This guide is designed to a) Assist students interested in pursuing Masters in Public Health (MPH) programs; and b) Share a list of public health internships & fellowships that current and graduating students can consider.
How to Apply
There are two interfaces used by MPH programs that students are able to use to apply. They are SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service) and HAMPCAS (Healthcare Administration, Management & Policy Centralized Application Service); both are similar to the Common Application in that they allow you to apply to multiple schools at once without having to duplicate information. SOPHAS is the application most commonly used, however some schools focused more on healthcare administration and management utilize HAMPCAS. MPH programs will list on their website what their preferred application process is, and each site does have a complete list of the programs that they work with. Additionally, some programs do have a supplemental application that they require students to fill out as well; this is why it is important to check individual program websites in addition to the SOPHAS or HAMPCAS website.
Click on the following link for more detailed information on the SOPHAS and HAMPCAS.
Admissions Requirements
After you determine what type of public health school is right for you, the next step is examining the schools admission requirements. These are basic guidelines as to what schools normally require of an applicant. However, it is necessary to check the requirements for each school you are interested in, as not every school is the same, and the program type will affect the admission requirements. Additionally, if you are interested in a dual degree program, students are required to apply to both programs simultaneously to be offered admission. In this case, make sure you are aware of both program requirements and deadlines, as programs do not always communicate with each other, and it is your responsibility to inform them of your intent to enroll dually. Admission to public health school is not solely based upon your academic record and test scores, just as much weight is placed upon being a well-rounded student with a strong resume, field experience/internships and dedication to public health.
Click here for specific guidance on the following admissions requirements:
- Personal Statement
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation
- Admissions Tests
- Undergraduate Course Requirements and Transcripts
How to Choose a School
There are many different ways to go about choosing a Masters of Public Health program for your graduate studies. A great place to start when trying to decide is using the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), website, http://www.aspph.org/. It offers a great number of resources to help prospective students decide which path is right for them. There are four key points students should consider when choosing a school, that prospective schools are accredited, what type of degree you wish to pursue, what area of public health you would like to focus on, and what career path you are interested in. The ASPPH provides a search engine that allows students to narrow their search by area of interest, degree type and other factors.
Click here for more information on the following key points:
- Importance of Accreditation
- Type of Degree
- Area of Concentration
- Career Path within Public Health