MPH APPLICATION PROCESS
Please note that two applications are required for this program:
- SOPHAS Application
- Georgia State University Graduate Supplemental GSU/CAS-Liaison Programs Application (select application type: GSU/CAS-Liaison Programs, then select a college: School of Public Health)
Both applications 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. All applications must be SOPHAS verified and Georgia State University complete before the review process can begin.
Application Steps
You must choose a concentration before completing your applications.
The following MPH concentrations are available. Use the links below learn more about each concentration.
Before submitting your 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 SOPHAS your 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 DrPH 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.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall | February 15 (priority deadline) March 15 (regular deadline) |
Spring | October 1 (regular deadline) |
Application Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
For your MPH application to be considered complete and ready for review, the required documents listed here 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.
Call us at (404) 413-1452 or e-mail your question to [email protected].
There is no minimum GPA, but applicants with a 2.75 GPA and above are generally preferred. Note that applications will be considered individually based on a number of factors, including the rigor of the academic program and school attended.
GRE/GMAT scores are not a requirement for admission to the MPH, DrPH, Graduate Certificate of Public Health or Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate programs.
No. Applicants are admitted to our program with various academic and professional backgrounds.
With the exception of our online degree programs, classes are held at Georgia State University’s downtown campus. Classes are held in the afternoon as well as in the early evenings to accommodate working students. Click here for the university schedule. Note that not all classes, particularly electives, are offered in the evenings. Students may need to take courses in the afternoon as well as the evening.
Our MPH program in the Health Promotion and Behavior concentration is available as a fully online option, as is our Graduate Certificate in Public Health. Classes in most other degree programs will be held in-person on Georgia State’s Atlanta campus, although some classes may be held in a hybrid or online format.
The School of Public Health requires applicants to submit three Reference Forms. Students who have recently graduated with their bachelor’s degree or equivalent are strongly encouraged to submit at least one academic reference from a faculty member in the program in which they earned their degree. Other recommendations should be sought from employers and/or supervisors from paid and/or volunteer work. It is suggested that a friend, relative or peer not be used as a reference. Give recommenders adequate time to submit their recommendation online or via mail.
Limit statements to one single-spaced page, or two double-spaced pages, and include the following content:
- Introduction: why you’re interested in public health and your specific area of concentration or research
- Previous academic, professional, community experiences, as well as any work in the area of health or healthcare
- Career and personal goals: how you believe the degree you are seeking will help you achieve these goals and trajectory
- Specific interest in Georgia State’s program
See the university's Tuition and Fees webpage.
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
You can check your financial aid status by calling the Office of Student Financial Aid at (404) 413-2600 or online at http://www.gsu.edu/financialaid.
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.
Students who have completed graduate courses at other accredited institutions before enrollment in the MPH program may request that any such courses be evaluated for transfer of credit. Students must have earned a grade of “B” or better in all transferable courses. The maximum amount of credit that may be transferred is nine semester hours. Exceptions to this rule will be granted on an individual basis. Click here for the Graduate Request for Evaluation of Transfer Credit.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but in the context of the MPH program, the APE is a field-based experience for which students receive course credit. An internship is a more commonly used term that refers to an opportunity to gain experience in a field. If you see an advertisement for an internship, it is possible to pursue that experience as an APE; it would simply require additional planning to ensure academic requirements are met through the experience.
You should complete your core courses and two of your concentration courses before beginning the APE. Start your APE search at least one semester prior to the semester you’d like to begin.
Gaining as much field experience as possible will help you in the long-run. Students can do as many internships as they can reasonably fit into their schedules, but would need to meet the requirements above in order to “count” the internship as your APE.
The first step is to refine your idea. There are several ways of doing that:
- Complete a gap analysis – does this opportunity afford you skill development that will aid in your job search
- Discuss your idea with the practice coordinator and your advisor. They can help to make your idea more specific and suggest possible APE sites.
- If you have a site in mind, discuss your idea with a staff member of the organization or a prospective preceptor.
- Assess how well your idea gives you the opportunity to use what you have learned in your specialty track or concentration in a real world setting.
You can learn more about proposing an APE by visiting the Office of Applied Practice Experiences and Career Services.
Finding a site is a key step in developing your APE. Before this can become your formal APE site, it is important to do the following:
- Discuss this possible site with the practice coordinator. She will help you determine if the site is appropriate to conduct your APE.
- Obtain approval from the practice coordinator. She may already be familiar with the site or the program of interest within that organization.
- Verify with the practice coordinator that an affiliation agreement exists between GSU and the potential site (if not, the coordinator will facilitate that process).
- Complete the learning contract, including signatures.
- Purchase professional liability insurance through the GSU web store.
The APE is an opportunity to bring academic theory, specifically what you learned in your concentration, into practice.
- The culminating experience is typically research-oriented, whereas the APE is mostly hands-on in nature.
- You are eligible for the APE as soon as you complete all the core courses AND at least 2 courses in your specialty track. The culminating experience on the other hand is the last academic requirement of the MPH degree.
- You may work on the culminating experience at the same time that you work on your APE and you may focus on a common topic or field; but, the two may not be the same thing.
- In some instances, the APE can help identify interesting research gaps, which could serve as a building block for your culminating experience.
- The APE and the culminating experience are SEPARATE and DISTINCT academic requirements, for each of which specific academic credits are awarded.
Possibly. If you are working in a public health organization and demonstrating competencies from your coursework, you may explore an APE opportunity in the same agency. Please contact the practice coordinator to discuss.
- Any practice site must be discussed with your advisor and approved by the practice coordinator.
- Consider that the APE offers great networking opportunities; students completing the APE at their place of employment miss out on this aspect.
The study abroad office provides scholarship opportunities to graduate students meeting specific criteria. Please visit the Georgia State Study Abroad Office for more information.