College of Public Health

About the school

The University of Georgia is the first state­-supported University in the US. Its College of Public Health was established in 2005 to address health challenges unique to Georgia. The College of Public Health comprises four academic departments and four research institutes. It offers degree programmes in biostatistics, disaster management, environmental health, epidemiology, gerontology, global health, infectious disease epidemiology, and health policy and management.

The College is renowned for its seminal work on ageing, disaster preparedness, evidence-based practice, global infectious disease, and workplace health. Its graduates enter meaningful careers in medicine, emergency management, public health policy, environmental science and social work. The College is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Some notable College alumni include Darigg Brown (behavioural scientist associated with the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics) and Ayanna Robinson (programme evaluator, division of overdose prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Athens, known as "the classic city", is in the Appalachian foothills. It is Georgia's ancient heartland, brimming with art galleries, world-class cuisine, and a famed music scene.

Location of the school

Life at the College of Public Health

The University’s Department of International Student Life is responsible for transition and support, programming and outreach, and engagement and leadership for international students.

The campus has 33 residential properties offering traditional and apartment-style living. Students can choose from single, double, triple, and quad-sharing spaces. The university also has resources for those who wish to live off-campus. The Apartments for Athens website has a section dedicated to UGA students. Similar other sources can be found on the University website.

Students can subscribe to voluntary meal plans with creative culinary concepts, healthy options, and diverse cuisine. The UGA Dining Services has five Dining Commons and over 20 retail locations across campus. The Recreational Sports Department offers a variety of group fitness classes throughout the year. The department also has facilities such as the Ramsey Student Center, Pound Hall & Wheeler Gym on the Health Sciences Campus.

The UGA Transportation and Parking Services offers discounts on cab services called Ride Smart. Bike lanes are available across campus, and buses have bike racks. UGA reCYCLE, or the Bulldog Bike Share programmes, encourage students to choose cycling over other modes of transport.

Additional benefits of studying at the College of Public Health

The College of Public Health’s Office of Research nurtures faculty excellence in teaching and research. This has led to the growth of several research institutes, such as the Global Health Institute and the Institute of Gerontology. In 2020, the College launched 9 research working groups:

Gerontology Mental Health Disaster Public Health Global Health Health Disparities Infectious Diseases Program and Economic Evaluation Sexual, Reproductive, and Parent and Child Health Telehealth

Students who wish to pursue a career in either of these fields will primarily benefit from an organisation that prioritises innovation at every step. The Health Equity Hub runs the Health Equity Fellows Programme, which encourages students to come forward with a proposal for a community project. Faculty mentorship and funding are awarded to help the best ideas take form.

Admissions criteria

Admission requirements and fees vary for different courses. A general set of admission requirements is as follows:

For courses related to public health, apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) For courses related to health administration, register on the Health Administration, Management, and Policy CAS (HAMPCAS) website and then apply on the College website, paying a fee for both Application fee payment A minimum GPA of 3.00 (out of 4.00) is expected A GRE test score may be required, depending on the programme Must submit 3 letters of recommendation Official/unofficial transcripts Proof of English language proficiency through either of the following test scores: TOEFL - minimum overall score of 80 with at least 20 on speaking and writing IELTS - minimum overall bandwidth of 6.5 with no band below 6.0 Duolingo - minimum overall score of 105 Proof of finances must be submitted to the Office of Global Engagement while applying for a visa

For information on fees and tuition, visit the university website.

Job placements

The College of Public Health works with the Career Center to help students find appropriate placement opportunities.

Students can take several assessments to choose the career path that best suits them The UGA Mentor Programme matches students with alumni who provides valuable advice Students can seek guidance for preparing resumes Internships and job opportunities are listed on the Handshake portal Networking training is provided to build your network, leverage Linkedin, and spend time with a professional in a field of your choice Guidance is given for dressing right, articulating yourself the best, and negotiating for fair compensation during interviews Career fairs are conducted each year to give students the opportunity to network and land jobs