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:

Program CohortFirst Priority DeadlineEarly Priority DeadlineEarly Admission DeadlineApplication DeadlineClasses Start
Fall 2023
April 25, 2023
May 16, 2023
June 13, 2023
July 5, 2023
August 28, 2023

Application Requirements

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

Online Application

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.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

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

Transcripts

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.

Statement of Purpose

You must submit an essay that answers four key questions:

  1. Why are you interested in pursuing a Master of Public Health degree and how will this prepare you for your career?
  2. What experiences have led to your pursuit of an MPH?
  3. Racism has been identified as a public health crisis by the American Public Health Association. How do you plan to be actively antiracist and use your public health training to interrupt systems of oppression, discrimination and abuse that exists where you study, live, and work?
  4. Please explain why you are interested in the concentration(s) noted in the application.

Letters of Recommendation

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.

Considerations for International Applicants

Transcripts

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.

TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores

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:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS: 7

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:

  1. Applicants from countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (i.e., Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Canada, excluding Québec; England; Ghana; Ireland; India; Jamaica; Kenya; New Zealand; Nigeria; Scotland; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad; Tobago; Uganda; and Wales).
  2. Applicants who have received or will receive a degree from an accredited university in the United States. (Within the online admissions application, you must upload an unofficial transcript showing the degree awarded or in progress, or a letter from the registrar or dean verifying your degree candidate status from that institution. If you are offered admission, the official transcript must be received or the English exam scores will be required for enrollment.)
  3. Applicants who have received or will receive a degree from an accredited university where English is the sole language of instruction. (If you are a degree candidate in a university where English is the sole language of instruction, you must submit, along with your request, an official verification from that university that English is the sole language of instruction along with your anticipated date of graduation. If the degree or an official verification is not received, the English exam scores will be required.)

Prerequisite Information: Nutrition and Dietetics

In order to be reviewed as a competitive applicant, all prerequisites must be completed and final grades accounted for by the time your application is completed. The Prerequisite Form is a required application item for all Nutrition and Dietetics applicants. This can be provided by your admissions counselor.

Nutrition and Dietetics Prerequisites

  • Chemistry (Chemistry I and Lab, Chemistry II and Lab, and at least one term of Organic*)
  • Biochemistry*
  • Human Anatomy*
  • Human Physiology*
  • Microbiology (with Lab)
  • Human Nutrition
  • General Psychology
  • Introduction to Anthropology or Sociology I

*For these courses, a lab is recommended but not required for admission.

To learn more about MPH@UNC, request information and an admissions counselor will contact you.

Request Information