ColoradoSPH Accelerated Programs

Are you an undergraduate student at the University of Northern Colorado? You can start taking public health classes now and earn credit for both your bachelor’s degree and your Master of Public Health (MPH) at the same time.

Departments and Schools

Take Public Health Classes 

These 500-level classes count toward university-wide electives requirements for UNC undergraduate degrees. Any undergraduate student may take these classes in their junior or senior year. No application is required,and no faculty approval is needed. You may want to consult with your academic advisor to ensure these classes fit with your course plan. 

Choose up to 11 credits:  

  • Foundations of Public Health (CH 520; 2 credits, varies fall/summer) 
  • Environmental Health (CH 550; 3 credits, spring) 
  • Effective Community Health Engagement (CH 535; 3 credits, fall) 
  • Health Communication (CH 505; 3 credits; elective, spring) 
  • Immigrant and Refugee Health (ANT 500; 3 credits, fall) 

Save Time 

If you apply and are accepted to the Colorado School of Public Health, you may transfer up to eleven credits towards a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a grade of B- or better.  

Save Money 

When you enroll in a 500-level class during your undergraduate career, you will capture significant cost savings. You will be charged for classes at UNC’s undergraduate rate, which costs less per credit than the Colorado School of Public Health’s graduate rate.  

Transfer Credits  

Public health classes at UNC are transferable to any Master of Public Health Program at the Colorado School of Public Health. Programs are available on three campuses: the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, and the Anschutz Medical Campus.  

Note that CH 520 and CH 550 are part of the MPH Core Curriculum and broadly transferable. CH 535 and CH 505 are required courses for the Community Health Education concentration at UNC and count as electivesfor other MPH programs at the Colorado School of Public Health. ANT 500 is an elective course for all MPH programs at the Colorado School of Public Health. 

Consider Enrolling in an Accelerated Program

Undergraduate students majoring in Health Sciences, Anthropology, or Nutrition are eligible to apply for the Accelerated Program.
Through this program, students receive personalized advising and support as they prepare to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the Colorado School of Public Health at UNC. It is designed for students who plan to pursue an MPH with a concentration in Community Health Education.

Meet with an advisor to learn about UNC’s Accelerated Programs with the Colorado School of Public Health at UNC. 

Apply to an Accelerated Program through SOPHAS Express as early as your sophomore year. 

Take public health classes during your junior and senior year. 

Complete your undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado, with up to eleven credits of 500-level public health classes. 

Begin the Master of Public Health Program at the Colorado School of Public Health at UNC, otherwise known as the “Community Health Education” concentration. You may take classes at any of the three Colorado School of Public Health campuses:  the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, and the Anschutz Medical Campus. 

After completing one semester of the Master of Public Health program, complete the Transfer Credit Approval Form for the public health classes you completed during your undergraduate career. Up to 11 credits may be transferred.  

Complete the remaining course requirements for your Master of Public Health degree. 

Meet with an Advisor

An advising specialist will work directly with you on how to fit up to 11 credits of recommended MPH courses into your degree plan. General inquiries can be sent to publichealth@unco.edu.