Master of Public Health

Admission into the graduate programs within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) is competitive and decisions are based on the application as a whole.

Deadlines

Applications for the JPHCOPH graduate programs are accepted for FALL admission only.

• February 1 – Priority admission deadline for consideration for JPHCOPH graduate assistantship
• May 1 – Final deadline for International applicants
• June 1 – Final deadline for United States applicants

Application Timeline

Please refer to the timeline in the SOPHAS Quick Start Guide.

• SOPHAS Timeline – To ensure your application is mailed (sent) to JPHCOPH on time, all materials should be received by SOPHAS at least four (4) weeks prior to the JPHCOPH application deadline date. Once your application is considered complete, it can take up to four (4) weeks to be processed and verified by SOPHAS.
• Georgia Southern University Timeline – Each application must be verified by SOPHAS. The JPHCOPH does not review an application until all SOPHAS and JPHCOPH supporting document requirements have been received. Additional supporting documents may include but are not limited to additional letters of recommendation, official international transcript evaluations, official English language proficiency scores, proof of citizenship, etc.

Application Support

For technical support questions such as how to submit supporting documents, please visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center.

For more information on the MPH program, please reach out to JPHCOPH Admissions.

Regular Admission

1. Application – Completion of an application in Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
2. Degree – Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
3. Transcripts – Official transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended. A transcript is required even if the courses from one school appear on the transcript of another school. SOPHAS will not process your application without receiving all official transcripts. Please refer to the SOPHAS FAQs page for instructions on Sending Official Transcripts to SOPHAS.
   • Transcripts that are not from United States-based institutions or its territories must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluation service (www.naces.org/members). The evaluation must include a course-by-course evaluation with a GPA, and it must show you have earned the U.S. equivalency of the required level of degree. Official international transcript evaluations are required for the application to receive an official decision. This requirement cannot be waived.
4. Grade Point Average (GPA) – Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 scale in either:
   • Upper division undergraduate courses; OR
   • Upper division graduate courses.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – The GRE is not required for entrance to the MPH program. However, concentrations may elect to request additional information to support an application for admission. If additional questions or examples of previous work are required, the request will be included in the SOPHAS application. If you wish to send your GRE scores, provide code #8560 to ETS to send your official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The exam date must not be more than five (5) years prior to your SOPHAS application date. The GRE may be waived for applicants if they hold a terminal degree from a regionally accredited college/university. Acceptable terminal degree examples include an M.D., J.D., DrPH or Ph.D.
6. English Language Proficiency – International applicants and U.S. Citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Prior to consideration for admission, international applicants whose native language is not English must take and post acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia or New Zealand. The TOEFL and IELTS examinations are administered at various times of the year and in many centers throughout the world.
   • A score of at least 75 (internet-based test, IBT) or 537 (paper-based test) on the TOEFL and 6.0 on the IELTS is normally required to be considered for regular admission. The official TOEFL and the official IELTS scores may not be more than two (2) years old. Those who do not meet the minimum proficiency standard may be recommended for enrollment in University English courses or for English courses offered by the English Language Program (ELP) on campus. Successful completion of Intensive English Programs (IEPs) at other English Language Program (ELP) providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
   • Provide code #5688 to ETS, so your official TOEFL scores will post to your SOPHAS application. Georgia Southern is registered to receive IELTS scores electronically through SOPHAS. We do not accept unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from applicants. An institution code is NOT required.
7. Letters of Recommendation – Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. It is strongly advised that one letter should come from individuals who can address your past academic performance, and it is encouraged that the second letter should come from a work or internship supervisor.
8. Curriculum Vitae/Resume – A CV/résumé that includes the following: a) educational experiences, b) professional goals and objectives, c) work history, d) professional experiences, memberships and/or participation in professional organizations, e) experiences in public health programs.
9. Statement of Purpose – A Statement of Purpose (500-1000 words) that conveys the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate study in public health and how admission into the program relates to the applicant’s professional aspirations.

*Some students may be required to take prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program of study. Conditions of admission will be presented at the student’s first advisement appointment.

Provisional Admission

Provisional Admission may be granted to those individuals who do not fully satisfy the admission requirements. You must earn grades of “B” or better in your first nine (9) semester hours taken at Georgia Southern University following the effective admission term to obtain Regular Admission. A provisional student may enroll in graduate courses leading to a degree and such courses may count in a degree program once the student has changed to Regular Admission. Only credit earned in graduate courses at Georgia Southern University will satisfy provisional admission requirements. Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in an ineligibility to continue studies in the College of Graduate Studies. Provisional students are not eligible for Graduate Assistantship positions.

Contact Information

Monica Brister
Academic Services Coordinator
jphcoph-admissions@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-2674

Dr. Joanne Chopak-Foss
MPH Program Director
jphcoph-admissions@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-2674

At Georgia Southern, enjoy the flexibility of fully online courses that fit within your busy schedule, allowing you to study while you continue to work and earn. Online instructors weave interactive experiences into each course, ensuring you engage at a deeper level. 

Plus, you’ll have access to an academic and technical support team, so you’re never on your own.

For All Online Programs

Federal law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.

For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.

The MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.