Admission Requirements

While graduate students in public health come from a variety of undergraduate disciplines and backgrounds, ideal applicants for UT School of Public Health San Antonio's MPH Program will provide evidence of data literacy, community engagement, communication, and critical thinking skills as part of the Program application materials. Applicants will be reviewed holistically, with consideration of their academic performance, work experiences, community service, and potential for contribution to the field of public health.

The ability to apply is now available at https://ahcas.liaisoncas.com/

Prerequisites

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 undergraduate credit hours. If a graduate degree has been completed, a transcript documenting a GPA of 3.0 or higher may be used in place of the undergraduate GPA requirement. Applicants with lower GPAs may be considered if they possess other qualifications, such as work experience in a public health field.
  • Evidence of basic data literacy (e.g., at least one course of higher-level mathematics and/or statistics or related work experience). Applicants without previous statistical coursework may be admitted conditionally, and specific ‘level-setting’ coursework may be required to address areas of limited prior education. The hours of coursework required will be determined on a case-by-case basis jointly by the student and their academic advisor in the Program.
  • Evidence of engagement with the community (e.g., volunteer hours, leadership positions) demonstrated through the applicant’s personal statement, resume, recommendation letters, or other provided documentation.
  • Evidence of communication and critical thinking skills demonstrated through the review of application materials, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews conducted by the admissions committee.

Application Requirements and Materials

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign institution.
  • Current resume or curriculum vita (CV).
  • Writing sample in response to prompts provided by the SPH admissions committee.
  • Personal statement on the applicants’ approach to working in and with the community, understanding of the social determinants of health, and health equity. The personal statement may be used to highlight areas of particular strength or challenges experienced by the applicant.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professional, academic, or community sources highlighting the applicant’s leadership skills, community service, potential for success in the MPH Program, and/or the likelihood of contributing to the field of public health.
  • Interview with the School of Public Health's admissions committee members.
  • Official transcripts from each college/university currently and previously attended reflecting completed and in-progress coursework.
  • Required immunizations, criminal background and sanction checks, and technical and additional requirements per the School of Public Health and/or UT Health San Antonio regulatory guidelines.
  • Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be submitted in the original language along with an evaluation by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)-approved organization.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 84; English Language Test for Study (IELTS) score of 7.0; or and a Duolingo score of 115. Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests that were taken more than two years before the date of application are not acceptable. A waiver of this requirement may be requested if the individual has graduated from a high school or a higher education degree program (associate’s degree or higher) in the United States or another country where English is the official language.