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Milken Institute School of Public Health

 

SPH Dual Degree Advising & Appointments

Advising & Appointments
Academic Planning
Non-Academic Requirements
Forms & Form Submission
Transfer Students
Program Guides
FAQ

underGraduate Advising

At the SPH Undergraduate Advising Office, we’re here to guide and support you throughout your undergraduate studies as you navigate being a dual degree student! While dual degree students remain responsible for their course decisions and tracking degree requirements via their Program Guide and DegreeMAP, your undergraduate advisors are here to support you in:

  • Creating/updating your Four-Year Plan
  • Identifying and registering for your approved crossover courses
  • Determining whether you may qualify for Waive & Replace exceptions
  • Understanding policies and procedures that apply specifically to dual degree students
  • Navigating academic challenges and life transitions
  • Staying on track for timely undergraduate degree conferral

All dual degree students are assigned to Team Blue for their undergraduate advising needs. Students can schedule an appointment with either advisor on the team, and are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor at least once per semester.

For more information about GWSPH Undergraduate Advising, please visit our Undergraduate Advising & Appointments page.

Graduate Advising

In addition to your undergraduate advising team, all dual degree students work closely with graduate advisors in their specific MPH or MS program. These faculty advisors are experts in their academic area and are your primary resource for:

  • Understanding graduate program requirements and policies
  • Planning graduate course sequencing and graduate-level electives
  • Discussing practicum expectations and timing for after undergraduate conferral
  • Identifying recommended courses beyond the approved crossovers
  • Determining readiness and eligibility for non-crossover graduate coursework
  • Approving graduate-level registration during your undergraduate studies

To register for non-crossover courses, you must first meet with your graduate advisor. If they approve your request, your advisor will submit the Dual Degree Registration Request Form to notify the undergraduate advising team and initiate any required schedule adjustments. Students should never submit this form on behalf of an advisor.

Graduate advising varies slightly by program, and some programs have multiple faculty advisors. Students are encouraged to meet with their graduate advisor regularly and to check their program’s webpage for additional resources.

Graduate Advisors

Biostatistics & Bioinformatics

MPH Biostatistics

Heather Hoffman

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: hhoffmanatgwu [dot] edu (hhoffman[at]gwu[dot]edu)

MS Health Data Science

Marcos Perez-Losada

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: mlosadaatgwu [dot] edu (mlosada[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Environmental & Occupational Health

MPH Environmental Health Science and Policy

Kate Applebaum

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: kapplebaumatgwu [dot] edu

Pete LaPuma

Graduate Advisor

Email: plapumaatgwu [dot] edu

 

 

 

Robert Canales

Graduate Advisor

Email: rcanalesatgwu [dot] edu (rcanales[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

  

  

  MPH Global Environmental Health

Jordan Kuiper

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: jordan [dot] kuiperatgwu [dot] edu

Epidemiology

MPH Epidemiology

Scott Quinlan

Graduate Advisor (Admitted 2023)

Email: squinlanatgwu [dot] edu (squinlan[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Meg Ulfers

Graduate Advisor (Admitted 2024)

Email: mulfersatgwu [dot] edu (mulfers[at]gwu[dot]edu)

 

 

 

Heather Young

Program Director

Email: younghatgwu [dot] edu (youngh[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

  

  

MS Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases 

Mimi Ghosh 

Program Co-Director

Email: mghoshatgwu [dot] edu (mghosh[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Irene Kuo 

Program Co-Director

Email: ikuoatgwu [dot] edu (ikuo[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

MPH Physical Activity in Public Health

Loretta DiPietro

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: ldp1atgwu [dot] edu (ldp1[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Michelle Stevens

Graduate Advisor

Email: mmstevenatgwu [dot] edu (mmsteven[at]gwu[dot]edu)

 

 

 

MPH Public Health Nutrition

Karina Lora

Program Director

Email: kloraatgwu [dot] edu (klora[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Michelle Stevens

Graduate Advisor

Email: mmstevenatgwu [dot] edu (mmsteven[at]gwu[dot]edu)

 

 

The MPH Public Health Nutrition is no longer accepting new applications.

MS Strength and Conditioning

TBD

Graduate Advisor

Email: 

Todd Miller

Program Director

Email: tamilleratgwu [dot] edu (tamiller[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 

Global Health

MPH Global Health Epidemiology and Disease Control

Seble Frehywot 

Graduate Advisor

Email: seblefatgwu [dot] edu (seblef[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Christopher Mores

Program Director 

Email: cmoresatgwu [dot] edu (cmores[at]gwu[dot]edu)

 

 

 

MPH Global Health Program Design, Monitoring and Evaluation

Jennifer Seager 

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: jseageratgwu [dot] edu (jseager[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Seble Frehywot 

Graduate Advisor

Email: seblefatgwu [dot] edu (seblef[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 

MPH Global Health Policy & Systems

Wolfgang Munar

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: wolfgangmunaratgwu [dot] edu (wolfgangmunar[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Seble Frehywot

Graduate Advisor

Email: seblefatgwu [dot] edu (seblef[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 
Health Policy & Management

MPH Health Policy

Naomi Seiler

Graduate Advisor

Email: nseileratgwu [dot] edu (nseiler[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Lara Cartwright-Smith

Program Director

Email: laracsatgwu [dot] edu (laracs[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 *All MPH Health Policy students also have access to the Health Policy Zone, a Blackboard resource page maintained by the Health Policy program. In the event that you identify information that has changed, please defer to the Health Policy Zone. Thank you! 

 
Prevention & Community Health

MPH Community Oriented Primary Care

Ana Maria del Rio Gonzalez 

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: amdelrioatgwu [dot] edu (amdelrio[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

MPH Health Promotion

Jeffrey "Bart" Bingenheimer

Program Director & Graduate Advisor

Email: bartbingatgwu [dot] edu (bartbing[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

MPH Public Health Communication & Marketing

Jerry Franz 

Graduate Advisor

Email:  jgfranzatgwu [dot] edu (jgfranz[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Khadidiatou Ndiaye 

Program Director

Email: kndiayeatgwu [dot] edu (kndiaye[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 

MPH Maternal and Child Health

Tamara Henry

Graduate Advisor

Email: thenryatgwu [dot] edu (thenry[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Amita Vayas

Program Director

Email: avyasatgwu [dot] edu (avyas[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

 

 

 

 

The 51/49 Percent Split

To remain classified as undergraduates, students must maintain at least a 51% undergraduate / 49% graduate course load during any semester in which they take graduate coursework. This policy is often referred to as the 51/49 Percent Split.

Adhering to this policy is non-negotiable and necessary to maintain one's status as an undergraduate student. The policy ensures continued progress toward the bachelor’s degree while permitting early advancement in the master’s program. Failure to adhere to this policy may negatively impact a student's eligibility for financial aid, housing, or other University programs.

51%

Undergraduate

49%

Graduate

Example: An undergraduate dual degree student enrolled in 7 undergraduate credits may take no more than 6 graduate credits in the same semester.

 

Graduate Coursework

As a dual degree student, graduate-level coursework falls into two categories: crossover and non-crossover.

Crossover courses are a key benefit of the dual degree program. The term crossover course refers to pre-approved graduate courses that apply to specific undergraduate program requirements, counting towards both one's bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In most cases, dual degree students can register for approved crossover courses directly via GWeb at the start of their normal undergraduate registration window. 

Students may apply crossover credits toward both programs as long as they have not already completed the undergraduate equivalent course. Crossover availability and credit limits vary slightly by program:

 

MPH Track

12 crossover credits

Students are eligible to double-count these credits towards BOTH their 120 credits required for their undergraduate degree AND the 45 credits required to earn their MPH.

MS Track

9 crossover credits

Students are eligible to double-count these credits towards BOTH their 120 credits required for their undergraduate degree AND the 36 credits required to earn their MS.

 

For the complete list of approved crossover courses, please refer to the GW Bulletin or your Program Guide.

Non-crossover courses are any additional graduate-level courses that you may take towards your master's prior to your undergraduate degree conferral. 

Non-crossover courses allow dual degree students to continue making progress on their graduate degree. These credits only count towards their MPH or MS and do not count toward their 120 credits required for undergraduate degree conferral. Enrollment in non-crossover courses must be approved by a student's graduate advisor.

To approve a non-crossover course, graduate advisors must submit the Dual Degree Registration Request Form.

Waive & Replace

Undergraduate credits cannot count towards one's graduate degree under any circumstances. However, in the event that a student has already completed the undergraduate equivalent of a crossover course, they may be eligible for what is called a Waive & Replace exception.

Students who earn the required minimum grade in an undergraduate course may be eligible to waive the corresponding graduate requirement and replace those credits with approved graduate-level electives toward the MPH or MS. Waiving a requirement does not reduce the total number of graduate credits needed for master’s degree conferral.

The minimum grades required to qualify for a Waive & Replace exception vary from course to course and are subject to change. Not all crossover courses are eligible for Waive & Replace, and not all students will qualify for a waiver. If a course is ineligible or if a student’s grade does not meet the minimum threshold, the course cannot be taken for crossover credit. In such cases, the student must complete the graduate-level course, which will apply only to their master’s degree and does not count toward the 120 credits required for their undergraduate degree. 

No exceptions are made to minimum grade requirements. Waive & Replace exceptions are processed after the undergraduate degree is conferred.

 

DegreeMAP & Dual Degrees

DegreeMAP is a helpful tool for tracking degree progress; that said, it was not designed with dual degree programs in mind. As a result, it may not always display your requirements or courses accurately. Don’t panic if something looks off! These system quirks are normal for dual degree students, and any unexpected issues are often easily corrected.

How DegreeMAP Handles Crossover Courses

In many cases, crossover courses will automatically count towards the appropriate undergraduate degree requirements; however, they will sometimes be listed under your Fall Through General Electives. This is a system quirk. GWSPH Undergraduate Advising reviews and corrects crossover placement at the end of each semester. That said, if something appears unusual or you’re concerned, you’re always welcome to reach out so we can take a look!

Accessing Your Graduate DegreeMAP

DegreeMAP only allows students to have one active degree level at a time in any given semester. This means that you will NOT have access to a graduate-level DegreeMAP until you are in the final semester of your undergraduate degree and have confirmed your intended semester of matriculation. 

Until then, it’s important to:

  • Keep track of the graduate requirements you’re completing during your undergraduate studies.
  • Check in periodically with your graduate advisor to confirm you’re on the right track.

Updating Your Graduate Record After Matriculation

Once you matriculate into your full graduate program, it may take time for your graduate-level DegreeMAP to reflect all crossover and additional graduate coursework completed during your undergraduate studies. This is normal and will be corrected!

After you have completed your final semester of your undergraduate program, each crossover course, non-crossover course, and waive and replace petition must be updated manually on each individual dual degree student's record. This individualized process is time-consuming.
Please allow at least 2-3 months for your graduate DegreeMAP to display all courses accurately. 

If your graduate courses are not reflected accurately by the end of your first semester of post-matriculation graduate studies, please contact SPHundergradatgwu [dot] edu (SPHundergrad[at]gwu[dot]edu) and we can look into any outstanding record adjustments.

Additional Resources

Funding Your Graduate Studies

Dual degree students receive several built-in financial advantages that make progressing toward the MPH or MS more affordable while completing their undergraduate degree. These benefits include the ability to complete graduate coursework at no additional cost, avoid duplicate coursework, skip the GRE, and continue into graduate study with a 10% tuition discount through GW's Grad2Grad Program.

Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, graduate tuition is charged per credit hour. Tuition rates may be updated anually.

Graduate Tuition

Maximizing Your Savings

To make the most of the program’s financial structure, students are strongly encouraged to:

  • Maximize crossover credits.
  • Take additional non-crossover credits during your undergraduate program while maintaining the 51/49% split.
While non-crossover graduate coursework only applies to your master’s degree, it's still covered under your undergraduate tuition in the fall and spring semesters.
    • For example, an MPH student who completes 12 crossover credits and 6 additional graduate credits will have 18 of 45 MPH credits complete. That's the equivalent to two full-time graduate semesters at no added cost!

The more progress you make as an undergraduate, the fewer credits for which you pay the per credit rate once you complete your undergraduate degree.

Grad2Grad Tuition Discount (10%)

GW undergraduates who continue directly into a GWSPH master’s program may qualify for a 10% tuition reduction through Grad2Grad.
More information is available via the link below!

Grad2Grad Program

Merit-Based Aid

Because the built-in savings of the dual degree program typically exceed that of traditional merit awards, dual degree students are not eligible for GWSPH merit scholarships.

As students plan their studies, we encourage dual degree candidates to review the terms of any undergraduate scholarships or loans they currently hold. In cases where funding is offered for five years, a student might choose to extend their undergraduate program by a semester to continue taking graduate coursework under their undergraduate tuition and funding.

Ultimately, what's best is going to come down to your specific financial needs, so we encourage students to review requirements and run a personalized cost comparison to determine what pathways make the most sense.

Additional Funding Options

After completing your undergraduate program, the following resources may help support your remaining graduate credits:

Scholarships, Loans, & Grants
  • External scholarships, such as opportunities listed through ASPPH: Click Here
  • Federal Student Loans
  • Need Based Grants
Assistantships

Graduate Assistant (GA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions are available across various GW departments and sometimes even within GWSPH! These roles provide hourly pay or stipends and help students cover the cost of attendance.

Employment at GW
  • Full-time employees are typically eligible to receive 6 credits of tuition remission per semester
  • Part-time employees are typically eligible to receive 3 credits per semester


Spring, Summer, and Fall each count as separate semesters. Check for job openings here: https://www.gwu.jobs/

Employment Outside GW

Some employers offer tuition assistance or professional development funds for employees pursuing graduate study.

Private Loans

Students may explore private loans through banks or other lenders, depending on need and eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions
Crossovers, Waivers, and Requirements

Does PUBH 6021 Essentials of Public Health Practice and Leadership I count as a crossover course?

  • Yes, PUBH 6021 Essentials of Public Health Practice and Leadership I (1 credit) counts towards a dual degree student's undergraduate credit total and their graduate credit total.

Can I take both PUBH 6021 and PUBH 6022 at the same time?

  • No, students cannot take PUBH 6021 and PUBH 6022 concurrently.

I've already taken the undergraduate equivalent of a crossover course. Can I count that course towards my master's instead?

  • No, undergraduate courses cannot count towards a graduate-level degree. If you have completed the undergraduate equivalent of a course, you might qualify for a Waive & Replace exception. See the Crossovers & Registration tab for more information.

If I qualify for one of the waive and replace courses, when does that process take place?

  • These waivers will processed until after your undergraduate degree is conferred. Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, your advisor(s) will assist you with these waivers.

Do I need to complete any additional PE Hours after finishing my undergraduate program?

  • Yes! Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, dual degree students must complete an additional 8 hours of Professional Enhancement in order to earn their MPH.

My CITI Training certificate has expired. How should I proceed?

  • The CITI Program offers a condensed refresher course for the Social and Behavioral Research module for those with expired certification. Most dual degree students end up having to take this refresher to satisfy the CITI Training requirement for their MPH.
Registration and Credits

How many graduate-level credits can I take in a semester?

  • University policy states that dual degree students MUST be registered for predominantly undergraduate credits for the duration of their undergraduate program. This is referred to as the 51/49% split. With this in mind, the maximum number of graduate-level credits permitted in a single semester is 8.
  • Students must be registered for at least 51% undergraduate credits and no more than 49% graduate credits. (E.g. A student taking 7 undergraduate credits in a semester can take no more than 6 graduate credits.)
  • Following this policy is extremely important. Failure to do so can negatively impact a student’s financial aid, scholarships, housing, etc.

Can I take graduate courses beyond the crossover credits?

  • Yes; however, please note that graduate-level courses outside the crossover credits will NOT count towards your undergraduate credit total. Additionally, the recommended courses vary from program. Please meet with your graduate advisor for assistance with selecting courses outside of the crossovers!

Can I take graduate courses over the summer?

  • Absolutely! Please note that any financial aid you receive as an undergraduate will NOT apply toward summer classes. Tuition is charged at the undergraduate per credit rate, which is subject to change from year-to-year. Please refer to the Registrar's website for more information.

Can I register for online courses during my undergraduate studies?

  • No, dual degree students are NOT permitted to take courses online until they have completed their bachelor's. Upon completion of their undergraduate program, dual degree students can take up to 15 credits online.

To whom should I send my RTF for graduate-level course registration?

  • RTF's are not accepted for the purpose of graduate course registration. undergraduate courses cannot count towards a graduate-level degree. If you have completed the undergraduate equivalent of a course, you might qualify for a Waive & Replace exception.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Can I use my undergraduate financial aid towards graduate-level classes?

  • Yes, students are able to use their financial aid so long as the majority of the credits in each semester are undergraduate. Dual degree students must be enrolled in at least 51% undergrad credits.

Can I take graduate courses over the summer?

  • Yes. However, please note that any financial aid you receive as an undergraduate will NOT apply toward summer classes. Tuition is charged at the undergraduate per credit rate, which is subject to change from year-to-year. Please refer to the Registrar's website for more information!

How do I apply for merit-based scholarship?

  • Due to the significant savings from being a dual degree candidate, dual degree students do not qualify for merit-based scholarships. They do, however, qualify for a 10% Grad2Grad discount upon matriculating into the full master's program.

Planning Ahead

If I change my mind about what to study, can I switch into a different master's program?

  • Yes. Current students may use this Program Change Petition Form to switch programs within the same degree level or to add or remove a certificate program. (Students seeking to change degree levels, such as master's to doctoral should contact the admissions office.) To be eligible for this petition, students must complete at least one semester of graduate coursework at GW with satisfactory grades.
  • Prior to submitting a petition to change programs, students must contact the director of their desired program.  Students will need to indicate that they have had a  meeting with the program director in order to submit the petition.  (Students applying to the Public Health Certificate, do not need to contact a faculty member.)  Program directors and their contact information can be found on their program-specific webpages.
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Please download the form to complete it. Email your completed form to gwsphrecordsatgwu [dot] edu (gwsphrecords[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Can I start doing my practicum prior to completing my undergraduate degree?

  • No. The practicum can be completed in one semester or over the course of several semesters but cannot be started until after you’ve completed your bachelor's degree. You can, however, start thinking about your practicum at any time and you can discuss it with your MPH advisor!

I'm no longer confident that I want to continue with graduate school after finishing my bachelor's. Will I be penalized?

  • No. If you decide not to continue in your graduate program, please reach out to your advisors and program directors to let them know. All graduate-level credits completed will count towards your bachelor's degree as either core (crossover) or  elective (non-crossover) credits.

If I change my mind about staying at GW, will the MPH or MS classes I’ve taken here transfer to another MPH or MS program?

  • It's unlikely. Ultimately, all schools set their own policies and we cannot speak to the practices of every university. Generally, however, it is extremely unusual for another university to accept graduate-level transfer credits that were completed during your undergraduate studies.

After completing my undergraduate degree, how long will it take me to finish my master's?

  • The time it takes to complete your graduate degree will depend on a variety of factors, including:
    • Course sequencing by program and completion of prerequisites
    • Course offerings by semester

• • Number of graduate-level credits completed during undergraduate studies

 

Milken Institute School of Public Health

 

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Phone  (202) 994-7400
Fax  (202) 994-3773

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