Admissions Overview
The University of Kansas Master of Public Health (KU-MPH) program accepts applications for degree-seeking admission twice (Spring and Fall) a year through the Schools of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS).
The KU Medical Center offers a master’s degree in public health with three different concentrations to choose from (Epidemiology, Generalist, and Public Health Practice). Only the Generalist concentration can be completed 100% online.
Before you start your application, review our admission requirements below.
Admission Requirements
The University of Kansas Master of Public Health (KU-MPH) program accepts applications for degree-seeking admission twice a year through the Schools of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS). Admission into the KU-MPH program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale). The program may be completed online or on-campus in Kansas City or Wichita. Additional requirements are listed below.
Concentration Pre-requisites
Applicants must select a concentration and must document any prerequisites that have been successfully met.
MPH Concentration | Pre-requisite |
---|---|
Epidemiology | Successful completion of one semester of Calculus. |
Public Health Practice and Generalist | Successful completion of one semester of an upper level math course. |
Application Requirements
All admission materials must be submitted to to SOPHAS. Materials submitted to the University of Kansas Medical Center may cause delay in the verification of your SOPHAS application. Additional instructions can be found on the SOPHAS website.
- A personal statement. Applicants must upload a personal statement. This is a 1-2 page essay outlining the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue graduate education in public health. See Personal Statement Guidelines.
- Cover Letter or Resume. Applicants must upload a resume indicating education, work background, honors, memberships in professional, school, service organizations, and any other personal information relevant to applying to a graduate program.
- Letters of recommendation. Applicants must provide the names and e-mail addresses of three (3) references who are qualified to comment on their potential success in a graduate program. (E.g. academic advisor, professor, supervisor with a degree or experience in Public Health, etc). Letters from family and/or friends, political figures, and the like are discouraged and may be detrimental to your application.
- Transcripts. You must submit one official copy of each transcript from every post-secondary college and university you have attended.
Students submitting international applications have additional requirements as follows:
- Applicants whose native language is not English or who graduated from a foreign institution are required to submit official TOEFL scores less than two years old. Use institution code 6895 to have an official copy of your scores mailed to KUMC. The complete minimum English proficiency requirements for KUMC students can be found on the International Programs website. Applicants who do not meet the minimal score will not be considered for admission into the KU-MPH program.
- All international students are now required to submit an evaluation of their academic credentials from World Education Service (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
- Please be advised that international students are not eligible for federal student loans or scholarships. International students must be financially prepared to handle the full cost of living here and attending school.
The KU-MPH program currently does not meet the requirements for F1 Visa sponsorship due to its hybrid format. Prospective students should consider visa eligibility requirements before completing an application.
The University of Kansas Medical Center now requires a criminal background check prior to admitting students to graduate programs. Prior to final acceptance and initial enrollment in classes, applicants will be directed to have a background check completed by Validity Screening Solutions. The applicant must pay a one-time fee for the background check directly to Validity Screening Solutions. The KU-MPH program will review the information obtained through the background check and make a final decision on the applicant's eligibility for the program. The KU-MPH program will then notify the applicant regarding final acceptance or denial of admission.
The University of Kansas Medical Center is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or creed, disability, veteran status or genetic testing & screening. Academic accommodation requests should be directed to Academic Accommodation Services at KUMC.
The following abilities and expectations required by all students admitted to the Master of Public Health are available on the Technical Standards and Requirement form.
Applicants can expect to receive a decision 4-6 weeks after the final deadlines.
Congratulations! Your admission to the program is contingent on the submission of the KUMC Slate application and the results of a university required background check. Your admission email will provide instructions on how to submit the KUMC Slate application and complete the background check.
We cannot accommodate requests for feedback from denied applicants. We can assure you that each applicant is carefully considered. Applicants are denied when the committee concludes that their qualifications do not position them ahead of enough other applicants in the pool.
The KU-MPH program requires that students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in order to qualify for admission to the Graduate School. If you do not have an undergraduate GPA above a 3.0, please contact the MPH Director to discuss options and alternative admission pathways.
Students are asked to choose a home campus (Kansas City or Wichita) as well as a concentration. Students are encouraged to choose only one campus and concentration. Students who wish to complete the degree completely online must choose the MPH Generalist concentration.
