Applying for any graduate program in the UAB School of Public Health is simple — just follow the steps below. Our Graduate Admissions team is here to help guide you through the process.
English proficiency test score for international applicants (80 or above for TOEFL; 6.5 or above for IELTS)
Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references:
MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health applicants are highly recommended to submit at least one academic letter among the three recommendation letters required.
MSPH in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences applicants are required to submit at least one academic letter among the three recommendation letters required. Please note that friends and family members should not be writing letters.
MSPH in Industrial Hygiene applicants are required to submit at least one academic letter among the three recommendation letters required. If they have been working in the field for more than five years, professional letters are acceptable in place of academic letters. If applicants cannot provide an academic letter, please provide a justification (one paragraph) in the statement of purpose.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Purpose and Objectives
Standardized test scores (GRE or other accepted tests):
Note: The GRE is waived for all master’s degree programs. However, if an applicant has fewer than five years of full-time professional health care/ public health practice experience AND a GPA below 3.0, we strongly encourage that applicant to take and include a GRE score with their application in an effort to improve the overall strength of the application.
For doctoral programs:
Note: The GRE is required for all doctoral programs, EXCEPT for the PhD in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences programs. Competitive applicants typically submit scores in the 70th percentile. For PhD in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences applicants: if an applicant has fewer than five years of full-time professional health care/ public health practice experience AND a GPA below 3.0, we strongly encourage that applicant to take and include a GRE score with their application in an effort to improve the overall strength of the application.
For MPH and DrPH applicants:
To ensure we are taking the necessary precautions to protect our community partners, the School of Public Health requires students enrolled in the MPH and DrPH programs that require an internship or practicum to consent to and complete a criminal background check. Students are responsible for completing the background check at least one term before registering for their internship or practicum. Failure to do so could prevent the completion of their internship or practicum degree requirement. Learn more about background checks.
STEP 2: Know Your Deadline
Application deadlines vary by department, degree program, and degree track. Click on the degree program buttons in the table below to see your deadline.
Note: International students are admitted to in-person programs in Fall and Spring only. International students may be admitted to online-only programs in Summer.
MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization
Spring: November 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership
Spring: November 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Population Health
Spring: November 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Fall: July 1
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
MPH with a concentration in Environmental Health
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
MPH with a concentration in Population Health
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
MS in Biostatistics
April 1
May 1
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
MSPH with a concentration in Biostatistics
Fall: April 1
Fall: May 1
MSPH with a concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Spring: November 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Fall: July 1
MSPH with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene
Spring: November 1 Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1 Fall: July 1
MSPH with a concentration in Applied Epidemiology
Fall: April 1
Fall: July 1
MSPH with a concentration in Outcomes Research
(Online)
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1 Summer: April 1 Fall: July 1
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
DrPH with a concentration in Biostatistics1
April 1
May 1
DrPH with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization2
April 1
April 1
DrPH with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy3
April 1
April 1
DrPH in with a concentration in Outcomes Research4
April 1
April 1
Deadline to apply for funding consideration:
1 February 1
2 January 15
3 January 15
4 January 15
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
PhD in Biostatistics1
April 1
May 1
PhD in Environmental Health Sciences 2
April 1
June 1
PhD in Epidemiology 3
April 1
May 15
PhD in Health Behavior 4
February 15
February 15
Deadline to apply for funding consideration:
1February 1
2March 15
3January 10
4 February 15
Degree
International
Domestic (U.S.)
Certificate in Global Health Studies
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
Certificate in Public Health
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
Certificate in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1 Summer: May 1 Fall: August 1
For information about additional SOPH scholarship eligibility and requirements, please see our scholarship page.
School of Public Health policy requires submission of the completed online application, including ALL supporting materials, by the application deadline. Allow plenty of time for transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other documents to reach their destination.
STEP 3: Apply Online
If you’re applying to a stand-alone MPH, MSPH, or DrPH program, you will submit your primary application via sophas.org. If admitted, you will then complete a supplemental application to the UAB Graduate School. Instructions will be provided upon admission.
If you’re applying to any of our coordinated degree programs, Certificates, the MS in Biostatistics, an accelerated Master’s program (offered to current UAB undergraduate students only) or the PhD programs, submit your application via the UAB Graduate School.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with the admission requirements and deadlines for your intended program, you are ready to begin!
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.