- Degree and Certificate Admission Requirements
- Additional Departmental Admission Requirements
- GRE Requirements for Degree Programs
- GSPH School Wide Prerequisite Courses
Requirements for Degree and Certificate Programs
Master of Public Health
Applicants must possess:
- A graduate degree from an acceptable institution in a discipline relevant to public health; or
- U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school and substantial knowledge in a discipline relevant to public health, either through study or experience or a combination of these.
Applicants who do not have a previously earned master’s or doctoral degree must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some departments may require subject area scores. (See Department Admission Requirements.) A department may also require submission of GRE scores by any applicant. In some cases, results of the LSAT, MCAT, or DAT may be substituted.
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Master of Health Administration
Applicants must possess a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school.
Applicants must submit official scores from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) on the verbal, quantitative and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health
The program is open to these candidates:
- Holders of doctoral degrees in the health sciences.
- Advanced medical, dental, and veterinary students considered on an individual basis.
- Individuals with extensive experience in health related fields after review and approval of the Multidisciplinary MPH Advisory Committee.
- Students with advanced standing and holders of doctoral degrees from other professional schools considered on an individual basis.
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Master of Science
Applicants must possess:
- A BS or BA in arts, science, engineering, or nursing, or an MD, DDS, or DVM from an approved U.S. school or the equivalent foreign degree.
- Evidence of adequate training in the sciences basic to public health or be admitted at the discretion of the faculty, making up deficiencies as prescribed.
Applicants may be required to take any examinations deemed necessary to satisfy the faculty as to the applicants’ qualifications. In most cases, official scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted.
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Doctor of Public Health
Applicants must hold the MPH degree, or they must fulfill admission requirements for the MPH and also must have completed the requirements for the MPH degree in the program in which they are registered in this School, or they must hold a graduate degree in a field or profession relevant to health care or the health sciences.
Applicants also must demonstrate (or have demonstrated previously) ability for leadership in their field, as well as for advancement of scientific knowledge.
Applicants must have the approval of the head of the program and of the department in which they propose to do a dissertation.
Applicants who do not have a previously earned master’s or doctoral degree must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some departments may require subject area scores. (See Department Admission Requirements.) A department may also require submission of GRE scores by any applicant.
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Doctor of Philosophy
Applicants must possess:
- A graduate or a U.S. bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the PhD program to which they are applying.
- Applicants must have had sufficient courses in mathematics and the biological and social sciences.
- Applicants must have had sufficient prerequisite courses in the field to which they are applying.
Applicants who do not have a previously earned master’s or doctoral degree must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some departments may require subject area scores. (See Department Admission Requirements.) A department may also require submission of GRE scores by any applicant.
Applicants shall have completed all GSPH Prerequisite courses.
Certificate Programs
Applicants must possess:
- A graduate degree from an acceptable institution in a discipline relevant to public health; or
- U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school and substantial knowledge in a discipline relevant to public health, either through study or experience or a combination of these.
Applicants who do not have a previously earned master’s or doctoral degree must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some departments may require subject area scores. (See Department Admission Requirements.) A department may also require submission of GRE scores by any applicant. In some cases, results of the LSAT, MCAT, or DAT may be substituted.
Applicants shall have completed the GSPH social science and math prerequisite courses.
Non-Degree Status
- Applicants must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or the equivalent foreign degree.
- Applicants may enroll in 12 credits of non-degree study before applying into a degree-seeking program.
Department Requirements
Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Applicants should have an undergraduate QPA of at least 3.00 and, in most cases, must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Applicants to the joint programs must apply separately to the Graduate School of Public Health and the school awarding the second degree:
MPH/MID – Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
MPH/MPA – Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
MPH/PhD (Anthropology) – Faculty of Arts and Sciences
MPH/PhD (Social Work) – School of Social Work
MPH/MSW (Social Work) – School of Social Work
Applicants to the Public Health/Social Work MPH/PhD program must have the MSW or equivalent, and at least two years of professional experience.
Applicants to the Peace Corps International MPH must be U.S. citizens, and must be accepted for Peace Corps service.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines.
Doctoral Program
All applicants must have earned a master’s degree in public health, or its equivalent, or a graduate degree in a field relevant to the objectives of this program.
All applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Applicants must have had a course in statistics equivalent to the GSPH course Biostatistics 2011, and are encouraged to take mathematics through calculus.
Those who do not hold an MPH from a CEPH accredited program will be required to complete courses in core areas.
The deadline for DrPH applications for the Fall Term (August) is January 4 and for the Spring Term (January) is July 31.
Biostatistics
All degree programs require two semesters of calculus, and a basic computing course. In some cases, course deficiencies can be satisfied the first semester.
In most cases, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.
The MPH and DrPH programs also require six credits in biology, six credits in social science, and a professional degree and/or background in health.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines.
Environmental & Occupational Health
Course work in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences must be documented in the undergraduate transcript.
Acceptable undergraduate training includes a bachelor’s degree in the physical, chemical, or biological sciences with a minimum of two courses each in organic chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus.
Professional experience will be evaluated as well with the DrPH and MPH applications.
Applicants for admission to the MS, MPH, PhD, or DrPH program must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless the candidate already has a graduate or professional degree and a waiver by the department is granted. In some cases the scores may be required by applicants with an advanced degree.
At least a 3.00/4.00 overall undergraduate QPA, and a 3.00/4.00 in the basic sciences courses (chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics) are ordinarily required.
Applicants for the MS or PhD in Computational Toxicology must take an undergraduate computer language course.
Applicants for the Certificate in Risk Assessment must meet the admission requirements for the MS program.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines.
Epidemiology
The Department of Epidemiology offers two masters (MPH or MS) and two doctoral programs (PhD or DrPH). Three groups of students are particularly encouraged to apply:
- Individuals with a variety of prior health related professional degrees (e.g., physicians, veterinarians, dentists, nurses) who wish to learn more about epidemiological methods and research to enhance their current health professional activities or help them expand into a greater research or teaching role in a 30 credit MS program, 45-credit MPH program, or doctoral program.
- Those without a formal health professional training who wish to pursue epidemiology as a first career and pursue a PhD.
- Students straight from a BS/BA who wish to enter a 45-credit MPH program.
The application deadline for Doctoral (PhD and DrPH) Candidates in Epidemiology who wish to apply for funding as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) in Fall Term is January 4. Applications for GSR positions (GSR Consideration Forms) may be accessed via the Department of Epidemiology's website, www.epidemiology.pitt.edu, and emailed to the Department's Student Services Coordinator. You must be accepted into the Epidemiology Program to receive GSR funding. The Department will not review applications that are incomplete. International applications must be reviewed first by the Office of International Admissions. Please allow plenty of time for this process to be completed.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines. Master’s candidates must begin in Fall Term unless the required introductory courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics have been completed already at a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited School of Public Health.
We currently do not offer GSR's to master's candidates in the Department of Epidemiology; however, there may be modest funds available through school sources for tuition and travel to conferences where appropriate.
Back to top
Health Policy & Management
Undergraduate performance is an important factor in the admissions committee’s decision, as are the GRE scores and letters of recommendation.
- Applicants should have an undergraduate QPA of at least 3.0 and must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Applicants with less than a 3.0 QPA will be considered if other strong factors in their application exist.
- The committee looks for evidence of good interpersonal and communication skills in applicants.
- The Program enrolls students in August of each academic year. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible; completed applications are reviewed as they are received.
- The Admissions Committee will not review the application until an application is considered complete and the applicant has supplied all the supporting documentation.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines. Spring applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Full-time admission is granted only for the Fall Term (beginning in August). Part-time admission will be considered for Fall Term or Spring Term.
MPH/JD – School of Law
Applicants to the joint MPH/JD program must first be admitted to the School of Law.
LSAT scores will be accepted in lieu of the GRE.
Human Genetics
Applicants should have completed courses in calculus, biology, biochemistry, and chemistry. In some cases deficiencies can be made up after admission.
Applicants lacking an advanced degree are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). These scores may also be required for applicants with an advanced degree.
Admission to the Genetic Counseling program is for Fall term only and the application deadline is February 1. Applicants to Genetic Counseling are required to submit three letters of recommendation and include both the recommendation form and an additional letter.
Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on all other Fall 2010 application deadlines.
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
General GRE verbal and quantitative combined score of 1000 or above. An analytical writing score of 4 or better. GRE scores submitted should have been taken with three (3) years. Only general GRE scores are required. Please view the table below regarding the submission of alternate test scores and/or GRE waivers.
Please view the IDM Admissions Web site http://www.idm.pitt.edu/admission.html for any updated requirements.
Applicants to the Peace Corps International MPH must be U.S. citizens, and must be accepted for Peace Corps service.
Students are admitted for the Fall Term only. Please see Deadlines and Important Dates for information on Fall 2010 application deadlines.
Further inquiries should be directed to the department at 412-624-3331, fax 412-383-8926.
GRE Requirements for Degree Programs
| Master of Science | Master of Public Health | Master of Health Admin. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctor of Public Health |
Biostatistics | Required*Generally waived if applicant has PhD or MD | Required* | N/A
| Required*Generally waived if applicant has PhD or MD | Required* |
Behavioral & Community Health Sciences | N/A | Required*Generally waived if applicant has graduate degree. | N/A | N/A | Required |
Environmental & Occupational Health | Required*Generally waived if applicant has graduate degree. | Required*Generally waived if applicant has graduate degree. | N/A | Required*Generally waived if applicant has graduate degree. |
|
Epidemiology | RequiredMCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit GRE scores. | RequiredMCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit GRE scores. | N/A | RequiredMCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit GRE scores. | RequiredMCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit GRE scores. |
Health Policy & Management | N/A | HPM/MPH: | Required | N/A | Required |
Human Genetics | Required* | Required* | N/A | Required* | Required* |
Infectious Diseases & Microbiology | Required*MCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit the GRE scores. For information on waivers please visit the IDM web site. | Required* MCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit the GRE scores. For information on waivers please visit the IDM web site. | N/A | Required*MCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE. All international applicants MUST submit the GRE scores. For information on waivers please visit the IDM web site. | N/A |
Multidisciplinary MPH | N/A | Must submit MCAT or DAT official score report. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
All Certificate Programs Required *
- *The GRE must be taken within the last three years of application to GSPH. Applicants who have obtained a graduate degree may contact the department to which they are applying and request that the GRE requirement be waived if indicated above. Please email this request to the department contact: BCHS, Natalie Arnold; BIOST, Susan McDonald; EOH, Penny Weiss; EPID, Gwen O'Brien (PhD, DrPH) or Cathy Sobocinski (MS, MPH); HPM, Donna Schultz (HPM/MPH) or Kristin Lazzara, (PhD); HuGen, Jeanette Norbut; IDM, Robin Leaf; Multidisciplinary, Mary Kastner.
- There is no guarantee that any department will grant this request. However, if the department agrees to waive the GRE requirement, it is the applicant’s responsibility to remind the department to send a written memo to the Admissions Manager, informing her of this waiver.
- Please be advised that each department reserves the right to require that ANY applicant submit an official GRE score report, even if the chart indicates that under the specified circumstances the GRE is generally waived. No photocopies will be accepted. Please be sure to use institution code 2927 when requesting that ETS send your official GRE score report directly to the University of Pittsburgh. Please use Graduate School of Public Health code 4234 to send your official GRE scores directly to SOPHAS.
GSPH School Wide Prerequisite Courses
Social Science Requirement
Applicants for the MPH degree must have completed, with a grade of C or above, at least six college credits in behavioral and social sciences such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, economics, communications, behavioral and community medicine or other recognized disciplines in this domain.
In exceptional circumstances, applicants without adequate social science preparation may be admitted provisionally. They must register for and pass, with a C grade or better, a remedial course before enrollment in BCHS 2509, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health, which is part of the GSPH school-wide core. The student will not receive credit toward the degree for this or other remedial coursework necessary to satisfy a provisional admission.
Mathematics Requirement
All applicants must have mathematical preparation appropriate for entrance into the GSPH core Biostatistics course, Biost 2011 (Principles of Statistical Reasoning). This will usually consist of a grade of C or above in a college-level statistics, algebra, or calculus class. An advanced placement course in any of these subjects taken in high school and passed with a C grade or above and which is reflected on the college transcript is in most cases also sufficient. An ETS-administered Advanced Placement test score of 3 or higher in calculus fulfills this requirement. A GRE quantitative score at or above the 70th percentile is considered evidence of adequate mathematical preparation.
In exceptional circumstances, applicants without adequate mathematical preparation may be admitted provisionally, having registered for and passed, with a C grade or above, a remedial course before enrollment in Biost 2011. The student will not receive credit toward the degree for this or other remedial coursework necessary to satisfy a provisional admission.
Biology Requirement
As of October 2006, there is no longer a school-wide biology prerequisite. Individual programs may opt to retain the requirement for their applicants. To find out if the department you are applying to has a biology prerequisite, visit the departmental website, which can be found by accessing www.publichealth.pitt.edu.
Certificate Programs
Applicants must meet requirements for admission to MPH.