How to Apply for a Master's Degree Program

Master of Public Health (MPH)/Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)

Master of Science (MS)

Master of Health Informatics (MHI)

How We Make Our Admission Decisions

Departmental Program Coordinators

Each degree program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health has different application requirements and deadlines. This page summarizes the application requirements for our master’s degree programs. To learn more about our other degree programs, including details about applications and requirements, please visit our Applications and Requirements.

Standardized test scores are not required for applicants applying to any master’s- or doctoral-level program for the academic year beginning in Fall 2022.

Important Deadlines for Fall 2025 Admission

Degree

Priority Application Deadline

 Final Application Deadline
Residential MPH/MHSA December 1, 2024 May 15, 20251
Residential MS December 1, 2024 Varies by Department (Learn more)
Online MPH February 1, 2025 May 15, 2025
HMP Executive Masters   May 15, 2025

Notes:

  1. The final application deadline for international applicants applying to residential MPH/MHSA programs is January 15, 2025
  2. To meet a stated deadline using the online centralized application services SOPHAS, applicants must submit their application with supporting documents and pay the application fee no later than 11:59 p.m. ET.
  3. Online MPH Applicants who submit after May 15 can be considered for the late application deadline on June 30, 2025. Learn more in Important Dates for Online Degrees.
  4. We encourage applicants to submit prior to the priority deadline to ensure they are considered for scholarships. Those who submit after the priority deadline are not guaranteed consideration. Funds are available on a first come first served basis.

Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)

Submissions

All MPH and MHSA applications, including those for residential and online programs, 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.

We encourage all residential MPH/MHSA and online MPH/MS applicants to submit prior to the priority deadlines to ensure they are considered for scholarships. Those who submit afterward are not guaranteed consideration. An additional application is not required for scholarship consideration.

Visit SOPHAS

Important SOPHAS Information

SOPHAS is responsible for verifying all academic transcripts and degrees, reviewing recommendations for completeness and authenticity, and disseminating completed application files to all programs designated by applicants.

Please note that during peak times, it can take 4-6 weeks after submission for your application to reach verified status. We will only receive applications that have been completed and verified by SOPHAS. It is your responsibility to monitor your application's status after it is submitted.

Applicants will know that their application has been sent to Michigan Public Health when the application status is verified in their SOPHAS portal. Shortly thereafter, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of application. At that time, you can create a friend account in Wolverine Access. Within this system, you can monitor your application status. Once your application is complete, most applicants will receive an admission decision via email within approximately 8 weeks.

Minimum Requirements to Apply

  1. Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association or an international degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or the Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned. Applicants with transcripts from international institutions (non-U.S. universities, colleges, or schools) must submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation of academic records from institutions outside the U.S. and English-speaking Canada (if applicable).
  2. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by providing an official test score report. Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted.
  3. Persons with a master's or doctoral degree are not eligible to apply for admission to another degree at the same level and in the same field, except in the following instances: Admission to a master's program in the same field may be allowed if the previous master's program was not accredited. If you have questions, email sph-inquiries@umich.edu. MS and PhD applicants should refer to the Rackham Graduate Schools policy. 

Guidance and Policies for Ethical Use of GenAI for School of Public Health Applicants 

The University of Michigan School of Public Health has always required prospective students to affirm the accuracy and completeness of their application materials. Starting this year, applicants must also confirm that their application essays are their work, not created by others or generated by artificial intelligence (GenAI).

While we acknowledge the legitimate use of GenAI tools for providing advice and suggestions, the Rackham Graduate School has developed a resource guide to help prospective students understand the ethical use of GenAI in their application materials.

Application Requirements

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

  1. Online SOPHAS Application
  2. Official Transcripts
  3. SOPHAS Statement of Purpose and Objectives*
  4. Reflective Essay: Optional but should not be the same as the Statement of Purpose
  5. Quantitative Experiences Statement
  6. Resume or CV (Recommended)
  7. Letters of Recommendation
  8. If you're not an English speaker, you should review our Language Proficiency Requirements for more information about our application requirements. If you have questions, please email our Recruitment and Admissions Team at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.

    *You should submit a SOPHAS Statement of Purpose and Objectives for each program you are applying to.

English Proficiency Requirement

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). Please review our International Applicants page for detailed information.

Study Abroad Credit

If the coursework completed abroad was one year or less and is listed (with or without a letter grade) on your domestic undergraduate transcript, a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation is not required.

Required Essays

SOPHAS 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 & 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 sph-inquiries@umich.edu 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 sph-inquiries@umich.edu 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.

Resume or CV (Recommended):

Applicants may upload a resume or CV directly to SOPHAS via their online application. No cover letter is required.

Letters of Recommendation

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 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. Faculty reviewers like to see letters on official letterhead along with a full signature including the writer’s company or professional affiliation, job title, and contact information.

Processing Reminders

Be sure to make your recommenders aware that they will be required to submit evaluations directly to SOPHAS. You will be responsible for inputting their contact information and SOPHAS will initiate contact to obtain their recommendations. More information about recommendations can be found in the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center.

Standardized Tests

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. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on required application components. Please contact our admissions staff at sph-inquiries@umich.edu if you have questions.

SOPHAS Fees

There is a cost associated with applying via our Common Application System, SOPHAS. The vendor charges $150 for the first program you apply to, and $60 for each additional designation (program). Each cycle, SOPHAS awards a limited number of waivers through their fee waiver assistance program. To apply for a SOPHAS fee waiver, visit their webpage here.

Michigan Public Health is excited to provide applicants with a fee waiver for an additional designation (program). See eligibility criteria below. Once the priority deadline has passed, please contact the Recruitment and Admissions Team to request a fee waiver at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MICHIGAN PUBLIC HEALTH DESIGNATION FEE WAIVER

The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 (residential programs) and February 1 (online program). Review key deadline information on our website.

If you have questions regarding this process, email the Office of Student Affairs Recruitment and Admissions Team at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is for domestic and international MPH and MHSA SOPHAS applicants. This is a waiver for the $60 designation fee required by SOPHAS, not a SOPHAS fee waiver.

Domestic Applicants

There are three ways in which domestic students may qualify for an application fee waiver:

  1. You demonstrate financial need
  2. You have participated in certain programs (listed below) that qualify for a fee waiver
  3. Received a SOPHAS Fee Waiver
Financial Need

To qualify for an income-based fee waiver, you must have either:

  • Filed a 2023 Federal Income Tax Return Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ with an adjusted gross income that falls below the Low Income Level listed below, or
  • Been listed as a dependent on a filed 2023 Federal Income Tax Return Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ with an adjusted gross income that falls below the Low Income Level listed below. If you were claimed as a dependent by a parent or guardian on their 2023 Federal Income Tax Return, SOPHAS requires you to use that individual's Federal Income Tax Return instead of your own.

Low Income Levels for 2022-2023 Cycle Awards*

If applicable, use the following chart to help you determine if you come from an economically disadvantaged background.

Size of Family* Income Level**
1 $27,180
2 $36,620
3 $46,060
4 $55,500
5 $64,940
6 $74,380
7 $83,820
8 $93,260
For each additional person add: $9,440

The low income level is based on 200 percent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines. It is used to determine what constitutes a low-income family for the purposes of the SDS and LDS programs.

* Size of family means the number of exemptions listed on the qualified income tax return forms. For example, a family size of 4 may include two parents and two dependents.

** Income Level refers to the adjusted gross income stated on the federal income tax return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ.

Program Participation

Applicants who verify their participation with one of the following groups are eligible for a fee waiver. Each fee waiver is subject to approval.

Participants in the following programs must submit a verification of program participation, such as a letter bearing the program director's or adviser's original signature or a copy of the current contract.

  • University of Michigan and School of Public Health Alumni and Current Students
  • University of Michigan Dearborn and Flint Alumni and Current Students
  • SOPHAS need based fee waiver recipient
  • U-M MHRT program alumni
  • U-M Blavin Scholars
  • U-M Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) alumni or on track to complete certificate before admitting term begins
  • U-M Exchange Program -- University of Freiburg in Germany and University of Seville in Spain
  • U-M Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) alumni
  • Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars
  • U-M SPH Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) alumni
  • University of Michigan or Michigan Medicine staff member
  • Michigan Public Health Readmit
  • Michigan Integrative Well-Being and Inequality Training Program
  • U-M MHIRT
  • Active members and veterans of the U.S. Military
  • Alumni or Current Full-time Volunteer (Vista/PeaceCorps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America)
  • Completion of Eligible Coursera Specialization, MOOCs, or Courses from our Online Learning Hub.
  • Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Institute (PPIA)
  • Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) Professional and Academic Affiliations
  • i3 Scholars
  • GEM Fellow
  • Undocumented or DACAmented students
  • Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Committee on Institutional Cooperation Summer Research
  • Opportunity Programs (CIC)
  • Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)
  • Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
  • Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair)
  • Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS)
  • Graduate or current student of a Minority Serving Institution (such as an HBCU, Hispanic Serving Institution,
  • Tribal College or University or Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution)
  • Latin American Scholarship Programs of American Universities (LASPAU)
  • Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
  • Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
  • Project 1000
  • Big Ten Academic Alliance
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)
  • Drew Scholar
  • Bonner Scholars
  • Leadership Alliance
  • Add Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research (SOAR)
  • SOPHAS international fee waiver recipient
Received a SOPHAS Fee Waiver

If you have been awarded a SOPHAS fee waiver, you are eligible for a Michigan Public Health designation waiver. Official documentation is required upon form completion.

International Applicants

International students can qualify for Michigan Public Health Designation Fee Waiver if they meet the eligibility criteria for a SOPHAS international-based fee waiver:

  • You must be a citizen and currently reside in one of the countries on the United Nations Least Developed Countries List below. Official citizenship documentation is required upon form submission.

United Nations Least Developed Countries List
Review the following link to determine if your country is included in the United Nations Least Developed Countries list.

Follow the steps below to submit a fee waiver request. If you have questions regarding this process, email the Recruitment and Admissions Team at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.

  1. Start a SOPHAS application.
  2. Complete the Fee Waiver Request Form to be considered for a SOPHAS designation application fee waiver for one additional Michigan Public Health program. Each $60 fee waiver is subject to approval and verification of documentation is required.
  3. Submit the Fee Waiver Request Form well in advance of the fee waiver deadline. We encourage applicants to request a fee waiver as soon as possible after starting the SOPHAS application to ensure you receive your fee waiver code in a timely manner; we are unable to refund an application fee if you submit before receiving confirmation of your waiver. Once the priority deadline has passed, please contact the Recruitment and Admissions Team to request a fee waiver at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.
  4. Once you have submitted your fee waiver request, you will receive an email within 3-5 business days indicating if you have been granted a waiver. If you are not granted a fee waiver, you will need to pay the application fee when you submit your application.
  5. If you are approved for a fee waiver, you are required to submit your application within 14 days (including holidays and weekends). Extensions will not be granted; failure to submit your application on time will void your fee waiver and you will not be allowed to reapply for a waiver.

Additional Notes:

  • You can only apply for one designation fee waiver from UM. Additionally, you must request a fee waiver before you submit your application. Requests received after an application has been submitted will not be honored.
  • Falsification of information to obtain a fee waiver may result in the withdrawal of the application or in the revocation of admission, financial award, or registration.

Master of Science

The applications for all Master of Science (MS) programs at the School of Public Health are administered by the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School.

Deadlines

Degree Program Priority Application Deadline Final Application Deadline
Biostatistics MS Degree December 1, 2024 Applications accepted on a rolling basis after December 1, but priority for funding decisions is given to those submitted by December 1
Environmental Health Sciences MS Degrees December 1, 2024 Applications accepted on a rolling basis after December 1, but priority for funding decisions is given to those submitted by December 1
Nutritional Sciences MS December 1, 2024 May 15, 2025
Epidemiology MS in Computational Epidemiology and Systems Modeling December 1, 2024 Applications accepted on a rolling basis after December 1, but priority for funding decisions is given to those submitted by December 1

Application Requirements

Applicants applying to MS programs will be asked to submit the following:

Official Transcripts

  • From a US Institution:
    • Upload an electronic version of your official transcript(s) for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress through your ApplyWeb application account. ​​​​​​​​​​
    • If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require an official transcript(s). Recommended applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission. All students are asked to include an electronic transcript during the online application.
  • From a Non-US Institution:
    • Review Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for transcript/academic record requirements by country or region. Submitting transcript/academic records is a two-step process:
      1. ​​​​​Upload an electronic version of your official transcript/academic record for each institution attended through your ApplyWeb application account.
      2. At the time of application, you must also submit an official transcript/academic record for each institution attended. See Rackham’s detailed instructions on how to submit transcripts/academic records to the Rackham Graduate School.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation from either academic (e.g., a professor) or professional (e.g., a supervisor) sources. We do not accept personal references. All letters must be signed and on letterhead.

Academic Statement of Purpose

Length: 1-3 pages

This essay should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background as well as your career goals. In addition, the content should communicate how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.

Personal Statement

Length: 500 words

How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? The personal statement should be different from your Academic Statement of Purpose.

STANDARD QUANTITATIVE EXPERIENCES STATEMENT

Note: At this time, the Department of Biostatistics does not have a Quantitative Experiences Statement.

In an effort to get a better understanding of your abilities, we require a statement for all graduate-level applicants as part of the application process.

This short essay (limited to 500 words) 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 communicated your findings.

Curriculum Vitae or Resume (Recommended)

A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume describes your education, work experience, research publications, teaching experience, professional activities, volunteer activity, community engagement, as well as honors and awards.

Standardized Test Scores

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. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on required application components. Please contact our admissions staff at sph-inquiries@umich.edu if you have questions.

Application requirements for Master of Science degree programs at the School of Public Health differ by department and program:

The Rackham Graduate School provides a concise overview of the general application process and required steps for application preparation and submission.

Applications for the Master of Health Informatics

Applications for admission to the Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program are submitted through CollegeNet, not through SOPHAS. Please see the MHI website for more information on the application process.

Please contact hi.inquiries@umich.edu with any questions.