This exciting program enables undergraduate students at partner CUNY colleges to take between 3 – 18 credits of graduate-level courses at CUNY SPH. Courses count for both undergraduate and graduate credits, saving the student tuition costs, while allowing for the completion of a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years.
The program is designed to be flexible – students can apply their sophomore, junior, or senior year, and begin their graduate coursework in the spring, summer, or fall semester.
Join us for an Information Session to learn more about this program:
4+1 Information Session
October 24, 2024 | 6-7pm | Virtual | Register
Students from our partner colleges who have:
– Completed 60 undergraduate credits or more (75 for Medgar Evers College and City Tech students)
– Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (3.3 for Macaulay Honors College students; 3.2 for Medgar Evers College students)
Application is a two-step process.
Step 1: Apply internally using our free internal application. Macaulay Honors College students must apply using the Macaulay application.
Initially, eligible students will apply to their college’s 4+1 Admissions Committee with a personal statement. The Admissions Committee will look up the student’s transcript. The application deadline is January 1st for students planning to start in the spring semester, May 1st for students planning to start in the summer session, and August 1st for students planning to start in the fall session.
Students who are accepted through this initial process will be eligible to begin taking graduate courses at CUNY SPH via e-permit. Accepted students may earn up to 18 graduate credits that will apply toward their bachelor’s degree at their home campus, and a master’s degree at CUNY SPH.
Step 2: After graduating from your bachelor’s program
Students will be provisionally admitted to CUNY SPH and will not be required to complete an application in SOPHAS (which is a sort of CommonApp for schools of public health). The GRE is waived for all applicants. All other requirements will apply. Application fees will be waived by CUNY SPH.
Final acceptance will be granted when students have completed at least 12 credits of SPH coursework, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for both cumulative and SPH-specific coursework, and earned their bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed fewer than 12 credits of SPH courses while undergraduates will be reviewed for final acceptance.
For students who aim to graduate in five years, we recommend the sequence below:
Freshman Year | Student completes undergraduate coursework. |
Sophomore Year | Student speaks with undergraduate advisor about participation in 4+1 Program. Student applies to 4+1 Program at end of sophomore year. |
Junior Year | Student completes relevant SPH coursework alongside undergraduate coursework. |
Senior Year | Student completed relevant SPH coursework alongside undergraduate coursework. Student graduates with bachelor’s degree. |
Year One at CUNY SPH | Student matriculates as a CUNY SPH student and completes remaining coursework. Student graduates with master’s degree. |
We recommend students schedule a call with a CUNY SPH staff advisor for assistance in mapping out their MPH or MS degree requirements. Full-time course sequences are available below, arranged by program and start date.
Yes, if you take courses that count towards your undergraduate degree.
Yes. Students can apply as soon as they have completed 60 credits (75 for Medgar Evers College students).
Maximum number of credits is not as important as the courses you have left in your undergraduate degree. Courses taken at CUNY SPH while you are still an undergraduate student should count towards your undergraduate degree.
The 4+1 program is for students who are still completing their undergraduate degree. Speak with your undergraduate advisor about the best path for you to complete your graduate degree.
SPH will accept the undergraduate students to the SPH MPH or MS programs provisionally, with final acceptance to the SPH MPH or MS program granted when the students have successfully complete the SPH courses taken while they are undergraduate, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better as undergraduates (3.5 for Macaulay students), maintained a GPA in SPH coursework of 3.0 or better, completed their bachelor’s degrees, and met any additional admission criteria set by each SPH academic program. Students who have completed fewer than 12 credits of SPH courses while undergraduates will be reviewed for final acceptance on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, you will have access to the CUNY SPH staff adviser, as well as a faculty advisor upon matriculation to the program.
Yes, you may defer your admission, but make sure that the SPH courses you plan on taking the following semester will count towards your undergraduate degree.
Yes, you may defer your admission, but make sure that the SPH courses you plan on taking the following semester will count towards your undergraduate degree.
Yes, you may ask to change your concentration. Contact the Office of Admissions with your intended SPH concentration.
Depending on your major, you may be able to substitute SPH courses for your undergraduate concentration courses. Speak with your undergraduate advisor about which SPH courses may count as your undergraduate courses.
For CUNY SPH advising, contact advising@sph.cuny.edu or schedule an appointment
For questions about the admissions process or your application status, contact admissions@sph.cuny.edu or schedule an appointment