Why was a new admissions policy needed?

1. New Admissions Process to enter the BS Public Health Degree ProgramFall 2014Leanne H. Field, Ph.D., Program Director

2. Why was a new admissions policy needed? • We have more students interested in public health than we can serve in the BS Public Health degree program. • In the past, we have admitted students into the major who realized after taking PBH 317 that public health was not the major they wanted to pursue. They dropped out! • The new process provides more students with the opportunity to take the introductory course and allows everyone in the course to “check out” public health before becoming public health majors. • This will help us completely fill up the major to its current capacity of 100 -110 qualified students/year who want to pursue public health careers.

3. Are there other examples in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) in which not everyone who wants to enter a major can be admitted? • Yes! The demand for entry into the computer science major and the environmental science major exceeds capacity in these majors • Not everyone who is interested in the fields of computer science or environmental science can choose these majors. • The CNS lacks the resources to accommodate the demand!

4. What is the new admissions process to become a public health major? • Apply for the program using online application; • The program admits up to 100 students into PBH 317 who have completed BIO 311C, BIO 311D, CH 301, CH 302 + M408C (or M 408N)with a 2.75 GPA or better; • Student complete PBH 317 with a grade of B- or better; • While taking PBH 317, students may choose to submit supplemental online information for consideration; • Both the initial application and the supplementary information are reviewed by the Public Health Admissions Committee; • Students are notified about admission into the PBH major after grades are in; each student’s major code is changed after admission; • Admitted students’ registration is facilitated into the next two public health courses: PBH 354 and a designated section of SDS 328M.

5. What are the criteria for selection? • Overall academic record (GPA) • Rigor in coursework to date • Performance in PBH 317 • Number of hours • First priority given to those seeking public health as their first major • Interest in and prior experiences in public health • Commitment to seek a public health-related career

6. How many students currently taking PBH 317 will be admitted ? • Fall 2014: • 12 current PBH majors who were previously admitted based on the old admissions process will move forward • 38-43 other students in this class will be admitted into the PBH major • Spring 2015 and going forward: • After completing PBH 317, 50-55 students will be admitted each long semester

7. When will I know if I am selected? • You will be notified by Dr. Field via e-mail whether or not you are • selected after finals are over and all grades are in for the Fall 2014 semester

8. What happens if I’m not selected? • You should meet with your advisor and seek his/her advice about choosing another major • BS Biology, Human Biology Option • Nutritional Science - Public Health Track • Bridging Disciplines Program - Social Inequality, Health and Policy Program (Public Health Pathway) • BSA Degree • There is no appeal process if you are not selected

9. Why can’t I apply a second time after completing PBH 317? • It is a priority for the university and the CNS that students complete a degree and graduate in four years! • Since there is no guarantee that you would be chosen the second time you applied, this could impede your progress towards graduation by up to one year! • With that extra time, you could have completed a bachelor’s degree at UT Austin and gained admission into a graduate school of public health • You could be halfway finished with a MPH degree! • Students are admitted into MPH programs from diverse backgrounds – you do not need a BS in Public Health Degree to get into graduate school!

10. I love public health! What else can I do? • Get actively involved in public health on campus and in our community! • Keep building your credentials for admission to graduate schools of public health! • Four public health-related Student Organizations: • Texas Public Health • Global Public Health Brigades at The University of Texas at Austin • End 7 at The University of Texas at Austin • Partners in Health – Engage – Texas Chapter

11. What are the next steps if I am selected to become a public health major? • IF YOU ARE SELECTED: • When registration opens up in January, your enrollment in the first two PBH core courses in the major will be facilitated: • PBH 354 Epidemiology (55410) – TTH 11 am – facilitated by Marjorie Hartwell, Public Health Program Coordinator • SDS 328M– MWF 9 am – 10 am (lecture); (57335 – lab M- 10 am; or 57340- M 4 pm; facilitated by Sasha Schellenberg, Administrative Manager, SDS. (If you choose to take another section, you are on your own for registration!) You will be contacted by both Ms. Hartwell and Ms. Schellenberg via e-mail

12. What are the next steps if I am selected to become a public health major (cont.)? • Your major code will be changed; • You will be advised by advisors in the BSAC going forward; • You must complete the remaining four core courses in public health in this order: • PBH 358D (Nauert) and PBH 368D (Taylor) • PBH 334 (Taylor) and PBH 338 (Moore) • Please note: • Your registration will be facilitated for the core courses only. We do not provide any registration assistance for any other courses in the major (e.g. foundational courses and concentration courses) • You may not jump ahead and take the core courses out of order • SOC versions of PBH 358D and PBH 368D will not count by petition!

13. Thank you! • Questions?