Students applying to the Integrated BS/MPH program will have a two-step application process:
STEP 1: Junior Year - Application to Integrated BS/MPH Program
Application Deadline - Submit the Integrated BS/MPH Department Application by the February 1st application deadline of your junior year.
Statement of Intent - Upload four short essays in PDF format explaining the following (each essay should not exceed 400 words in length):
- Essay 1: In your own words, explain your understanding of the public health profession. Explain why you want to study public health. Describe at least one of your public health interest areas (e.g., topics or skills), what you hope to do with an MPH, and life or personal experiences that have led to your interest in public health and that equip you for working in this field.
- Essay 2: How would the BYU Integrated BS/MPH (4+1) program advance your career and personal goals? Be specific about why the 4+1 would be of value to you instead of the traditional MPH at BYU or another university. Please frame your response beyond just "saving money" or liking the "church/spiritual" atmosphere of BYU. We want to understand how the 4+1 will promote your career goals. Please note: your explanation for why you are pursuing a public health graduate degree generally should be articulated in your answer to Essay 1. Essay 2 focuses on why the 4+1 is a good fit for you.
- Essay 3: The BYU Department of Public Health has a stated priority to create an environment that honors diversity and belonging for all people. How can you support or enhance our ability to achieve that priority/ What could you uniquely contribute to the cohort? Applicants are encouraged to share their experiences relating to cultural background, special skill sets, academic perspectives, linguistic and international background, socioeconomic background, adversity, first-generation college student, life experiences or anything else that you feel you uniquely bring to the program. We do not make decisions based on gender or race.
- Essay 4: List up to three courses you have taken (with course #'s) on your transcript that demonstrate your experience with qualitative or quantitative data. Discuss specific details and examples of relevant coursework, employment, research, volunteer, or other professional experiences that involved analyzing quantitative data; you can also discuss experiences working with qualitative data. If you do not have data analysis experience, explain your aptitude for working with quantitative data.
Recommendation Form - Include two Integrated BS/MPH Recommendation Forms from those who can attest to your academic and/or work ability. At least one form should be from a BYU public health faculty member (not including adjunct faculty). Applicants are encouraged to ask their recommenders to discuss the following in their form: leadership skills, ability to work well with others, grit, dependability, writing, and academic ability. Recommenders should email recommendation forms directly to mph@byu.edu.
Resume - Upload your resume to your online application.
Transcripts - Upload your undergraduate transcripts demonstrating coursework completed to date. In general, students must have a 3.5 GPA in their undergraduate courses when applying to demonstrate that they can handle the added rigor of completing MPH and BS requirements simultaneously. In rare exceptions, students may be accepted who have a GPA lower than 3.5 They should include a statement explaining their lower GPA and why they can manage completing MPH and BS requirements simultaneously.
Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form - Upload the signed Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form, indicating how you will complete MPH and BS requirements in your senior year and plus one year. You must use the form that will be made available on this website. The form must be signed by an undergraduate academic advisor, Beth Liechty (beth.liechty@byu.edu), and the MPH director, James Johnston (james_johnston@byu.edu), or a designated member of the MPH curriculum committee.
Note: It is strongly recommended to have the required statement of intent essays, qualitative/analytic skills essay, resume, transcripts, and Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form completed and ready for individual upload before starting the Integrated BS/MPH online application form. Please submit documents in PDF format.
To access the Integrated BS/MPH Department Application, click HERE. (Application opens January 1, 2025.)
STEP 2: Senior Year - Application to BYU MPH Program
Application Deadline - Submit the BYU Graduate Studies Application by the February 1st application deadline of your senior year.
Maintain a 3.2 GPA for courses taken during senior year (first year of Integrated BS/MPH curriculum).
Statement of Intent - Include four short essays explaining the following (each essay should not exceed 400 words in length):
- Essay 1: In your own words, explain your understanding of the public health profession. Explain why you want to study public health. Describe at least one of your public health interest areas (e.g., topics or skills), what you hope to do with an MPH, and life or personal experiences that have led to your interest in public health and that equip you for working in this field.
- Essay 2: How would the BYU Integrated BS/MPH (4+1) program advance your career and personal goals? Be specific about why the 4+1 would be of value to you instead of the traditional MPH at BYU or another university. Please frame your response beyond just "saving money" or liking the "church/spiritual" atmosphere of BYU. We want to understand how the 4+1 will promote your career goals. Please note: your explanation for why you are pursuing a public health graduate degree generally should be articulated in your answer to Essay 1. Essay 2 focuses on why the 4+1 is a good fit for you.
- Essay 3: The BYU Department of Public Health has a stated priority to create an environment that honors diversity and belonging for all people. How can you support or enhance our ability to achieve that priority? What could you uniquely contribute to the cohort? Applicants are encouraged to share their experiences relating to cultural background, special skill sets, academic perspectives, linguistic and international background, socioeconomic background, adversity, first-generation college student, life experiences, or anything else that you feel you uniquely bring to the program. We do not make decisions based on gender or race.
- Essay 4: List up to three courses you have taken (with course #'s) on your transcript that demonstrate your experience with qualitative or quantitative data. Discuss specific details and examples of relevant coursework, employment, research, volunteer, or other professional experiences that involved analyzing quantitative data; you can also discuss experiences working with qualitative data. If you do not have data analysis experience, explain your aptitude for working with quantitative data.
Letters of Recommendation - Include two letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic and/or work ability. Applicants are encouraged to ask their letter writers to discuss the following in their letter: leadership skills, ability to work well with others, grit, dependability, writing, and academic ability.
Resume - Upload your resume to your online application.
Transcripts - Upload your undergraduate transcripts demonstrating coursework completed to date.
To access the Graduate Studies application for the Master of Public Health Program, click HERE.
