44 hours

Step 1: Apply to SOPHAS

MPH degree program applicants must apply via the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). For detailed information, please visit our website here: https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/master-of-public-health-program/ . Official academic transcripts from every institution(s) an applicant has attended should be sent directly to SOPHAS from the registrars or records offices at the institutions you attended. SOPHAS accepts both electronic and paper transcripts. Electronic is the most expeditious. A resume/CV and statement of purpose must also be included in your SOPHAS application and can be uploaded to the applicant portal. The statement of purpose must be uploaded. It should communicate how this program fits with your career and educational goals. Also, highlight relevant work and/or research experience, and preparation for this program.

Three letters of recommendation must also accompany your SOPHAS application. List the names and email addresses of your recommenders in the applicant portal. It is recommended that students have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Disaster Management applicants are not expected to have a comprehensive public health background, but exposure to coursework in social sciences, research methods, and/or behavioral health is preferred. The GRE is no longer required for consideration in MPH admissions.

International Applicants

Official TOEFL or IELTS scores must be sent directly to the University of Georgia by the testing agency. For institutions outside of the U.S. and Canada, a World Education Services (WES) transcript evaluation is required. WES evaluations must be sent directly to SOPHAS. For specific details, please visit: https://applications.wes.org/cas/. For Certificate of Finances (COF) Form and Visa Information, please visit the UGA Graduate School website, https://grad.uga.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applications/.

Step 2: UGA Graduate School Supplemental Application Fee

Applicants are not required to submit a supplemental UGA Graduate School application. However, a supplemental application fee is still required. The payment portal is shared with applicants during the SOPHAS application process.

Application Deadlines

Fall Admissions Cycle January 5: Deadline to have a complete application submitted to be considered for available assistantships and other financial aid opportunities. May 1: Final application deadline to be considered for August start. Spring Admissions Cycle October 15: Deadline to have a complete application submitted for a January start. Summer Admissions Cycle March 1: This cycle is only open to existing UGA students who are beginning the MPH portion of the Double Dawgs Pathway or a dual-degree program of study.

MPH Core

BIOS 7010  Analytical Thinking

Fundamentals of Biostatistical Reasoning

3

EHSC 7010

Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science

3

EPID 7010

Fundamentals of Epidemiology

3

HPAM 7010

Fundamentals of Health Policy and Management

3

HPRB 7010

Fundamentals of Health Promotion and Behavior

3

Disaster Management Core

DMAN 7100

Introduction to Disaster Management

3

DMAN 7200

Disaster Management for Health Professionals

3

DMAN 7400  Analytical Thinking Critical Thinking

Public Health Crises and Disaster Management

3

DMAN 7500

Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security

3

Practicum & Professional Development

Students are required to complete a course on professionalism and career development, an internship advisement course, and the requisite course for the Applied Practice Experience (APE).

PBHL 7460  (1 hour)*

Professionalism in Public Health

1

PBHL 7560  (2 hours)**

Public Health Integrative Learning Experience Advisement

2

PBHL 7660  (6 hours)^

Applied Practice Experience in Public Health

1-6

*Should be taken instead of GRSC 7001 to fulfill GradFirst requirement, in the 1st semester of the MPH program of study.

** Taken the semester before the MPH APE.

^ The APE occurs in the final semester of the MPH program.

Choose a minimum of 8 credit hour(s) from the following:

Students can select electives from courses offered by the Institute for Disaster Management, from other units in the College of Public Health, or courses offered by external units at UGA with prior approval from their academic advisor.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum 44 credits required for this program. Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and cannot count courses with a grade below B- on a graduate program of study. Students must earn a B- or above on the MPH Core Coursework and the MPH Practicum. For all other coursework, no grade below C will be accepted on the MPH program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average on the program of study.

The MPH–Disaster Management (DMAN) concentration program achieved a 100% placement rate for the Class of 2024. Graduates pursue a wide range of career paths across the federal, state, local, private, military, non-profit, academic, and international sectors. Our alumni have gone on to positions with agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Public Health, U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as leading healthcare systems, research institutions, and global organizations. Others have advanced to doctoral and medical programs at top universities, including the University of Georgia, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, and Vanderbilt University.

In addition, our students and alumni have been recognized through prestigious national and international fellowships and awards, including selection as Schwarzman Scholars and Fulbright Scholars, as well as other competitive programs that prepare graduates for global leadership in disaster and public health management. Graduates of the MPH in Disaster Management are well prepared for roles such as: · Disaster Management Program Coordinator · Emergency Management Specialist · Emergency Preparedness Manager · Planning and Exercise Manager · Public Health Emergency Preparedness Consultant · Public Health Program Coordinator

Students accepted to the MPH program may transfer up to 8 credits of coursework from an accredited institution and must fall within a 6-year timeframe. The student must have received a B or better, and the coursework cannot have been used to fulfill another degree requirement. It is up to the student to apply for the transfer credits with The Graduate School and have transcripts available for review. Only credits approved by The Graduate School will be permitted to count toward the student’s MPH program of study.

The College of Public Health offers a limited number of graduate assistantships each year. Graduate Assistants typically work 13–20 hours per week. In exchange, students receive a monthly stipend and a reduced tuition rate of $25 per semester (note: student fees remain the responsibility of the student). Assistantships are most often awarded by faculty with research grant funding and are not managed through a formal application process. Students are encouraged to reach out to leadership and faculty In the Institute for Disaster Management to explore potential opportunities. Once admitted, students will also receive announcements about open positions via departmental email listservs.

The College of Public Health hosts study-abroad opportunities in Thailand and Japan and has proposed a third site in Northern Europe. The UGA Office of Global Engagement coordinates study away programs with hundreds of locations around the globe. Students can select a program hosted by the College or identify an external experience that has relevance to public health and with approval, can get elective credits for coursework completed during study away.

The MPH program has a dedicated practice coordinator and currently has 200 approved sites for the required Applied Practice Experience (APE). Students can select from agencies currently partnered with the MPH program or can find a unique APE experience for the program to establish a new partnership.

MPH Students can obtain a certificate in Disaster Management, Crisis, Risk and Disaster Communication, Global Health, Infectious Disease, Obesity and Weight Management, and Social Determinants of Health. Additional certificates offered at UGA that are popular for DMAN students include Geographical Information Science and Non-Profit Management and Leadership. Many faculty at the College of Public Health conduct research in communities and offer students the opportunity to engage in service and experiential learning during their time in the MPH program.

Public Health Association (PHA) Disaster Dogs Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Students @ UGA Prepared Dawg Ambassadors UGA Future Health Promoters Environmental Health Science Club at UGA Graduate Scholars of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UGA American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) -UGA Chapter Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) – UGA Chapter American Mock World Health Organization – UGA Chapter Partners in Health: Engage UGA UGA Global Health Union Sigma Phi Omega

Dual degrees available: DVM/MPH (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine / MPH) PharmD/MPH (Doctor of Pharmacy / MPH) MSW/MPH (Master of Social Work / MPH) MD/MPH (Medical Doctor / MPH) MBA/MPH (Master of Business Administration / MPH) MHA/MPH (Master of Health Administration / MPH) Available Graduate Programs: Doctor of Public Health Master of Health Administration Online MPH