Master of Public Health

• Overview
• Specific Program Requirements
• Current Class Schedule
• ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION

Admission Requirements

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. Minimum acceptable GRE scores are 450 on the verbal section and 550 on the quantitative section. We do not have a minimum acceptable score on the analytical section. The average GRE score for students enrolling in the GSPH master's programs is 1100 on the combined verbal and quantitative components.

Health Management and Policy applicants may submit either GRE or GMAT scores. 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 applications must have completed General Biology, General Chemistry, and a Lecture Course in Organic Chemistry.

Application

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 no more than one month after the application deadline (that is, by February 15 for the SOPHAS application and March 1 for the SDSU Graduate Application).

Applicants can anticipate being notified of the decisions on their applications no later than the end of April.

Both of the following applications must be submitted:

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1. Graduate School of Public Health Application (via SOPHAS.org)
   DEADLINE: January 15

   We are pleased to announce that the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health is now 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 should address all of the following items:
     1. Describe those experiences that have shaped your interest in public health. Comment on your current orientation or preferences in the public health field.
     2. Describe the one academic experience that has meant the most to you in your educational career.
     3. Outline your professional goals, both immediate and long term.
     4. 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.

   • GRE scores should be sent to Institution Code 4902. This code will send your GRE 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

   • 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

     For overnight delivery only: SOPHAS c/o Liaison International 311 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472

     Applicants who have attended SDSU, please note that you must submit to SOPHAS transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including SDSU.

   • 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.).

   • Your resume or CV is optional and may 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.

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2. San Diego State University Graduate Application** (via CSU Mentor)
   DEADLINE: February 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:
     • Graduate Admissions
       Enrollment Services
       San Diego State University
       5500 Campanile Drive
       San Diego, CA 92182-4162

       Note: Please do not send transcripts before submitting the CSU Mentor application, as this may result in processing delays. Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.

   • Students with international coursework must submit one of the following evaluation reports:
     • Course-by-Course Evaluation Report
       Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
       P.O. Box 414070
       Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
       (414) 289-3400
       Cost: $135

     • Detail Report
       International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
       P.O. Box 3665
       Culver City, CA 90231
       (310) 258-9451
       Cost: $165

   • GRE scores: Send official GRE results (general test) forwarded by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to SDSU, Institution Code 4682. 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

   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 March 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: 10/06/09