The Department of Health and Kinesiology offers a joint Bachelor of Science + Master of Public Health (BS-MPH) degree program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Students can earn a BS-MPH in either offered MPH area of focus: Epidemiology major or Public Health major with a focus in Health Behavior and Promotion. The BS-MPH allows students to complete their degree at an accelerated pace by taking some courses that count toward their MPH degree during their final year of undergraduate studies.
Eligibility
Only University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates majoring in Community Health, I-Health or Kinesiology are eligible to apply for this joint, accelerated pathway. Students who have completed their junior year but have not yet completed their senior year are eligible to apply.
Note: Students who plan to graduate one semester to a year early are still eligible to apply as long as their completed credit hours are equivalent to a junior standing at the time of applying. The curriculum, degree requirements and faculty for the MPH portion of the joint degree are the same as the regular MPH program.
Curriculum
BS-MPH students complete the standard MPH curriculum, but they do so at an accelerated pace and begin during their senior year. Please read the information on the campus course catalog about the Epidemiology core and specialization courses and the Health Behavior & Promotion core and specialization courses to learn more about the curriculum for these programs.
- BS-MPH students are allowed to apply 12 credit hours from undergraduate study to the MPH degree. This will come from the following courses the student takes during their undergraduate studies:
- HK 410 Public Health Practice (4 credits)
- HK 408 Environmental Health (3-4 credits depending on when taken)
- 400-level elective course OR one 400-level 4th MPH concentration course (3 or 4 credits)
There is a possibility that some BS-MPH applicants complete one or more of the courses listed above before applying to the program. If admitted, it is not required to retake the courses after entering the joint degree program and those credits will automatically be applied toward both the B.S. and MPH degrees.
Applying to the BS-MPH Program
We welcome incoming University of Illinois undergraduates majoring in Community Health, Kinesiology and Interdisciplinary Health (I-Health). Our admissions committee uses a holistic application review process, and we expect to notify applicants within 4-6 weeks after each application deadline has passed.
Eligible students should apply before the start of their final undergraduate year. The deadlines to apply for the BS-MPH program are July 15 and November 15.
Applying by July 15 gives students who are admitted fall and spring semesters to take courses that count towards both their B.S. and MPH degrees. Applying by November 15 gives students who are admitted only the spring semester to take courses that count towards both their BS and MPH degrees.
- Applicants to the BS-MPH program should submit through the Graduate College Application.
- Only students who are in their final year of undergraduate study during the 2025-2026 Academic Year in Community Health, Kinesiology, Interdisciplinary Health (I-Health) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign may apply for this application cycle.
- Applicants must be able to complete all B.S. requirements by the end of the University of Illinois’ summer session in 2026 in order to advance to the MPH in fall 2026.
Application Information and Instructions
A complete BS-MPH application includes:
- Online Graduate College Application
- Academic statement of purpose
- Please specify early in your statement whether you are applying to the BS-MPH in Epidemiology or the BS-MPH in Health Behavior & Promotion.
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts
Prerequisite requirements: Before applying for the BS-MPH program, all Community Health and Interdisciplinary Health (I-Health) major applicants are required to complete the course HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology, and MUST obtain a B or higher grade in it. This prerequisite does NOT apply to Kinesiology majors. HK 416 is also recommended.
Steps for Applying
Step 1: Create an account through the Graduate College Application portal. Once you log in, select “Start New Application” and “Create Application” on the pop-up window.
Step 2: Complete the application using the following information.
Application by Section
Instructions Section:
Please read all of the information in this section carefully.
Application Fee: After you submit your online application, you will be prompted to pay a non-refundable application fee ($70 for domestic applicants, $90 for international applicants). Your application will not be reviewed until this fee has been paid. If you do not pay your application fee within 3 weeks of submitting your application, your application will not be submitted. The University of Illinois does offer application fee waivers for certain applicants.
Personal Information Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly.
Residency Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly.
Program Section:
Previous University of Illinois Affiliation
- You will be asked if you have ever applied or attended any University of Illinois campus. You must respond yes and enter the last term you attended.
- If applying for the July 15 deadline, enter spring 2025
- If applying for the November 15 deadline, enter fall 2025
- You will be asked if you are a current or previous employee of the University of Illinois. Please answer accordingly.
- You will be asked to enter your UIN, so please have that ready.
Proposed Program of Study
- For Program, select “Health and Kinesiology”
- For Degree, use the list below to select the degree the correct degree option:
- For Community Health undergrads
- EPI: Master of Public Health in Epidemiology/Community Health-BS/MPH
- HBP: Master of Public Health/Community Health-BS/MPH
- For I-Health undergrads
- EPI: Master of Public Health in Epidemiology/I-Health-BS/MPH
- HBP: Master of Public Health/I-Health-BS/MPH
- For Kinesiology undergrads
- EPI: Master of Public Health in Epidemiology/Kinesiology-BS/MPH
- HBP: Master of Public Health/Kinesiology-BS/MPH
- For Community Health undergrads
- You will be asked to verify that you are a current University of Illinois undergrad and indicate what your undergrad major is.
- If you applied for an application fee waiver, you will be asked to indicate if you are eligible here.
Academics Section:
- Fill out the requested information on all of the universities you have attended or are currently attending.
- Upload unofficial transcripts (your own copies) from all colleges you have attended, including community colleges.
- As a University of Illinois undergraduate, you are able to access an unofficial copy of your transcript through Self-Service. Once logged in, under Student Services, you can select View Academic History/Unofficial Transcript, print & save as PDF, and upload that to satisfy this section.
Test Scores Section:
- GRE and any other test scores are not required for the MPH program. If you have taken, and which to upload, your GRE Scores, you are welcome to do so.
Resume Section:
- A detailed resume must be submitted for admission consideration. While experience is not required, previous health experience is beneficial to the application and will be considered by the admission committee. Please limit your resume to 1-2 pages.
- Applicant’s professional resume should include: personal information, educational background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and brief description of responsibilities), internship experience (start and end dates and brief description of responsibilities), educational training, professional associations and leadership experience.
Statements Section:
- You may skip the Academic Statement in this section.
- Please respond to Personal Statement Short Answer Essay questions #1 and #2. These questions are required by our Illinois Graduate College.
Program Essay section:
All applicants will be required to respond to a series of short personal essays. Each short personal essay should be a maximum of 1,500 characters (roughly 250-500 words). Applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Question 1: What are your short- and long-term goals in public health? How do you envision using an MPH degree to achieve these goals?
- Question 2: Why have you chosen to pursue an MPH degree? What personal, academic, or professional experiences have led you to this decision? Why is the Master of Public Health program at the University of Illinois the right fit for you?
- Question 3:
- For Epidemiology Applicants: Please describe your academic and/or professional experience(s) where you were engaged in quantitative work. What did this experience teach you about your interests or abilities, and how has it influenced your desire to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology? In your response, reflect on how your experience has prepared you for the quantitative aspects of the MPH Epidemiology curriculum, what you hope to gain during this academic training, and how this program will prepare you for your career goals.
- For Health Behavior & Promotion Applicants: Please describe your academic and/or professional experience(s) that sparked your interest in health behavior and health promotion. What did it teach you about the challenges and opportunities in promoting health at the individual or community level? How do you see this experience preparing you for the core principles of the Health Behavior & Promotion concentration in the MPH program? What do you hope to gain during this academic training and how will this program prepare you for your career goals?
- Optional Essay: Please use this optional essay to discuss any abnormalities in your transcript that you would like the admissions committee to consider when reviewing your application.
References Section:
- Recommendation Letter Requirements: The MPH program requires three letters of recommendation. At least one must come from a professor or instructor attesting to the applicant’s ability for graduate studies, preferably from the final 60 credit hours. Epidemiology applicants should ensure a recommender addresses quantitative, analytical or research skills. The other letters can be from academic or professional sources highlighting education, work, internships or leadership skills.
- Submitting without Letters: Submit your application before the deadline, even if letters are pending. Applications won’t be reviewed until all letters are received. Letters requested fewer than 10 days before the deadline risk not being considered. Please note: If the application deadline passes and your letters have not yet been received, the program will not consider applications with recommendation requests sent less than 10 days before the deadline.
- Recommender Follow-Up: The system will not remind recommenders automatically. To send a reminder, revisit the references section of your application, click “Edit,” update the email if needed, and select “Send Reminder.”
Signature Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly
Review Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly
Step 3: Submit!
General FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for the BS-MPH program?
Undergraduate students at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Community Health, I-Health or Kinesiology are eligible to apply. Only students who have completed their junior year (or have enough credits to have a junior standing and plan to graduate early) but have not yet completed their final year are eligible to apply.
How is the BS-MPH degree program (1-1.5 years) different from the 2-year MPH program?
The curriculum and the requirements for the MPH degree are the same for the 1-1.5 year BS-MPH and the 2-year MPH program. However, only University of Illinois undergraduate students in Community Health, I-Health or Kinesiology are eligible to apply for the BS-MPH. The only difference in the two degree tracks is when courses are taken. Students admitted to the BS-MPH program take up to 12 credits of MPH coursework during their senior year. This means that students interested in the BS-MPH must apply to the MPH prior to their final year of undergraduate study, usually during the summer before their senior year. These students will need to collaborate with their undergraduate advisors to ensure they can take MPH courses and still finish their BS on time. Additionally, BS-MPH students will take more courses per semester to be able to complete their MPH at the accelerated pace. Students who are admitted to the BS-MPH take a higher graduate workload (up to 17 credit hours) compared to an average graduate student workload (12 credit hours).
When is it best to apply for the BS-MPH program?
BS-MPH applications are taken twice per year: July 15 and November 15. It is best to apply for the BS-MPH degree AFTER your junior year but BEFORE your senior year. Most students will complete their junior year in spring term and should apply during the summer between junior and senior year. By the spring of the junior year, applicants should determine that they can take HK 408 and HK 410 during their senior year AND meet all the requirements for graduation with a B.S. by the end of senior year.
Applicants are recommended to apply in the summer before their senior year, as if they are admitted, this gives them two semesters of flexibility in which to take the courses that count towards both the BS and MPH degrees. It also allows students to know about their graduate program plans earlier and reduce stress during the school year. In addition, applying in July also gives students an opportunity to revise their application based on feedback from the admissions committee review and reapply in November if needed.
What if I decide I’m interested in the BS-MPH program during the last term of my senior year?
You have missed the deadline for applications for the BS-MPH program. However, you may still be able to apply for the traditional MPH program. The MPH program has a deadline in the spring semester. Learn more about the MPH application process and deadlines.
What if I plan to graduate with a B.S. degree in between fall and spring terms of my senior year (a semester early)?
The BS-MPH program will work for you. However, you will not start the graduate year(s) of your BS-MPH program until fall term, so you will have a spring and summer term off between your 4th and 5th years. You should not apply to receive your B.S. degree, as this will prevent you from applying to the BS-MPH joint degree program. You will receive both B.S. and MPH degrees after completing your MPH degree.
What MPH courses should I take in my senior year that count toward both my B.S. and MPH degrees?
BS-MPH students are allowed to apply 12 credit hours from undergraduate study to the MPH degree. This will come from the following courses the student takes during their undergraduate studies.
- HK 408: Environmental Health (3-4 credits depending on when taken)
- HK 410: Public Health Practice (4 credits)
- 400-level elective course (3 or 4 credits)
You can enroll in these courses after being accepted into the program. Please note that these are NOT prerequisites for applying for BS-MPH.
*There is a possibility that some BS-MPH applicants complete one or more of senior year MPH courses (HK 408, HK 410, Elective/Concentration course) before they apply to the program. They are not required to retake the courses after entering the joint degree program and those credits will automatically be applied toward both the BS and the MPH degrees.
Do I have to retake HK 408 or HK 410 if I already completed the courses prior to applying for the program?
You do NOT have to retake the completed courses. They will automatically apply toward both your BS and MPH degrees.
What are the minimum number of credit hours that should apply to both B.S. and MPH degrees?
The BS-MPH program is designed for applicants with THREE courses that total at least 10 credit hours that count toward both BS and MPH degrees. Applicants who do not have at least 10 credit hours should apply to the 2-year MPH program.
Because the MPH program requires 48 credit hours, and a maximum of 12 credit hours can be taken in the 4th year as a senior, BS-MPH students must earn at least 36 credit hours during their graduate enrollment time.
The Graduate College allows graduate students to take up to 20 credit hours a semester without special approval. In my fifth year, can I take 20 credit hours in the fall, 16 in the spring, and graduate at the end of the spring term?
The earliest BS-MPH students may take the MPH Applied Practice Experience (APE) course is POT B (second eight weeks) in the spring semester of their final year. All MPH students must take the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) course in the final term (i.e. the summer session at the end of fifth year for BS-MPH students).
Does the MPH program have requirements for academic performance?
Yes. Some of the important requirements related to grades are:
- BS-MPH students in undergraduate standing must achieve a minimum grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the following courses to be eligible to progress into the fifth year of the program. These courses are directly related to MPH core courses and indicate student performance at the graduate level. Failure to achieve a B or higher will result in dismissal from the BS-MPH.
- HK 408: Environmental Health
- HK 410: Public Health Practice and
- An elective or 4th concentration course of choice completed within the BS degree
- Students accepted to the BS-MPH program must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in each semester during the senior year. A GPA below 3.0 will result in dismissal from the program.
- During the year(s) of study when a BS-MPH student is officially a graduate student, the student is required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
How do I know if I am a strong applicant to the BS-MPH program?
Strong applicants to the BS-MPH program:
- Have an undergraduate GPA well above the minimum GPA of 3.0 required for admission to graduate school.
- Prerequisite requirements: Before applying for the BS-MPH program, all Community Health and Interdisciplinary Health major applicants are required to complete HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology and MUST obtain a B or higher grade in it. This prerequisite does NOT apply to Kinesiology majors.
- Demonstrate ability to do well in statistics, mathematics, and/or epidemiology courses as an undergraduate. STAT 100: Statistics and HK 416: Health Data Analysis are examples. These courses are NOT required prerequisites for all BS-MPH applicants.
- Have strong grades in undergraduate courses with content related to public health. These include HK 111: Introduction to Public Health and HK 154: Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Health.
- Have strong letters of recommendation from people who know your academic ability. Please see information elsewhere on this page for tips on requesting a strong letter of recommendation.
- Write a personal statement with a thoughtful explanation of why public health training fits into the applicant’s career plans. Please see information elsewhere on this page for tips about writing your personal statement.
I see that I need to register for courses during my senior year BEFORE I know if I am accepted into the BS-MPH program. Should I register myself for HK 408 and HK 410?
It is not necessary for students to register for HK 408 and HK410 in advance of being accepted to the BS-MPH program. The BS-MPH program will hold space for the student in the courses and guarantee that they can register if accepted.
Many students will decide to register for courses assuming they ARE NOT accepted to the program. BUT, the students also have a plan for their coursework in senior year assuming they ARE accepted.
Where can I find the official requirements for the MPH program?
Read more about the MPH program on our website, or visit the MPH section of the campus course catalog for additional information .
If I am accepted into the BS-MPH program, what happens next?
If you are accepted into the BS-MPH program, you will be asked to indicate by email whether you accept the offer. Since you will receive the offer within a week of the beginning of classes, you should be prepared to accept or refuse the offer within a few days of receiving it. This will allow you to register and then attend required MPH courses starting in the first week of class. There are also orientations and meetings starting early in the term.
We will share your decision to accept admission to the BS-MPH program with your undergraduate advisor, with the Department of Health and Kinesiology, and with the Office of the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences.
When do I begin paying graduate tuition?
You begin paying graduate tuition in the fifth year of study and for the duration of your graduate work. As a senior, you pay undergraduate tuition.
Are there tuition waivers for the graduate year(s) of study?
No. The BS-MPH and MPH programs are not eligible for tuition waivers.
When do I graduate with BS and MPH degrees?
Both B.S. and MPH degrees are conferred concurrently. That is, the B.S. degree is NOT conferred at the end of senior year. BS-MPH students should NOT file to receive their B.S. degrees. Doing so will prevent you from continuing in the joint degree program.
BS-MPH students who complete requirements for the BS-MPH degree at the expected rate will file for graduation during their planned final semester. The BS-MPH in Epidemiology is completed in 1.5 years, and the BS-MPH in Health Behavior & Promotion can be completed in 1 or 1.5 years.
Can I participate in graduation ceremonies at the end of my senior year?
Yes! You may walk in the AHS convocation ceremony in spring term at the end of your senior year (as an undergraduate student), but you will not be certified to graduate with a BS after the ceremony. You may also participate in the universitywide commencement ceremony.
When will I participate in graduation ceremonies for my graduate degree?
You will not be certified to graduate with concurrent BS and MPH degrees until all requirements are met for both degrees (generally after the end of summer term). BS-MPH in Epidemiology students graduate in December of their second MPH year. They can participate in any University-wide graduation ceremony offered by campus in December (this varies year-to-year) and/or participate in the AHS convocation ceremony and/or University-wide ceremonies the following May. BS-MPH in Public Health – Health Behavior & Promotion students on the 1.5 year track would do the same as the BS-MPH in Epidemiology students as noted above. The BS-MPH in Health Behavior & Promotion students on the 1 year track graduate in August after their graduate year. They may participate in the AHS convocation ceremony in the spring term of their graduate year of study, but you will not be certified to graduate after the ceremony since you will still need to complete the summer semester. You may also participate in the University-wide commencement ceremony in that same term.
I am interested in the BS-MPH. What are the next steps?
- Register for and attend an MPH Info Session.
- Review the MPH web page in detail as well as the application instructions above.
- Meet with your undergraduate advisor to ensure you have room in your schedule to take the three courses needed for the BS-MPH by the end of senior year.
- Contact mph-admissions@illinois.edu for questions or more information.
BS-MPH for Community Health FAQs
Why should Community Health undergraduates consider earning both B.S. and MPH degrees?
If the Community Health B.S. degree program is a good match for a student’s interests and abilities, then an MPH degree program is likely to be a good match too. Additionally, an undergraduate degree in Community Health is an excellent background for advanced study in public health. For students interested in a career as a public health practitioner, the MPH degree is the most widely recognized credential for a career in public health. Students who are more interested in research could also consider MS and Ph.D. degree programs. However, the MPH degree does lay the basis for further study in a doctoral program in public health.
When Community Health students enter the BS-MPH program, what approved courses do they take prior to the end of their fourth (senior) year that count for both B.S. and MPH degrees?
Please see detailed information elsewhere on this page.
Are there any prerequisite courses I need to take before applying for the BS-MPH program?
The Community Health curriculum requires HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology. This course is a prerequisite for community health majors applying for the BS-MPH program. Applicants must complete this course before applying and must achieve a B or higher.
BS-MPH for Interdisciplinary Health FAQs
Why should I-Health undergraduates consider earning both B.S. and MPH degrees?
Many I-Health students will find the professional MPH degree appealing. The MPH degree provides I-Health students an excellent opportunity to build upon interdisciplinary coursework in health. The MPH also provides skills in public health practice that prepares students for a variety of public healthcareers, many of which involve interdisciplinary cross-cutting health issues. Of course, an undergraduate degree in I-Health is a strong background for advanced study in public health. The MPH can be appropriate for students considering careers in healthcare such as medicine, nursing or social work. Obtaining both clinical training and an MPH degree opens up career opportunities.
When I-Health students enter the BS-MPH program, what approved courses do they take prior to the end of their fourth (senior) year that count for both BS and MPH degrees?
Please see detailed information elsewhere on this page.
Are there any prerequisite courses I need to take before applying for the BS-MPH program?
The I-Health curriculum requires HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology. This course is a prerequisite for I-Health majors applying for the BS-MPH program. Applicants must complete this course before applying and must achieve a B or higher.
The I-Health curriculum requires STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (or an equivalent course). This is NOT a prerequisite for applying. However, a good grade in this course will strengthen the application.
BS-MPH for Kinesiology FAQs
Why should Kinesiology undergraduates consider earning both B.S. and MPH degrees?
A B.S. degree in Kinesiology provides an excellent background for a career in public health. Given its emphasis on the health benefits of physical activity, exercise science is a public health science. The MPH degree is a professional degree and the most widely recognized credential for a career in public health. The combination of these two degrees prepares students for many career paths in public health, particularly careers involving health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Students can get more information about career options at information sessions held each term by the MPH program.
When Kinesiology students enter the BS-MPH program, what approved courses do they take prior to the end of their fourth (senior) year that count for both B.S. and MPH degrees?
Please see detailed information elsewhere on this page.
Are there any prerequisite courses I need to take before applying for the BS-MPH program?
There are no specific prerequisite courses for Kinesiology majors. Consider taking HK 209: Introduction to Biostatistics and Health Data Analysis, HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology, MATH 115: Preparation for Calculus, MATH 161: Statistics, MATH 220: Calculus, or similar courses. A grade of B or higher in such courses will strengthen the application for BS-MPH.