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Advising: Public Health Science

Advising and Support for PHSC Majors

Welcome to Public Health Science at the University of Maryland in College Park! We are here to assist you in evaluating your degree progress and in selecting educational experiences tailored to your personal goals. Ultimately, you, the student, are responsible for making decisions and meeting requirements.

This page has information for current and prospective Public Health Science majors in College Park. Students on the Shady Grove campus should visit the Shady Grove Advising page. Students in other SPH majors, see the Undergraduate Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA)

Public Health Science Drop-in Advising 

If you have a quick question, we encourage you to take advantage of our drop-in advising hours for current and prospective Public Health Science majors. 

For "live chat", click on the "Let's Chat" button (only visible during days and times below). 

If you cannot make it during these times, you can email questions to phsc@umd.edu. We will respond to your email on the next business day. 

Spring 2024 Regular Drop-in Advising Schedule

Regular drop-in advising for the spring term will begin Monday, January 29th. 

Note: PHSC Virtual Grad Plan Assistance will begin Thursday, February 15th. 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
11 am - 1 pm:
Virtual Drop - In Advising
11 am - 12 pm:
In - Person Drop - In Advising
10 am - 12 pm:
Virtual Drop - In Advising
*Starting Feb. 15th* 12 pm - 1 pm:
Virtual Grad Plan Assistance
11 am - 12 pm
Live Chat Available
1 pm - 2 pm
Live Chat Available
1 pm - 2 pm
Live Chat Available
(no drop-in advising)
3 pm - 5 pm:
Virtual Drop - In Advising

Meet with a PHSC Advisor

Public Health Science majors can meet with any member of our advising team. You are not assigned to a specific advisor in the major.

Keep reading to learn how you can connect with a Public Health Science major advisor virtually or in-person through drop-in advising or by making an appointment.

Email phsc@umd.edu and one of the Public Health Science major advisors will respond within 2 business days.

Public Health Science staff and peer advisors answer general questions via text chat a few hours each week when the university is in session. Based on the complexity of your question, you may be advised to schedule an individual appointment.

The chat widget opens on this page when an advisor is available. 

Chat will resume during the Spring 2024 semester. 

Have a quick question? Drop-in advising is open to current and prospective Public Health Science majors. See the current schedule and links at the top of this page.


Virtual (Zoom or phone)

Virtual drop-in advising is conducted using the Zoom online conferencing platform. You can register and join at any time before the drop-in session ends. 

If the advisor is meeting with another student, you will be placed in a waiting room until they are available to meet with you.


In-person (PHSC Suite)

During fall and spring semesters, Public Health Science advisors are available for in-person drop-in advising one hour each week.

You do not need to pre-register for in-person drop-in advising, but please review the health and safety guidelines detailed below before you visit our suite.

If you cannot make it to drop-in advising, you can schedule a 30 minute appointment with a member of the Public Health Science Advising Team.

Virtual or In-Person?

All Public Health Science advisors are offering virtual appointments, conducted using the Zoom online conferencing platform.

We offer a limited number of in-person advising appointments in SPH2367. (Find the School of Public Health on a map.)

Please review the health and safety guidelines detailed below before you visit our suite. If you schedule an in-person appointment and then must quarantine or isolate due to illness, email the advisor to request to meet virtually instead.


How to Schedule an Advising Appointment 

You will schedule your virtual or in-person appointment through TerpEngage Advising. From the PHSC Team page linked below, select "Schedule an Appointment" to find available times and schedule a meeting. 

It is your responsibility to note the date, time, and location of your advising meeting. You can view the Zoom link for virtual meetings in your TerpEngage Advising Student Portal.


Schedule an Appointment with a PHSC Advisor

Through your TerpEngage Advising Student Portal, you can

  • see your advising appointment details (including the Zoom link for virtual meetings)
  • edit location, reschedule, and cancel appointments
  • add a comment or question to the appointment for your advisor
  • see notes that an advisor has shared with you

Certain Public Health Science majors are required to meet with an advisor before registering for fall or spring semester classes. 

1. Students in Your First Semester at UMD

New transfer and first-year students must complete a graduation plan and meet with an advisor prior to registering for your second semester.

Transfer students 

  1. follow the instructions in the email sent to your UMD Terpmail during the first month of your first semester enrolled at UMD
  2. complete online training on UMD registration systems and support resources
  3. complete a draft graduation plan worksheet
  4. attend a live group meeting with a Public Health Science advisor to review your plans for college and beyond

First-year students

  • If your first semester is Fall, you complete your graduation plan and mandatory advising in your SPH UNIV100 class.
  • If Spring is your first semester at UMD, you will follow the same process as transfer students.
2. Student-Athletes

All student-athletes in the School of Public Health, including those on Academic Probation, are required to meet with Bryan Pointer in SPH CASA at least once prior to registering for classes each Fall and Spring semester.

3. Students on Academic Probation

All students in the School of Public Health on Academic Probation are required to meet with an SPH CASA Probation Advisor prior to the end of Schedule Adjustment or be registered for SPHL246 Terp Restoration.

4. PHSC Majors with over 75 credits completed

In the semester after you complete 75 credits, you will be invited to an ELMS space to complete your PHSC Mandatory Senior Audit modules. Once you complete the modules, we will let you know via comment in ELMS if you need to meet with an advisor about your graduation plan.

5. Accelerated BS-MPH Applicants

Public Health Science majors applying for the current cycle of the accelerated BS-MPH program must meet with a PHSC advisor between December 5 and February 8 to complete the academic plan and advisor approval to include with your application for your application​​. Schedule an appointment through TerpEngage, choosing "Graduate School Preparation" as the topic. In the appointment comments, you can add “BS-MPH application.”

What about everyone else?

You are encouraged to check in with a PHSC Advisor at least once a year but you are not required to do so. You can meet with any member of our team. We love to see you at our events and catch up with you through drop-in advising or appointments!

Public Health Science advising follows the UMD 4Maryland guidelines for health and safety in our office. Visitors to the PHSC Suite in SPH2367 are encouraged to wear a mask for added protection.

If you are feeling sick, we ask that you not come to our office. Contact your PHSC advisor by phone or email to request to meet virtually or reschedule your advising appointment through your TerpEngage advising student portal.

Thanks for doing your part to keep each other (and the vulnerable people in our lives) safe and healthy!


See all UMD COVID-19 Guidelines and Updates

Meet the PHSC Advising Team

Portrait of Felicia Low

Felicia Low

Assistant Director, Public Health Science
Portrait of Jessica Moore-Solorzano

Jessica Moore-Solorzano

Undergraduate Program Advisor, Public Health Science
Portrait of Kayla Hoffman

Kayla Hoffman

Undergraduate Program Advisor, Public Health Science

"Academic advising is a dynamic relationship between advisor and student to support the student's educational and career success."

Public Health Science advisor sits at desk with a student

More Advising Resources

Don’t wait until senior year to start thinking about life after college! Public Health Science advisors can point you to campus resources for graduate school and career planning. 

See the PHSC Career Development Events calendar for upcoming workshops, panels, and presentations related to professional and personal development. 

Career Services

If you have questions about writing resumes and cover letters, possible jobs after graduating with a degree in Public Health Science, or other career-related questions please visit the University Career Center at the School of Public Health.

The University Career Center has a number of resources for students. Have your resume critiqued or search for jobs and internships using the Careers4Terps database. Attend workshops on interview preparation or panel discussions with UMD alumni.

Health Professions Advising Office

Considering a career in healthcare? The Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office works with students interested in medicine, dentistry, and other healthcare careers. 

Graduate School

Professional Development and Networking

Public Health Science majors are not required to complete an internship before you graduate, but we encourage you to seek opportunities to gain experience outside the classroom before you graduate.

Finding Opportunities

Academic Credit for Experiential Learning

You may apply up to 6 credits from approved internship or research experience towards the required 12+ credits of Public Health Science Options courses.

Public Health is global health. Public health related learning, service, or research abroad can be an enriching part of any student's undergraduate experience. There are a variety of means for gaining that type of experience.

With a little planning, you can incorporate a study abroad experience into your Public Health Science degree:


Learn about studying abroad as a PHSC major