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MPH Admission Requirements

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Admission into the graduate programs within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) is competitive and decisions are based on the application as a whole.

Deadlines

Applications for the JPHCOPH graduate programs are accepted for FALL admission only.

February 1 – Priority admission deadline for consideration for JPHCOPH graduate assistantship
May 1 – Final deadline for International applicants
June 1 – Final deadline for United States applicants

Application Timeline

Please refer to the timeline in the SOPHAS Quick Start Guide.

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 up to four (4) weeks to be processed and verified by SOPHAS.
Georgia Southern University Timeline – Each application must be verified by SOPHAS. The JPHCOPH does not review an application until all SOPHAS and JPHCOPH supporting document requirements have been received. Additional supporting documents may include but are not limited to additional letters of recommendation, official international transcript evaluations, official English language proficiency scores, proof of citizenship, etc.

Application Support

For technical support questions such as how to submit supporting documents, please visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center.

For more information on the MPH program, please reach out to JPHCOPH Admissions.

Regular Admission

Application – Completion of an application in Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
Degree – Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
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. SOPHAS will not process your application without receiving all official transcripts. Please refer to the SOPHAS FAQs page for instructions on Sending Official Transcripts to SOPHAS.
- Transcripts that are not from United States-based institutions or its territories must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluation service (www.naces.org/members). The evaluation must include a course-by-course evaluation with a GPA, and it must show you have earned the US-equivalency of the required level of degree. Official international transcript evaluations are required for the application to receive an official decision. This requirement cannot be waived.
Grade Point Average (GPA) – Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 scale in either:
- Upper division undergraduate courses; OR
- Upper division graduate courses.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – 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. If you wish to send your GRE scores, provide code #8560 to ETS to send your official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The exam date must not be more than 5 years prior to your SOPHAS application date. The GRE may be waived for applicants if they hold a terminal degree from a regionally accredited college/university. Acceptable terminal degree examples include an MD, JD, DrPH, or PhD.
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) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 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.
- Provide code #5688 to ETS so your official TOEFL scores will post to your SOPHAS application. Georgia Southern is registered to receive IELTS scores electronically through SOPHAS. We do not accept unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from applicants. An institution code is NOT required.
Letters of Recommendation – Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. It is strongly advised that one letter should come from individuals who can address your past academic performance, and it is encouraged that the second letter should come from a work or internship supervisor.
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.
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.

Inclusive Excellence

Inclusive Excellence is a strategic pillar and a core value at Georgia Southern University. We recognize that our success as an institution of higher learning depends on our ability to embrace, value, and appreciate the diversity of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni across our campuses. Inclusive excellence is continuous and comprehensive; intentional and dynamic; transformational and innovative and is embedded in all aspects of our culture and actions. Inclusive excellence speaks to sustaining a campus climate that honors, respects, and is inclusive of all elements of diversity that make each of us unique: culture, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, (dis)ability, creed, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political philosophy, etc. We uphold that all of our individual differences enrich our university. Together, we are Georgia Southern – committed to growing ourselves to grow others.