Advising: Public Health Science

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.

Fall 2024 Regular Drop-in Advising Schedule

Regular drop-in advising will begin Tuesday, September 3rd.

For feedback on your PHSC Graduation Plan, virtual Grad Plan Assistance will begin Thursday, September 16th.

If you have a quick question, we encourage you to take advantage of our live chat and virtual drop-in advising hours for current and prospective Public Health Science majors. The Live Chat widget opens on this page when an advisor is available.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
11 am - 1 pm: Virtual drop-in advising	11 am - 12 pm: In Person Drop In Advising (SPH2367)	10 am - 12 pm: Virtual drop-in advising	Starting Sept. 16 2 pm - 3 pm: Virtual Grad Plan Assistance	(no drop-in advising)
1 pm - 3 pm: Live Chat (widget will appear on this page)	3 - 5 pm: Virtual drop-in advising

Meet with a PHSC Advisor

Who is my 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.

PHSC Live Chat

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.

Drop-in Advising

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. Y ou 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.

Individual Appointments

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.

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

Mandatory Advising

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

follow the instructions in the email sent to your UMD Terpmail during the first month of your first semester enrolled at UMD
complete online training on UMD registration systems and support resources
complete a draft graduation plan worksheet
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!

Health and Safety

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!