Steps to Apply for an MPH or MHSA

All MPH and MHSA applications must be submitted to the online centralized application service SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Services). SOPHAS allows students to apply to multiple accredited institutions using one application.

Please note that during peak times, SOPHAS applications can take 4-6 weeks after submission to reach verified status. We do not receive applications until they are verified. We highly recommend ensuring you leave time for the verification process and monitor your application’s status after submitting.

MPH and MHSA applications must include all of the following in order to be considered:

• Online SOPHAS application
• Official Transcripts
• SOPHAS Statement of Purpose and Objectives (if applying for more that one program, prepare a separate statement for each)
• Reflective Essay
• Quantitative Experiences Statement
• Resume or CV
• Letters of Recommendations
• Language Proficiency Requirements (only for applicants whose native language is not English)

More information on each component can be found below.

*Michigan Public Health does not require and does not review GRE or other standardized test scores for admission to any master’s or doctoral programs.

Your Application Checklist

1. Confirm your eligibility

This step only applies to students interested in the Online MPH in Population and Health Sciences or the hybrid Executive Master’s Program in Health Management and Policy.

At this time the Online MPH is only open to admitted United States citizens and residents.

Due to the hybrid format of the Executive MHSA program, non-US applicants are strongly encouraged to consider their ability to meet in-person requirements before applying. Executive Master's students must be able to attend 3 required weekend-long in-person sessions throughout the two-year degree program. If you believe your circumstances would not prevent you from fully participating in the in-person program requirements and you are interested in pursuing the hybrid program, we encourage you to reach out to an advisor at [email protected] to discuss further and explore your options.

2. Plan your application timeline

Deadlines for MPH and MHSA Residential Programs

• Residential Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) degrees
  • December 1, 2024: Priority deadline
  • January 15, 2025: Final deadline for international applicants
  • May 15, 2025: Final deadline for domestic applicants

  Deadlines for MPH and MHSA Online and Hybrid Programs
  

  • Online MPH in Population and Health Sciences
    • February 1, 2025: Priority deadline
    • May 15, 2025: Final deadline
    • June 30, 2025: Late Submission deadline
    • June 1, 2025: Final deadline

    We encourage applicants from all programs to submit their application prior to the priority deadline to ensure scholarship consideration. Those who submit afterward are not guaranteed scholarship consideration. An additional application is not required for scholarship consideration.

    Time management is a crucial skill for graduate schooling. It will be important to consider the deadline you are applying for and plan your personal timeline for ordering transcripts, preparing your materials, reaching out to individuals for your letters of recommendation, and finalizing your application - ideally allowing extra time for your application to reach verified status and any unforeseen slowdowns. Remember that during peak times, SOPHAS applications can take 4-6 weeks after submission to reach verified status. We do not receive your application until it is verified.

    3. Order your transcripts

    The University of Michigan School of Public Health requires official transcripts for SOPHAS applications. This means that transcripts must be original documents sent to SOPHAS directly from the institution, and cannot be photocopied, faxed, or forwarded through email if they were originally sent to anyone except SOPHAS.

    Transcripts from US and English-Canadian institutions may be sent by U.S. Postal Service or electronically. Electronic transcripts are only accepted from Parchment and the National Student Clearinghouse. For many institutions, you may request electronic transcripts directly through your SOPHAS application portal.

    If your school doesn’t participate in these services your transcript must be sent by the U.S. Postal Service. The address to where your transcript should be mailed can be found on the Transcript Request Form in your SOPHAS portal.

    Transcripts from foreign institutions such as non-US, non-English Canadian, and Caribbean should be sent electronically to [email protected] .

    Transcripts must be provided for all of the colleges listed in your application, including any study abroad institutions. Your application cannot be processed without receiving all of your transcripts.

    4. Update your resume or CV

    It is highly recommended that applicants upload a resume or CV directly to SOPHAS via their online application. This helps to provide reviewers a snap-shot into your educational background, professional experiences, certifications, and achievements. When creating the resume or CV you will use in your application, give special attention to include details about any experiences that are especially relevant to the program and degree you are applying for. Please upload your resume or CV in the ‘Supporting Information’ section of your application in the ‘Documents’ tab.

    5. Prepare your essays

    Statement of Purpose and Objectives
    Your narrative should be an original personal essay about your educational and professional (if applicable) background and your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in public health. This piece should be unique to the academic department/program you are applying to. This is your chance to speak directly to the faculty reviewing your application.

    Your statement should address the following questions:

    1. What motivated you to apply to the University of Michigan School of Public Health and your academic department/program of interest?
    2. How will a Master of Public Health/Master in Health Services Administration fit into your career plans?
    3. What experiences have you had that will allow you to contribute to the school community and profession?
    4. Are there any faculty you would like to work with and/or research areas of particular interest?

    Length: Maximum 1,000 words

    Reflective Essay

    If you feel that there is important information that you would like to share with faculty application reviewers that has not been discussed in the rest of the application, you may include it here. This essay is optional and should not be the same as your Statement of Purpose.

    The following examples are general ideas of what you may want to include:

    1. Discuss and explain any unusual patterns or anomalies in your academic or professional record (for example, gaps in work or education or a poor semester performance).
    2. Describe any particular life circumstances, including, but not limited to, your cultural background and overcoming adversity (e.g., being raised in a single-parent home, socioeconomic status of your family, first generation attending college, resident of an underserved area or an area with a health professions shortage, race and ethnicity, and cultural background).

    Length: Maximum 250 words

    Quantitative Experiences Statement

    Standard Quantitative Experiences Statement

    We require a statement for all graduate-level applicants as part of the application process to better understand their abilities. Quantitative ability is an essential skill for many graduate programs in public health.

    Note: The Standard Quantitative Experiences Statement is required for all graduate programs except Health Behavior and Health Equity.

    Length: Maximum 500 words

    This short essay asks you to summarize the strength of your analytical and quantitative skills by addressing the following (if applicable):

    1. Discuss specific details and examples of relevant research, work, volunteer, or professional experiences that involved analytical and/or quantitative skills and tasks. You may also incorporate instances where you worked with data.
    2. If you have experience with quantitative or qualitative data, describe how you used it to solve a complex problem and include how you shared your findings.

    The information provided will contribute to our holistic review process. If you have a limited background in analytics or quantitative work, we encourage you to contact our Recruitment and Admissions Team at [email protected] or the Program Coordinator in the department you're applying to. Our staff are happy to help you determine a way to demonstrate your quantitative history and provide recommendations regarding appropriate next steps.

    Quantitative Experiences Statement for Health Behavior & Health Equity

    Please summarize the strength of your quantitative and analytical skills by (a) referencing your grades in key math and science-related coursework and (b) discussing specific details of any research or work experiences that involved quantitative and analytical tasks. The information provided will contribute to our holistic review process. If your quantitative preparation is weak, missing, or out-of-date, we strongly encourage applicants to take a college algebra class as soon as possible. Admission may be contingent on the successful completion of such a class.

    The information provided will contribute to our holistic review process. If you have a limited background in analytics or quantitative work, we encourage you to contact our Recruitment and Admissions Team at [email protected] or the Program Coordinator in the department you're applying to. Our staff are happy to help you determine a way to demonstrate your quantitative history and provide recommendations regarding appropriate next steps.

    6. Reach out to Recommenders

    Three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application process. You should select recommenders who can discuss your ability to academically succeed and contribute to the public health profession. Depending on your background and specific situation, consider the following references:

    • Faculty from your undergraduate institution in your major of study
    • An employer or supervisor
    • Academic advisor
    • Professional mentor from a relevant volunteer or professional experience
    • A friend or relative is not an appropriate selection for a graduate school recommendation.

    Tips for high impact letters of recommendation:

    • You may have interacted with many people in academic or professional settings who could speak to your abilities. Carefully consider who can best communicate why you are a strong candidate. Together, these letters should paint a clear picture of your abilities from a variety of perspectives. Be sure to have a back up plan if one of your recommenders is not able to contribute.
    • Make the process easy for your recommenders by providing ample time to write and submit (3-4 weeks), clear instructions, a deadline, and even a list of suggested items you would like referenced in your letter.
    • Schedule 20-30 minutes to meet with your recommender and/or provide drafts of your resume and Statement of Purpose so that they can more clearly understand your specific goals and motivations for attending Michigan Public Health.
    • Ask recommenders to use official letterhead along with a full signature including the writer’s company or professional affiliation, job title, and contact information.

    Be sure to make your recommenders aware that they will be required to submit evaluations directly into SOPHAS. You will be responsible for inputting your recommender's contact information into your SOPHAS application. SOPHAS then initiates contacting your recommender with instructions to provide their letter of recommendation.

    7. Complete Language Proficiency Requirements (if applicable)

    Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English language as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For more detailed information, please review our International Applicants page.

    8. Pay your application fee or apply for a fee waiver

    There is a cost associated with your SOPHAS application. The $145 ‘vendor fee’ for the first program you apply to and $55 ‘designation fee’ for each additional program.

    Fee Waivers
    Each cycle, SOPHAS awards a limited number of waivers to qualified applicants for the $145 vendor fee. If you are eligible, it is recommended that you apply in the Fall, as waivers are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application. Once approved, you are required to submit your application within 14 days. Learn more about the SOPHAS fee assistance program and eligibility here.

    In addition, the University of Michigan School of Public Health Office of Student Affairs offers a waiver for the $55 designation fee required by SOPHAS if students are applying to more than one program. This opportunity is only for MPH and MHSA applicants applying through SOPHAS.

    9. Submit and monitor your application status!

    Before submitting, please double check each part of your application. After submitting, you can only make limited changes to your application and materials, so it’s important that your application is accurate and complete before pressing submit.

    Upon submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

    During peak times, SOPHAS applications can take 4-6 weeks after submission to reach verified status. Please monitor your application’s status and reach out to our Recruitment and Admissions team at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

    We look forward to reviewing your application and understanding your unique interests and goals at Michigan Public Health!