Submatriculation
The Penn MPH program offers a submatriculation option for eligible undergraduate students, in the College of Arts & Sciences or the School of Nursing, with an early, strong interest in public health and career goals that align with earning an MPH. Because this is a significant academic and training commitment, applicants should consider their career goals, timeline, cost, and readiness for graduate school before applying. This pathway allows students to begin graduate public health coursework while completing their undergraduate degree.
A Head Start on the MPH
Of the 14 Credit Units (CUs) required for the MPH degree, up to 4 PUBH-prefix CUs may be taken during their undergraduate students. Pending your undergraduate advisor’s approval, may count toward your bachelor’s degree. Eligible PUBH-prefix courses include the MPH core courses (PUBH 5010, 5020, 5040, 5050, 5060, & 5070) and, for Global Health Track students, PUBH 5190 (runs fall semester only). No other courses will count toward the MPH. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, students complete the remaining required Credit Units and 125 hours of Applied Practice Experience for the MPH degree. The fastest timeline to complete the MPH is one full year after completion of the bachelor’s degree—three full semesters, including a summer semester.
Steps to applying for Submatriculation
1Meet with Anita Stief to discuss your public health training goals & MPH Submatriculation
2Meet with your undergrad advisors for approval
3Once approved, circle back with Anita to receive the Submatriculation Application
Application Timeline & Deadlines
The earliest students can apply is during the fall of their junior undergraduate year to start as an MPH submatriculant for spring semester of junior year. The latest students can apply is during the fall of their senior undergraduate year to start as an MPH submatriculant for spring semester of senior year. The later option will dictate how much overlap time is available to take classes that count toward the MPH. For a spring start (junior or senior year), please connect with Anita by September 1. For a senior year fall start, please connect with Anita by April 1. These dates are deadlines to reach out with interest in submatriculation; a specific deadline for application will be shared by Anita. Prospective submatriculants should not apply via SOPHAS.
Joanna Kim
MPH Submatriculant | BA 2022, MPH 2024More than anything, the flexibility, rigor, and interdisciplinary emphasis of the MPH program drew me to apply as a submatriculant. My transition into graduate-level coursework and the MPH program was made truly seamless due to the close support of the MPH faculty and the stimulating dedication of my peers in the program. Submatriculants are uniquely poised to apply their knowledge and experience of Penn while engaging with peers who offer fresh and different perspectives, as the program is composed of students from a wide array of backgrounds and career stages.
Submatriculating into the Penn MPH program was truly one of the best decisions I could have made.
Student Spotlight
This experience provided me with the training necessary to integrate community health, the social determinants, and cultural awareness into research. Submatriculating showed me the power of obtaining a rigorous, interdisciplinary education for the benefit of those who are underserved and underrepresented in healthcare.
Nicole Harrington
MPH Submatriculant | BA 2023, MPH 2024