Arnold School of Public Health

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• Expand-Collapse Widget Title Expanded Details When are applications due?

  Information related to application deadlines can be found at our deadlines and degrees page.

• How do I send my transcript?

  All transcripts should be mailed to SOPHAS. Information on how to send transcripts to SOPHAS can be found at this  SOPHAS applicant help center page.

• Are GRE scores required for admission?

  The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is not requiring GRE scores for the current application cycle.

• Is there a minimum GPA?

  The Graduate School minimum GPA is 3.0.

• Can I transfer credits from another institution?

  With Graduate Director/Program Director and Academic Advisor approval, 1) master's and doctoral students can transfer up to 12 credits from courses that were NOT part of a completed master's degree program. For doctoral students, a limited number of graduate course work from a graduate program may be applied toward the PhD with advisory board committee and Graduate Director approval. Contact the Graduate Director or MPH Program Director for more information.

• How long does the program take?

  Master’s degree: 2 years
  PhD degree: 4 years

• Are there any special application requirements for international students?

  All International students must have their transcripts verified by World Educational Services (WES) and must demonstrate their English language proficiency using TOEFL, IELTS, or another accepted test. Those who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution that uses English as their primary language of instruction may ask to have this requirement waived.

• Do I need to find my academic advisor before applying for admission?

  Epidemiology PhD students are required to find an academic advisor before they can be accepted into the program. Epidemiology master’s students and all Biostatistics students will be assigned an advisor upon matriculation but can choose to change their advisor at any time. Some students keep the same academic advisor for the duration of the program, while others change to their thesis or dissertation advisor.

• How important is work experience?

  Research experience is preferred but not required for Epidemiology master’s students. Epidemiology and Biostatistics doctoral students are strongly encouraged to have research experience.

• How will I be notified of acceptance?

  You will receive a letter from the department indicating our recommendation to the Graduate School regarding admission. A letter from the Graduate School will follow in a few weeks, which will provide you official word of your acceptance.

• Can I defer my admission?

  Yes, you can defer your admission for up to one year after acceptance.

• What is the cost of attendance?

  Follow the links for information about funding in our program and to see tuition & fees for graduate students.

• Is health insurance offered to students in this program?

  Yes. View our student health insurance plan page for more information.

• Can I participate in this program as a part-time student?

  es. Master’s and doctoral students can attend classes on a part-time basis; however, it’s important to know that most classes are offered Monday through Thursday during the day. We have very few evening classes and no classes on the weekend. Doctoral students must fulfill the Graduate School’s residency requirement which is 6-9 credit hours in two consecutive semesters.

• Are students required to maintain a certain GPA to remain in the program?

  The Graduate School requires students to maintain a 3.0 average or risk being put on probation. Our department has more stringent requirements for each degree program. Please refer to the current student handbook for the degree-specific requirements. 

• Are any degrees offered online?

  The Epidemiology MPH degree will be offered fully online.

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.