Apply to MPH

When applying to the M.P.H. program, applicants are permitted to apply to only one concentration. They should select the concentration that aligns best with their career goals and their preferred format (campus or online).

Application instructions

STEP 1: complete the University of Florida graduate school application

• Start by using the UF Online Application for Graduate Admissions. Make sure to input the following information accurately for your application to be processed:
  • Location of intended program: Main Campus – Gainesville (campus M.P.H. format) or Distance Education (online M.P.H. format)
  • College: Public Health and Health Professions
  • Degree: Select Public Health, then select Master of Public Health.
  • Enter GPA: Domestic applicants: Undergraduate coursework taken after first 60 credit hours. GPA Calculator. International applicants: No need to enter.
• Transcripts upload and English proficiency test scores
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application review process. If you matriculate to UF, official copies of transcripts, degree certificates/diplomas are required by the end of your first semester at UF.
  • International applicants: Transcripts, degree certificates, and diplomas not issued in English must be accompanied by a certified, line-for-line English translation from your institution or a professional translation service. Submitting a credential evaluation (WES) for international coursework is optional. Official English Proficiency Test Scores are required. UF’s TOEFL and GRE school code is 5812. IELTS Academic, Verbal GRE, and UF ELI Exit Certificate are also accepted. For more information and exemptions, visit the UF Graduate School International Applicants website.
• Additional questions section
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Upload a current resume that outlines your education, employment/professional experience, relevant healthcare/public health-related experience, internship or volunteer experience, research experience, leadership experience, other relevant experience, and skills.
  • Statement of Purpose: Check the “Upload Statement of Purpose and Additional Documents” section under Step 2: Complete the SOPHAS application. Submit your Statement of Purpose in SOPHAS unless you are exempt. If exempt, follow the exemption guidelines. In the UF Grad application, type “Will submit in SOPHAS” in the designated box or attach a blank page in this section.
• Two or more Professional Recommendation Letters
  • Check the “Recommendations: Two or more Professional Recommendation Letters” section under Step 2: Complete the SOPHAS application. Arrange for two Letters of Recommendation to be uploaded through SOPHAS, unless you are exempt. If exempt, follow the exemption guidelines. In the UF Grad application, you can leave all recommender information blank and click the blue Save & Next Page button to advance to the Residency section of the application.
• Application Fee
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $30, plus a $7 credit card processing fee. This fee is mandatory for all M.P.H. program applicants and can only be paid online by credit card (no fee waivers available).

STEP 2: complete the SOPHAS application

• Start by creating a SOPHAS Application account username and password.
  • SOPHAS is the centralized application service for public health. SOPHAS is a service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) which represents CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health. UF is proud to be CEPH-accredited.
• Complete the Personal Information section.
• Complete the Academic History section.
  • Complete High School and Colleges Attended, Transcript Entry, and Standardized Tests (if applicable).
    • Domestic applicants: Official transcripts must be sent to SOPHAS from all institutions you listed in the Colleges Attended section of your application. The SOPHAS Applicant Help Center provides step-by-step instructions for sending transcripts.
    • International applicants: If you attended a foreign school or earned your degree outside of the United States, you are required to submit your foreign coursework to a U.S.-based evaluation service for a course-by-course U.S. equivalency report. SOPHAS only accepts electronic foreign evaluations from World Education Services (WES), Inc.
      • Add your official IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE score in Standardized Tests. The SOPHAS code for sending scores is 5688.
• Complete the Supporting Information section.
  • Recommendations: Two or more Professional Recommendation Letters
    • We recommend that you choose letter writers who can speak to your academic abilities, professional experiences, and potential in the field of public health. Ideally, at least one (1) letter would be from a former professor or instructor. Additional letter writers could include supervisors, mentors, or colleagues who can provide insight into your qualifications and readiness for graduate study.
    • If you have been out of school for more than three years, two letters from employers are acceptable.
  • Documents: Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Upload a current, professional resume that outlines your education, employment/professional experience, relevant healthcare/public health experience, internship or volunteer experience, research experience, leadership experience, other relevant experience, and skills.
• Complete the Program Materials section.
  • Add A Program
    • Type University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions into the Search for a Program box. Click the + sign next to the M.P.H. program concentration you are applying for. Note the Delivery options of On-Campus and Online. Click Continue. Click Continue To My Application.
  • Complete Program Questions and Upload Program Documents
    • From your SOPHAS Home Page, click Program Materials, then click on the UF Program name.
    • Answer the prompts on the Questions tab.
    • Upload Statement of Purpose and Additional Documents
      • Click the Documents tab. Add your Statement of Purpose and additional documents (e.g. Writing Sample, Publications, etc.).
        • Address the two prompts below as a single document (max 500 words), formatted in 12-point sans serif font, double-spaced. There is no “correct” answer to these questions. We encourage honesty, creativity, and thoughtful reflection. We value personally tailored statements that should help us get to know you on a personal and professional level.
          • Prompt I. Describe your motivation for pursuing this public health concentration and how it aligns with your career and personal goals.
          • Prompt II. Reflect on how your unique personal, academic, and professional experiences will prepare you to make meaningful contributions to the public health field.
• Application Fee
  • SOPHAS charges $150 for the first program you apply to and $60 for each additional program. These fees are non-refundable. Some programs may have an additional supplemental fee.
• Questions about the SOPHAS Application? Visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center webpage for assistance.

Check your SOPHAS notifications and application statuses

Applicants should check their SOPHAS Notifications and Application Statuses often. You’ll receive important notifications and critical alerts throughout the process. Applicants are responsible for monitoring these notifications and following up on any required actions.

Verification of SOPHAS application

Once all of your required application materials are received by SOPHAS, your application’s status changes to Complete, and your application is placed in line to be verified. SOPHAS averages 2 to 4 weeks for verification of submitted applications. Once your application is verified, you will receive a notification and your application status will change to Verified.

*NOTE: While applications should be submitted by the application deadlines above, our departmental admissions committee will not review an application until it is Verified.*