MPH Application Requirements

No GRE Required | CEPH accredited 

Application Process and Deadlines: 

  • Applications are accepted annually for Fall enrollment only through SOPHAS.
  • For Admissions Deadlines, click here

Application Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or better. Admitted students usually have GPAs that are higher than 3.0. The major must have an equivalent at the State University of New York (SUNY). 
    • In select circumstances, students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement but are deemed an appropriate fit for the Program through the holistic evaluation of their application may be admitted conditionally upon approval by the MPH Program Admissions Committee.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools. Transcripts for all degrees earned in schools outside the U.S. or Canada must be evaluated by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. See the section on International Applicants for more information about this process. The requirement for evaluation of transcripts is waived for graduates of foreign medical schools with a current license to practice in the U.S.
  • Three references from persons who can address the applicant's capacity to provide leadership in public health and complete a course of graduate study. If the applicant is a student or has graduated within the last two years, at least one letter must be from a college or university faculty member with whom the applicant has studied. If the applicant is a member of the public health workforce, at least one letter must be from a senior administrator in the organization who is familiar with his/her work. Letters of recommendation should be written on applicable college/university/organization letterhead and signed prior to submission.
  • One essay is required for the application. It should be no more than 500 words and should be submitted with your application in SOPHAS.
    • Essay topic:  Public Health, in contrast to an individualized medical model of health care, assumes that the focus of attention is a population of individuals. What does this mean to you? And how does your background prepare you for a career which includes an emphasis on population health?
  • A personal interview, if requested by the Admissions Committee.
  • Completion of the online application.

The Admissions Committee considers all factors including grades, recommendation letters, essays, prior training, and professional experience. It is a goal of the Admissions Committee to select applicants who have the academic capability, aptitude, character, personal qualities, and commitment to provide future value to society through leadership and creative contributions to the field of public health. We endorse the ASPPH's position on GRE Scores and Admissions.

The Admissions Committee encourages applications from those in the public health workforce and weighs professional experience heavily in admissions decisions.

Note Regarding Quantitative Skills

Applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of quantitative ability. Thus, while the GRE is not required for admission, submitted scores will be reviewed and taken into consideration by the admissions committee. An applicant's background in quantitative courses and applied skills found in the CV/Resume portion of the application will also be considered in the review of the applicant.

  •  To submit GRE scores, please use our SOPHAS code: 0622.

For International Applicants:

  • Unfortunately, our program is not STEM-designated. Therefore, we cannot offer OPT extension at this time.
  • Due to visa processing times, international students should apply to the Program in Public Health's MHA or MPH programs by April 15th.
  • International applicants who trained in non-English speaking schools and do not reside in an English-speaking country are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Students who fail to meet this requirement must enroll in a course at the Intensive English Center and achieve satisfactory grades before admission to graduate study. Students whose scores on either of these exams are more than two years old must retake the test. The expected minimum score is for the IELTS exam is 7, with no subsection below 6. The expected minimum score on the TOEFL Internet Based Test is 90.
    • We accept IELTS scores electronically.  Please provide the following information to your test center to arrange for your scores to be sent to us:
      Stony Brook University SUNY Program in Public Health
      HSC Level 3, Room 071
      STONY BROOK NY 11794
  • Other English Proficiency tests may be acceptable and can be found in the Graduate School Bulletin. This link will also provide the English Proficiency Requirements for Admission by Stony Brook University.
  • International students are required to have a course-by-course educational credential evaluation completed by an agency accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  We require using World Education Services (WES).  This evaluation provides a U.S. course equivalent including semester hours earned, course content, and corresponding letter grade for all courses listed on the international applicant’s transcript.  This evaluation must be completed before the application can be considered. 
  • For more information about international students services, click SBU Visa and Immigration website

Application Requirements for Combined Programs:

Combined Undergraduate Programs

Combined Graduate Programs