Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health have partnered to launch a new accelerated program that allows students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in public health in just five years.
The new 3+2 Undergraduate-to-Master of Public Health (U2MPH) program is designed to streamline the path into public health careers, helping students reduce their overall tuition burden while entering the workforce sooner with advanced qualifications.
“By combining SM̳’s interdisciplinary academic experience with UNMC’s expertise in public health, we are preparing future leaders to address complex health challenges with both compassion and skill,” said SM̳ President Darrin Good. “As demand in this field continues to grow, this partnership positions both institutions to meet that need and make a meaningful impact on our local communities and across the world.”
Undergraduate students majoring in public health at SM̳ may apply to the U2MPH program after completing at least 81 undergraduate credit hours and earning a minimum GPA of 3.3. Once admitted, students take up to 18 credit hours of graduate-level MPH coursework online during their senior year. These credits apply to both their bachelor’s degree at SM̳ and the 42-credit MPH at UNMC.
“Through the U2MPH program, SM̳ students will be empowered to build meaningful careers in public health,” said Lacey Batt-Peters, assistant professor of health and human performance at SM̳. “They will gain the skills to lead interdisciplinary teams, advance health equity and develop evidence-based solutions to complex challenges.”
The program offers students a choice of seven high-demand MPH concentrations:
- Biostatistics
- Emergency preparedness
- Epidemiology
- Environmental and occupational health
- Health promotion
- Maternal and child health
- Public health administration and policy
“Due to their interdisciplinary skills, U2MPH graduates will be equipped to work in various public health disciplines,” Batt-Peters said.
MPH graduates are in demand across sectors:
- Environmental and occupational health
- Global health and humanitarian efforts
- Government (CDC, local/state health departments)
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Nonprofits and advocacy organizations
- Research and data analysis
An MPH is also a strong foundation for advanced study in medical, dental, law or PhD programs.