Skip to main content

Graduate Application Process

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all necessary documents by the posted deadline in order to be reviewed for admission. International applicants should review the International Applicant information for additional requirements.

Please read through the information below about the process and deadlines. The University of Maryland admissions team is here to help you through the application process. You may wish to first refer to our graduate programs' frequently asked questions and you may email sph-grad-admissions@umd.edu if you have a question not addressed there. 


Deadlines

Applicants must submit complete and verified applications by the posted deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission.

Spring, Summer, and Fall 2024 admissions:

The SOPHAS application system will launch on August 17, 2023. 

The TerpEngage application system will launch in the first week of July.

Program Applicant Type Priority Deadline Final Deadline
MA and PhD Kinesiology domestic N/A October 13, 2023
MA and PhD Kinesiology international N/A September 29, 2023
MPH Behavioral and Community Health** domestic/international October 13, 2023 November 17, 2023
Online MPH, Online MHA and Joint MHA+Doctor of Medicine** domestic October 13, 2023 November 17, 2023

*MPH Behavioral and Community Health (online) accept international students, but the program is not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland.

** MPH Behavioral and Community Health (online), MPH Public Health Practice and Policy (online), and Master in Health Administration (online) have limited on-campus attendance and are not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Global Health has rolling admissions.

Program Applicant Type Priority Deadlines Final Deadlines
MPH Physical Activity (Online)* domestic/international January 12, 2024 April 5, 2024
Certificate in Health Data Analysis (Online)* domestic/interantional May 17, 2024
Certificate in Applied Epidemiology (Online)* domestic/international Jun 28, 2024

* The MPH in Physical Activity and Certificate programs are not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland.

Program Applicant Type Priority Deadline Final Deadline
MA and PhD Kinesiology domestic/international November 10, 2023 January 12, 2024
MCP-MPH domestic N/A March 8, 2024
MCP-MPH international N/A March 8, 2024
MPH*, Online MHA⁺, Online MHA⁺+Doctor of Medicine, Online MPH⁺ & MS Environmental Health Sciences domestic December 15, 2023 April 5, 2024
MPH* & MS Environmental Health Sciences international December 15, 2023 March 8, 2024
MS Couple and Family Therapy domestic/international N/A December 1, 2023
PhD Behavioral and Community Health domestic/international November 10, 2023 January 12, 2024
PhD: Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences domestic/international November 10, 2023 December 15, 2023
PhD: Family Science, Maternal and Child Health domestic/international N/A December 1, 2023
PhD Health Services Research domestic/international N/A December 15, 2023

* MPH Programs: Behavioral and Community Health; Behavioral and Community Health (online); Biostatistics; Epidemiology; Environmental Health Sciences; Health Equity; Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation; Public Health Practice and Policy (online); MS, Environmental Health Sciences.

⁺MPH Behavioral and Community Health (online), MPH Public Health Practice and Policy (online) and Master in Health and Administration (online) programs are not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Global Health has rolling admissions.


Application Requirements

SPH graduate programs may have requirements in addition to those listed below. So, please check the Program-Specific Requirements section before starting your application. 

Notes:

- You may apply to only one UMD SPH program per application cycle. All application requirements and documentation must be submitted electronically to the proper application system(s) SOPHAS and/or UMD Application Portal (TerpEngage).

- The GRE is waived or optional for all of the MPH, MHA, MA and MS degree programs. The GRE is waived or optional for most of our PhD programs, except the PhD in Epidemiology and PhD in Health Services Research. 

Based on your selected program, you will apply through one of the two application processes below. SOPHAS + UMD Supplemental application programs require that you submit two applications and UMD TerpEngage programs require that you submit one application. 

Programs that require SOPHAS + UMD supplemental application
  • Master of Health Administration(online)
  • Behavioral and Community Health (MPH online, MPH on-campus, PhD)
  • Biostatistics (MPH)
  • Environmental Health Sciences (MPH, MS and PhD)
  • Epidemiology (MPH and PhD)
  • Health Care Management (MPH)
  • Health Equity (MPH)
  • Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation (MPH)
  • Health Services Research (PhD)
  • Maternal and Child Health (PhD)
  • Physical Activity (MPH online)
  • Public Health Practice and Policy (MPH online)

You will create a SOPHAS application, follow their instructions to apply, and submit it along with the related application fee (check the instructional video).

All applicants to the programs above must also complete and submit the UMD Graduate School supplemental application, which requires demographic information, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, and a copy of your SOPHAS statement of purpose.

Note: After you submit your SOPHAS application, it will go through several phases, including submission, completion, and verification. Complete SOPHAS applications are submitted to a verification process that can take up to four workweeks; therefore, we recommend starting and submitting the SOPHAS application early, preferably weeks before the deadline you aim to meet.

Visit and bookmark the SOPHAS Frequently Asked Questions for information about the application and helpful tips.


START YOUR SOPHAS APPLICATION

START YOUR UMD SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION

Programs that require only the UMD TerpEngage application
  • Couple and Family Therapy (MS)
  • Community Planning and Public Health (MCP+MPH)
  • Kinesiology (MA and PhD),
  • Family Science (PhD)
  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (PhD)
  • Applied Epidemiology (Certificate)
  • Global Health (Certificate)
  • Health Data Analysis (Certificate)

The programs above have just the UMD TerpEngage application (they are not in SOPHAS). After you pay the application fee ($75) and submit your TerpEngage application, you can log into the application portal to check the status of your application. Please check program-specific requirements and the Graduate School step-by-step guide to applying.


START YOUR UMD TERPENGAGE APPLICATION

Completed applications are reviewed by a faculty admissions committee in the respective program, and the recommendations of the committee are submitted to the dean of the Graduate School. Decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant’s materials, including but not limited to previous academic records, personal statement, previous experience, letters of recommendation, and other elements. The dean of the Graduate School makes the final admission decision, and all students seeking to complete graduate work at the University of Maryland for degree purposes must be formally admitted to the Graduate School by the dean. Submitting a complete, qualifying application does not guarantee admission. The number of applications received from individuals qualified for graduate study in SPH programs regularly exceeds the number of applicants who can be accommodated. Spaces available in the various programs are limited according to the availability of faculty, class and program size, and other program priorities. In such cases, only the most highly qualified students are admitted.

Students seeking admission to the graduate programs at UMD School of Public Health must have already earned or be in the process of earning a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

There are no specific undergraduate prerequisites for master's degree applicants, though experience working, volunteering, or researching topics related to public health are valued in the review process.

PhD programs may have additional requirements for graduate training that will be listed in the program-specific requirements section.

SOPHAS application
UMD TerpEngage Application and UMD Supplemental application
  • Upload a PDF copy of your undergraduate degree transcript (the transcript that indicates the degree awarded) in the original language it was issued, accompanied by a literal English translation if applicable. 
  • Copy of diploma/degree received listing the date it was obtained if this information is not on your transcript. If your diploma is not in English, please also submit a diploma translated into English. 
  • Unofficial copies of your transcripts will suffice for the UMD Terpengage or UMD Supplemental application. If you are accepted into the program, you will need to submit official transcripts to the UMD Graduate School (even if you submitted official transcripts to SOPHAS).

You will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores if you do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries listed on the University of Maryland Graduate School website. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with international credentials, you will still be required to submit English test scores if you do not hold a degree from one of the countries on the list. Please visit the University of Maryland Graduate School website to check test scores requirements and the list of exemptions and test scores submission instructions on the SOPHAS website

The three letters of recommendation(LOR) are submitted by the recommenders themselves. In the recommendation section in SOPHAS or in TerpEngage, you will enter the name and email address of each recommender and send them an invitation. Recommenders will then receive an automated invitation to complete the recommendation. Please note that if you are applying to a SOPHAS program, recommendations will be uploaded only to the SOPHAS application.

Upload a PDF copy of your current resume or curriculum vitae.

Your statement of purpose (SOP) should be approximately 2 double-spaced pages. Your statement should address your:

  • Personal, academic and professional background that led you to public health
  • Interest in the specific department and degree/concentration you are applying to
  • Public health topics of interest
  • How this degree will help you to achieve your long-term career goals 

If you are submitting your application to a SOPHAS program, you will be required to submit a second copy of the SOPHAS SOP to your UMD Supplemental application.

International applicants should follow the application process for the program they are applying to and review the requirements and exemptions for international applicants set by the University of Maryland Graduate School. International applicants are also encouraged to explore the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) office and contact them with related questions. Note that American citizens and permanent residents who have foreign credentials should follow the requirements established for foreign degree holders but can apply by domestic deadlines. 

Note about the Online MPH in Behavioral and Community Health and Online MPH in Physical Activity programs:
The University does not issue an I-20 or DC-2019 as these programs are 100% online. International applicants are eligible to apply and must follow the 
UMD Graduate School International Admissions instructions.

Note about the Online MHA, the Online MPH Public Health Practice and Policy:
International applicants requiring an I-20 are not eligible to apply as these mostly online programs have a mandatory face-to-face element. Otherwise, international applicants already in the U.S. who are permitted to enroll in such studies must follow the
UMD Graduate School International Admissions instructions.

SOPHAS application
  • You must upload a WES course-by-course US equivalency report in your SOPHAS application. The WES report must be uploaded to your application by the application deadline for the application to be considered complete. Do not send foreign transcripts to SOPHAS or the UMD School of Public Health, including those printed in English or translated into English; they will be discarded. 
  • Do not send WES reports to the UMD School of Public Health of the UMD Graduate School; they will be discarded. 
  • Read through the international application transcripts section in SOPHAS.
UMD TerpEngage and Supplemental Application Residency Questionnaire
  • On the Graduate School online application, you should note the type of visa you currently hold or will need to hold to study at the University of Maryland. In addition, you will need to submit copies of any visa or Permanent Resident Card you might possess. Visit the ISSS website to learn more about the student visa process
  • A transcript/mark sheet in the original language must be uploaded into the online application. If your transcript is not in English, please also upload a transcript/mark sheet translated into English.
  • You must upload a copy of your diploma/degree received if this information is not listed on your transcript. If your diploma is not in English, please also submit a diploma translated into English. 
  • Translations you submit to the UMD TerpEngage and UMD Supplemental application should be literal, and actual names of all degrees, diplomas, and certificates must appear in the translation. If you are in need of a translation service, a list of English translation companies can be found on this website.
Evidence of English Language Proficiency

You must submit test scores to both SOPHAS and UMD Supplemental applications if you are applying to a program that requires a SOPHAS application.

SOPHAS application

  • To submit TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the code 5688.
  • To submit IELTS you will self-report your IELTS scores in the Standardized Tests section of the SOPHAS application and include your TRF number. This must be listed for your official scores to be matched to your application.
  • PTE scores submission to SOPHAS, please list the test scores in the proper section and upload a PDF copy of the official results in the “Optional documents - Standardized Test Score Reports” section.

UMD TerpEngage and UMD Supplemental Application

  • To submit  TOEFL scores to the UMD Graduate School, please use the reporting code 5814.
  • PTE test takers can send their score reports to the University of Maryland through their Pearson Account
  • IELTS test takers should contact their IELTS test center directly to request electronic test scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:

University of Maryland - The Graduate School
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park
Maryland, 20742

Visit the Graduate School to learn more about the English language proficiency requirements.

Diversity Statement

The School of Public Health is committed to creating an educational and work environment that is rich in diversity, inclusive, and supportive of all students, faculty, and staff.  We understand that a school energized by diverse perspectives and experiences provides a powerful educational benefit and enhances our research and community service. We acknowledge and celebrate diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and learning abilities, socioeconomic status, national origin, veteran status, and other areas of difference. 


Program-Specific Requirements

Program-specific requirements may include writing samples, pre-requisite courses or degrees, test scores, etc. Our MPH programs require at least one math or statistics undergraduate course.

All links below refer to each program's UMD Graduate Catalog admission requirements.