Six UA Programs for Public Health Professions
University of Alabama appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Master’s in Environmental Health Degrees Online.
In Doster Hall, the College of Human Environmental Sciences led by Dr. Stuart Usdan confers the 120-credit Public Health BS for University of Alabama undergrads to build fundamental medical knowledge with 12 internship credits and Eta Sigma Gamma membership. Chaired by Dr. Jeannine Lawrence, the Food and Nutrition BS follows a 120-credit, ACEND-accredited path producing Registered Dietitians through in-person and Bama By Distance courses.
Since June 2018, the Online MPH coordinated by Dr. David Birch has fulfilled Certified Health Education Specialist exam requirements with 42 Blackboard credits like Biostatistics and Epidemiology. The Rural Community Health MS offers a unique 30-credit, 12-month track outlined by Dr. David Bramm that bridges into the School of Medicine. Wholly online, the 30-credit Population Health Sciences MS headed by Dr. Abbey Gregg ends with the CHS 622 thesis after interdisciplinary clinical study.
Lastly, the Health Education & Health Promotion PhD organizes a 72-credit, research-based curriculum advised by Dr. Lori Turner for scholarly work bettering community wellness.
About the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama originated on December 18, 1820, when the General Assembly authorized the first higher learning institution one year after President Monroe gave statehood. In April 1831, an inaugural class of 52 arrived at its 1,000-acre Tuscaloosa campus designed by architect William Nichols. In 1859, it opened the Medical College 3.5 hours south in Mobile. During the Civil War, Union troops burned all but seven buildings, including Gorgas House. Coeducational since 1893, the University of Alabama launched the Graduate School in 1924 and awarded the first doctorate in 1952. The School of Home Economics transitioned into the College of Human Environmental Sciences in 1987. Twenty-three years later, UA partnered with the Mental Health Commission to purchase Bryce Hospital. By 2018, the University of Alabama reached a record-high $224 million fundraising year with over 62,300 donors. The “Capstone” now teaches 38,392 Crimson Tide, including 187 National Merit Scholars, from 82 countries.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Alabama the 129th best university, 80th top value, 61st best public college, and 87th best for vets school. On Niche, UA boasts America’s 11th best campus, 52nd top health professions programs, 107th best dorms, and 210th hardest admissions. Times Higher Education placed the University of Alabama 427th overall. Forbes picked UA for the 214th most diversity and 116th most impactful research. The Princeton Review noticed Alabama for the fifth best Greek life and 14th most politically engaged students. Kiplinger’s named UA the country’s 48th top public value. PayScale calculated the 418th biggest mid-career salary of $93,900 for University of Alabama alumni. WalletHub honored UA for the 146th most selectivity and 238th best education outcomes nationally. The Daily Beast also declared Alabama the 17th happiest college.
University of Alabama Accreditation Details
On December 10, 2015, Tuscaloosa News reported that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees reaffirmed the University of Alabama’s 10-year Level VI accreditation under its 29th president, Dr. Stuart Bell, who earned the 2005 ASME Richard S. Woodbury Award. Based 240 miles east via Interstate 59 in Decatur, the 11-state Deep South accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to assess the “Foundations of Quality Enhancement” for UA’s 117 academic areas. Particularly, the Food and Nutrition BS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) through 2023. The College of Human Environmental Sciences also designed the Online MPH in Spring 2018 for Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) approval.
University of Alabama Application Requirements
Attending the University of Alabama is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 20,321 of the 38,129 Fall 2017 applicants were victorious for just 53 percent acceptance. First-year Crimson Tide splashing into the Public Health BS must meet 20-unit mark in college preparatory curricula, including four units each of English and Social Sciences. Freshmen need a minimum 3.0 GPA, 21 ACT or 1060 SAT score. If taken before March 2016, SAT Critical Reading and Math scores must exceed 1000. The Food and Nutrition BS only admits online undergrads transferring 24+ college credits graded at least “C.” Post-graduate College of Human Environmental Sciences admission mandates 120 credits of accredited bachelor’s study. The Online MPH in Health Education & Promotion only considers cumulative GPAs over 3.0 in the last two years. Population Health Sciences MS cohorts must reach a 300 GRE score or better. Note the Rural Community Health MS necessitates a 3.2 GPA and 495 MCAT mark. Doctor of Philosophy candidates need at least “B” averages in qualifying master’s majors.
The University of Alabama requests incoming freshmen apply before the December 15th scholarship deadline or February 1st priority deadline. Department of Health Science transfers have until March 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring entry. Online MPH entrants are reviewed after November 1st and July 15th. The Rural Community Health MS enforces a March 15th deadline yearly. Health Education & Health Promotion PhD candidates apply for Fall cohorts by March 1st. Accordingly, create a GoBama account to submit the $40 Undergraduate or $65 Graduate Application online. Uploaded items include the unofficial transcript, test score, reference contact info, statement of purpose, résumé or CV, and English proficiency verification. Accepted students have official academic records sent to Box 870132 at 801 Campus Drive in Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Inquire further at (205) 348-6150 or hesstudentservices@ches.ua.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, the University of Alabama is charging in-state Public Health BS majors $10,780 annually. Non-resident undergrads pay $29,230 by year. Excessive credits cost $440 to $1,225 each. Mandatory fee estimates are $800 yearly. Living at the Tuscaloosa campus’ 17 dorms like Friedman Hall adds $8,900 for housing. Standard meal plans for Lakeside Dining Hall are $4,502 extra. UA budgets $1,200 for books, $2,100 for transport, and $2,390 for miscellaneous. Traditional bachelor’s study equals $30,742 in-state and $50,032 out-of-state. The Food and Nutrition BS costs everyone $364 per credit online. Graduate programs bill full-time Alabamans $5,390 and non-residents $14,615 every semester. Studying part-time incurs $845 to $1,780 each credit. However, Online MPH in Health Education & Promotion post-grads spend only $394 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Student Services Center presents $259.08 million for 57 percent of UA Crimson Tide to claim a median $14,032 offer. Health-related funds include the Frank Fitts Jr. Scholarship, Dr. Sandral Hullett Scholarship, Larry Mayes Scholarship, Dr. Benjamin Collins Maxwell Scholarship, Reese Phifer Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Robert Pieroni & Family Scholarship, and International Medical Experience Scholarship. The Academic Elite Scholarships gift full tuition and $8,500 stipends to Honors College students with minimum 3.8 GPAs. Public Health BS majors apply for the $5,000 Capstone Scholars Program until December 15th. Submitting the FAFSA application coded 001051 early garners Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant coverage. Money magazine ranked Alabama 611th with average debt of $23,800 from Federal Perkins, Stafford, Plus, and Health Professions loans. Government or nonprofit work would qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness later. Health Education & Health Promotion PhD entrants receive 20-hour graduate assistantships. Students also use state-based programs like the Alabama Student Assistance Program, Minority Doctoral Scholarship, and National Guard Education Assistance.
Find more about the University of Alabama at the Department of Health Science website.