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By area of study

Steps to apply as a degree-seeking student

If you are applying to an MPH, MS, DrPH, PhD or dual-degree program, you are a degree-seeking applicant. Please note that if you are seeking readmission or are applying to the accelerated master’s (4+1) program, you are considered a non-degree seeking applicant.

Dates and deadlines

Spring Admission

• November 1 is the deadline for spring MPH, MS and Dual degree applicants

Summer Admission

• April 1 is the deadline for select dual-degree programs. Please use the Program Finder for a list of eligible programs.

Fall Admission

• December 1 is the deadline for applicants who wish to meet the priority deadline to be considered for a new student scholarship.
• February 15 is the deadline for dietetic internship applicants, so that their applications can be reviewed in time for internship match day.
• April 1 is the final deadline for all remaining applicants.

International applicants requiring F1 visa sponsorship can ONLY be reviewed and admitted for the fall semester unless the applicant is already enrolled in a US college or university.

What you will need

For a more detailed description of the items needed to apply, download our application checklist. 

Academic history

• Transcripts from all institutions of higher education you have attended, including high school dual-credit programs
  • Recommended grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have completed degrees outside of the United States, carefully review the international student checklist to ensure that all additional requirements are met. 

Test scores

• Entrance exam scores (GRE/GMAT/MCAT) are optional for all MPH and MS programs. For all doctoral programs, students are encouraged to submit entrance exam scores; however, the following programs are required to submit GRE scores:
  • DrPH in Community Health Practice
  • PhD in Epidemiology
  • PhD in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Disease Prevention Track
  • PhD in Environmental Sciences, Total Worker Health® (TWH)
  • PhD in Health Economics and Health Services Research
  • PhD in Healthcare Management and Policy
• See the list of waivers or exceptions

• All test scores should be submitted electronically through SOPHAS. Below are the specific codes you will need for the application:

  • Our institution GRE code is 4479, no department code is needed
  • Our institution MCAT score code is SOPHAS (MPH applicants only, if desired)
  • For international applicants:
    • TOEFL score code is 5688

Three letters of recommendation

• Letters of recommendation are submitted through SOPHAS.
• At least one letter of recommendation from an academic reference is preferred.

Statement of purpose and objectives

• Describe why you are a compelling candidate for admission
• Explain why you want to be in a specific area of public health study
• Highlight your experience and qualifications beyond test scores and grades
• Include your professional goals
• Address any areas of weakness in your application
• Briefly describe any extenuating circumstances that you wish the Admissions Committee to consider

If you are an international applicant and/or have completed degrees outside of the United States, carefully review the international student checklist to ensure that all additional requirements are met. 

Completing your application using SOPHAS

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health uses SOPHAS – The Centralized Application Service for Public Health, a universal application portal for public health schools and programs. All UTHealth Houston School of Public Health applicants will need to use SOPHAS to complete their application. You can create your account and review application fees here.

After you have made your SOPHAS account, you can quickly select the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health programs you would like to apply for by visiting this SOPHAS page, which has been pre-filtered to display only our school's degree offerings.

What to expect after you apply

Keep track of the status of your application in SOPHAS:

• Ensure all your supporting documents, including transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, are uploaded to your application.
• We are unable to review incomplete applications.
• Your application will be reviewed within 8 weeks.

Once an admission decision has been made, we will notify you via the email listed on your SOPHAS application.

Dual-degree process

Dual-degree students must:

• Be admitted separately to each school.
• Provide UTHealth Houston School of Public Health admissions staff with documentation of admission to the partner institution via email.
• Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.

If you need to defer

You may elect to defer your admission for up to one year. Please email your deferral request to [email protected]. You will receive an email confirmation of your request.

If you are not admitted

We encourage you to reapply, but you’ll need to wait one calendar year in order to be reconsidered. Following the one year waiting period, you will need to complete a new SOPHAS application, submit a revised statement of purpose and objectives, and provide updated letters of recommendation, in addition to any other materials required by SOPHAS. 

Apply now!

Steps to apply as a non-degree seeking student

You are a non-degree student if you are applying:

• to an accelerated master’s program
• to a certificate
• for non-degree coursework
• for readmission
• for concurrent/inter-institutional enrollment
• to audit a class

Dates and deadlines

• November 1 is the deadline for spring enrollment.
• April 1 is the deadline for summer enrollment.
• July 1 is the deadline for fall enrollment.

Completing your application using SOPHAS Express

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health utilizes SOPHAS Express as the application portal for non-degree seeking applications. After you have made your SOPHAS Express account, you can quickly select the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health programs you would like to apply for by visiting this SOPHAS Express page, which has been pre-filtered to display only our school's non-degree seeking offerings.

What you will need

• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education you have attended, including high school dual-credit programs
• A statement of purpose and objectives
• Resume / CV
• One letter of recommendation

We do not sponsor F1 or J1 student visas for non-degree seeking/certificate students. To verify visas that are eligible for these programs, email [email protected]. 

Download the international student checklist to ensure additional requirements are met.

What to expect after you apply

Keep track of the status of your application in SOPHAS Express:

• Ensure all your supporting documents are uploaded in your application.
• Your application will be reviewed within 4 weeks.

Once an admissions decision has been made, we will notify you via the email address listed on your SOPHAS Express application.

For students seeking re-admission

Approval for readmission is required. Please email [email protected]. 

Students seeking readmission to a degree program who have not been enrolled at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health for over one calendar year (a total of three consecutive semesters) must re-apply to the school using a SOPHAS Express application, and include in their supporting documents: 

• Updated statement of purpose and objectives, including an explanation for the leave of absence.
• One letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor indicating support for your readmission.
• Transcripts reflecting classes you have taken since the original application was submitted.

If you need to defer

You may elect to defer your admission for up to one year. Please email your deferral request to [email protected]. You will receive an email confirmation of your request.

For concurrent/inter-institutional enrollment and course auditing

Concurrent/inter-institutional enrollment and course auditing are handled through the UTHealth Houston Registrar’s Office. Neither require a SOPHAS or SOPHAS Express application.

• Request for concurrent/inter-institutional enrollment 
• Request to audit a class

Apply now!