Reciprocity of credit hours allows students to complete the two degrees, normally requiring two years each, in a total of three years. MPH-MUP students take one year focused on their public health core courses and one year focused on the urban planning core courses. Then, in the third year, the students complete the MUP and MPH capstone requirements. Joint degree students take electives from either program as appropriate in all three years.

To satisfy requirements of the Graduate College, MPH-MUP students must be enrolled for at least two semesters in urban planning and three semesters in public health (during those three semesters, student must complete at least 36 hours in public health courses). In any semester, students must be officially enrolled in one degree program or the other. Switching enrollment from one program to the other requires a petition to the Graduate College.

Students may decide to pursue this joint degree after completing one year of study within the MPH program.

To receive both degrees, students must complete a total of 88 hours of graduate-level coursework, including a minimum of 40 hours of urban planning courses and 48 hours of public health.

Joint degree students must complete all MUP core courses and the capstone requirement. The required hours of urban planning credit is a minimum, and cannot be reduced by UP 590 internship credit or other waivers.

For the MPH part of the joint degree, students must complete all core courses, three required concentration courses, and an Applied Practice Experience. Most 400 and 500-level Urban Planning courses will meet the requirement for an MPH elective course and the fourth concentration course of choice. An internship related to the MUP degree does NOT fulfill the requirements for an MPH Applied Practice Experience.

The Capstone course for the MUP program meets the requirement for the MPH Integrative Learning Experience course, provided that the student assembles a committee with representatives of each program. The committee must agree that the proposed project meets the requirements of each program. In addition to the MUP Capstone requirements, the joint degree student MUST present the Capstone project at the regularly scheduled MPH event at the end of each term for MPH Integrative Learning Experience presentations.

Students interested in applying to a joint degree program must complete applications to both programs. Students should not apply through SOPHAS. Use the steps below to complete the application.

Step 1: Create an Online Application. Once you log in, select "Start New Application" and "Create Application" on the pop-up window.

Step 2: Complete the application. Use the information below to help you address each section in the application.

Instructions Section:

• Please read all of the information in this section carefully. 
• More specifically, there is a section related to the Application Fee:  After you submit your online application, you will be prompted to pay a non-refundable application fee ($70 for domestic applicants, $90 for international applicants). Your application will not be reviewed until this fee has been paid. If you do not pay your application fee within 3 weeks of submitting your application, your application will be not be submitted. The University of Illinois does offer application fee waivers for certain applicants.

Personal Information Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly

Residency Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly

Program Section:

Previous University of Illinois Affiliation

• You will be asked if you have ever applied or attended any University of Illinois campus.
• You will be asked if you are a current or previous employee of the University of Illinois, please answer accordingly.

Proposed Program of Study

• For Program, select "Health and Kinesiology"
• For Degree, select "Master of Public Health-MPH"
• For Joint Program, select "Urban Planning-MUP"
• You will be asked to list which of the two programs you would like to start first.
• If you applied for an application fee waiver, you will be asked to indicate if you are eligible here.

 Academics Section:

• Fill out the requested information on all of the universities you have attended or are currently attending.
• Upload unofficial transcripts (your own copies) or official copies from all colleges you have attended, including community colleges
  • Note: If offered admission, you will have to upload an official transcript to the Graduate College.

Test Scores Section:

• GRE and any other test scores are not required for the MPH program. If you have taken, and which to upload, your GRE Scores, you are welcome to do so.

Resume Section:

• A detailed resume must be submitted for admission consideration. While experience is not required, previous health experience is beneficial to the application and will be considered by the admission committee. Please limit resume to 1-2 pages.
• Applicant's professional resume should include: personal information, educational background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and brief description of responsibilities), internship experience (start and end dates and brief description of responsibilities), educational training, professional associations, leadership experience.

Statements Section:

• You may skip the Academic Statement in this section.
• Please respond to Personal Statement Short Answer Essay questions #1 and #2. These questions are required by our Illinois Graduate College.

Program Essay section:
All applicants will be required to respond to a series of short personal statements. Each short personal statements should be a maximum of 1,500 characters (roughly 250-500 words). Applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions: 

• Question 1: Why are you interested in an MPH degree? Why are you specifically interested in the MPH at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
• Question 2: How do your past experiences make you an excellent fit for this program? How do your education & skills set you up for professional & academic success?
• Question 3: As an MPH student concentrating in Health Behavior & Promotion, what past experiences do you have with health promotion or education? What do you hope to gain from the MPH program relevant to this concentration? How will the training you will receive during this program prepare you for your career goals?
• Option Essay: Please use this optional essay to discuss any abnormalities in your transcript that you would like the admissions committee to consider when reviewing your application. 

References Section:

• Recommendation Letter Requirements: The MPH requires three letters of recommendation. The MPH program requires three letters of recommendation. At least one must come from a professor or instructor attesting to the applicant’s ability for graduate studies, preferably from the final 60 credit hours. The other letters can be from academic or professional sources highlighting education, work, internships, or leadership skills. 
• Submitting without Letters: Submit your application before the deadline, even if letters are pending. Applications won't be reviewed until all letters are received. Letters requested fewer than 10 days before the deadline risk not being considered. Please note: If the application deadline passes and your letters have not yet been received, the program will not consider applications with recommendation requests sent less than 10 days before the deadline.
• Recommender Follow-Up: The system will not remind recommenders automatically. To send a reminder, revisit the references section of your application, click "Edit," update the email if needed, and select "Send Reminder."

Signature Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly 

Review Section: Follow the prompts or instructions accordingly 

Step 3: Submit!

Step 4: Complete the application for the Master in Urban Planning. See the Illinois Graduate College for additional information on applying for Joint Programs.