These application instructions are applicable to applicants for the following SPH programs:

• Master of Public Health, all concentrations
• Master of Science
• MPH – MA Latin American Studies

MPH-MSW dual degree applicants must meet the admission requirements below.  Applicants for the MPH/MSW program must submit the SOPHAS application in addition to following the standard MSW application procedure.  Applications for the concurrent program are reviewed by both the SDSU School of Public Health and the SDSU School of Social Work.

In the statement of purpose submitted with the SOPHAS application, MPH/MSW applicants must address their interest in both fields (Public Health and Social Work) as well as their interest in Health Management and Policy.

MPH-MD dual degree applicants
contact Matthew Allison, UCSD Division of Preventive Medicine (858-822-7671) before applying to either program.

Admission Requirements

*Applicants for MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science ONLINE – See the additional admission requirements.*

Previous Degree and Major

Applicants 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.

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants to all the MPH and MS programs are expected to have satisfactorily completed an introductory statistics course.

In addition, applicants to the MPH Environmental Health concentration and MS Environmental Health concentration are expected to have completed General Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Students who do not have the prerequisites at the time of application can be admitted but should take the courses by the end of their first year.

Grade Point Average

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 SPH is 3.3.

Test Scores

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. The minimum acceptable GMAT score is 550.

Average GRE scores for students enrolling in the SPH master’s programs are 150 on the verbal section and 150 on the quantitative section.  We do not have a minimum acceptable score on the analytical section.

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.

International applicants must submit one of the following as proof of English proficiency:

1. TOEFL minimum score of 80 iBT/ 550 PBT: Score must be sent electronically from Educational Testing Service (ETS) using the SDSU institution code: 4682. Test score must be from within the past two years.
2. IELTS overall score of 6.5 or higher: Score report must be sent directly to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Test score must be from within the past two years.
3. Official transcripts indicating English as the principle language of instruction. 

In addition to the above requirements, all prospective students must meet the requirements for admission with classified graduate standing by the University.

Application Instructions for All MPH and MS Applicants

We are accepting applications for fall admission only.

Applicants for the MPH programs must submit two applications in order to be considered for admission:

1. 1. SOPHAS Application:
      On-campus programs: Application and supporting materials due February 15 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time)
      Online MPH: Application and supporting materials due May 31 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time)
   2. SDSU Application (Cal State Apply):
      On-campus programs: Application due March 1, supporting materials due April 1.
      Online MPH: Application and supporting materials due May 31.
2.  

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Apply early to allow sufficient time for all required supporting materials (such as GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts) to be received.

Applicants can anticipate being notified of the decisions on their applications no later than the middle of May for the on-campus programs, and by mid-July for the online MPH.

The application instructions provided below must be followed carefully. It is important to send the required materials to the separate addresses exactly as specified. Applicants should not send materials for the SOPHAS application to SDSU Enrollment services, or the other way around; sending materials to the wrong address will jeopardize meeting the file completion deadlines and may result in non-consideration of the application. Materials cannot be shared between the SOPHAS and SDSU Graduate Applications; therefore, applicants must be sure to send test scores and official transcripts separately for each application.

Submit both of the following applications:

1) SOPHAS Application

DEADLINE: February 15 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time) for on-campus programs, May 31 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time) for the online MPH.

• • • Go to SOPHAS application

San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health is participating in the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).

• • • Personal Statement (approximately 1500 word limit) 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.MSW-MPH Dual Degree Applicants: MPH-MSW Dual Degree program applicants must address their interest in both fields (Public Health and Social Work) as well as their interest in Health Management and Policy.

      Note: Your Personal Statement should be submitted with your SOPHAS application only. While there is a space in the Cal State Apply application (see below) for a Personal Statement, you do not need to submit another Personal Statement for the SDSU Graduate Application; instead, simply indicate in the space provided for the Personal 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 SPH 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, and 6.5 for the IELTS.  Applicants submitting the IELTS should upload a copy of the score report in the “Applicant Upload Documents” section of the SOPHAS application.

• • • 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:
      

      Standard delivery: 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.
      • Students with international coursework must submit to SOPHAS an evaluation report from the following organization instead of official transcripts (note: SOPHAS will not accept official transcripts for international coursework; only the evaluation report will be accepted):
        • World Education Services (WES)
          (Course-by-Course Report)

• • • 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 Cal State Apply 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 submitting the SOPHAS application, check the status of your application via the status menu. Check back frequently to make sure all of the required materials required have been received. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all supporting materials are submitted by the deadline.

Once your SOPHAS application is complete, it will be forwarded to the School(s) of Public Health to which you have selected to apply.

2) SDSU Application (Cal State Apply)

DEADLINE: March 1 (on-campus programs), May 31 (online MPH)

• • Go to Cal State Apply application – Apply for admission to graduate study at San Diego State University via Cal State Apply with the application fee payable by credit card.

• • 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 92182-7416
     
    Note: Please do not send transcripts before submitting the Cal State Apply application, as this may result in processing delays. Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
     
    International applicants, please see additional requirements for international transcripts and diploma/degree certificate.

• • 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

• • Proof of English proficiency: International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways.

Note that letters of recommendation are not submitted as part of the Cal State Apply application. Letters of recommendation are submitted to SOPHAS only.

After submitting the online Cal State Apply application, check your application status via SDSU WebPortal. Check back frequently to make sure all of the required materials required have been received. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all supporting materials are submitted by the deadline.

Questions?

Contact Brenda Fass-Holmes, SPH Admissions Coordinator (bholmes@sdsu.edu,  619-594-4492) if you have any questions about the application process.

last updated: 10/3/2017