Master of Public Health Admissions

Application

Applicants are required to complete the Schools of Public Health Application Services SOPHAS Application.

Prerequisites

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0-point scale).

Concentrations with Prerequisites

• Epidemiology Concentration: The student must have received the equivalent of a grade of B or better in one college-level precalculus or similar math course.
• Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration: The student must have successfully completed the following courses: one semester of biology, one semester of chemistry, and one semester of college-level math.
• Biostatistics Concentration: The student must have received the equivalent of a grade B or better in college level statistics and algebra.  One calculus course is recommended. 

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities are required.

Domestic or US Transcripts

Must be sent from the institution's Registrar’s Office directly to the Schools of Public Health Application Service at the following address:

Mailing & Contact Information

SOPHAS | P.O. Box 9111 | Watertown, MA 02471

Phone: 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 using their ICAP Course-by-course evaluation service.  For further instructions, visit their website.

• World Education Service reports should be sent directly from World Education Service to the Schools of Public Health Application Service.
• Ensure that you enter your SOPHAS ID number on your evaluation request to ensure your evaluation can match your application.

Graduate Record Examination

The Graduate Record Examination is optional for all applicants, but it is highly recommended for any applicant with below a 3.0 GPA from their previous coursework.  

• GRE scores should be sent by Educational Testing Services directly to the Schools of Public Health Application Service using the UNMC COPH SOPHAS GRE Code: 0695

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to academic, practice and/or research abilities.

Guidelines and Suggestions:

• Ideally, your recommenders are recent professors, researchers, or employers.
• Recent graduates (in the past 1–3 years) should include faculty references among their 3 references.
• For those who may have graduated or have been employed in the workforce for several years, or who are a member of the armed services, recommendation letters from employers and supervisors would be appropriate.

Statement of Intent

A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s:

• Interest in and potential for contributing to public health and the chosen MPH concentration
• Career objectives
• Self-assessment of personal skills and general preparation for succeeding in a public health graduate program

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 

UNMC, College of Public Health
Office of Educational Services
984359 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-4359