Master of Public Health, M.P.H.

Admission Requirements

1. Application – Completion of an application in Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
2. Degree – Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
3. Transcripts – Official transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended. A transcript is required even if the courses from one school appear on the transcript of another school.  (NOTE: SOPHAS will NOT process your application without receiving all official transcripts.  Please refer to the SOPHAS FAQs page for instructions on HOW TO SEND TRANSCRIPTS.)
   • All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Visit http://www.wes.org/ to view which documents are required for your country and to request an International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Report.
4. Grade Point Average (GPA) – Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 scale in either:
   • Upper-division undergraduate courses; OR
   • Upper-division graduate courses.

5. The GRE is not required for entrance to the MPH program.  However, concentrations may elect to request additional information to support an application for admission.  If additional questions or examples of previous work are required, the request will be included in the SOPHAS application
6. English Language Proficiency – International applicants and U.S. Citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Prior to consideration for admission, international applicants whose native language is not English must take and post acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (http://www.ets.org/toefl) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (http://www.ielts.org) unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand. The TOEFL and IELTS examinations are administered at various times of the year and in many centers throughout the world.
   • A score of at least 75 (internet-based test, IBT) or 537 (paper-based test) on the TOEFL and 6.0 on the IELTS is normally required to be considered for regular admission. The official TOEFL and the official IELTS scores may not be more than two (2) years old. Those who do not meet the minimum proficiency standard may be recommended for enrollment in University English courses or for English courses offered by the English Language Program (ELP) on campus. Successful completion of Intensive English Programs (IEPs) at other English Language Program (ELP) providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Request that your official TOEFL scores be sent directly to SOPHAS. Official IELTS scores should be sent to:  Georgia Southern University, Office of Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 8113, Statesboro, GA  30460-8113.
7. Letters of Recommendation – Two (2) letters of recommendation. It is strongly advised that two letters be from individuals who can address your past academic performance and it is encouraged that the third letter is from a work or internship supervisor.
8. Curriculum Vitae/Resume – A CV/Resume that includes the following: a) educational experiences, b) professional goals and objectives, c) work history, d) professional experiences, memberships and/or participation in professional organizations, e) experiences in public health programs.
9. Statement of Purpose – A Statement of Purpose (500-1000 words) that conveys the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate study in public health and how admission into the program relates to the applicant’s professional aspirations.

*Some students may be required to take prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program of study.  Conditions of admission will be presented at the student’s first advisement appointment.

Provisional Admission:

Provisional Admission may be granted to those individuals who do not fully satisfy the admission requirements. You must earn grades of “B” or better in your first nine (9) semester hours taken at Georgia Southern University following the effective admission term to obtain Regular Admission. A provisional student may enroll in graduate courses leading to a degree and such courses may count in a degree program once the student has changed to Regular Admission. Only credit earned in graduate courses at Georgia Southern University will satisfy provisional admission requirements. Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in an ineligibility to continue studies in the College of Graduate Studies. Provisional students are not eligible for Graduate Assistantship positions.

Deadlines

Applications for the JPHCOPH graduate programs are accepted for FALL admission only.  Applications and ALL supporting documents must be in SOPHAS no later than the JPHCOPH Application Deadline to be considered for admission.  Per the application timeline below, it is highly recommended that your application and all supporting documents be received by SOPHAS at least four (4) weeks prior to the JPHCOPH application deadline date.  (NOTE: If ALL supporting documents are not in SOPHAS by the deadline date, your application will be marked as Incomplete and will not be considered for admission.)

• February 1 – Fall admission deadline to receive priority consideration for JPHCOPH graduate assistantship
• May 1 – Fall admission deadline for International applicants
• June 1 – Fall admission deadline for United States applicants

Application Timeline

Please allow enough time for processing when submitting an application and supporting documents.  The entire admissions application process can take approximately ten (12) weeks.  (Note: Processing times vary throughout the cycle, therefore this timeline may not apply to every applicant’s situation.)

• SOPHAS Timeline – To ensure your application is mailed (sent) to JPHCOPH on time, all materials should be received by SOPHAS at least four (4) weeks prior to the JPHCOPH application deadline date. Once your application is considered complete, it can take approximately four (4) weeks to be processed and verified by SOPHAS.
• Georgia Southern University Timeline – The JPHCOPH does not review an application until every official document has been received and verified by SOPHAS.  It can take approximately six (6) weeks for a completed application to be processed.

NOTE:  It is highly recommended that you request official transcripts/foreign evaluations, test scores, and reference letters at least eight (8) weeks prior to the JPHCOPH application deadline date.

Program Contact Information

General Admissions Questions, Post Admissions Advisement
Monica Brister
Coordinator of Student Services
jphcoph-admissions@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-2674

SOPHAS Application Questions
SOPHAS Coordinator
jphcoph-admissions@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-2674

SOPHAS Technical Info

sophasinfo@liaisoncas.com
617-612-2090
SOPHAS Application Help Center

Last updated: 12/5/2023