Public Health (MPH)

Sample 4 Year Plan

    Goals: Build academic skills, explore public health topics, and begin service work.

    Courses:

    • Introduction to Public Health
    • General Biology or Environmental Science
    • English Composition I & II
    • College Algebra or Statistics
    • Introduction to Psychology or Sociology
    • General Education electives (history, humanities)

    Activities:

    • Join a Public Health or Global Health Club
    • Volunteer at a community health organization, food bank, or clinic
    • Attend public health guest lectures, webinars, or campus events
    • Begin learning about MPH programs and career tracks

    Goals: Develop analytical and communication skills, start gaining formal experience.

    Courses:

    • Epidemiology or Intro to Biostatistics
    • Health Communication or Public Speaking
    • Cultural Anthropology or Global Health
    • General Chemistry or Environmental Health
    • Research Methods or Applied Statistics
    • General Ed or electives (ethics, global studies)

    Activities:

    • Apply for a summer internship in public health
    • Start developing relationships with faculty for future letters of recommendation
    • Consider becoming a health peer educator or student mentor

    Goals: Build leadership, refine goals, and prepare for MPH applications.

    Courses:

    • Health Policy or Health Systems
    • Advanced Statistics or Data Visualization
    • Social Determinants of Health
    • Program Evaluation or Public Health Ethics
    • Electives related to concentration interest (e.g., climate change, reproductive health)

    Activities:

    • Gain a leadership role in a student organization
    • Volunteer or intern with a public health department, non-profit, or research lab
    • Draft MPH personal statement and resume
    • Research schools via SOPHAS (MPH application system)
    • Identify potential recommenders

    Goals: Finish strong, apply to MPH, and prepare for a public health career.

    Courses:

    • Capstone, thesis, or practicum project
    • Advanced courses in the concentration area
    • Final electives or minor courses (e.g., women's health, medical sociology)

    Activities:

    • Apply to MPH programs via SOPHAS (usually fall deadlines)
    • Complete interviews (if required)
    • Continue gaining work or volunteer experience
    • Graduate and prepare for either grad school or a gap year job in public health