Binary Program in General Sciences and Public Health

(Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico and Ponce Health Sciences University)

Program Description

This is an inter-institutional dual degree program that offers the student the opportunity of completing a BS in General Science Program from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PCUPR) and the Master in Public Health (MPH) from Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) in five (5) years.

Admissions Requirements

PCUPR is responsible for the selection of qualified candidates who are entering the freshmen year, or college students who have completed no more than 64 credits.

Admission Requirements for Entering Freshmen

1. Graduate from an accredited high school with a minimum GPA of 3.20; they must have completed one (1) year of courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and three (3) years of Mathematics.
2. Have a minimum score of 2,800 in the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) test and no less than 500 in any area of the test.
3. Have successfully completed prior to acceptance, six (6) credits both in English (English 114-115) and Spanish (Span. 131-132), or be qualified for advanced placement in these subject areas based on outstanding achievement in one of the followings: College Entrance Examination Board (CEEEB) and CEEB Advanced Placement Test.
4. Favorable recommendation upon interview by a committee composed of members from PCUPR and PHSU

Admission Requirements for College Students

1. Have successfully completed no more than sixty-four (64) credits including:
   1. General Chemistry I - II (8 credits)
   2. General Biology I - II (6 credits)
   3. Pre-Calculus I - II (6 credits)
   4. General Psychology I (3 credits)
   5. Social Science and Political Science (6 credits)
   6. English 114-114 (6 credits)
   7. Spanish 114-114 (6 credits)
   8. Spanish 131-132 (6 credits)
2. Maintained satisfactory standards of academic achievement, including:
   1. Minimum GPA of 3.00
   2. Minimum cumulative average of 3.00 in all sciences courses
   3. No grades lower than C
3. Favorable recommendation upon interview by a committee composed of members from PCUPR and PHSU Public Health Program.

Requirements for transfer to PHSU

Admission to the Bachelor in Science and Master of Public Health Dual Degree Program guarantees admission into PHSU Public Health Program after completion of all the requirements of PCUPR component provided the student:

1. Completes the curricular sequence at PUCPR within the established time frame (maximum 3 years) and maintains satisfactory standards of academic achievement including:
   • Minimum GPA of 3.00 in science
   • Minimum cumulative average of 3.2 in all science courses
   • No grades lower than C
2. Must complete ninety (90) credits at PUCPR.
3. Must take the admission test (GRE or EXADEP or MCAT)
4. Demonstrates professional behavior in accordance with institutional academic policies and values.
5. Submit required documentation in accordance with PHSU admission policies and procedures.
6. Qualified applicants must complete a successful interview with PHSU Public Health Program faculty before they are admitted to the MPH program.

Once students are admitted to the Master Program in Public Health, they must follow the same curricular sequence as regular public health students and they must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 during graduate studies.