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What Is AU's Three-Year Public Health Scholars Program?

Students stand on the equator in Kenya

The Public Health Scholars Program offers an accelerated and interdisciplinary three-year course of study designed for highly motivated entering first-year students who are passionate about improving population-leave health outcomes. 

When you join the Public Health Scholars Program, you are joining a cohort of outstanding students and a network of alumni who are passionate about making a difference. The rigorous course of study for either BA or BS is designed for dedicated students who want to be engaged in numerous health and community experiential-learning opportunities. Our graduates go on to make positive contributions to health locally, nationally, and globally.

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Students pursue the BA or BS in Public Health, which may include a Premed Track, as well as

  • Study abroad for at least one semester (fall semester of their second year) with a small cohort.
  • Participation in core courses offered exclusively for Public Health Scholars — see the Course Sequencing page with overview and detailed semester-by-semester curricular plans for BA, BS, and Premed Tracks.
  • Receiving mentoring on academic and career goals by the program director and faculty mentoring in clinical, research, and/or community settings.
  • Participating in original research and scholarly writing with faculty in areas including epidemiology, global health, health equity, health policy, maternal and child health, nutrition, mental health, and health promotion.
  • Engaging with the DC community-and your community abroad-through internships and service-learning activities.

Are you a current student? If so, be sure to check out the Department of Health Studies Resources Canvas page on your Canvas portal. You’ll find information about major requirements, internships, the honors program, and much more!  If you need access, please email healthstudies@american.edu.

Study abroad student on bridge in Kenya.

Students stand near statue of Einstein

Scholars spend their first year of study together in a living learning community housed within Letts Hall, living alongside students in other AU three-year scholar programs.

Scholars attend monthly community meetings, along with the faculty director, to discuss public health and listen to guest speakers from the university, the federal government, and non-governmental organizations.

Scholars also participate in community trips around Washington, DC. The live learning community provides a rich environment for academic enrichment and career development.

Students are supported in the living learning community by a program associate (PA). The PA is a Public Health Scholar in his/her third year of study who lives in the same residential hall as the first-year students and acts as a mentor and guide for the experiential learning components of the program. The PA also works with the faculty director to implement the experiential, co-curricular, and service components of the program.

See more about our current scholars and recent alums.

Complete Your MS degree in 1 Year!

Health Studies students now have the opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program in 5 years (4 years for Public Health Scholars).

Students are eligible to apply if they meet the following requirements:

  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Have earned 75 – 90 academic credits
  • Students are not required to take Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

If accepted into the combined program, graduate regulations permit 500 and 600 level approved courses to be shared between the BA/BS in Public Health or Health Promotion and the MS programs.

  • Health Promotion Management is a 36-credit MS program and permits 12 approved credits to be shared between degrees.
  • Nutrition Education is a 30-credit MS online program and permits 9 approved credits to be shared between degrees.

Students must apply for the Bachelor’s/Master’s option when they have earned between 75 – 90 credits; therefore, early planning is essential!

For more information, email healthstudies@american.edu.

Please see FAQ below or contact

Celeste Davis, PhD
Director, Public Health Scholars Program
McCabe 221
cdavis@american.edu

How to Apply

Public Health Students on AU campus

The Public Health Scholars Three-Year Program admits a limited number of incoming first-year students each year. Prospective students interested in joining the program should apply to AU and adhere to all application deadlines and requirements listed at Getting Started with AU Admissions.

In addition to the AU application, applicants must complete the Public Health Scholars Program application, which can be found on your .

Learn more about the Public Health Scholars Program by attending American University's Preview Day and/or a fall Showcase.

General FAQ

No, students are selected for the 3-year program at the time of admission and can only enter the program in the freshman year.

No, the program is only for entering freshman.

Yes, AP or IB credits can be used to satisfy some AU requirements.

Yes, the program director will work with you to develop a course plan to meet requirements.

Yes, students who decide that the 3-year program is not for them can transition into a 4-year degree program.

Yes, you will have the same ability as any other public health major to participate in a variety of activities, such as research, clubs and work, while completing your 3-year degree program.

No, you will only be taking certain classes together as a cohort such as Introduction to Public Health in your first semester and Public Health Seminar in your first summer.

The experiential-learning component is incorporated throughout the curriculum. All 3-year public health scholars partake in service-learning as part of the Introduction to Public Health course during the Fall of their first year. In general, you will have an option to choose between several community partners and will volunteer with the organizations for 6 weeks each. All scholars participate in the Community Service-Learning Program (CSLP). CSLP is a community service add-on credit to an existing course where students enhance their educational experience through practice by working with a nonprofit organization.

It depends on your degree track (BA/BS), whether you are pursuing premed, and AP or IB credits. There are two summer sessions (6 weeks each). Scholars may stay in residence for both, some for just one, and some take online courses.

Summer sessions typically start in mid May and end by mid August, leaving two-week breaks before/after fall and spring semesters, even for students taking both sessions. Please see exact dates in the Academic Calendar.

Financial Considerations

The tuition and fees for the 3-year degree program is similar to the cost of a 4-year program, since students will be attending the same number of semesters (8 total). For some students, it is possible for the overall cost to be less because the cost of attendance in the summer is based on credit hours. View AU's Cost of Attendance resource page.

Yes, students in the 3-year public health scholars program will still have the opportunity to receive merit awards and scholarships. Eligibility will vary for each award.

IYes, students in a 3-year program can use their AU grant and/or merit awards during the summer. Your scholarship amount for the summer is awarded on a per credit basis that is at equivalent to the amount you would receive in either the fall or spring semester.

Yes, students admitted to the 3-year public health scholars program can use their financial aid and merit awards to cover summer tuition and living expenses, provided you have met the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and have submitted a Summer Aid Application.