Applying to MPH@UNC

UNC’s Gillings School is looking for candidates whose academic background, professional experience and leadership abilities meet the demands of our online Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Below are the requirements for admission and application submission. 

GRE scores are neither required nor typically recommended for applicants to the Master of Public Health program.

Applications are accepted and reviewed in accordance with the following deadlines:

MPH@UNC utilizes a holistic review process which takes into consideration the following application materials:

You must complete the online application and pay a nonrefundable application fee of $95.00. Many applicants qualify for an application waiver. Reach out to an admissions counselor at 855-534-2409 or admissions@onlinemph.unc.edu to learn more.

Submit your current resume or CV, and be sure to list any relevant professional and academic experience, including volunteer work.

Submit unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended, including graduate studies. (Official transcripts will be required upon admission.)

You will need to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from all institutions you have attended into your application. If you do not have unofficial transcripts, you will need to request copies be sent directly to you from the school(s). You can then upload them to your application or email them to appsvcs@onlinemph.unc.edu.

Note: Any official transcripts uploaded through the online application can be used to render an admissions decision but will be considered unofficial.

For military applicants, military transcripts are required, including JST (Joint Service Transcript) or ACE.

If your study abroad credits and grades are included on the home institution transcript, then an additional transcript is not required. If your study abroad credits and grades are listed as transfer credit, then an official transcript from the study abroad institution is required.

You must submit an essay that answers four key questions:

Please provide any additional context or information that might be helpful to the admissions committee’s review of your application.

Three letters of recommendation are required. These letters should be sent from individuals who can attest to your ability or potential to complete graduate public health training. Approved recommenders are past and present employers, professors and approved volunteer coordinators. If you have graduated from an academic degree program within the last five years, we recommend that you have at least one letter from an academic reference. Letters of recommendation are submitted through the online application process.

International applicants with degrees from institutions outside the United States are required to submit a copy of their transcripts evaluated by The World Education Services (WES). An unofficial copy of the WES evaluation is required for the application process. An official copy of the WES evaluation may be required by The Graduate School if the international applicant is admitted into the program. UNC Graduate School institution code is 5816.

All international applicants must submit official TOEFL scores (reported directly from ETS.org) or IELTS scores (reported directly from IELTS.org). We accept no other English language tests. While self-reported scores are useful for informal evaluation, the official report of your scores must arrive before final application review. 

The required minimum total score for each exam is:

Standardized test scores must be official and are reportable for a period of two years from the date of the exam. TOEFL or IELTS exam results more than two years old will not be considered. Standardized test scores that are submitted to the institution are kept on file for one year after the term for which you are applying.

Exceptions to the English standardized exams are available for the three applicant categories listed below: