How to Apply

Applying to School of Public Health graduate programs

Prospective students applying for graduate programs must complete two separate applications for admission—one through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS), and a supplemental application through the  IU Graduate School Application.

Questions?

Email us at sphgrad@iu.edu or schedule an admissions phone call.

Graduate admission applications

All applicants must submit their primary application for admission through SOPHAS.

Degree-seeking applicants should submit through the SOPHAS website, and certificate-seeking applicants should submit through the SOPHAS Express website.

As a supplement to the SOPHAS or SOPHAS Express application, all applicants must complete and submit the IU Graduate School Application.

This duplication of application information is required for admission. The School of Public Health covers the cost of this application on behalf of prospective students.

School of Public Health programs can be found by filtering for "School of Public Health" in the "School" drop-down menu.

General admission requirements

Most general application requirements for School of Public Health graduate degrees are submitted through SOPHAS. In addition, each graduate program may have its own specific requirements, including prerequisite courses.

Master’s degree and graduate certificate programs

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university at the time of entry.

All applicants must submit a statement of purpose of no more than 600 words. Your statement of purpose should include an explanation of:

  • Your understanding of the public health field
  • Your academic goals
  • Your career objectives

Master’s programs

In SOPHAS, you will request three letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your academic and research abilities. Ideally, your recommenders are recent professors, researchers, or employers in a related field. References from peers, friends, or family members are not considered appropriate.

Graduate Certificate programs

In SOPHAS Express, you will request two letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your academic abilities and qualifications to pursue graduate coursework. Recommenders can be employers in a related field or recent professors. References from peers, friends, or family members are not considered appropriate.

Submit an updated curriculum vitae or resume that includes:

  • Educational background and degree(s)
  • Employment history
  • Honors and accomplishments
  • Professional experience and skills
  • Research experience
  • Volunteer experience

Submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. There are special instructions for domestic and international transcripts. There are also special instructions for master’s degree and graduate certificate applicants.

Note: If your degree is in-progress at the time of application, you will need to resend a complete official transcript no later than 3 months after you have finished your degree to fulfill this requirement.

U.S. transcripts (master’s)

SOPHAS requires official transcripts from each institution you have attended, even if you did not receive a degree. SOPHAS cannot process your application without receiving all your transcripts. Please review the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center instructions for sending transcripts electronically or by mail.

Note: Students who attend or attended Indiana University must also request official transcripts from the registrar and have them sent directly to SOPHAS.

U.S. transcripts (graduate certificates)

SOPHAS Express requires unofficial transcripts from each institution you have attended, even if you did not receive a degree. Upload copies of your unofficial transcripts directly into SOPHAS Express. Please review the SOPHAS Express Applicant Help Center for help with frequently asked questions about transcripts.

International transcripts (all programs)

International applicants must upload unofficial transcripts in the IU Graduate School Application and must submit official academic records to the Indiana University Office of International Services. Submit your official academic records in the original language from every postsecondary school you have attended, whether or not you obtained a degree. If the original is not in English, also include a certified, literal translation. Records must be issued by the registrar or record-keeping official from the institution at which the work was completed.

Notarized copies of academic records are not accepted. If you studied in the United States or Canada, have official transcripts sent directly to International Admissions from the issuing institution’s records office.

Learn more about country-specific requirements

PhD applicants with non-U.S. transcripts are also required to submit an official World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation. Additionally, applicants who wish to be considered for transfer credit for any graduate program must submit a WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation. WES reports should be sent directly from WES to SOPHAS. As an applicant, you must initiate this request yourself or it will delay application processing.

Learn more about sending a WES evaluation to SOPHAS

GRE scores are optional for admission to all IU School of Public Health-Bloomington graduate degree programs. Applicants who wish to submit GRE scores should have Educational Testing Services (ETS) send an official score report to the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington. Our institution code is 6979.

International applicants are required to submit results from one of the following English language proficiency examinations:

 

Exemptions include:

  • At the time of entry into your SPH-B degree program, you will hold a degree from a U.S. university or a university from a recognized English-speaking country on IU’s list.
  • You are an applicant whose citizenship is from a recognized English-speaking country on IU’s list.

 

Please note that although applicants may be exempt from the language requirement for admission, a language exam score may be required to comply with potential funding opportunities.

Learn more about graduate school admission for international students