School of Medicine

B/MPH with Partner Institutions

MPH Pathway Programs: Bridging Undergraduate and Graduate Education in Public Health

The Tufts University School of Medicine's Public Health program is dedicated to fostering educational pathways that enhance career opportunities for undergraduate students. Through strategic partnerships with esteemed institutions, we offer an innovative Master of Public Health (MPH) Pathway designed to provide a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate education in public health. These collaborations allow students to earn graduate credits during their undergraduate studies, accelerating their path to an MPH degree and equipping them with valuable skills and knowledge to address complex public health challenges.

Partner Institutions

  • Effective September 2024, Boston College undergraduates can apply to the MPH Pathway Program. Applications open in the spring of sophomore year, with a deadline of April 1st of junior year. Notifications of acceptance are typically sent within 3-4 weeks.

    Boston College Requirements

    Participants must complete:

    • Two  Tufts MPH courses (6 credits), available in person or online.
    • Two BC courses (6 credits) from the Global Public Health and the Common Good program, counting toward both degrees.
      • Students must enroll in the Accelerated MPH Pathway version of the BC courses at the beginning of the semester, before the add/drop date. Each course will include one additional assignment beyond the regular undergraduate class, with a specially designated graduate-level course number. The extra assignment will be determined by the instructor at the semester's start.
      • BC students interested in this pathway must register for the designated courses at the beginning of the semester, as retroactive declarations are not permitted.
      • Eligible BC Courses:
        • The following courses are currently eligible for Tufts MPH elective credit upon matriculation into the MPH Program:
          • PHCG2130 Global Public Health Law
          • PHCG3120 Cancer Epidemiology
          • PHCG3210 Contemporary Issues in Public Health
          • PHCG3300 Global Health: Theory to Practice
          • PHCG3425 Food Policy and Health
          • PHCG3810 Public Health Planning, Practice and Evaluation
          • PHCG4050 The Law, Policy and Politics of Women's Health
          • PHCG4140 Children's Health and the Environment

    Program Liaison

    • Philip Landrigan
    • Professor in the Biology Department
    • Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good Director of the Global
    • 617-552-8209
    • phil.landrigan@bc.edu

    Tufts Faculty Leads

    • Ramnath Subbaraman, MD, MSc, FACP, FIDSA 
      Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine 
      ramnath.subbaraman@tufts.edu
    • Jonathon Gass, PhD, MPH 
      Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine 
      jonathon.gass@tufts.edu
    Boston College Logo

  • The MPH Pathway Program at Saint Anselm College (SAC) launched Fall 2025. In addition, SAC is developing graduate courses in public health, expanding future options for students. For more information or any questions, please contact the Program Liaison.

    Program Liaison

    • Elizabeth Rickenbach, PhD
      Professor and Community and Public Health Faculty Leader
      1-603-656-6194
      erickenbach@anselm.edu

    Tufts Faculty Lead

    • Kimberly Dong Breen, DrPH, MS, RD, LDN
      Associate Professor
      Tufts Public Health Program Director
      kimberly.dong@tufts.edu

     

    Saint Anselm Logo

Why Choose Tufts’ MPH Pathway Program

  • Earn Graduate Credits as an Undergraduate: Students from partner institutions can earn up to 12 graduate-level credits during their undergraduate studies. These credits count towards an MPH degree from Tufts. 
  • Save Time and Money: You could complete your MPH degree at Tufts in 12 months after your undergraduate degree. By earning graduate credits early, you reduce the overall time and cost to complete your MPH degree.
  • High-Caliber Course Selection: Choose courses from the Tufts MPH Curriculum with guidance from advisors at both institutions.
  • Collaborative Learning Environment: Benefit from the combined expertise and resources of both Tufts and your undergraduate institution. Engage with faculty and students from both institutions for a richer educational experience.
  • Career-Ready Skills: This program prepares you for a successful career in public health with practical skills and knowledge. Graduates are equipped to make a real impact in public health.
  • Personalized Support: Enjoy dedicated advising from both your undergraduate institution and Tufts to guide you through the pathway program.

How It Works

  • Application Process: Students can apply to the MPH Pathway Program as early as their sophomore year. Complete the online Tufts MPH application and submit required materials. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for application, making the process simpler and more accessible.
  • Advising: Each Pathway Program Student will have an advisor at both institutions while in the program.
  • Course Selection: Once accepted into the Pathway Program, students work with advisors to select courses from the Tufts MPH Curriculum. Students will be able to start their graduate program early and complete up to four courses (online or in-person) while they are an undergraduate student (including two from the Tufts MPH Curriculum, at no cost to the student).
  • Degree Completion: Complete the degree requirements necessary to earn your bachelor’s degree and send your official final transcript to Tufts.
  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Remain in good academic standing and good student conduct standing throughout the duration of enrollment at your undergraduate institution.
    • Maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA in coursework taken at Tufts and partner institutions.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to a career in public health.
    • Submit a letter of recommendation from the MPH Pathway Program coordinator at your institution to Tufts MPH Admissions.
  • Transition to Tufts: After earning your bachelor’s degree from a partner institution, you will seamlessly transition into the MPH program at Tufts. You must meet all applicable Tufts deadlines pertaining to application for admission, orientation and registration, and payment of tuition and fees.

Ready to Apply?

To allow for enough time to take the maximum number of credits (12), we recommend that students apply as early as the spring semester of your sophomore year. Applications submitted by March 1 will be processed in time for summer course enrollment at Tufts.

  1. Visit our application portal
  2. Create a new account and set you permanent password
  3. Click on Start New Application 
  4. Choose Accelerated Bachelor's/MPH Program Application
  5. Once in the application, under Program Choice, choose the pathway related to your undergraduate institution

Start Application

For more information about the MPH Pathway Programs, please contact ph.admissions@tufts.edu.