Graduate Application Process

The Milken Institute School of Public Health uses the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). SOPHAS is an online application system where prospective public health graduate students can apply to multiple accredited schools.

All applicants to graduate and doctoral programs must submit the following to SOPHAS:

The SOPHAS online application form
Official transcripts from all academic institutions from which you earned credit*
Three letters of recommendation
For MS in Epidemiology and PhD programs only: Official and current GRE test scores (GW Institution Code: 5268)

Submit all forms directly to SOPHAS.

The only official documents accepted by our office are official IELTS english language proficiency scores, and foreign transcript evaluations (with the exception of WES evaluations which can be sent directly to SOPHAS). If you correctly self-reported your IELTS scores on your SOPHAS/HAMPCAS application, please email gwsphadmit@gwu.edu your IELTS TRF number and we will verify your results. No other supporting documents are accepted at our admissions office.

Students applying to our Master of Health Administration (MHA) program may also apply through HAMPCAS. Please use GRE code - 7810 - when applying to GW through HAMPCAS.

* Course-by-course transcript evaluation of all international degrees must be submitted directly to SOPHAS. World Education Services (WES) is the preferred provider.

Undergraduate Application Process

Students may enter all three SPH majors (BS in Exercise Science, BS in Nutrition Science, and BS in Public Health) as a first-year student when they apply to GW through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions using the Common Application. Prospective GW students should review the undergraduate admissions page for details about the process.

Prospective students can learn more about GWSPH through the viewbook.

Applying to More Than One Program

Applicants can only apply to one program within the School of Public Health at GW. An applicant cannot apply to both on-campus and online programs and applying to our programs through SOPHAS and HAMPCAS simultaneously is prohibited. Only one application will be reviewed for admission.

Standardized Testing Requirements

We allow select programs the opportunity to waive the standardized test requirement (GRE)! Persons applying to our MPH, MHA, MS in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases, and certificate may waive the standardize test requirement given the following conditions:

Applicant currently has a master's degree (or higher)
Applicant to a graduate certificate program has at least four years of relevant work experience
Applicants applying to our Public Health Certificate program do not require a standardized test

Please keep in mind, faculty reserve the right to request a GRE score if they believe it will help them make a more informed admissions decision. For the programs listed above we will also accept official LSAT, GMAT, MCAT and DAT scores.

*All doctoral program and Master of Science in Epidemiology applicants must submit GRE scores, regardless of prior academic or professional experience.

Applicants to the Master of Health Administration program can apply either through SOPHAS or HAMPCAS. If required to submit official GRE scores, please send scores to the respective application systems using the following unique GW Institution Codes:

SOPHAS - 5268
HAMPCAS - 7810

Statement of Purpose Guidelines

Your statement of purpose should explain how you became interested in your field of choice; the contribution you hope to make to your field; and how you believe GW's program will help you reach your career goals. If there is anything unusual in your transcripts, standardized testing, or resume that you wish to explain to the admissions committee, please include this information in your Statement of Purpose.

Study Abroad Credit

You do not need to submit a transcript from your study abroad institution nor obtain a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation if those credits appear on your undergraduate transcript. Submitting your undergraduate transcript with the study abroad courses listed will suffice (with or without a letter grade). SOPHAS will require an official transcript from all institutions listed, therefore, please DO NOT list your study abroad institution on your SOPHAS application as this may create delays in the verification process.

Please note: If you have study-abroad credits that exceed 18 credits the School of Public Health reserves the liberty to request a foreign transcript evaluation of these credits.

Interviews

No interviews are required for applicants to the Master of Public (MPH), Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology or graduate certificate programs. Applicants being considered for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) concentrations, PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) will be required to take part in an in-person or videoconference interview. The program admissions staff will contact you to schedule an appointment after your application is complete.

Application Review Process

Our admissions committees consider applications on a rolling basis. Most applicants receive a decision regarding their admission 6 to 8 weeks after completing their application.

For Doctoral programs, please visit the individual pages for specific review timelines.