Combining the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Rutgers School of Public Health leads to a 66-credit dual degree option that may be completed in a minimum of two and half years of full-time study. This is a savings of 27 credits compared to earning the 48 credit MPP and the 45 credit MPH degrees separately.

Admission to the dual MPP/MPH degree program requires separate applications to and acceptance by each program. Students currently enrolled in either program are eligible as are new students.

Students may enroll in up to twelve credits per semester and may use the summers or additional part‐time semesters to expedite completion of the dual degree.

Curriculum Requirements for MPP (33 credits)

For the MPP degree, students are required to complete 24 credits of required coursework and 9 credits of electives. The Bloustein School also accepts two MPH courses, Introduction to Biostatistics (PHCO 0504) and Health Behavior and Policy Research Design and Methods (HBSP 0600) in lieu of the required Research Design (3 credits) and Basic Quantitative Methods (3 credits) courses for the MPP. The Bloustein School also accepts three SPH core courses (9 credits) in place of three Bloustein electives; and the MPH Applied Practice Experience (APE) hours in lieu of the 300 internship hours component of the MPP Applied Field Experience 3 course. To fulfill the AFE requirement, students also must complete the Bloustein AFE 1 and AFE 2 courses and the additional AFE 3 requirements. Students are required to take 3 elective courses for the MPP from among those offered by both schools.

Curriculum Requirements for MPH (33 credits)

For the MPH degree, students are required to complete 33 credits at the School of Public Health. Students complete 18 credits of School of Public Health core courses (PHCO courses); 15 credits of Health Systems and Policy required concentration courses; the MPH Applied Practice Experience (PRAC 0715; 0 credits); and the MPH Interprofessional Education experience (PRAC 0621; 0 credits). For the MPH, students are required to take nine credits of electives, which may be fulfilled with Bloustein courses approved by the School of Public Health faculty advisor. The SPH will accept the 3-credits from the MPP Policy Research Practicum I; however, students still must complete the requirements and deliverables for the MPH Practicum Capstone (PRAC 0716) separately and outside of the MPP practicum. MPP courses must have a grade of B or better to transfer. Visit the MPH degree webpage or the Health Systems and Policy concentration’s webpage for more information about the MPH curriculum. (Currently, the MPH in Health Systems and Policy concentration participates in this dual degree; other concentrations may participate with pre-approval, but additional credits will be required).

HOW TO APPLY

Current MPP students wishing to begin the dual program should first consult their academic advisor and program director. After doing so, they should meet with Courtney Culler, Associate Director for Graduate Student Services at courtney.culler@rutgers.edu to map out a potential course plan.

For new student applicants to the university, and to discuss the advantages of the dual degree program, please contact Lynn Astorga, Director of Student Recruitment, at (848) 932‐2388 or  lastorga@rutgers.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To start an application, visit the admissions website gradstudy.rutgers.edu and select “Apply Now” on the upper right side of the page.

For current MPP students, apply to the MPH degree program and indicate in your personal statement your intention to pursue the dual option.

For new student applicants to the university, apply simultaneously to both degrees and indicate your intention to pursue the dual option in both personal statements.