Requirements (SOPHAS, Pitt Public Health, Epidemiology Department)
Do I need to have the admissions prerequisites done before I am accepted/come to the school?
Yes. You will need to have completed the specified pre-requisites before you start your program in the Epidemiology Department.
How much previous work experience is needed for an applicant?
Work experience varies greatly by applicant. Several years of work experience is not required; however, most of our applicants have master’s degrees and/or field experiences to support their applications.
Do I need to have a master’s degree to be accepted?
A master’s degree is not required for acceptance; however, most of our applicants have previously completed master’s programs.
What are GRE / TOEFL / WES score requirements, and how should my scores be submitted?
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
For Fall 2021, the GRE is optional for all applicants across all our degree programs. For applicants who choose to submit scores, the MCAT can be substituted for the GRE. Scores on the GRE or MCAT exam cannot be older than five years.
Submit official GRE scores to the Graduate School of Public Health code 4234, with no department code.
TOEFL, IELTS & Duolingo Exams
A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (over 100 is preferred) on the internet test is required for all international students. The minimum IELTS score is Band 7.0 (applicants must take the academic writing and reading modules of the test). The minimum Duolingo English Test score is 115. The TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo exam must be taken within two years of your application.
To send TOEFL scores, please use the ETS code for SOPHAS (5688). IELTS results must be sent directly to the Office of Student Affairs (copies are not accepted). Duolingo English Test scores will be submitted to the University of Pittsburgh - Graduate School of Public Health.
There are 3 circumstances under which the University will waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement:
- Applicant has obtained a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a U.S. accredited institution located in the U.S.
- Applicant is a citizen of a specific country in which English is the official language.
- Applicant has completed a degree program at an institution within a specific country outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.
If you do not meet one of these circumstances, then the TOEFL/IELTS is required.
World Education Service (WES)
WES evaluations are required for ALL education from outside of the U.S. Applicants should request WES evaluations early due to the length of time sometimes required to receive and review transcripts. Evaluations should be submitted directly to SOPHAS.
GPA Requirements
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
There is not a minimum GPA requirement, but applicants should have demonstrated academic aptitude at a level that indicates a potential to succeed in a graduate program.