Doctor of Public Health Admissions

How to Apply

Applicants are required to complete the Schools of Public Health Application Services SOPHAS Application.

To be considered for admission, all materials must be received by the deadline.

Fall: Feb. 1

Prerequisites

MPH or MSPH degree from a Council on Education for Public Health accredited institution. Additional foundational coursework will be required for individuals who do not meet this requirement.
A minimum of 3 years of relevant public health practice. See concentration prerequisites below for additional details.

Epidemiology Concentration Prerequisites

A minimum of 3 years of relevant public health practice experience with emphasis on epidemiology. Examples of such experience include but not limited to:

Designing, implementing, and evaluating a public health surveillance system
Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating public health data
Analyzing health trends and patterns in a population to assist in the development of interventions or needs assessments
Creating data visualizations and reports based on analysis results
Conducting data automation and linkages between systems
Responding to and advising on public health data requests, including data sharing and research agreements
Conducting outbreak investigations
Designing and preparing surveillance and field investigation protocols, survey instruments, and surveillance forms
Responding to public inquiries on epidemiologic issues

Emergency Preparedness Concentration Prerequisites

A minimum of 3 years of relevant Public Health Emergency Preparedness practice. Universal tasks include but are not limited to:

Developing and implementing plans for public health emergencies
Coordinating public health emergency preparedness and response with local, state, and federal agencies

Training personnel and community members for public health emergency preparedness and response
Assessing community resources
Coordinating emergency personnel
Evaluating the effectiveness of emergency preparedness plans through drills and exercises
Documenting and reporting on public health emergency responses
Ensuring compliance with public health laws and regulations

Advocacy and Leadership Concentration Prerequisites

A minimum of 5 years of relevant public health management or leadership experience.

Examples of work experience:

Designing and implementing programs
Leading strategic program planning
Gathering community stakeholders
Analyzing, creating, and adapting public health messaging
Advocacy and Lobbying
Political and community organizing
Sustainable development
Managing employees
Designing and conducting workshops
Driving public health policy
Health systems policy and management
Community work for social justice
Budgeting and financial management
Grant writing for research
Conflict resolution in various public health domains

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities are required.

Domestic or US Transcripts

Must be sent from the institution's Registrar’s Office directly to the Schools of Public Health Application Service at the following address:

Mailing and Contact Information

SOPHAS | P.O. Box 9111 | Watertown, MA 02471

Phone: 617-612-2090 | Email | Website

This applies to current or former UNMC students
Photocopies of transcripts will not be accepted

International Transcripts

All non-US transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service using their ICAP Course-by-course evaluation service.  For further instructions, visit their website.

World Education Service reports should be sent directly from World Education Service to Schools of Public Health Application Service

Ensure that you enter your SOPHAS ID number on your World Education Service evaluation request to ensure your evaluation can match your application

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to academic, practice and/or research abilities.

Guidelines and Suggestions:

Ideally, your recommenders are recent professors, researchers, or employers
For those who may have graduated or have been employed in the workforce for several years, or who is a member in the armed services; recommendation letters from employers and supervisors would be appropriate

Statement of Intent

Applicants must submit a personal statement. It should be no more than 1,500 words in length and answer the following questions:

Epidemiology Concentration

Your Statement of Objectives should address four key areas:

Clearly state specific epidemiologic leadership and career goals for pursuing the DrPH in Epidemiology.
Link your current experience to the need for doctoral-level skills to address complex population health issues.
Highlight plans to innovate or improve applied epidemiologic practice.
Identify advanced epidemiologic skills you hope to acquire (e.g., spatial analysis, advanced outbreak investigation, implementation design).

Emergency Preparedness Concentration

Your Statement of Objectives should address the below areas:

Introduction: Give background and motivation for pursuing a DrPH in Emergency Preparedness.

Academic and Professional Journey: While your CV lists your academic and professional achievements, your personal statement should provide context and insight into these experiences. Discuss how your education and work experiences have prepared you for a DrPH program. Highlight specific projects, research, or roles that have been particularly influential in public health emergency preparedness.

Skills and Competencies: Identify the key skills and competencies you have developed that are relevant to public health emergency preparedness. Discuss how you overcome competing priorities.

Fit with the UNMC Program: Demonstrate your knowledge of the program, why UNMC is a good fit for you, and how it will help you grow professionally and academically in public health emergency preparedness.

Advocacy and Leadership Concentration

Your Statement of Objectives should address the below areas:

Why are you interested in pursuing a DrPH degree?
What are your specific areas of interest related to the concentration for which you are applying?
How has your public health practice experience prepared you for the DrPH concentration to which you are applying?
How will obtaining a DrPH in the selected concentration area will help you meet your career objectives?
What are your personal skills and general preparation that will help you succeed in this DrPH program?

Resume or CV

Applicants must submit an updated resume/CV that includes:

Employment history
Relevant public health practice experience
Volunteer/service experience

English Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language or IELTS scores unless they have previously received a degree from a U.S. institution.

A minimum TOEFL score of 550-paper; 213-computer; 80-Internet
A minimum IELTS score of 7
Scores must have been earned within two years prior to the desired term of entry
Educational Testing Services send official scores to the SOPHAS TOEFL code: 5688
IELTS scores are sent directly to SOPHAS. Click here for instructions

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is committed to providing all students the opportunity to take full advantage of its programs and facilities. In keeping with this philosophy, UNMC strives to eliminate architectural and programmatic barriers that may prevent qualified students with disabilities from obtaining an academic or professional degree. If you are a student with a disability who needs reasonable accommodations to fully participate in the Doctor of Public Health, including the interview process [or other applicable admissions-based activities] please contact the Accessibility Services Center at UNMCASC@unmc.edu or 402.559.7276 or by visiting Accessibility Services Center Website.