The University of Maryland School of Public Health, located in College Park, Maryland, is a dynamic and growing school located at one of the nation’s top-ranked public research universities. While many schools of public health in the country are limited to graduate education, our large and diverse undergraduate student body brings energy and unique perspectives to our school, and contributes to our initiatives and commitment to advance a better state of health in Maryland and beyond.

With more than 2,500 students in 25 different degrees and academic programs, our School of Public Health prepares students to tackle complex and emerging public health issues and make meaningful contributions to the health and welfare of individuals and society. We do this utilizing all of the tools of traditional public health disciplines, and in collaboration with fields as varied as engineering, arts and humanities, business and public policy.

The Public Health Science program at the Universities at Shady Grove (PHSC at USG) is a branch of the School of Public Health, providing undergraduate education in junior and senior level courses. Students have access to all the campus materials and facilities at College Park as well as Shady Grove. 

Prospective students may apply to PHSC at USG using UMD's Secure Application Portal. Applications are accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters. All students entering the Public Health Science program at Shady Grove must transfer in from a community college or another accredited 4-year institution after meeting the following requirements: 

  • Completed or in the process of completing your Associate's Degree from a Maryland Community College (approximately 60 credits). Completion of an associates degree from a Maryland Community College will satisfy UMD General Education Requirements (except for Professional Writing). Since USG is a campus specifically for transfer students, we offer only upper-level coursework (300 and 400 level classes). It is important to have all (or most) of your lower-level courses (100 and 200 level classes) done before you transfer. Transfer students are not required to complete their Associate's Degree, but it is highly encouraged.
  • Keep your GPA at a 2.5 or above. The Public Health Science Program at USG requires a transfer GPA of 2.5 or above to be a competitive applicant OR a minimum transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher with an associates degree from a Maryland community college.
  • Complete prerequisite courses with a C- or higher. If a student has satisfied all other admission requirements, they may enter the program missing Organic Chemistry and/or Genetics. Students must complete Organic Chemistry and/or Genetics by the end of their second semester in the program.