Luther College, in conjunction with the University of Iowa (UI) College of Public Health, announced a brand new 4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program on April 20.

The program will allow Luther students to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Public Health. All majors will be considered post-graduation for admission to the UI Master of Public Health degree program, one of the top 20 schools for Public Health in the U.S.

According to Luther College Provost and Interim Vice President for Mission and Communication Brad Chamberlain, the partnership was formed in response to growing student interest in direct and accelerated paths to graduate degrees.

“The [partnership with UI] provides [an] example of how Luther opens doors and creates opportunities for its graduates,” Chamberlain said. “While there are no specific plans at the moment for another degree partnership, Luther will continue to look for additional opportunities in the future.”

Students can apply to the program during their third year at Luther after completing 80 credit hours of undergraduate work and a 3.25 GPA. Those who are accepted will earn graduate credit from UI online courses during their senior year, allowing them to graduate with two degrees in five years, which will save Luther students time and money.

Representatives from the University of Iowa did not respond to requests for comment.

Associate Professor of Sociology Maryna Bazylevych Nading played a large role in creating and implementing the new program. According to Nading, the development of the program has been years in the making.

“This journey started around 5 years ago when me and [Associate Professor of Nursing Angela Kueny] visited the graduate school fair at the Union,” Nading said. “We were specifically keeping an eye on the Public Health programs, in order to be able to better advise students interested in continuing their education in the field of Public Health after Luther. We are thrilled that our conversations and negotiations have resulted in this agreement.”

Nading highlighted that if students are accepted, they will be invited to participate in the events and activities at the UI School of Public Health. They will also receive a graduate school academic advisor and be encouraged to get to know other UI students and Public Health faculty. Nading believes that students are perfectly suited for the field of Public Health, which includes areas of focus like epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health.

“Luther students are often guided by the ethic of service and many are committed to social justice,” Nading said. “In the field of Public Health, this work often takes the form of preventing disease and reducing health disparities. What could be a more noble work in our world divided by inequalities?”

Those interested in learning more about the program can read about it here. Questions about the program can be directed to University of Iowa College of Public Health Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment Lexie Just at [email protected].