Graduate Application Process

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.

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.

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

• Send official transcripts for ALL colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned or the program was completed. These transcripts go directly to SOPHAS. Learn how to send your official transcripts to SOPHAS.
• Send a World Education Services (WES), Inc course-by-course transcript evaluation for all international academic credentials.

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. 

• For TOEFL scores submission
  • SOPHAS programs: SOPHAS code 5688 and UMD Graduate School code 5814
  • UMD Application only programs: UMD Graduate School code 5814
• For IELTS
  • SOPHAS programs: a) 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 b) submit official scores to the UMD Graduate School electronic accounts listed on the Graduate School Website
  • UMD Application only programs: submit official scores to the UMD Graduate School electronic accounts listed on the Graduate School Website
• PTE scores submission:
  • SOPHAS programs: 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 and submit official scores to the UMD Graduate School electronic accounts listed on the Graduate School Website
  • UMD Application only programs: submit official scores to the UMD Graduate School electronic accounts listed on the Graduate School 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 two pages, double-spaced. Your statement should address:

• Personal, academic and professional background that led you to public health and the specific academic program you are applying for
• Interest in the particular department and degree/concentration you are applying to
• Public health topics of interest (aligned to the academic program you are applying for)
• How the degree/program at the University of Maryland School of Public Health 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.

Guidance: This section is intended to give you, as the applicant, the opportunity to discuss how your lived experiences, including those outside of your academic experiences, resulted in a positive outcome that helped prepare you for this stage in your life. This section is not intended to compel the applicant to share traumatic experiences. This section is intended to encourage the applicant to share positive outcomes from lived experience(s). 

Instructions: 

How has your personal experience(s) in at least one of the areas listed below positively impacted your ability to succeed in the academic program you are applying for?

Prompts:

• Community involvement and/or service
• Engagement in leadership roles, facilitating change, and/or mentoring
• Overcoming social, economic, educational, or physical barriers

Length: 100 - 300 words per prompt

If you are submitting your application to a SOPHAS program, you will be required to submit a second copy of the Personal Experience Prompts responses 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.