Admission
Applicants are required to select a track on the admissions application.
For U.S. Students
- No GRE required.
- Completion of all undergraduate degree requirements prior to matriculating in the MPH program, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.
- In the case where an applicant’s cumulative GPA is below the minimum 2.50, reviewers may consider a replacement GPA computed from the most recent 40 semester credit hours of U.S. or Canadian coursework.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references. At least one academic recommendation is preferred.
- A personal essay of approximately 500 words explaining your public health career goals, reasons for interest in the MPH program, specialty concentration selected (Epidemiology, Health Management and Policy, and Applied Data Science), reasons for this selection, and any relevant work experience.
- Current CV/resume documenting professional experience, educational achievements, and volunteer experience.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Ensure the degree conferral date is listed on the awarding institution’s transcript.
- Transcripts must be sent to GradCAS only. GradCAS only accepts electronic transcripts from Credentials Solutions, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse. If your school does not offer either of these services, your transcript must be sent via mail. Please use the information below to send your transcripts.
GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9217
Watertown, MA 02471
For International Students
- No GRE required.
- Completion of all undergraduate degree requirements prior to matriculating in the MPH program, with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum scores: Paper 550, Computer 213, iBT 80 OR International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum scores: Total 6.5, Subscores: 6
- TOEFL School Code is B886
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references. At least one academic recommendation is preferred.
- A personal essay of approximately 500 words explaining your public health career goals, reasons for interest in the MPH program, speciality concentration selected (Epidemiology, Health Management and Policy, and Applied Data Science), reasons for this selection, and any relevant work experience
- Current CV/resume documenting professional experience, educational achievements, and volunteer experience.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- In cases where a non-U.S. grading system has been used, verification must be provided by one of the following services:
- GradCAS will ONLY accept the evaluation report from the credentialing agency. Do not send your foreign transcript to GradCAS.
- All foreign transcript evaluations from the credentialing agency must be sent directly to GradCAS to the following address:
GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
PO Box 9217
Watertown, MA 02471
International students must abide by all U.S. Immigration laws throughout their enrollment in the EVMS MPH program. This includes, but is not limited to, qualifying and obtaining a proper visa prior to attendance. For further information, please contact EVMS Human Resources at 757.446.6043.
Residential/Online Student Designation Policy
All applicants must select a designation of enrollment as either an online or a residential (on-campus) student when applying to specific EVMS programs. It is also a requirement for all future students to review the mandatory residential and on-line fees that pertain to each program prior to completing the application process.
Once accepted, applicants who matriculate or enroll as an online student can only register for online courses and are not allowed to take any courses that are on-campus.
Applicants who matriculate or enroll as a residential (on-campus) student can register for both on-campus or online courses, however, residential students must register for at least one on-campus course each term.
Any applicant may request to change their designation of enrollment from residential (on-campus) to online or online to residential (on-campus) but no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the term.1 Prior to enrollment, all applicants must contact Admissions and Enrollment for changes to designations.
In addition, once a student has been placed into a program and after a designation has been made, it cannot be changed or updated at any other times during the academic year except for prior to the start of each new fall term or in cases that involve mitigating circumstances. All requests for a change in designation can only be approved by the Program Director and/or Academic Affairs and must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for final processing.
Mitigating circumstances must be severe, not foreseeable and/or could not have been reasonably prevented during the time that is in question. Examples of situations that may fall into this category include:
- A major medical emergency, an extended severe illness or a major medical issue occurring during the semester or term that the student is enrolled in which requires hospitalization, is life-threatening, or is contagious and a danger to the remainder of the EVMS community. The student must provide proof for absence and written verification by the attending physician is required.
- Death of the student or a member of the student’s immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, grandparent or child). An obituary or death certificate is required.
- Mobilization, deployment, change of duty station or call to active duty for military students. A copy of the military orders is required.
1 New students accepted less than 30 days prior to the start of the term must submit their online/on-campus designation prior to being enrolled in the program and registering for courses.
Transfer Credits
Requests to transfer graduate credits from another accredited U.S. or Canadian institution are considered on an individual basis after students are admitted to the MPH program. International credits are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
A student may transfer up to 9 graduate credit hours, if all of the following conditions hold:
- Graduate course credits were completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution and are reflected on an official transcript
- Transfers can feasibly occur within the six-year matriculation limit of this MPH program
- Grade earned is a B or better
- Credits for an MPH core course were completed at a CEPH-accredited school or program in public health.
All requests must be made no later than one full term prior to graduation from the program.
Students who wish to request that graduate credits be transferred into the MPH program must submit a copy of the syllabus for the course and a transfer approval request form to the appropriate track coordinator, who will consult with teaching faculty as appropriate. Requests are subject to the approval of the MPH program director. In exceptional cases, the director may approve a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours for transfer. Approved transfer grades are included on an MPH student’s transcript; however, transfer grades are not included in semester or cumulative GPA calculations.
Internal Transfer Credits
Non-matriculating and certificate students taking courses in the MPH program may transfer up to 25 internal transfer credit hours. A grade of ‘B’ or better is required for each transferred course.
Non-matriculating students who apply to matriculate into the MPH program may be granted admission for the spring or summer terms. The admission process for matriculating students applies.
Approved internal grades will be included on an MPH student’s transcript and will be included in cumulative GPA calculations.
Internal Transfer credits to/from MPH Program Certificates
MPH students may elect to take courses in Certificates offered outside of their Track. In such cases, applicable courses earned for the MPH degree would be accepted for transfer into the Certificate. Students who earn a Certificate and then are accepted into the MPH Program may transfer all appropriate courses into the MPH Program. Approved transfer grades are included on an MPH student’s transcript and will be included in the semester and cumulative GPA calculations.
External Transfer credits to MPH Program Certificates
Students admitted to a Certificate may transfer up to 6 credit hours from an accredited US or Canadian institution that are reflected on an original transcript. Transfer requests must be approved by the Program Director, and students must submit a syllabus for each course request to assist in the review. Course transfers will be considered only for courses in which the grade earned is ‘B’ or better. Approved transfer grades are included on a Certificate student’s transcript; however, transfer grades are not included in semester or cumulative GPA calculations.
All core courses requested for transfer credits to a Graduate Certificate must have been completed at CEPH-accredited school or program in public health.
Applicant Help Center
- Access the Applicant Help Center for technical assistance.
- Having trouble accessing the application? The preferred browsers are Google Chrome or Firefox
- If you have questions about your application status, please contact your GradCAS Customer Service Representative contact information at 857.304.2086 or GradCASinfo@liaisonedu.com
Early Assurance Program
The Early Assurance Program (EAP) offers early acceptance to undergraduate students in their junior year at a participating institution. Applicants must have expressed interest in Public Health, be in good academic standing and be enrolled at an accredited undergraduate institution. The following institutions are participating in the Early Assurance Program with the EVMS Master of Public Health Program:
- Hampton University
- Regent University
- Virginia Wesleyan University
Application & Admission
Students interested in the program are required to maintain regular contact with the EAP adviser during their college career.
Below are the main steps necessary to apply through the Early Assurance Program at EVMS.
- Meet with the EAP adviser at your institution as soon as possible.
- Complete the EAP application by February 15th of your junior year.
- Complete the undergraduate degree requirements and maintain EAP eligibility.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Early Assurance Program (EAP), a student must:
- Be at least in their Junior year at University, having been enrolled as a “career student” at University from their Freshman year of college (this program is not available to students transferring into the institution) and with only one year left to complete in their undergraduate education. Interested students should meet with the University EAP Advisor during their freshman year to express interest in the EAP.
- Meet citizenship requirements of the Program.
- Meet all University institutional and degree requirements to continue as a student in good standing.
- Have an overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.00 or better.
- Have no academic or other code of conduct violations.
Maintain Eligibility
The guarantee of admission through the EAP is contingent upon the student’s continued eligibility in the EAP to include:
- Carrying a sufficient credit load during the remaining regular academic semesters to fulfill University undergraduate degree requirements by the graduation date specified in the student’s application. Should a student be unable to complete their undergraduate degree in the original timeframe specified, the student would be dismissed from the EAP, but it would not affect eligibility to apply to the Program at a later time without early assurance consideration.
- Making significant progress towards achievement of the track specific pre-requisite requirements and/or the individually specified goals outlined on the Healthcare Experience Plan of Completion (HCE POC) submitted with the student’s application.
- Maintaining contact each semester with the University EAP Advisor during the student’s senior year and the Program after graduation.
- Maintaining an overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.00 or better with consistent academic performance.
- Completing any specific matriculation conditions set forth by the Program (e.g. official transcripts confirming date of degree completion, a criminal background check prior to matriculation, and submission of all health requirements).
- Remaining free of any actions or conduct that would cause the Admissions Committee to question a student’s suitability to pursue a career in public health. These include, but are not limited to, misdemeanor or felony convictions, academic dishonesty or other code of conduct violations, and/or unprofessional conduct in a health care or educational setting.
Technical Standards
The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training associated with the Master of Public Health are referred to as technical standards. These abilities and skills are essential for entry into most professional practice settings associated with this degree program.
1.0 Observation Skills Technical Standard
1.01 Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory and tactile) in the lecture hall and/or online settings. Indicators include, but are not limited to, accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations and other imaging texts.
2.0 Communication Skills Technical Standard
2.01 Students must be able to communicate with faculty, colleagues and the target audience with whom they work.
2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
a. Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of verbal language.
b. Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.
c. Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.
d. Accurate and efficient expressive and receptive communication skills.
e. Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions.
3.0 Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard
3.01 Abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, data analysis and synthesis.
3.02 Students must have the intellectual capability to improve their knowledge based upon standard textbooks, conferences, lectures, current scholarly literature and journals.
3.03 Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills are necessary.
3.04 Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
3.05 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
a. Demonstrate ability to evaluate the effectiveness of community health intervention programs.
b. Demonstrate ability to analyze and interpret data using basic statistical tests, measures of disease occurrence and association.
4.0 Motor and Sensory Function Technical Standard
4.01 Students should have sufficient motor functions to be able to execute movements reasonably required to complete their public health education.
4.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, this example:
a. Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study, which may include prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
5.0 Behavioral and Social Attributes Technical Standard
5.01 Students must possess the emotional health required for adequate utilization of intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and evidence of mature and sensitive relationships with faculty, colleagues and the public.
5.02 Evidence of integrity, ethical standards and concern for others, as well as appropriate appearance and hygiene, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission process and throughout the educational progression through the curriculum.
5.03 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
a. Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes and values in roles, functions and relationships.
b. Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
c. Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty.
d. Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the EVMS Institutional Handbook and the MPH Academic Student Handbook.
