Applying for any graduate program in the UAB School of Public Health is simple — just follow the steps below. Our Graduate Admissions team is here to help guide you through the process.

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 How to Apply to Our Graduate Programs

STEP 1: Review Our Admission Requirements

Applying for a Master’s degree?

Please be prepared to submit the following:

• Online application: Complete and submit the online application form.
• Official transcripts: Provide official transcripts from every college-level institution attended. If you have completed coursework outside the United States, you must also provide a course-by-course foreign college transcript evaluation from any NACES accredited evaluation company. Transcripts should be translated to English, evaluated course-by-course, include the overall academic GPA, and be from an approved third-party company. A list of approved current members can be found on the NACES website.
• English proficiency test score: International applicants must submit an English proficiency test score, with a minimum score of 80 for TOEFL, 6.5 for IELTS, or 120 for Duolingo.
• Letters of recommendation: Submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. If your GPA is below a 3.0, please have at least one letter come from a reference who has taught you in a course.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose and Objectives
• Standardized test scores: The GRE is waived for all master’s degree programs. However, if an applicant has fewer than five years of full-time professional health care/public health practice experience AND a GPA below 3.0, we strongly encourage that applicant to submit a GRE score with their application.
• Minimum GPA: A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 average is preferred; however, applicants with positive GPA trend, public health experience, competitive GRE score, AND/OR an established graduate GPA (comprising of 12 or more graduate credit hours) are encouraged to apply.

Applying to a Doctoral degree?

Be prepared to submit all requirements listed above, as well as:

• The GRE: The GRE is required for only the following doctoral programs:
  • DrPH in Health Policy and Organization
  • DrPH in Maternal and Child Health Policy
  • DrPH in Outcomes Research
  • DrPH in Preparedness Leadership

For PhD in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences applicants with less than five years of professional experience and GPA less than 3.0, including a GRE score is strongly encouraged to bolster the application.

NOTE: Application materials such as statement of purpose & letters of recommendation should be in the author’s own words, unenhanced by the use of generative AI, and citations used where necessary.

Interview

The following programs require interviews as a component of the admissions process. If you are selected to take part in the interview process, you will receive direct communication from us.

• PhD in Health Behavior
• PhD in Biostatistics
• DrPH in Biostatistics

Background Check Requirement for MPH and DrPH Applicants

To ensure we are taking the necessary precautions to protect our community partners, the School of Public Health requires students enrolled in the MPH and DrPH programs that require an internship or practicum to consent to and complete a criminal background check. Students are responsible for completing the background check at least one term before registering for their internship or practicum. Failure to do so could prevent the completion of their internship or practicum degree requirement. Learn more about background checks.

STEP 2: Know Your Deadline

Application deadlines vary by department, degree program, and degree track. Click on the degree program buttons in the table below to see your deadline.

Note: International students are admitted to programs in Fall only.

For information about additional SOPH scholarship eligibility and requirements, please see our scholarship page.

School of Public Health policy requires submission of the completed online application, including ALL supporting materials, by the application deadline. Allow plenty of time for transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other documents to reach their destination.

STEP 3: Apply Online

If you’re applying to a stand-alone MPH, MSPH, or DrPH program, you will submit your primary application via sophas.org. If admitted, you will then complete a supplemental application to the UAB Graduate School. Instructions will be provided upon admission.

If you’re applying to any of our coordinated degree programs, Certificates, the MS in Biostatistics, an accelerated Master’s program (offered to current UAB undergraduate students only) or the PhD programs, submit your application via the UAB Graduate School.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with the admission requirements and deadlines for your intended program, you are ready to begin!