The School of Public Health offers several Accelerated Learning Opportunities for high-achieving students to reduce the time and cost necessary to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. These opportunities include the Fast Track and Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master programs. Exceptional high school seniors may also be invited to participate in the Early Acceptance Program when they are admitted to UAB.
Note: specialized Next Steps Advising is available for students considering these opportunities. Contact Melissa Taylor through the Appointment Manager in BlazerNet (preferred) or at mellissataylor@uab.edu to make an advising appointment.
Learning Options
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ABM Program
The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master of Public Health Program allows exceptionally talented undergraduate students to begin coursework for a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree while still completing their undergraduate degree requirements. You must have earned 60 or more undergraduate hours (36 of which must be completed at UAB) to start the ABM program. Students admitted to UAB as transfer students are eligible to apply to an ABM program after earning 60 or more undergraduate hours, at least 24 of which must be earned at UAB. As a major benefit of this program, up to 12 hours of graduate credit can be counted toward (shared) with the undergraduate degree, saving students time and money.
Eligibility
UAB students in any major are eligible to apply for this program; there are no course prerequisites for admission. The GRE is not required for admission to our MPH program.
To be considered for the ABM Program, students must have:
- Completed between 60 and 90 hours of undergraduate coursework.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 3.5.
- An application completed through the UAB Graduate School website (SOPHAS application is not required for ABM applicants).
- An official copy of the current UAB undergraduate transcript.
- One letter of recommendation from a current or previous UAB course instructor. Electronic submission is preferred; however, referees can mail a letter in a sealed envelope directly to the UAB Graduate School.
- A career statement describing interests and goals in Public Health.
- A one-page CV/resume of academic activities including awards and community service.
How to Apply
Interested students can apply by going to the UAB Graduate School website and selecting Apply Now. The program that you are applying to is Public Health Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master (MPH). Be sure to include your intended MPH concentration in the required career statement; this is necessary for your application to be reviewed by the correct department.
ABM Programs
- MPH with a concentration in Environmental Health
- MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology
- MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior
- MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization
- MPH with a concentration in Maternal & Child Health Policy & Leadership
- MPH with a concentration in Population Health
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Fast Track MPH Program
The Fast Track Master of Public Health Program allows motivated undergraduate students to begin coursework for a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree while still completing their undergraduate degree requirements. You must have earned 60 or more undergraduate hours (36 of which must be completed at UAB) to start the ABM program. Students admitted to UAB as transfer students are eligible to apply to an ABM program after earning 60 or more undergraduate hours, at least 24 of which must be earned at UAB.
Eligibility
UAB students in any major are eligible to apply for this program; there are no course prerequisites for admission. The GRE is not required for admission to our MPH program.
To be considered for the Fast Track Program, students must have:
- Completed between 60 and 90 hours of undergraduate coursework.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 3.25.
- An application completed through the UAB Graduate School website (SOPHAS application is not required for Fast Track applicants).
- An official copy of the current UAB undergraduate transcript.
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a current academic advisor and one from current or previous college course instructor. Electronic submission is preferred; however, referees can mail a letter in a sealed envelope directly to the UAB Graduate School.
- A career statement describing interests and goals in Public Health.
- A one-page CV/resume of academic activities including awards and community service.
How to Apply
Interested students can apply by going to the UAB Graduate School website and selecting Apply Now. The program that you are applying to is Public Health Fast Track (MPH). Be sure to include your intended MPH concentration in the required career statement; this is necessary for your application to be reviewed by the correct department.
Fast Track Programs
- MPH with a concentration in Environmental Health
- MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology
- MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior
- MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization
- MPH with a concentration in Maternal & Child Health Policy & Leadership
- MPH with a concentration in Population Health
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Early Acceptance Program
The Early Acceptance to the Master of Public Health Program allows talented high school students to declare their interest in pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, regardless of their undergraduate major. Students have the option of starting MPH core courses once they have completed 60 undergraduate credit hours (including 36 at UAB). Up to 12 hours of graduate credit can also be counted toward the undergraduate degree. A public health academic advisor is available to assist students in planning their MPH curriculum.
Eligibility
High school students with at least a 3.5 GPA and a score of 30 or higher on the ACT are eligible for this program. To remain eligible, students must maintain a 3.5 institutional GPA while at UAB and earn a grade of B or better in any MPH coursework attempted while still an undergraduate student.
Interested in the ABM program? Download the ABM Application Checklist (pdf)