University of Georgia Degree Public Health Programs
The University of Georgia appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the South.
B.S. in Environmental Health
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health is a science-based curriculum that prepares graduates for careers based on environmental factors that affect public health. The program includes study in a wide range of scientific principles. The first two years focus on biology, chemistry, physics, math, and microbiology while also satisfying the general education requirements all degrees at the University must complete. The second two years focus on subjects that are critical in the field of public health. These include waste management, pollution, environmental toxicology, industrial hygiene, food microbiology and more. Students are provided the opportunity to add electives that can help personalize their degree program and provide them additional instruction in a specific environmental health field. Courses required for the program include:
- Bioremediation
- Environmental Air Quality
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Issues in the Developing World
- Environmental Law
- Environmental Microbiology
- Environmental Toxicology
- Foundations of Epidemiology
- Genetic Applications in Environmental Health Services
- Hazard Analysis in Food Industry
- Health Promotion in Public Health
- Industrial Hygiene
- Introduction to Environmental Health
- Introduction to Health Policy
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Training Hazardous Waste Workers
- Urban Entomology
- Water Pollution & Human Health
An internship is also required to complete the degree.
B.S. in Health Promotion
The Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion at the University of Georgia prepares graduates who are able to plan, implement and evaluate community as well as individual needs in the area of health promotion. They are able to evaluate health education programs, write grants and develop both social marketing along with mass media campaigns to promote health in individuals, groups, and communities. Courses required for the program include:
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Community Health
- Foundations of Epidemiology
- Health Promotion Program Development
- Intermediate Biostatistics
- Introduction to Environmental Health
- Introduction to Health Policy
- Introduction to Health Promotion
- Introduction to Public Health
- Professional Writing
- Research Design and Methods
A capstone in Health Promotion, as well as an internship, are required to complete the degree.
Master of Public Health
Graduates of the Master of Public Health program have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead public health programs in the state of Georgia as well as throughout the United States and the world. It is designed for public health professionals who wish to expand their skills. The degree can be concentrated in seven areas:
- Biostatistics
- Disaster Management
- Environmental Health Science
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
- Health Policy and Management
- Health Promotion and Behavior
There are also many dual degree programs available which allow students to earn their master’s degree combined with a degree in another field of interest. Core courses for all concentrations include:
- Fundamentals of Environmental Health
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introduction to Health Policy and Management
- Social and Behavioral Foundations
Additional courses are taken in the area of their chosen concentration as well as electives. All students must complete a 300-hour internship in a public health organization. They must also pass a culminating experience in their last semester of study.
M.S. in Biostatistics
The Master of Science in Biostatistics prepares graduates for careers that focus on the complexity of human, biological and public health systems. They are able to design effective public health surveys, clinical trials and biomedical experiments that reduce the incidence of inferior treatment while also developing new and innovative statistical methods that address risk factors and medical therapies. Courses required include:
- Biostatistical Consulting
- Clinical Trials
- Current Topics in Epidemiology Seminar Series
- Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science
- Introduction to Epidemiology I
- Introduction to Health Policy Management
- Linear and Generalized Linear Modules
- Mathematical Statistics I & II
- Regression and ANOVA
- Research Data Management and Computing
- Social and Behavioral Foundations in Public Health
- Survival Analysis
M.S. in Environmental Health
The Master of Science in Environmental Health at the University of Georgia prepares graduates who understand the impact of environmental and occupational exposures on human health. The program requires 32 semester hours that include 23 hours of coursework and completion of a thesis. Courses required may include:
- Environmental Health Seminar
- General Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introductory Biostatistics I & II
- Proseminar in Environmental Health
Students may concentrate their studies by taking four elective classes.
Doctor of Public Health
The Doctor of Public Health degree at the University of Georgia prepares graduates for advanced careers in public health. The program is designed for those who already hold a Master in Public Health or doctorate in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy or law. All applicants must have at least three years in public health practice. Courses required include:
- Doctor of Public Health Seminar I
- Economic Evaluation Methods
- Ethics of Public Health
- Management of Healthcare Organizations
- Managerial Epidemiology
- Policy Evaluation
- Public Health Leadership
A residency is required plus students must complete and defend a thesis.
About University of Georgia
The University of Georgia was created by an act of the Georgia legislature in 1785, becoming the first public university in the country. The year before, Georgia’s General Assembly set aside 40,000 acres to endow an institute of higher learning. In 1801, a committee selected by the trustees chose land for the new school. John Milledge, who later became Governor of Georgia, purchased and donated 633 acres on the banks of the Oconee River.
By 1859, enrollment at the school had grown to over 100 students. However, in 1863, the school was forced to close due to the outbreak of the Civil War. The school remained closed until 1866 when it reopened with an enrollment of approximately 80 students. Some were veterans who used $300 granted by the Georgia General Assembly to former soldiers who agreed to remain in the state and teach after graduation. In 1862, the school became a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act.
With land-grant funds, the University created the Georgia State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts which was initially separate. Because the funding was considered part of the University, it kept the University of Georgia operational during the Reconstruction Era. Military training was offered at the school as part of the Morrill Act requirements starting in 1870.
Women were admitted to the University starting in 1903, but only as postgraduate students in the State Normal School and only white women could enroll. In 1910, when the Graduate School was created, women could attend summer classes and were unofficially permitted to attend other classes. A few women were able to earn degrees by taking summer classes. The first to do so was Mary Ethel Creswell who earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in June 1919. By 1941, enrollment had grown to over 4,000.
During World War II, enrollment dropped significantly as male students left school to join the Armed Services. After the war, enrollment grew rapidly, however, as soldiers returned home to take advantage of the GI Bill. The University integrated in 1961 with the admission of Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter.
Today, there are over 37,600 students attending the University of Georgia. Kiplinger Magazine ranks the school 12th in its list of 100 Best Values in Public Colleges. US News & World Report ranks the school 13th in its Best Colleges ranking and Forbes ranks the school 17th on its list of colleges that dominate both academically and athletically.
University of Georgia Accreditation Details
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation is a voluntary peer review process that assures academic quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Accreditation also qualifies students to apply for federal financial assistance and for researchers to apply for federally funded grants. In addition, programs throughout the school have been granted specialized accreditation by the following organizations:
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology Engineering Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Council for Accreditation
- American Bar Association
- American Chemical Society
- American Music Therapy Association
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Social Work Education
- Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, American Society of Landscape Architects
- Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Association
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design Commission on Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Dance Commission on Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Music Commission on Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Theatre Commission on Accreditation
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- National Environmental Health Sciences and Protection Accreditation Council
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration, Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation
- Planning Accreditation Board
- Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System
- Society of American Foresters
University of Georgia Application Requirements
Applicants to either the Bachelor of Science in Environmental or Public Health at the University of Georgia must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts. They must have a GPA of 2.7 or higher and must have completed at least one General Education course in each area. All applicants must provide an essay as well.
In order to apply for graduate programs in public health, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must provide official GRE scores in the 60th percentile. An application is required along with official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
The University of Georgia Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition at the University of Georgia is $11,830 for residents and $30,404. Full-time graduate tuition for Georgia residents is $8,542 and for non-residents $24,228. Part-time tuition for the Master of Public Health program is $398 per hour and the Doctor of Public Health is $421 per hour.
Financial aid is available and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Undergraduates may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Graduate students may qualify for grants, loans, fellowships, and student assistantships to offset the cost of tuition.
The University of Georgia offers several degrees in Public Health, most of which are offered in an on-campus format only. There may be some general education courses that may be taken online at the University of Georgia to allow for flexibility for working adults.