To begin a career in public health, you often need both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, which typically takes at least six years of higher education. Admission to the master’s program may also require a strong score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
The Health and Epidemiology Advanced Learning (HEAL) program allows you to skip the application process before entering your fifth year as a master’s candidate at the University of Rochester. When accepted to the HEAL program as an undergraduate, you’re also given conditional admission to the Master’s programs offered through the Department of Public Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and Dentistry (part of Rochester’s campus). The Master’s program options are: Public Health (MPH), Clinical Investigation (MS), Epidemiology (MS), and Health Services Research and Policy (MS).
The program provides you with early advising by renowned graduate faculty mentors, extensive research and professional development opportunities, and access to premier research facilities as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Additionally, HEAL students receive a 40 percent tuition scholarship during their full-time graduate work.
As an undergraduate in the HEAL program, you can major in any of the following interdisciplinary health-related programs:
First-year applicants can apply through the Common Application or Coalition for College Application by indicating their interest in HEAL on their application and completing the Combined Degree Program writing prompt provided on the application.
Transfer applicants can apply through the Common Application or Coalition for College Application by indicating their interest in HEAL on their application, at which point a supplemental prompt will populate. The application with the completed Combined Degree Program writing prompt must be submitted by March 15 (only for transfers beginning fall semester) to be considered.
Applicants who indicate an interest in being considered for the HEAL program will be evaluated for the program along with their overall admission to the College. If selected to be part of HEAL, your invitation will be sent along with your formal admission decision. Students interested in HEAL may apply to the College through either Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision.
Accepting our early decision offer cannot be contingent upon your admission to HEAL.
Program perks
Is HEAL for you?