Overview
Public health is a rapidly growing field of practice, research, and education focused on the health of the population rather than the individual. It is also a field with an ever-expanding workforce involved in every aspect of a community – from disease prevention and education to emergency preparedness to elimination of health disparities and overall health promotion. As a result of this increasing demand for and on the public health workforce, the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health (COPH) has partnered with several undergraduate programs in Arkansas to create an accelerated, coordinated course of study allowing students to enroll in the MPH program as an undergraduate and receive credit for MPH courses towards their undergraduate degree. Upon graduating with a BA or BS degree, students typically finish the MPH in the next year (thus “4+1”); attaining an undergraduate degree and an MPH within five years, one year after obtaining their undergraduate degree, instead of the typical six.
Students in the 4+1 program benefit from the opportunity to interact with graduate-level students and faculty in an area of significant interest while still undergraduates and increased advising support specific to their interest in public health and career focus.
The 4+1 degree program partnerships exist between the COPH and undergraduate programs at four Arkansas educational institutions: Hendrix College and Arkansas’ three Historically Black Colleges and Universities including Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College , and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. A unique partnership exists between each undergraduate program and the COPH and, as a result, the specific aspects of each program differ somewhat. Interested students are encouraged to review information specific to their undergraduate program.
Students in the 4+1 programs complete all of the requirements for the MPH with no undergraduate courses enabling credit toward MPH courses. Thus, these programs ensure that graduates have attained all the MPH core competencies and all competencies of their chosen concentration discipline (Biostatistics, Environmental and Occupational Health , Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Health Education , Health Policy and Management).
4 + 1 (BA BS/MPH) Recommended Course Schedule
BA/BS to MPH 4+1 Program
PROGRAM YR1 FALL (UNDERGRAD JUNIOR YEAR) | PROGRAM YR1 SPRING (UNDERGRAD JUNIOR YEAR) | PROGRAM YR1 SUMMER (UNDERGRAD JUNIOR YEAR) |
---|---|---|
Undergrad Courses | Undergrad Courses | Undergrad Courses |
COPH 5003: Introduction to Public Health | ENVH 5102: Environmental and Occupational Health | HPMT 5103: The Health Care System |
PROGRAM YR2 FALL (UNDERGRAD SENIOR YEAR) | PROGRAM YR2 FALL (UNDERGRAD SENIOR YEAR) | PROGRAM YR2 FALL (UNDERGRAD SENIOR YEAR) |
Undergrad Courses | Undergrad Courses | Undergrad Courses |
BIOS 5013: Biostatistics I | EPID 5112: Epidemiology I | HBHE 5104: Health Behavior and Health Education |
PROGRAM YR3 FALL | PROGRAM YR3 SPRING | |
Specialty Track Selective/Elective | Specialty Track Selective/Elective | |
Specialty Track Selective/Elective | Specialty Track Selective/Elective | |
Specialty Track Selective/Elective | Specialty Track Selective/Elective | |
COPH 5989: Applied Practice Experience | COPH 5991/5992:Integrated Learning Experience Project/ | |
Seminar |
For More Information
Office of Student and Alumni Affairs
Fay W Boozman College of Public Health
4301 West Markham, Mail Slot #820
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 526-6647