Skip to Content

Arnold School of Public Health

How to Apply

We are seeking exceptional talent for our graduate degree programs. Students who are successful in our programs are those who have excellent quantitative skills, a strong work ethic, and a determination to succeed. We strongly encourage first-generation and minority students to apply. Admissions are based on the entire application, which includes grades, GRE scores, previous coursework, letters of recommendation, and work/life experience.

How to Apply

Epidemiology and Biostatistics applicants must apply through SOPHAS, The Centralized Application Service for Public Health. Please visit SOPHAS for further details.

For the Maternal Child Health Certificate, please refer to the program application instructions. 

For admissions information by degree visit our application requirements page.

Application Deadlines
PhD Priority Deadline: November 1

Epidemiology Ph.D., MPH, and MS Regular Deadline: January 15

Biostats Ph.D. and MS Regular Deadline: February 15

Maternal Child Health Certificate Deadlines: April 15 and November 1

International Applicants
TOEFL/IELTS or other accepted form of English language proficiency is required of all international applicants. 

NOTE: Applicants who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a US institution or a country which uses English as their primary language of instruction may request a waiver by contacting the Graduate Director.

Non-US institution transcripts must be verified by World Education Services (WES) or equivalent evaluation service.  Please submit a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation (WES ICAP).


Application Tips

Personal Statement
Why are you interested in Epidemiology or Biostatistics?  What do you see yourself doing after you graduate?  The personal statement is your opportunity to answer these questions and other questions, including why you believe you are a good fit for our program. Relevant Information that has not been covered in another part of your application can be included here.  We already know your grades and test scores, so devote most of your statement to your experiences, aspirations, and circumstances as they relate to the program to which you are applying.

Letters of Recommendation
We require three letters of recommendation.  Your recommenders should be able to describe your character and your ability to succeed in your chosen career path.  Recommenders should be familiar with you in an academic or professional setting.  Be sure you ask individuals who can write you a strong letter.  If you have recent experience in a research setting or recently completed a capstone project, thesis, or practicum, we will be looking for letters from your mentors, if possible.

Work/Research Experience
We are interested in your work history including any relevant research experience and volunteer work. 

Research Interests (Ph.D. Epidemiology)
A member of the epidemiology faculty must agree to serve as your mentor before you can be accepted into the Ph.D. degree program. It is up to you to find a mentor.  View a list of our faculty  in the Arnold School directory.  You must communicate with the faculty in your area(s) of interest before you apply, so that you can focus your statement of purpose.  In your statement of purpose, please detail your research interest and indicate the faculty member who has agreed to mentor you. 

Transcripts - Honor Code violations, Poor Grades, etc.
If you have grades below C and/or an Honor Code violation on your transcript, use the comment field to explain what happened, what you did to remedy the situation, and what you learned from the experience.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

©