PH.D. APPLICATION PROCESS
Steps To Apply
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Public Health program must provide documentation of successful completion of a Masters in Public Health or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a Master in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree. All other students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You must choose a concentration and identify a potential mentor before completing your applications. Learn more about our school's areas of expertise, our A-PREVENT Doctoral Fellowship, and faculty who are accepting new Ph.D. students.
Use the links below to learn more about our Ph.D. concentrations and potential mentors:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Promotion & Behavior
- Health Services & Policy Research
Before submitting your Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application, please review the instructions and FAQS on the SOPHAS site. You will need to login to SOPHAS to review the instructions and FAQS. If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one.
Once you have created an account and logged in click on drop down menu by your login name and select Help Center to access SOPHAS application instructions and FAQs.
Helpful SOPHAS Tips
Submit ALL of the Following Items for Your Application to be Complete and Ready for Review:
Personal Statement
CV/Resume
Official Transcripts (from all previously attended institutions)
Three References
TOEFL – (for applicants whose native language is not English)
Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute (Literally)
You should e-submit as soon as you have completed your application. Do not wait for letters of recommendation, official test scores, or transcripts to arrive. E-submitting as early as you are able will expedite the processing of your application. However, once submitted, no additional changes to your application can be made (although you may add additional designations).
You are able to submit your application up until 11:59 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME on the deadline date. Please note your submission is NOT recorded when you click the E-SUBMIT button. Instead, there are several screens that must be completed—including entering payment information—and your submission is only recorded at the end of this process. If you press e-submit at 11:58 and get through the final screen at midnight, the submission will NOT go through. In addition, times near deadlines have a high volume of applicants submitting, which can cause delays in loading pages. If you encounter an issue, customer service is not available to help you during these times and CANNOT GRANT YOU A DEADLINE EXTENSION OR HELP YOU TO SUBMIT LATER IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
Check Your Application Status Regularly
It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the status of their application and application materials on a regular basis, and to follow up with SOPHAS on any incomplete or undelivered statues, and on any incomplete or missing documents.
"In-Progress" applications have not yet been e-submitted to SOPHAS. Depending on what documents SOPHAS has already received, e-submitting will move your application from an “In-Progress” status to a “Received/Awaiting Materials” status or a “Materials Received/Verifying” status.
Additional information on SOPHAS Application Stages is below:
- Received / Awaiting Materials: Your application has been e-submitted and fees have been paid, but you are still missing transcripts or letters of recommendation that are required to complete your application.
- Materials Received / Verifying: Your application is complete and in line for verification.
- Complete Date:The date your application was completed and went in line for verification. Applications are placed in line in chronological order based on their complete date. This information is not displayed on the 3.0 application, but you can contact SOPHAS to determine your complete date.
- Undelivered:An error has been found and your application has been returned to you for correction. It must be re-submitted to SOPHAS to be processed.
- Verified:Your application has been processed and your GPA has been calculated. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and notification to your application message inbox that your application was verified.
Familiarize Yourself with the SOPHAS Application Stages
- Received / Awaiting Materials: Your application has been e-submitted and fees have been paid, but you are still missing transcripts or letters of recommendation which are required to become complete.
- Materials Received / Verifying: Your application is complete and in line for verification.
- Complete Date: The date your application was completed and went in line for verification. Applications are placed in line in chronological order based on their complete date. This information is not displayed on the 3.0 application, but you can contact SOPHAS to determine your complete date.
- Undelivered: An error has been found and your application has been returned to you for correction. It must be re-submitted to SOPHAS in order to be processed.
- Verified: Your application has been processed and your GPA has been calculated. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and notification to your application message inbox that your application was verified.
If you require assistance with your application, SOPHAS representatives are happy to answer questions pertaining to the SOPHAS application process. Please review all Instructions and FAQs prior to contacting SOPHAS, as many common questions are answered by these instructions.
Customer Service Phone: (617) 612-2090 Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST.
Customer Service Email: [email protected]
Check Your Email Inbox Regularly
During the SOPHAS application process, you will receive emails from our Office of Academic Assistance (OAA) containing follow-up questions or confirming receipt of your application. It is important for you to regularly check your email inbox and respond to emails from our Admissions Coordinator and/or other OAA staff.
Send Transcripts Directly to SOPHAS
Send all transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Send one official transcript from all previously attended colleges and/or universities (including Georgia State University, if you attended). Transcripts are required regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another institution's transcript. Please view SOPHAS instructions on sending your official transcripts to SOPHAS.
If you completed all or part of your education outside the United States, submit a foreign credentials evaluation by World Educational Services (WES) directly to SOPHAS. SOPHAS only accepts electronic foreign evaluations from World Education Services (WES). Study abroad is exempt. Submit a WES course-by-course evaluation with GPA calculations. WES must also include a copy of the documents evaluated. Please view SOPHAS instructions on sending your official transcripts to SOPHAS.
Include Three Reference Names and Email Addresses
When completing the online application in SOPHAS, you will submit the names and email addresses for three individuals knowledgeable of your academic and/or professional abilities.
Recommenders will receive instructions via e-mail on how to submit recommendations through the secured application server. It is strongly recommended that at least one reference letter is an academic reference, especially if your college graduation has occurred in the last three years. Three professional references will be acceptable if you are unable to obtain an academic reference.
Transcripts and Reference Letters are Not Required to E-Submit
You may e-submit your application at any time once the required information has been filled out on the online application, regardless as to whether or not your transcripts and letters of reference have been received by SOPHAS. Please note, however, that SOPHAS will NOT begin to review your application until all your transcripts, payments, and two out of your three letters of reference have also been received, which will “complete” your application. Once your application becomes complete, it will be placed in line for verification.
Applications Not Submitted with Payment are Considered “In-Progress”
Your application has not yet been e-submitted to SOPHAS. Depending on what documents SOPHAS has already received, e-submitting will move your application from an “In-Progress” status to a “Received > Awaiting Materials” status or a “Materials Received (Complete) > Verifying” status. E-submitting does NOT mean your application is being submitted to your public health schools and programs.
You should e-submit as soon as you have completed your application. Do not wait for letters of recommendation, official test scores or transcripts to arrive.
E-submitting as early as you are able will expedite the processing of your application. However, once submitted no additional changes can be made (although you may add additional designations).
No Changes Allowed After Your E-Submit
Once you e-submit your application, your SOPHAS application is locked and you may NOT make changes to it. The only sections you may change after submitting are your contact information, your password and security information, and references that have a status of “new” or “in-progress.” You may also add additional schools to apply to as well as NEW experiences, achievements, and test scores, but you can NOT edit those already entered. All other sections will be read-only. Make sure you check over your application information closely before e-submitting to avoid any errors, as these cannot be corrected later.
Request a Fee Waiver Directly from SOPHAS
Students apply for fee waivers directly to SOPHAS. You can request a fee waiver as soon as you create a SOPHAS application. Only a limited amount of funds are available for SOPHAS to use for granting fee waiver requests, and once these funds run out, SOPHAS will not honor any further fee waiver requests. Students must contact SOPHAS Customer Service to inquire if waivers are still available before submitting a fee assistance request. For additional information, visit the SOPHAS Fee and Fee Waiver page.
Please note that once you are approved for a fee waiver, you are REQUIRED to submit your application to SOPHAS within 14 DAYS (including holidays and weekends) after you are approved. If you fail to submit your SOPHAS application, your fee waiver will be voided and awarded to another applicant. You will NOT be allowed to reapply for a waiver should yours expire, nor will SOPHAS grant any kind of extension on your waiver expiration, so be sure you are ready to submit your application or are close to ready before applying for one.
Contact SOPHAS Applicant Support If Needed
If you require assistance with your application, SOPHAS representatives are happy to answer questions pertaining to the SOPHAS application process. Please review all Instructions and FAQs prior to contacting SOPHAS, as many common questions are answered by these instructions.
SOPHAS Customer Service Phone: (617) 612-2090, Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm EST
SOPHAS Customer Service Email: [email protected]
Required documentation must be uploaded and attached to your Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application, not Georgia State.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Transcripts
- One official transcript from each college and/or university previously attended (including Georgia State University). Transcripts are required regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another institution’s transcript.
- Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a master’s in public health (MPH) or equivalent degree. You must possess at least a master’s-level graduate degree to be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students who hold a master’s degree in a discipline other than public health will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those applicants accepted without an MPH will be required to take prerequisite MPH core curriculum courses.
Statement of Purpose
Limit statements to one single-spaced page, or two double-spaced pages. Include discussion regarding:
- Your previous academic and professional experiences as well as work in the area of public health or health care;
- Your career and personal goals and how you believe the degree you are seeking will help you achieve these goals;
- Your specific interest in the Georgia State University Ph.D. program.
Three Reference Letters
- When completing the online application in SOPHAS, you will submit the names and email addresses for three individuals knowledgeable about your academic and/or professional abilities. Your recommenders will be sent instructions via e-mail on how to submit their recommendations through the secured application server.
- It is strongly recommended that at least one reference letter is an academic reference, especially if your graduate school graduation has occurred in the last three years. Three professional references are acceptable if you are unable to obtain an academic reference.
During the application process, you will receive emails from our Office of Academic Assistance (OAA) containing follow-up questions or confirming receipt of your application. It is important for you to regularly check your email inbox and respond to emails from our OAA staff.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Admits for Fall semester start
APPLICATION DEADLINE
December 1
Application Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that the application fee can be burdensome for some. We’re not able to waive the SOPHAS application fee. However, you can apply for a fee waiver directly through SOPHAS.
Any applicant whose country of birth is English-speaking (as listed here) is not subject to the English Proficiency requirement. For applicants whose country of birth is not English-speaking, proof of English proficiency can be demonstrated through one of the following means:
- Proof of baccalaureate or graduate degree completion inside the U.S. (from an accredited institution) or outside the U.S., where English is the official language of academic instruction from an approved country (view this link for the list of approved countries)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 80 or above (internet-based test)
- International Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or above
- Completion of a University System of Georgia approved ESL program
One application is required for this program:
- SOPHAS Application
The SOPHAS application and all supporting documents must be in by the deadline. Please note that SOPHAS verification does not mean your application is complete and ready for review for Georgia State University. Your application must be SOPHAS verified before the review process can begin
Review the Ph.D. application process for information about admissions requirements.
For your Ph.D. application to be considered complete and ready for review, the required documents listed in the question above must be received by SOPHAS and verified. During the SOPHAS application process, you will receive emails from our Office of Academic Assistance (OAA) containing follow-up questions or confirming receipt of your application. It is important for you to regularly check your email inbox and respond to emails from our OAA staff.
No. Applicants will only be admitted in the fall. The application and credentials deadline is December 1st.
The following list is a summary of application requirements.
Documents should be submitted through SOPHAS.
- One copy of an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended.
- Three references from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic, professional and intellectual abilities. One of the letters must be an academic reference.
- A Statement of Interest and Professional Intent.
- Additional requirements for international students are found HERE.
Yes. The GRE/GMAT are not required for admission to School of Public Health graduate programs.
The TOEFL is not required of international applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a Master of Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree. You must possess at least a Masters-level graduate degree to be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students who hold a master's degree in a discipline other than public health will be considered case-by-case.
Acceptance to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. On average, eight to 10 new students are accepted each year.
Yes. Once a pool of competitive applicants is selected and notified, zoom interviews will be scheduled. Final selection decisions will be made after the completion of all interviews.
Please e-mail your questions to [email protected] .
Once your application and materials have arrived in our office, they become the property of Georgia State University. For this reason, no materials will be returned or released to an applicant or to any other party, such as another school or external agencies, for example. Moreover, your application fee is nonrefundable and will not be returned if your application is withdrawn or denied.