The coordinated Public Health/Civil Engineering degree program is offered through the UAB School of Public Health (SOPH) and the UAB School of Engineering (SOE). Earning these two advanced degrees provides students with a foundation for positions in research, government, as well as private industry.

Students in this coordinated program earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD). The PhD program is intended for students who have achieved high levels of scholarship and are capable of conducting independent and original research. Ph.D. students in civil engineering will work closely with faculty in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, but they may also work on interdisciplinary teams with faculty from other UAB departments as well as outside industry. The program offers a broad curriculum covering engineering designs, resilient and sustainable urban development, low carbon and renewable energy systems, green infrastructure, natural resource management, health and livability, transport and mobility, big data analytics, and smart technologies.

In addition to the PhD, students earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Population Health. In this concentration, students gain a solid foundation in public health through completion of the MPH core (based on the Evidence-based Public Health framework), an Applied Practice Experience (Internship), and an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone). Students also complete environmental health sciences courses focusing on urban health issues including air and water pollution, occupational safety, and assessing and managing environmental risks.

Graduates of this coordinated degree program will conduct research in and create solutions for human habitats that are safe, clean, and sustainable addressing issues such as the growing stressors of energy security, population growth and health, food supply, waste disposal, climate change, and future infrastructure demands.

Curriculum

Normally, 42-44 credit hours are required for the MPH; however, because of the coordinated nature of the degree 12 credit hours from the PhD curriculum are credited to the MPH. This allows students to earn both degrees in reduced time and at reduced cost. The curriculum planning grid and a breakdown of coursework by degree program is attached.

Online students pay less than the out-of-state tuition rate for the MPH portion of this coordinated degree.

Download Curriculum Planning Sheet (pdf)

Admission

To apply, students must have at least a bachelor’s degree. The GRE is not required for MPH applicants but may be required for admission into the PhD program. For additional information, contact Kristina Barlow at kbarlow@uab.edu.

Students must apply separately to each program.

• To apply for this degree, you will submit a supplemental application directly through the UAB Graduate School.
• Learn how to apply to the School of Public Health. Students must apply through the UAB Graduate School.
  • Select "MPH dual program" and then the "MPH/PhD" track. SOPH will accept the GMAT in lieu of the GRE for students who wish to strengthen their application by including test scores.
• Learn how to apply to the School of Engineering. To apply for the PhD, students must apply through the UAB Graduate School.
  • Select "PhD/MPH dual degree program" from the drop down menu. Select "MPH dual program" and then the MPH/PhD track. The School of Engineering will accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.
• Students should note that the Population Health program curriculum has been updated. If a student is submitting to switch from a different degree program or department into a Coordinated Degree or the General MPH in Population Health Degree, the student will be responsible for completing the current Population Health program requirements. Students should meet with the current program manager prior to submitting a petition to switch programs.

Contact

For additional information concerning the coordinated MPH/PhD program contact the School of Public Health at soph@uab.edu.