Admissions & Eligibility | University of Washington

Master of Public Health

Autumn quarter admission only.
Our application opens on September 1 and closes on 11:59 PM (PTD) on December 1.
Admissions decisions are conveyed in mid-February.
Admitted students will be invited to Visit Days in early March (in-person and virtual offerings).
Admitted students must accept or decline their offer by April 15.

Applicants must satisfy the UW Graduate School minimum admissions requirements.

Information sessions are offered each month using the web-based platform Zoom. In these sessions, prospective students can speak with an MPH advisor and/or current student who will give a brief presentation and answer questions about the program. Click HERE for a list of upcoming information sessions.

Applicants must submit the following:

Resume or CV: work and service experience
Recommendations: three recommendations are required, ideally from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work, academic, and leadership potential
Personal Statement: opportunity to share personal information that demonstrates commitment to the field of global health
Statement of Purpose: ability to discuss research/practice work and future goals, and alignment with the goals and the MPH program
GRE scores are not considered.

Ideal Candidates

The ideal MPH candidate is someone who wishes to improve health outcomes through research and practice around the world. Competitive applicants will have:

significant experience engaging with historically resilient and underrepresented populations
enthusiasm for social justice oriented global health work
the ability to convey specific career goals
demonstrate success in rigorous curriculum

International Applicant Information

Please see information on the Graduate School website for International Applicants.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit applications through both SOPHAS and the UW Graduate School online application systems. It is strongly recommended that applicants BEGIN with the SOPHAS application followed by the UW Graduate School Application.

SOPHAS APPLICATION

STARTING YOUR SOPHAS APPLICATION

Begin by creating your SOPHAS application: https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Create a login ID and password.
Complete the sections for:
- Quadrant 1) Personal Information – Biographic, Contact, Citizenship, etc.
- Quadrant 2) Academic History – High Schools and Colleges Attended, Transcript Entry. Note: GRE’s are not required nor reviewed but proof of English Proficiency will be required for those applicable to.
- Quadrant 3) Supporting Information – Letters of recommendations, Experience, Achievements, etc.
- Quadrant 4) Add Program
  - To apply for the MPH in Global Health, on the “Add Program” page in the “University of Washington School of Public Health” section, click the “+” icon in the “Add” column type in Global Health.
Complete the sections for: Global Health Short Essays, Additional Questions and Extenuating Circumstances Essay (optional)
When all sections are complete, pay the fee and submit the application.
- The application fee is $160 for the first program and an additional $60 for each additional program. To request a fee waiver, click your name in the upper right corner of the application, then select Fee Waiver Form.
- Additional information is available at: https://help.liaisonedu.com/SOPHAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_SOPHAS_Application/Getting_Started_with_Your_SOPHAS_Application/03_Application_Fees

Further SOPHAS DETAILS: ACADEMIC HISTORY

Transcript and Degree Information

Applicants will provide information about their high school attendance, college attendance and degrees they’ve earned, and college transcript information. Official transcripts from each collegiate level institution are also required. In the “Transcript Entry” section, applicants are required to enter all coursework as it is listed on their college level transcripts. This process takes a significant amount of time and applicants should plan to enter this information as early as possible.

Standardized Tests

Applicants can self-report standardized test information. The GH-MPH program does not consider GRE scores, so the only relevant section is the TOEFL, IELTS and other testing sources as updated in Memo 8.

Further SOPHAS DETAILS: SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Letters of Recommendations

Enter the names and contact information for three recommenders into SOPHAS. These individuals will be sent an email prompt with instructions for submitting their recommendation online. Please provide a combination of academic and professional letters of recommendation. The most effective and impactful recommendations come from individuals who know you well and who are able to provide insight into your academic competence, ability to engage in graduate study, potential for future success in the field of global health, or work experience and professional demeanor.

When entering recommender information, it is the applicant’s responsibility to enter a deadline for the recommender. Since recommendations are shared amongst all SOPHAS applications, applicants should base the deadline they set for their recommenders on the earliest deadline of the programs they are applying to.

Instructions to recommenders: Please comment on applicant’s professionalism, communication skills (both verbal and written), and likeliness to succeed in a graduate program; along with other comments you would like the admissions committee to consider. No specific format is required.

CV/Resume

Upload a PDF of your résumé or curriculum vitae.

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is intended to give you the opportunity to describe your education, prior work/volunteer experience, and/or professional career goals. Your statement must address:

Why you are interested in public health and your career goals.
Your reasons for pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, and why you are interested in attending the University of Washington School of Public Health.
The skills you hope to gain by obtaining an MPH.

Maximum word limit: 750 words

Personal History Statement

The Personal History Statement is meant to give you the opportunity to provide a narrative about your lived experiences, obstacles you may have overcome, and how these have guided you towards public health. This statement should not be the same as your Statement of Purpose.

Your Personal History Statement can include information about who you are as a person; your family or cultural background; socioeconomic conditions; and experiences growing up, including successes, challenges, and moments of learning and growth. This question is not intended to ask you to share personal information you are not comfortable providing.

Maximum word limit: 500 words

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are core values of the UW School of Public Health. We are committed to a future that is free of health inequities and promotes the highest level of wellness of the communities we serve. We strive to cultivate a public health workforce that embodies humility, respect, and leadership. We further seek to create a community that is inclusive of underrepresented populations and in service to underserved communities. The School is committed to becoming anti-racist and adopting anti-racism principles in the classroom and in our work. Completion of this MPH application attests that you, as an applicant, are informed of these commitments and expectations of students who attend the UW School of Public Health.

You may review additional details provided on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion web page.

For this section please describe how you might contribute to these efforts, and/or learn and grow in the areas of EDI and anti-racism, during your time at the UW SPH, and in your public health work post-graduation.

Maximum word limit: 350

UW GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION ID

You will be prompted to begin your UW MyGrad Application. Upon creation you will see a 10- digit MyGrad Application ID at the top right-hand side of the page. Copy and paste this number into your SOPHAS application.

Global Health Short Essays

Our program is fast-paced and rigorous in quantitative and qualitative methods, writing, and critical thinking. Please give an example of how you persevered in an academic or work situation that was similarly challenging for you.
Work in global health can be complex, involving intersectionality and navigation of dynamics around power, privilege, and positionality. Please describe an example of a health-related issue where you navigated these dynamics and your response to that problem.

Maximum word limit: 350 words each

Additional Questions

Please select the focus areas (up to three) that align closest to your interest in global health.
Please let us know if you have funding, will be applying for funding, or are seeking funding for this master's degree.
Please let us know if you are currently in, or applying to, another UW Graduate Program. Examples: applying to MSW, current first year PhD Anthropology student, etc.

Extenuating Circumstances - Optional

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, resume, or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them and focus on how you managed and resolved the issue(s).

Maximum word limit: 200 words

HOW TO COMPLETE THE UW GRADUATE APPLICATION

1. Access the University of Washington admission application Portal

Visit the University of Washington application portal: https://apply.grad.uw.edu/portal/gr_app.

2. Create an Account or Log In

New Users: If you don’t have an account, click on the “Create Account” button. You’ll need to provide your first and last name, date of birth, and email address to create a password.
Returning Users: If you already have an account, enter your login credentials (email and password) to access your application.

3. Start a New Application

Once logged in, select the option to start a new application by choosing “University of Washington - Graduate School” and then click “Create Application.”

4. Complete All Required Sections

Profile Information
Contact Information
Academic History: Input details about your previous schools, including names, locations, and dates attended. Upload your unofficial transcript.
English Proficiency Test Results: For applicants whose mode of instruction is not in English, enter your English Proficiency Test results from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exams.
- Note: Applicants using TOEFL test scores must submit official scores electronically via ETS, using the University of Washington’s institution code 4854.

5. Select Your Program

Select “Graduate” as your application type, then find the program using the filters to choose the “Global Health - Master of Public Health (MPH)” program.

6. Enter Your SOPHAS ID

Include your 10-digit SOPHAS application number (CAS ID) in the “Application Questions” section.

7. Review and Edit Your Application

Verify and review your application carefully before clicking “Submit Application.”

8. Submit Your Application

When all application sections are complete, pay the $90 application fee and submit your application. Eligible applicants may apply for a fee waiver. Note that applicants who would attend UW on an F or J visa are not eligible for a fee waiver.

TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION

Transcripts

In the "Submit Transcripts" section of the application, upload a transcript for each school listed. Each transcript should be complete, legible and include the following: name of the institution, name of the student, dates of attendance, courses taken, grades/marks/credits earned and be organized by term (quarters, semesters or trimesters). Please observe the following guidelines:

All transcripts should be submitted through MyGrad. Please do not mail (or email) transcripts to the program.
The following types of documents can be accepted for the MyGrad application:
- Unofficial transcript from the school, often a PDF.
- Official transcript that the applicant scans and uploads into MyGrad.
Degree audits cannot be accepted in place of a transcript as they are not a comprehensive summary of the coursework a student has attempted.
Applicants should not submit transcripts that they have typed out themselves. Any documentation that is submitted should originate from the degree-granting institution.

Applicants admitted to the program who accept the offer of admission will be required to submit official transcripts from all degree granting institutions to the Graduate School.

Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) cannot accept any transcripts mailed or dropped off by a student. Please schedule an appointment with a GEMS Advisor to discuss next steps if your institution cannot send a transcript directly to GEMS. You are encouraged to visit the Official Transcript Requirements page.

Special Notes & Tips

TERMS:

"N/A" stands for Not Applicable

SOPHAS

Military status: International Students: if this is not relevant to you, and you are/were not a member of the United States Military, please leave blank.
Question in Quadrant 1: Financial Assistance - "do you want to be considered for financial assistance?"
- This question is not applicable or indicative to what the Global Health MPH program may be able to offer.
Question in SOPHAS Quadrant 2: High Schools and Colleges Attended
- If you cannot find your High School in the drop down, select "manual input" and type in the school information.
As you maneuver through, make sure to receive a green check (it will appear on the right hand side after completing each section). This will indicate that everything had successfully been done.
If you've added your High School but do not receive a green check, return to the information input page for this section, hit save and continue and it should resolve the problem.
After Save and Continue, if the pop up "CONTINUE" does not appear, go to the left hand side and manually move to the next section.
After standardized test, the page will not automatically move to the next quadrant. Go back to "My Application" and proceed to Supporting Information.
Experiences: This section is optional.
- You may or may not add experiences OR chose to upload a document,
Additional experiences: This section is optional.
- You may or may not complete the form OR chose to upload a document,
Documents: In this area, you may upload your CV/Resume

Tell Me More...

SOPHAS and UW Graduate School application

Why do I need to complete two different applications to apply to the UW SPH?
- For applicants applying to start an MPH program in autumn 2023, an application must be submitted to both SOPHAS and the UW Graduate School. The Schools of Public Health Application System (SOPHAS) is used by most of the top SPH in the nation, which the UW has now joined. Most application materials will be submitted to SOPHAS. As a public university, however, UW must adhere to state law re: student and applicant records, meaning our Graduate School is also required to have an application for every applicant via our MyGrad application system
Why do I have to pay two fees?
- SOPHAS and MyGrad both require an application fee; applicants must apply to both for their application to be considered.
Can I apply to more than one MPH program?
- Yes. Applicants can apply to as many MPH programs at UW as they wish. Each program will require its own SOPHAS application, MyGrad application, and all applicable and associated fees.
How do I apply for a fee waiver?
- SOPHAS: Please visit the fee assistance program website for details. We recommend submitting requests at the earliest possible convenience.
- UW: Please visit the application fee waiver website for details.
What questions can I expect to answer in SOPHAS?
- SOPHAS contains four quadrants of questions. The first three quadrants, which include your personal information, academic history, and supporting information, will only be entered once, with the information submitted to every school/program an applicant chooses to apply to. The fourth quadrant is specific to each university. At UW, there will be a series of questions for all UW MPH applicants to answer. In addition, the specific program to which you are applying will have questions for you to answer.
What questions can I expect to answer in MyGrad?
- Most application materials, information, and questions will be completed in SOPHAS. The University of Washington Graduate School application (MyGrad) is comprised only of information the UW is required by state law to collect.
- Additionally, non-native English speakers will be asked how they will fulfill the English proficiency requirements and will need to submit documentation to MyGrad. Review UW Graduate School Memo 8 for additional information. Note: minimum requirements for individual programs may be higher than what is required by the UW Graduate School.
How does the Personal History Statement differ from the Statement of Purpose?
- The Personal History Statement focuses on who you are as an individual and how experiences in your life have led you to pursue a Master in Public Health. The Statement of Purpose aims to understand your professional and academic background and why you wish to attend UW.

The MPH Program

Is there the option to complete the program virtually or in a hybrid model (online and in person)?
- Autumn 2023 is expected to be taught fully in person. Although some classes in and outside of the Department may have online options, it is not standard. Please anticipate attending an in residency (in person/on campus) day program.

Admissions Timeline

Application Requirements