New TAMU Partnership for SRPH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2004
SRPH-Ag Partnership
Contact: Andrea Pool (979) 458-0773
School of Rural Public Health
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
Office of Communications
http://tamhsc.edu
School of Rural Public Health and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Form Academic Partnership
The School of Rural Public Health (SRPH), at The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, and the Bioenvironmental Sciences Program, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, will soon offer a fast track to a graduate education in public health.
Following a model established in its 4+1 agreement with the biomedical sciences program, SRPH will offer bioenvironmental sciences undergraduates an expedited Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree with a concentration in environmental and occupational health—both degrees will be earned in five years. Administrators from both schools signed the agreement on Friday, April 2, at the SRPH offices in Wells Fargo Plaza.
Dr. Edward Hiler, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, Dr. David N. Appel, associate department head, Dr. Dennis C. Gross, department head, and Dr. Karen Kubena, associate dean of agriculture represented the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the signing. Dr. Ciro V. Sumaya, SRPH dean, Dr. Kenneth McLeroy, associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. Alicia Dorsey, assistant dean for academic and student affairs, and Dr. Kirby C. Donnelly, head of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, represented SRPH.
The 4+1 program facilitates the admission of students from the bioenvironmental sciences program into the School of Rural Public Health program and ensures a seamless, integrated transition. Bioenvironmental sciences students considering the program must have a cumulative 3.50 GPA, take a collection of directed electives specified by the department and complete the requirements necessary for graduate school admission to SRPH.
“This is our second 4+1 agreement and an exciting new area for the School,” said Sumaya. “The bioenvironmental sciences curriculum is a logical, natural fit with our Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. We look forward to having the first students begin this program.”
SRPH’s first 4+1 agreement with Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine allows biomedical sciences students to get their undergraduate degree and their MPH in five years.
“We are most excited about this new partnership,” said Hiler. “It represents an important linkage between the agricultural, environmental, foods, public health and medical communities.”
The Bioenvironmental Science Curriculum (BESC) at Texas A&M University is a progressive and exciting degree for all students with an interest in solving complex environmental problems. The emphasis areas in the BESC program were designed from input within the environmental industry.
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.
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