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Integrated BS/MPH Program

The Integrated Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health (BS/MPH) program, commonly known as the 4+1 Program, is a highly competitive program of study that allows well-prepared students an efficient pathway to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in just five years, compared to the typical six-year timeline.

To be eligible, applicants must be on track to complete a bachelor's degree in one of BYU's Public Health emphases: Health Promotion or Health Science. The integrated program is not currently available for students in the Environmental Science or Epidemiology emphases.

The 4+1 Program supports the BYU MPH Program's mission to develop public health leaders who are prepared to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in a variety of settings.

Information for Prospective Students

  • To be eligible for the Integrated BS/MPH (4+1) Program, applicants must:

    • Be declared as a current BYU Public Health undergraduate major with an emphasis in Health Promotion or Health Science. (Not currently available to students in the Environmental Science or Epidemiology emphases.)
    • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
      • In rare circumstances, applicants with a GPA below 3.5 may be considered. Applicants must include a statement explaining the cirucmstances surrounding their GPA and why they believe they will be successful in the integrated curriculum.
    • Be in their third year of study (junior standing) by the February 1 application deadline. Students admitted to the program will begin the integrated program during their senior year by taking the MPH level coursework with the rest of the traditional incoming MPH cohort.
    • Meet with an undergraduate academic advisor to carefully map public health coursework for each semester. This planning process determines whether both the BS and MPH degrees can feasibly be completed within two additional years.
    • Receive undergraduate and graduate departmental approval before applying. The Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form, outlining the approved coursework plan, must be signed by both the undergraduate advisor and the MPH director (or a designated MPH Curriculum Committee member).
  • Applying to the Integrated BS/MPH (4+1) Program is a two-step process completed over two years.

    STEP 1: Apply to the Integrated BS/MPH Program (Junior Year)


    Application Deadline - February 1 of your junior year

    Submit the Integrated BS/MPH Department Application, which includes the following:

    Statement of Intent - Upload four essays (PDF format, maximum 400 words each).
    • 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 of belonging for all people. How do you envision your personal life experiences contributing to the scholarly and/or professional aspects of the MPH program? 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 Forms - Submit two Integrated BS/MPH Recommendation Forms from individuals who can attest to your academic and/or work ability. At least one recommendation must come 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 a current resume (PDF preferred).

    Transcripts - Upload unofficial undergraduate transcripts demonstrating coursework completed to date. In general, applicants must have a 3.5 GPA in their undergraduate courses when applying to demonstrate that they can handle the added rigor of completing BS and MPH requirements simultaneously. In rare exceptions, applicants with a GPA below a 3.5 may be considered if they include a statement explaining the circumstances and why they are prepared to successfully complete the integrated curriculum.

    Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form - Upload the completed and signed Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Form, outlining how you will complete both BS and MPH degree requirements during your senior year and plus one year. The form must be signed by an undergraduate academic advisor and the MPH Director (or a designated member of the MPH Curriculum Committee).

    Before you Begin - To simplify the application process, have the following documents ready to upload in PDF format before starting the online application:

    • Four Statement of Intent essays
    • Resume
    • Undergraduate transcripts
    • Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Form

    To access the 2027 Integrated BS/MPH Department Application, click HERE. (Application opens January 1, 2027)


    STEP 2: Apply to the BYU Master of Public Health Program through BYU Graduate Studies (Senior Year)


    Application Deadline - Submit the BYU Graduate Studies Application by the February 1 of your senior year.

    Maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA in courses completed during your senior year (the first year of integrated curriculum).

    Statement of Intent - Upload four essays (PDF format, maximum 400 words each).
    • 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 of belonging for all people. How do you envision your personal life experiences contributing to the scholarly and/or professional aspects of the MPH program? 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 a current resume (PDF preferred).

    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.
  • The MAP sheets below provide one possible course flow option to help students graduate in five years. There are other possible substitutions for health promotion and health science students.

    Health Promotion MAP Sheet
    Health Science MAP Sheet
  • The Integrated BS/MPH program allows up to 12 credits to be counted toward both the BS and MPH degrees. These 12 credits must be graduate level courses (e.g., an undergraduate course cannot be substituted in place of a graduate course, but a graduate course can be substituted in place of an undergraduate course). For example, a health promotion student would take HLTH 614 in place of HLTH 494, HLTH 624 in place of HLTH 434, and HLTH 688R in place of HLTH 494R. HLTH 614, HLTH 624, and HLTH 688R would count toward their undergraduate and graduate degree. For a list of possible course substitutions, click HERE.

    Students accepted into the integrated program will:
    • Be admitted as a graduate student at least two semesters prior to graduation.
    • Take MPH courses and finish their undergraduate requirements during their senior year and plus one year.
    • Pay undergraduate tuition during their senior year and graduate tuition during their plus one year.
    • Pay at least two semesters (or one full-time semester and two full-time terms) of full-time graduate student tuition.
    • Complete a Notification of Integrated or Joint Program Status (GS Form 5).
    • Receive both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree simultaneously (the same semester and year/term).

    For more information, please email mph@byu.edu.

January 2027 Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Process

Integrated BS/MPH Grad Plan Approval Forms must be approved and signed by both an undergraduate academic advisor and a member of the MPH Curriculum Committee.

Step 1: Complete the grad plan to the best of your ability.
Step 2: Email your grad plan to your undergraduate advisor and request an appointment. You must meet with your advisor first to determine whether the Integrated BS/MPH program is feasible based on your remaining undergraduate credits.
Step 3: After your grad plan has been approved by your advisor, email the approved grad plan to mph@byu.edu for MPH Curriculum Committeeoreview and approval.

BS/MPH Info Session

BS:MPH Info Session 2023.mp4