Admissions

Admission Requirements

Application

Applicants are required to complete the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application. All application materials need to be submitted through SOPHAS.

Prerequisites

Applicants must hold at least a BS in Mathematics, Statistics or equivalent degree. Applicants with MPH in Biostatistics will be considered if they had college-level Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariate Calculus, and Linear/Matrix Algebra, from a recognized college or university.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities demonstrating a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above in previous coursework.

Domestic or US Transcripts

Must be sent from the institution's Registrar’s Office directly to SOPHAS at the following address:

SOPHAS Mailing and Contact Information
SOPHAS | P.O. Box 9111 | Watertown, MA 02471
617-612-2090 | Email | Website

• This applies to current or former UNMC students.
• Photocopies of transcripts will not be accepted.

International Transcripts

All non-US transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using their ICAP Course-by-course evaluation service. For further instructions, you may visit www.wes.org/sophas.

• WES reports should be sent directly from WES to SOPHAS.
• Please ensure that you enter your SOPHAS ID number on your WES evaluation request to ensure your evaluation can be matched to your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. Two letters must be from faculty members from the applicant’s previous program who can attest to the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully a PhD program in Biostatistics. The remaining letter may be an academic or professional reference.

Statement of Intent

A statement of intent which supports interest areas and career goals.

Resume or CV

A resume or curriculum vitae.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE Institutional Code 0695

• GRE scores should be sent by ETS directly to SOPHAS using the UNMC COPH SOPHAS GRE Code: 0695
• The GRE is not required, only recommended if a student has an overall GPA <3.0 or has received a B- or lower in any STEM course.  

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores are required of all applicants whose primary language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from a college or university outside of the United States.

• A minimum TOEFL score of 550-paper; 213-computer; 80-Internet.
• TOEFL scores must have been earned within two years prior the desired term of entry.
• Educational Testing Services (ETS) send official scores to the SOPHAS TOEFL code: 5688.
• Official IELTS scores should be sent directly to the UNMC College of Public Health. The minimum score requirement is 7.