MPH Application Process

Application Timeline

Minimum Admissions Requirements

Degree and GPA

A bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or concurrent enrollment in a graduate or professional degree program is required. Official transcripts from all college and graduate work must be submitted. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is expected. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher is required for the BS Nursing to MPH Advanced Degree option.

Send transcripts directly to the UW–Madison MPH program office address. Do not send transcripts to the Graduate School — they will not reach the MPH program. You will also need to upload your unofficial transcripts. We will enter your GPA after receiving your official transcripts.

UW–Madison MPH program
750 Highland Avenue
Suite 1170
Madison, WI 53705

You may also have your transcripts sent electronically to mph@mailplus.wisc.edu.

*GRE and other standardized tests are not required for admission to the MPH program and if submitted will not be considered by the MPH Admissions Committee.

Coursework

At minimum, candidates must have successfully completed at least one semester of college-level mathematics; that includes algebra and/or calculus (equivalent to MATH 112 at UW–Madison) or college-level statistics (STATS 201). In addition, candidates must have successfully completed at least one semester of college-level biology, chemistry or physics.

As required by our accreditation through CEPH, all students must meet one of two criteria to fulfill our Foundational Knowledge requirement:

• A bachelor’s degree in public health from a U.S. accredited institution
• Successful completion of UW–Madison undergrad course POP HLTH 370 Public Health: Local to Global Perspectives

Incoming students who do not meet either of the two criteria options will be required to take the MPH program’s free, online Foundational Knowledge course the summer prior to beginning the MPH program The MPH program will administer this course. You will be contacted by the program if you are required to take the course.

Public Health Experience

Public health-related experience is highly recommended. This includes working in public health departments, volunteer organizations and health care organizations that do not focus solely on patient care. Clinical care alone does not constitute public health experience.

Applicants who apply immediately or soon after completing their bachelor’s degree may have less experience than applicants with several years of work experience. Recent graduates may choose to reference courses taken as an undergrad, semesters abroad or volunteer experience that contributed to their interest in public health.

Recommendations and Personal Statement

Three letters of recommendation are required. (For dual degree students, one of these letters will be an automatically generated letter from your current program regarding your standing.)

A personal statement is most effective when it outlines why you are interested in public health and what you plan to do with your degree.

Dual Degree Applicants

Applicants currently enrolled in an approved MPH dual degree program must be in good academic standing in their current program. The MPH program will verify academic standing with the applicant’s home program. This letter counts as one of the three required letters of recommendation for the application.

For all dual degree programs, admissions decisions for each program will be made separately by each program. Following acceptance of a student into both programs (at the same time, or sequentially), the student is responsible for notifying both programs of their intent to pursue the dual degree and have credits counted accordingly.

MD-MPH, Nursing to MPH and PharmD-MPH Admissions

MD-MPH
Students may apply to the MD-MPH program, through AMCAS, during the MD application process. This option is recommended for students who plan to complete their MPH year prior to starting the MD program. These applicants will be required to complete a streamlined application to the MPH program. Students will be notified by the program when this application must be filled out. Previously admitted MD students may also apply directly to the MPH program (not through AMCAS), during an MPH application cycle, within the first three years of the MD program.

Nursing to MPH
Nursing students interested in the Nursing to MPH dual degree apply to the MPH program during their first year in the nursing program.

PharmD-MPH
Students currently enrolled in the PharmD program may apply during an MPH application cycle, within the first two years of pharmacy school.

DPT-MPH, MGCS-MPH and MPAS-MPH Admissions

Applicants to these programs will be reviewed by the non-MPH program first, before being reviewed by the MPH program.

DPT-MPH
Applicants to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program apply to the DPT-MPH program, through PTCAS, during the DPT application process and submit an additional essay indicating why they are interested in the dual degree.

MGCS-MPH
Applicants to the Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS) program apply to the MGCS-MPH program during the MGCS application process and submit an additional personal statement.

MPAS-MPH
Applicants to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program apply to the MPAS-MPH program, through CASPA, during the PA program application process and are required to complete a supplemental personal statement describing their interest and experience in public health.

DVM-MPH, JD-MPH and MPA-MPH Admissions

Students interested in the DVM-MPH, JD-MPH or MPA-MPH programs must apply separately to both programs and admissions criteria for both programs must be met.

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of $75, paid using a debit or credit card, is required before applications are reviewed. The application fee is waived for applicants:

• Currently enrolled in a UW–Madison graduate degree program
• Currently enrolled in an approved MPH dual degree program
• Previously enrolled in a UW–Madison graduate degree program, within the last five years
• Currently applying for graduate studies in more than one area at UW–Madison and have already paid the $75 application fee to the UW–Madison Graduate School or other UW–Madison professional degree program

International Applicants

In addition to the required MPH application materials, international applicants are required to submit official scores from an English language proficiency test and their international academic records.

English Language Proficiency Tests

Applicants from countries where English is not the official language or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the last five years. A score of 600 (written), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (online version) or above is required.

Alternative: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (minimum score of 7.5)

International Academic Records

Applicants who attended a post-secondary institution outside of the United States must have their academic records evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. An official evaluation report from a NACES member organization must also be received for the application to be considered complete. Your NACES evaluation should be sent directly to the Master of Public Health program office.

UW–Madison MPH program
750 Highland Avenue
Suite 1170
Madison, WI 53705

Evaluations may also be sent electronically to mph@mailplus.wisc.edu.

Evaluations mailed to an address other than the MPH program office will not be received by the MPH program.

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