In an effort to expand opportunities for students interested in careers in public health, Bryant University and Brown University School of Public Health are launching a new program that will create a direct pathway for Bryant graduates to enroll in Brown’s master of public health program.
Under the agreement, Bryant students who graduate with at least a 3.25 GPA and meet application requirements will be eligible for guaranteed admission, following review by Brown’s School of Public Health admissions committee. The pathway guarantees admission for a limited number of Bryant students each year and students will receive an automatic 35% scholarship toward tuition, with select students eligible for additional financial aid up to 50%.
The collaboration between the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Bryant and Brown’s School of Public Health is designed to build on Bryant’s undergraduate strengths in business, health and behavioral sciences while giving students the opportunity to continue their education at Brown, where they will receive rigorous training to conduct research, inform policy change and improve the health of populations in Rhode Island and beyond.
“By creating a direct path for our students into Brown University’s School of Public Health, we are expanding access to advanced training in a field where highly talented professionals are urgently needed,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “This pathway highlights our commitment to developing future leaders in the healthcare sector and ensuring that a Bryant education positions graduates to make a meaningful difference in our communities.”
The collaboration also highlights how universities can work together in preparing students to address complex public health challenges while deepening academic ties between two of Rhode Island’s leading institutions.
“At a time when public health systems are under pressure, it’s more important than ever for institutions like Brown and Bryant to work together to prepare the next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, interim dean of the Brown University School of Public Health. “This agreement helps keep the public health workforce pipeline in Rhode Island strong by creating new opportunities for talented students to train and lead in the field.”
Under the agreement, Brown’s School of Public Health will guarantee admission for up to five eligible Bryant students each year, or up to 10% of the incoming MPH cohort, whichever is greater. Students who exceed that cap may still apply through the school’s regular admissions process and receive full consideration.
In addition to the admissions pathway, the agreement also provides opportunities for Brown faculty and leaders to engage with Bryant students through lectures and advising, offering undergraduates early exposure to public health education and careers.
“It’s a great partnership among premier institutions in Rhode Island,” said Dr. Scott Rivkees, acting associate dean for education and professor of the practice of health services, policy and practice at Brown’s School of Public Health. “Students at Bryant get to transition into one of the premier master’s programs in public health in the country and it helps the field expand its pool of students preparing for careers in public health.”
Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., Bryant’s provost and chief academic officer, agrees.
“This is a collaboration built on a shared commitment to develop and deliver high-quality programs that strengthen regional workforce development in healthcare,” Paliwal said. “Through this opportunity for advanced study at Brown University’s School of Public Health, Bryant students will build on their critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills while preparing for careers that advance public health.”
Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., director of Bryant’s School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, said the initiative reflects Bryant’s focus on helping meet growing workforce needs.
“Bryant University has long been focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce and being an active partner in addressing shortages of talent that impact healthcare delivery,” Hokeness said. “By partnering with Brown University to create this new pathway into graduate health professions, we are taking an innovative approach to building the regional talent pipeline needed to improve patient care and strengthen our public health system.”
Applications from Bryant students seeking admission through the pathway will be reviewed by the School of Public Health’s admissions committee, with candidates required to submit three letters of recommendation and apply by Feb. 1 of the year they intend to enroll.
Leaders from both Brown and Bryant said the partnership could also serve as a model for future collaborations aimed at expanding access to graduate training.
To learn more about the pathways program, visit Pathway Programs | Bryant University
About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers an integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu
About The Brown University School of Public Health
The Brown University School of Public Health is committed to tackling the pressing health challenges of
our time and improving population health by advancing science and training tomorrow’s leaders. Our
nationally-renown research centers have expertise in key aspects of health and the ability to translate
cutting-edge research into high-impact policies and care initiatives. The school’s student-centered
academic training and culture of collaboration prepare future health leaders to respond to urgent health challenges. Public health at Brown goes beyond preventing disease to reshaping health care and
safeguarding vulnerable populations.