Advising: Public Health Science

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 for 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. 

The last day chat will be available for the Spring semester is May 17th. Chat will resume in Fall 2024. 

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.

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!

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

• UMD SPH Graduate Programs
• UMD Graduate School Admissions
• Scholarships for graduate study

Professional Development and Networking

• See upcoming career exploration events on the PHSC Career Development Calendar
• Get tips on building your professional network from the UMD Career Center
  • Join the Public Health Science LinkedIn Group
  • Learn what UMD Alumni are doing on the TerrapinsConnect platform 
• See all SPH Professional Development Opportunities
• Learn about the SPH Mentorship program

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

• The University Career Center has resources to help you find and prepare to apply for internships. 
  • Explore careers in public health through the UCC@SPH.
• The Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research provides guidance on participating in research at UMD and beyond (including funding opportunities).
• The National Scholarships Office prepares UMD students to win prestigious awards that may be linked to internships or research experiences.

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.

• Federal Fellows and Global Fellows in Washington, DC programs combine a fall seminar with a spring internship. Application required.
• University Health Center Peer Programs train students to educate and improve the wellness of UMD community members.
• Learn about PHSC Options credit for Internships
• Learn about PHSC Options credit for Research/Independent Study

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: