University of Pittsburgh

Get a jump start on a dynamic career with early admission to the Graduate School of Public Health.

Pitt Undergraduates, How Would You Like To...

• Collaborate with the nation's top researchers on prevention of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease;
• Work at the forefront of our nation’s defense against bioterrorism;
• Run a hospital, personal care facility, or managed care program;
• Find a cure for the AIDS virus; 

What is Public Health? 

Public health professionals strive to improve health for everyone, everywhere. Public health initiatives keep people healthy by preventing disease, disability, and premature death in our communities. It’s a proactive discipline that promotes well-being on all levels.

Using population-based approaches to health promotion and disease prevention, public health practitioners strive to:
• Modify individual behaviors and lifestyles;
• Improve social and economic conditions in the community-particularly in disadvantaged populations;
• Establish an environment that fosters optimal health within populations. 

Why Study Public Health?

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases pose a threat to the health of communities across the globe. New threats of bioterrorism challenge us to protect our communities. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease result in premature death and disability for millions. Now, more than ever, the world needs public health practitioners. The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) predicts a shortage of 250,000 public health workers by 2020. Read more...

Why GSPH?

The primary mission of GSPH is to educate future public health professionals to provide the leadership, resources, research, and education needed to protect local, national, and global communities from existing and emerging health threats. A curriculum consisting of five core public health areas ensures that each student receives a broad education that contributes to professional success. The diversity of prerequisites and range of career specialties allow for virtually any undergraduate major.

Early Admission to GSPH?

Our Early Admission master's program seeks outstanding University of Pittsburgh undergraduates who want to become public health professionals. Early Admission students must have completed all undergraduate requirements except for elective courses by the end of their junior year. After junior year, they will no longer register as undergraduates, but as GSPH students, and they will take GSPH courses, approximately 24 credits of which will serve as their undergraduate elective credits and complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree.

**Applicants must obtain written approval of participation in the early admission program from their undergraduate program, as well as confirmation that the undergraduate program will accept the GSPH courses taken as fulfillment of the remaining undergraduate credits. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the school wide and program admission requirements. Applicants should be outstanding and motivated students whose performance will not be affected by the loss of one baccalaureate year.