Master of Public Health
Admission Requirements
Applicants for any of the concentrations for the MPH degree must hold a bachelor's or advanced degree. A specific major is not required for admission; in fact, our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. With the exception of the Environmental Health concentration*, there is not a list of prerequisite courses required for admission. Applicants are expected to have satisfactorily completed an introductory statistics course.
An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.85 (overall, or on the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units) is required for admission to SDSU (international students must have a GPA of at least 3.0). The average GPA for students enrolling in the GSPH is 3.2.
GRE scores (general test only) must be submitted by all applicants except for Health Management and Policy applicants, who may submit either GRE or GMAT scores. We are unable to provide information on minimum acceptable scores or average scores for the new GRE test administered beginning August 1, 2011. For the GRE test administered prior to August 1, 2011, minimum acceptable scores are 450 on the verbal section and 550 on the quantitative section, and the average GRE score for students enrolling in the GSPH master's programs is 1100 on the combined verbal and quantitative components. We do not have a minimum acceptable score on the analytical section. The minimum acceptable GMAT score is 550. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a satisfactory TOEFL score (80 iBT, 550 paper based, 213 computer based) or IELTS score (6.5), if the applicant's medium of instruction was in a language other than English. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be obtained within two years prior to applying for admission.
Applicants holding an advanced degree (master's degree or higher) from a college or university that is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools may be exempt from the GRE requirement. If you have received an advanced degree, contact Brenda Fass-Holmes at (619) 594-4492 to see if you qualify for an exemption of the GRE requirement. The exemption does not apply to graduates of foreign institutions. All applicants who are graduates of foreign institutions are required to submit GRE scores.
In addition to the above requirements, all prospective students must meet the requirements for admission with classified graduate standing by the University.
* Environmental Health applicants must have completed General Biology, General Chemistry, and a Lecture Course in Organic Chemistry.
Application
Applicants for the MPH and MS programs must submit two applications in order to be considered for admission. Please see the separate instructions below for each application. The deadline to submit the SOPHAS application is February 15, and the deadline to submit the San Diego State University Graduate Application is March 1. We are accepting applications for fall admission only.
Only complete applications will be reviewed. Please apply early and allow sufficient time for all required supporting materials (such as GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts) to be received. Supporting materials must be received by March 1 for the SOPHAS application and by April 1 for the SDSU Graduate Application.
Applicants can anticipate being notified of the decisions on their applications no later than the middle of May.
Both of the following applications must be submitted:
- Graduate School of Public Health Application (via SOPHAS.org)
DEADLINE: February 15
We are pleased to announce that the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health is participating in SOPHAS, the Schools of Public Health Application Service. All MPH and MS applicants must apply on-line through SOPHAS.
- Your statement of purpose and objectives (approximately 1500 word limit) should address all of the following items:
- Describe those experiences that have shaped your interest in public health. Comment on your current orientation or preferences in the public health field.
- Describe the one academic experience that has meant the most to you in your educational career.
- Outline your professional goals, both immediate and long term.
- Discuss why you are interested in attending the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University, the strengths you bring with you, and those areas in which you would like to increase your expertise and personal growth.
Note: Your Statement of Purpose should be submitted with your SOPHAS application only. While there is a space in the SDSU Graduate Application (see below) for a Statement of Purpose, you do not need to submit another Statement of Purpose for the SDSU Graduate Application; instead, simply indicate in the space provided for the Statement that you have submitted it with the SOPHAS application.
- GRE scores should be sent to Institution Code 4902 (San Diego St U Grad Sch Publ Hlth). This is the SDSU GSPH code which will automatically re-direct your scores to SOPHAS.
- TOEFL: If medium of instruction was in a language other than English, TOEFL score must be submitted to Code 5688 SOPHAS, Massachusetts. Minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 80 iBT, 550 paper based, 213 computer based, and 6.5 for the IELTS.
- One copy of official transcripts (sent directly by the institutions) from all colleges and universities you have attended must be sent to SOPHAS at the following address:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471
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For overnight delivery only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
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Applicants who have attended SDSU, please note that you must submit to SOPHAS transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including SDSU.
Students with international coursework must submit to SOPHAS an evaluation report from one of the following organizations instead of official transcripts:
- Three letters of recommendation are required. Two should be academic references, from professors who have taught you in class. The third letter can be another academic reference or a professional reference (employer, volunteer work, etc.). Letters of recommendation must be submitted to SOPHAS directly. Please see the SOPHAS application instructions for details.
Note: Letters of recommendation are to be submitted with your SOPHAS application only. On the SDSU Graduate Application (see below), you will need to list your recommenders in the space provided, but you do not need to submit your letters of recommendation for the SDSU Graduate Application.
- Your resume or CV must be uploaded as part of the SOPHAS application.
After you have submitted the SOPHAS application, you can check the status of your application via the status menu. You are encouraged to check back frequently to make sure that all of the materials required for your application have been received. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted in a timely manner.
Once your SOPHAS application is complete, it will be forwarded to the School(s) of Public Health to which you have selected to apply.
Please contact Brenda Fass-Holmes, Coordinator for Admissions and Student Affairs, (bholmes@mail.sdsu.edu) or (619) 594-4492, if you have any questions about the application process.
- San Diego State University Graduate Application** (via CSU Mentor)
DEADLINE: March 1
Apply for admission to graduate study at San Diego State University via CSU Mentor with the application fee of $55.00 payable by credit card, debit card, or check.
- Official Transcripts: Send one official transcript (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended to:
- GRE scores: Send official GRE results (general test) forwarded by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Institution Code 4682 (San Diego St U). This is the code that will send your scores directly to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Health Management and Policy applicants may submit either the GRE or the GMAT. www.ets.org
- TOEFL: If medium of instruction was in a language other than English, TOEFL score must be submitted to SDSU, Institution Code 4682. www.ets.org. Minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 80 iBT, 550 paper based, 213 computer based, and 6.5 for the IELTS.
Please note that letters of recommendation are not submitted as part of the San Diego State University Graduate Application. Letters of recommendation are submitted to SOPHAS only.
After you have submitted the on-line graduate application, you can track your application status via SDSU WebPortal. Please check back on a regular basis to make sure that all required items have been received. The applicant is responsible for making sure that all test scores and transcripts are received by the April 1 file completion deadline.
** International applicants, please use the International Student Application. The TOEFL test score is required if postsecondary instruction is in a language other than English.
last updated: 9/20/2012
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