In Fall 2019, the Arnold School of Public Health launched our redesigned MPH programs to meet new accreditation criteria from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
MS and PhD Exercise Science prospective students will apply through the USC Graduate School. Physical Activity and Public Health MPH applicants must apply through The Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). Please visit SOPHAS for further details.
Admissions Information by Degree
Special Note: International applicants and applicants seeking a graduate assistantship should apply early for consideration.
Admission Requirements
- A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in exercise science, kinesiology, biology, chemistry, pre-med, nutrition, health sciences, physiology, psychology, public health, physical therapy, medical doctor, from an accredited institution
- Academic prerequisites: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Grade point average of 3.00/4.00 or higher
- GRE scores are not required but recommended
- For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 internet-based, 230 computer-based, or 570
paper-based - or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
Course Type 2 exam - minimum overall band score of 6.5. This requirement may be waived
for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution.
Application Requirements
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose and Objectives describing your academic and research interests, relevant work experiences, academic/professional goals and objectives; include 1-3 potential faculty mentors
- At least three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources; at least one of these letters must be from an academic source
- Official transcripts from all schools or colleges previously attended
- 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)
- GRE scores are not required but recommended
- Institution code: 5818 (U of South Carolina Columbia)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for those whose native language is not English
- TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the USC Institutional code: 5818
- IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the USC Graduate School:
The Graduate School
University of South Carolina
1705 College Street, Suite 552
Columbia, SC 29208
Special Note: Our doctoral program is mentor-based, meaning each PhD student has to identify a mentor that will support them academically and financially. We do not have a set number of open slots that we fill each year. Please get in touch with faculty you might be interested in working with to determine your fit and the availability of funds before applying.
International applicants and applicants seeking a fellowship or graduate assistantship should apply early for consideration.
If you are applying for the Behavioral-Biomedical Interface Program (BBIP), please apply early. Please complete the supplemental questions found within the Graduate School application. More information about the BBIP traineeship can be found at www.bbip.sc.edu.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants for the program must have an earned baccalaureate degree in exercise science or related discipline from an accredited institution
- Grade point average of 3.00/4.00 or higher
- Satisfactory GRE scores (if provided)
- For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 internet-based, 230 computer-based, or 570
paper-based - or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
Course Type 2 exam - minimum overall band score of 6.5. This requirement may be waived
for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution.
Application Requirements
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose and Objectives describing your academic and research interests, relevant work experiences, academic/professional goals and objectives
- At least three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
- Official transcripts from all schools or colleges previously attended
- 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)
- GRE scores (optional)
- Institution code: 5818 (U of South Carolina Columbia)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for those whose native language is not English
- TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the USC Institutional code: 5818
- IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the USC Graduate School:
The Graduate School
University of South Carolina
1705 College Street, Suite 552
Columbia, SC 29208
Additional Degrees Offered by the Department of Exercise Science
Athletic Training MS
Physical Activity and Public Health MPH
Physical Therapy DPT