Admissions

Any applicant desiring admission into the PhD program must submit a fully completed application by April 1. Applicants are required to complete the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application. All application materials need to be submitted through SOPHAS.

Prerequisite

Must hold a Master’s degree or other advanced degrees in a field related to health promotion and disease prevention from a recognized college or university. Exceptional students with a Bachelor's degree will also be considered.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities demonstrating a minimum GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale GPA for all graduate 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. At least two letters should be from faculty members in the applicant's previous academic program. The remaining letter can be from an academic or professional reference.

Statement of Intent

A 500-700 word statement of intent which describes:

1. Your research interest areas
2. Your career goals
3. How you will contribute to a diverse campus environment at UNMC (e.g., due to your background, cultural experiences, volunteer/work experience, and/or special talents)  

• Your preferred faculty sponsor (note: please confirm with the preferred sponsor that they are willing to mentor you prior to including their name in the statement of intent)

Resume or CV

A resume or curriculum vitae.

English Proficiency Requirement 

Test of English as a Foreign Language, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required of all applicants who have not received a previous degree from a US institution or a country where the only official language is English, such as U.K., Australia, or Canada (excluding Quebec).  

Minimum Requirements: 

• TOEFL: 550-Paper, 213-computer, 80-internet 
• IELTS: 6.5 
• Duolingo: 120 

Scores must have been earned within two years prior to the desired term of entry. 

Submitting your official scores: 

Test of English as a Foreign Language 

Educational Testing Services send official scores to the SOPHAS TOEFL code: 5688. 

IELTS 

• An institution code is not required 
• IELTS Taken in a Test Center: Inform your IELTS test center that you wish to send your results to SOPHAS. You can do this during the test booking process by selecting SOPHAS or asking your test center to select SOPHAS after you receive your results. IELTS results are sent to SOPHAS electronically. 
• IELTS Online: Send your results to SOPHAS using the IELTS test taker portal. You can send your IELTS results to as many organizations as you wish with no additional fee. IELTS Online results are provided in an electronic format. 

Duolingo

You will receive the certified test results a few days after taking the exam. When you receive them, log on to your account, click the “send results” button next to your test results, and select the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. This will send your results to us. For additional information, please review Duolingo’s frequently asked questions. 

Information on Preparing for the Exam 

Take the Exam or Practice Exam 

Members of the Graduate Program Committee

The Graduate Program Committee proposes policies, addresses student issues, and reviews admission applications. Members include:

• Tzeyu Michaud (chair)

• Fabiana Brito (formerly Silva)

• Regina Idoate

• Michelle (Shelley) Strong