How to Apply
Almost all College of Public Health applicants use the online centralized application service for accredited schools of public health at: http://www.sophas.org/. Note that applicants for the MPH Program for Experienced Professionals or the MPH with emphasis in Clinical Investigation are exceptions, and have a different application process. Applicants who are already enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at Ohio State should contact the College’s admissions staff (cph@cph.osu.edu) for guidance concerning the application process, as it depends on their specific situation.
Please follow the links at left for additional admission information for specific programs, as there are some slight variations.
Deadlines
The deadlines listed below for the fellowship competition are firm. All completed applications received by the later non-fellowship deadlines will be considered for admission. Applications completed after these deadlines will be considered only if the programs are not already filled.
Fellowship Competition
If you wish to be considered for the University’s fellowship competition, regardless of degree program, we must receive your completed application, including all supporting documents, by the following deadlines:
November 28 for international applicants. (The University will be closed on November 27 and 28 for a holiday-all applications submitted by November 28, will be processed the following week.)
January 1 for domestic applicants
Without Fellowship Consideration
To apply for admission for the following Autumn Quarter without fellowship consideration, the deadlines are:
November 28 for international applicants. (The University will be closed on November 27 and 28 for a holiday-all applications submitted by November 28, will be processed the following week.)
February 1 for domestic applicants
MS or PhD
Applications for the MS or PhD programs may be considered for admission in other quarters, although Autumn Quarter is the preferred time to begin study and the fellowship competition is only available to autumn entrants.
MPH Program for Experienced Professionals
Application Deadline: The deadline for a completed application to the MPH Program for Experienced Professionals (PEP) is March 1, 2009 to begin study in the Summer Quarter.
Materials Required for Application
The materials needed for an application will vary somewhat depending upon the degree and field of specialization chosen, and will be partly determined by whether the application makes use of SOPHAS, the centralized application service. However, every application will require at least certain elements, so it is important to plan ahead to insure their availability in a timely manner. Please use the links at left to determine how these materials should be submitted in your situation.
- Official transcripts of all prior undergraduate, graduate, and professional course work
- GRE test scores (or GMAT or other approved alternative if applying for a dual or combined degree program).
- A personal statement that (1) explains your motivation and interest in graduate study in public health and for the specific degree program and specialization chosen, and (2) evaluates your qualifications, including your academic record as well as work and other experiences.
- Three letters of recommendation; for persons who have been in school within the last three years, at least two of these should be from persons acquainted with your academic performance. Academic references are always preferred for MS and PhD applications. Note that applications made through SOPHAS have special instructions for letters of reference.
- A résumé outlining your education, work experience, honors and achievements, and other skills or experiences relevant to your application.
- Any international applicant whose native language is not English, and who has been educated primarily outside of the U.S., must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the last two years.
- International applicants who are admitted will also be required to provide an affidavit of financial support and supporting documents if seeking a non-immigrant student visa.
