, SPH offers participants admission to the MPH program as well as the opportunity to complete both the undergraduate and MPH degrees more efficiently than if the degrees had been completed separately. This dual degree program strives to matriculate public health leaders who are committed to life-long learning and to improving the health and well-being of our local, national, and international communities. This is an appropriate program for pre-professional students who are interested in environmental and occupational health issues.

Admissions Requirements

This program is for GW undergraduate students outside of GWSPH. Student from any non-GWSPH major may apply to this program if they have a 3.3 cumulative GPA and are in good standing. It is also recommended that students complete PUBG 1101, SUST 1001 or a similar course to ensure their familiarity with the field. After acceptance into the program students will choose between the Environmental Health Science and Policy MPH program and the Global Environmental Health MPH program.

Students may apply after earning 75 credits of undergraduate education. The EOH MPH Dual Degree application is submitted online and will be activated annually during the application period after the spring semester has concluded. Applications are due June 5th (if on a holiday or weekend, applications are accepted the next business day). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

A complete application includes:

1. A personal statement;
   1. The statement of purpose should explain how you became interested EOH; the contribution you hope to make to your field; and how you believe GW's program will help you reach your career goals. If there is anything unusual in your transcripts, standardized testing, or resume that you wish to explain to the admissions committee, please include this information in your Statement of Purpose.
2. 1 letter of recommendation from a GW faculty member;
3. Your resume;
4. Your unofficial transcript from Banner (Admissions will cross-check it against an official copy);
5. GRE scores, if you choose to submit them. (GRE or other standardized test scores are not required for admission. However, applicants may submit standardized test scores if they feel that including this information will enhance their application).

Admission to the program is made on a selective and space available basis.  Each department's admissions committee considers applications holistically, looking at an applicant’s academic strengths, commitment to public health, leadership qualities, and other attributes.

Curriculum

Undergraduate Courses

Students must complete the course requirements for the chosen major(s) and any chosen minor(s).

Graduate Courses

Students will take the following 12 credits of graduate courses as crossover classes. These crossover courses will be double counted as general electives toward the undergraduate 120 credits and as required courses toward the graduate 45 credits.

• PUBH 6002: Biostatistical Applications for Public Health (3 credits)
• PUBH 6003: Principles and Practice of Epidemiology (3 credits)
• PUBH 6007: Social and Behavioral Approaches to Health (2 credits)
• PUBH 6011: Environmental and Biological Foundations of Public Health (3 credits)
• PUBH 6021: Essentials of Public Health Practice and Leadership I (1 credit)

 

Note:

*If students take PUBH 2112 (Health Ed/Promotion) or PUBH 3132 (Environment) as undergraduates, they will not be able to count those courses toward the MPH program. Students will have to take PUBH 6007 and 6011 as part of their MPH program.

Note: Per GW policy, undergraduate students may not take courses on-line during the fall or spring semesters.

Students should consult the Program Guide for the remaining MPH program requirements.

TOTAL GRADUATE CROSSOVER: 12 CREDITS

Students should consult the Program Guide for the remaining MPH program requirements.

Program Guides

This is a link to the 2023-24 EOH MPH Dual Degree Program Guide. 

Please see the GWSPH Undergraduate Handbook for more information and program policies.

Advising

Students should continue to work with their current undergraduate advisor.

For more information about the program and graduate advising questions, please contact George Gray, [email protected]

Program Director

Program Director: George Gray

The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH) offers a unique opportunity to students interested in public health and biomedical research. To further effectively train a workforce in public health and related fields with strong data science and data analytics skills, we have developed a dual degree program for students to earn both a BS and MS degree. This dual degree program is designed for undergraduates in a BS program at GWU (e.g., public health, biology, neuroscience, computer science, statistics, mathematics, bioengineering, etc.) different than the BS HDS program (for those see our BS HDS/MS HDS dual degree program) or students who have already completed some undergraduate coursework on health data science at other universities, with an interest in adding health data science expertise to their existing skillsets. This program would result in the earning of a BS degree and a MS degree in Health Data Science (BS/MS HDS program). The program is designed for George Washington University residential and non-residential undergraduates.

Students enrolled in any BS program at GWU (except BS HDS) or students who have already completed some undergraduate coursework on other Health Data Science programs at other universities can benefit from this opportunity to acquire a dual degree by joining the BS/MS HDS program, Bioinformatics concentration. This dual degree program strives to matriculate leaders in public health and biomedical researchers who are committed to life-long learning and to improving the health and well-being of our local, national, and international communities. This is an appropriate program for pre-professional students who are interested in public health issues and translational research.

Admissions Requirements

The online application will be made available here for three weeks prior to the admissions deadline in the late spring. The application requires the following:

1. A personal statement Two letters of recommendation – GW faculty preferred

2. Admission to the program is made on a selective and space available basis.  Each department's admissions committee considers applications holistically, looking at an applicant’s academic strengths, commitment to public health, leadership qualities, and other attributes.

3.Your resume Your unofficial transcript from BanWeb.

4.Admissions will cross-check it against an official copy.

5.GREs are not required, but scores will be accepted. 

All applicants to the dual BS/MS HDS - Bioinformatics concentration program must have completed the following prerequisites with a grade of B or better to be considered for admission:

•  a course in undergraduate statistics
• a course in undergraduate biology
• a course in undergraduate computer science

Curriculum

Credit Distribution

Undergraduate courses for the BS

Follow requirements in the student’s corresponding BS program

 

Graduate courses for the MS HDS – Bioinformatics Concentration (36 total credits including 9 crossover credits*)
PUBH 6850	1	Introduction to SAS for Public Health Research
PUBH 6851	1	Introduction to R for Public Health Research
PUBH 6852	1	Introduction to Python for Public Health Research
PUBH 6080	0	Pathways to Public Health
PUBH 6860	3	Principles of Bioinformatics
PUBH 6854	3	Applied Computing in Health Data Science
PUBH 6859	3	High Performance and Cloud Computing
PUBH 6861	3	Public Health Genomics
PUBH 6884	3	Bioinformatics Algorithms and Data Structures
PUBH 8870	3	Statistical Inference for Public Health Research I
PUBH 8885	3	Computational Biology
PUBH 6886	3	Statistical and Machine Learning for Public Health Research
PUBH 68xx	6	Electives
PUBH 6897	2	Research in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
PUBH 6898	1	Master of Science Thesis
Total graduate credits		36 credits

*Students can take up to 9 credits of the MS courses listed below instead of the corresponding course in
their BS program if approved by the HDS graduate advisor

 

Program Guides

This is a link to the BS/MS HDS Dual Degree Program Guide 2024-2025. 

Please see the GWSPH Undergraduate Handbook for more information and program policies.

Advising

Students should continue to work with their current undergraduate advisor.

For more information about the program and graduate advising questions, please contact Ali Rahnavard, [email protected].

Program Director

Program Director: Marcos Pérez Losada and Ali Rahnavard