Admissions: Online MPH


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  5. Admissions: Online MPH

The Online Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed for working professionals who want to become leaders in public health. A new class of students starts the program each autumn and spring.

Spring 2024 Application Timeline

Admissions for Spring 2024 are now closed.

Application Opened: August 16, 2023
General Deadline: October 15, 2023
Rolling Admissions closed January 15, 2024.

Autumn 2024 Application Timeline

Deadline Extended to April 1, 2024!

Application Opened: September 1, 2023
General Deadline: January 15, 2024
Applicants Notified: 4-6 weeks after the deadline

Applications for rolling admissions may be accepted after initial deadlines. Before applying for space-available admissions, please email us (onlinemph@uw.edu) to confirm availability.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
  • A minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 graded semester credits or the last 90 graded quarter credits (students with less than a 3.0 GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  • Two or more years of professional experience, preferably related to public health. This can include volunteer work and be non-continuous (e.g., six months here, 12 months there). It’s the experience that counts, not the employment.
  • Demonstrated English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • Attend the 3-day orientation at the UW Seattle campus (see Program Format).
Learn More

Application Steps

Students must complete an online application with SOPHAS, a system for applying to public health programs in the United States, AND an application with the UW Graduate School. We recommend beginning the application process early to ensure all requirements are completed on time.

Step One: Research the Program

Review Our Website

Learn as much as you can about our focus, format, and program expectations to consider if the program is right for you.

Program Experience

Meet Eligibility Criteria

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
  • A minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 graded semester credits or the last 90 graded quarter credits (students with less than a 3.0 GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  • Two or more years of professional experience, preferably related to public health. This can include volunteer work and be non-continuous (e.g., six months here, 12 months there). It’s the experience that counts, not the employment.
  • Demonstrated English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • Attend the 3-day orientation at the UW Seattle campus (see Program Format).

International and/or Undocumented Applicants

We welcome international and/or undocumented applicants.

International students should confirm their eligibility before applying. The Online MPH program only accepts applications from students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents or who have or will obtain a non-student visa that allows them to study in the U.S.: H-4 (dependent of H1B work visa), dependents of H2B visa holders, etc.

The Online MPH program does not sponsor visas. Students who require an international student visa (e.g., F-1, J-1) are not eligible to apply to this program because the program requires students to attend one of the three in-person sessions in Seattle. Applicants on an F-2 visa may be eligible — see information for F-2 applicants on the Graduate School’s Admission FAQs page.

To learn more about applying to the university and available financial options, visit our department’s student resources page.


Graduate Nonmatriculated Options

Graduate non-matriculated (GNM) status allows post baccalaureate students who are not presently seeking a graduate degree at the University of Washington to take UW graduate courses and apply the credits toward degree requirements should they later be accepted into a graduate program at the UW. Although GNM status does not guarantee admission to the Online MPH program, you may apply up to 12 credits toward degree requirements if you later apply and are admitted to the Online MPH program.

You can start as a GNM student any quarter. Below are the deadlines to apply for GNM status in order to start the following quarter.

Starting Quarter

Application Deadline

Autumn Quarter

Last Monday in August before the autumn quarter

Winter Quarter

First Monday in December before the winter quarter

Spring Quarter

Last Monday in February before the spring quarter

Summer Quarter

Monday before Memorial Day in May

GNM Info

Attend an Information Session

We highly recommend that prospective applicants attend one of our monthly information sessions on Zoom to learn about the program’s format, curriculum, admissions, career outlook, and more.

Information Sessions

Book an Advising Appointment

Email the Online MPH program marketing and recruitment specialist or book an advising appointment for a more in-depth discussion about the program and whether it is a good fit for you.

Connect with a Student Ambassador

Student ambassadors are current students in the Online MPH program who help prospective students learn about the program.

Meeting with an ambassador is not a required step in the application process, but it can be a great way to learn more about the program from the perspective of a peer. Autumn 2023 student ambassador appointments will be available soon.

Step Two: Prepare to Apply

Draft written materials, obtain unofficial transcripts, designate people to write letters of recommendation, and apply early for fee waivers.

General Application Materials

Unofficial AND Official Transcripts

Application: SOPHAS and UW Graduate School

Unofficial transcripts are needed for the UW Graduate School, and official transcripts are needed for SOPHAS. You may omit transcripts that are redundant or irrelevant to this degree, such as minor transcripts for coursework that is irrelevant to the program.

Obtain unofficial transcripts from each college or university where you earned a degree or completed relevant coursework. Download unofficial transcripts or scan printed copies. UW will request official transcripts when an offer of admission is made (international applicants) or accepted (domestic applicants).

For SOPHAS applications, you will need to order official transcripts from each collegiate level institution attended. Details can be found on the SOPHAS website.

SOPHAS: Transcripts

List of Coursework (Transcript Entry)

Application: SOPHAS

The SOPHAS application requires applicants both to order official transcripts AND manually enter all coursework exactly as it is listed on official college level transcripts. This process takes a significant amount of time, and we recommend entering this information as early as possible.

Bypass Info

GRE Scores (optional)

Application: SOPHAS

The GRE is no longer required! However, if applicants think their GRE scores are a better representation of academic preparedness for the program than their transcripts, they may include their GRE scores.

If applicants choose to submit GRE scores, they must self-report them in the online application with SOPHAS AND have scores sent directly to SOPHAS from the Educational Testing Service using the institutional code below. Scores from the testing services must arrive by the application deadline to be considered.

UW Institution Code with SOPHAS: 4943

SOPHAS: GRE

Proof of English Language Proficiency (select students)

Application: SOPHAS and UW Graduate School

Applicants whose first language is not English might need to share proof of English language proficiency. Only scores less than two years old at the time of the application deadline will be accepted.

Test scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using the UW institution code.

UW Institution Code: 4854

Letters of Recommendation

Application: SOPHAS

Number Needed: 3

Identify three people who will write letters of recommendation, such as academic advisors, professors, supervisors, or mentors. Recommenders should be familiar with your academic goals and potential for achieving those goals. These letters should address the general topic of your suitability for the program and should mention how recommenders know you and for how long.

Requests for the letters will be sent out via SOPHAS. You will need to provide names, emails, due date, and 500-word personal message to the recommenders. The recommenders will receive an email that directs them to a secure website where they will submit their letters.

You will be able to return to the online application to check whether letters have been submitted. You are expected to be in contact with each recommender to make sure that the letters are submitted by the application deadline (noted at the top of this page).

Please note: These letters are used for all programs you apply to through the online SOPHAS application. If the programs you are applying to include the UW Community-Oriented Public Health Practice Master of Public Health (COPHP MPH) program, one recommender must be an academic reference who can specifically speak to your readiness for graduate school.

Update Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Application: SOPHAS

Make sure your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) are up to date and inclusive of any public health experience you might have, such as conference presentations, publications, mentoring, volunteering, and other unpaid experience.

Request a Fee Waiver (optional)

You can request a fee waiver from SOPHAS as well as the UW Graduate School.

If you requested an application fee waiver, DO NOT submit your application until you receive approval or denial for the fee waiver. You cannot get reimbursed after paying the application fee. Contact us if you have questions about fee waivers.

Learn More

Application IDs

Application: SOPHAS and UW Graduate School

To be considered for admission, you must complete both the UW Graduate School application and the SOPHAS application.

Both application portals provide the following:

  • Unique application ID numbers for every program you apply to
  • Prompts to link the two applications:
    • Add SOPHAS application ID to UW Graduate School application
    • Add UW Graduate School application ID to SOPHAS application

You may do this in either order, although you will not be able to complete either application until the two are linked.


Essay Prompts Required by the UW School of Public Health

These essays will be viewed by all UW MPH programs that you apply to.

Personal History Statement

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 500 words max

The Personal History Statement is meant to give you the opportunity to offer a narrative of your lived experiences, and obstacles you may have overcome and how these have guided you towards an interest in public health. This statement should not be the same as your Statement of Purpose.

Your Personal History Statement can include information about who you are as a person; your family or cultural background; your socioeconomic conditions; and your experiences growing up, including successes, challenges, and moments of learning and growth.

Please do not feel compelled to provide personal information you would rather not share.

Write an Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Statement

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 350 words max

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are core values of the School of Public Health. We seek to create a community of students inclusive of and in service to underrepresented populations.

The School is committed to anti-racism and strives to adopt anti-racist principles both in the classroom and in our work. How would you contribute to these efforts while in the program and in the future as a working professional?

Please review the UW School of Public Health EDI Statement for more information.


Essay Prompts Unique to the Online MPH Program

Statement of Purpose

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 750 words max (include responses to all bullet points)

Your Statement of Purpose is intended to give you the opportunity to describe your education, prior work/volunteer experience, and/or professional career goals.

The statement needs to include:

  • Why you are interested in public health and your career goals
  • Your reasons for pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, and why you are interested in attending the University of Washington School of Public Health
  • The skills you hope to gain by obtaining an MPH 

Online MPH Interest

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 1,000 characters max

This program is specifically designed for individuals who work, offering a unique opportunity to complete your studies in either 18 or 27 months, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your needs. Dedication of approximately 20-35 hours per week to academic work is expected.

Please elaborate on what aspects of this program specifically attract you, such as its online/hybrid format, emphasis on leadership, curriculum, and other relevant features. Additionally, detail your strategy for effectively balancing the demands of the program with your job or other commitments.

Duration

Application: SOPHAS

Please indicate your desired program length. Preferred duration may be changed at any time while in the program.

Multiple Choice Options: 

  • Accelerated (18 months) 
  • Extended (27 months) 

Academic History

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 1,000 characters max

Describe your preparation for the writing and quantitative demands of the program. Please also address any academic challenges you have experienced, for instance if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement (below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).

HSEED Award

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 2,500 characters max

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The Health Services Excellence, Equity and Distinction (HSEED) Award offers up to $5,000 to one incoming student who can demonstrate outstanding academic merit AND leadership potential (experience and goals) in public health and can contribute to the diversity of the incoming cohort.

Before starting your application, learn about the HSEED Award and eligibility criteria. You will need to describe how you are eligible for the HSEED Award based on the eligibility criteria.

Those applying to the HSEED Award will automatically be considered for the Leadership Award. Your submission will be used for both awards, you are not required to submit a second essay. See essay requirements for the Leadership Promise Award below.

HSEED Eligibility Criteria

Public Health Leadership Promise Award

Application: SOPHAS

Limit: 2,500 characters max

Amount: $3,000

The Public Health Leadership Promise Award offers up to $3,000 to incoming students who demonstrate leadership potential in public health. If you apply for the HSEED Award (details above), you will automatically be considered for the Leadership Promise Award. Your submission will be used for both awards; you are not required to submit a second essay.

Address the following items in the essay submitted for the HSEED Award:

  • Please describe your own understanding of leadership
  • Provide 1-3 specific examples of leadership experience
  • Summarize your public health leadership goals

Step Three: Apply Online

You will need to create accounts with the UW Graduate School AND SOPHAS, a system for applying to public health programs in the United States. You can create accounts in either order, but you will not be able to submit either application until the two are linked.

The UW School of Public Health Application FAQs also address questions about SOPHAS.

UW Application

Create an account with or sign into the UW Graduate School application system and follow the prompts for new or returning applicants.

Start Here

UW Graduate School Application Sections and Materials

SOPHAS Application

SOPHAS Overview: Information and materials reported in the following sections are shared among all SOPHAS applications — Personal Information, Academic History, and Supporting Information.

Materials submitted in the Program Materials section are unique to the Online MPH application.

Start Here

SOPHAS Application Sections and Materials

SOPHAS Manual Transcript Entry Bypass

PLEAE NOTE: The SOPHAS application requires you to both order official transcripts AND manually enter all coursework exactly as it is listed on official college level transcripts. This process takes a significant amount of time, and you should plan to enter this information as early as possible.

We understand the accessibility issues posed by the requirement to manually enter all course work in addition to providing official transcripts. Because of this, we have provided a bypass option for select situations.

You can only use the bypass option if you are applying to the following programs:

  • Community-Oriented Public Health Practice (COPHP) MPH
  • Health Systems and Population Health MPH
  • Online MPH

DO NOT use the bypass option if applying to other programs in the department, UW School of Public Health, or other universities.

Bypass for Manual Transcript Entry

You are eligible to bypass the manual entry, IF you are applying to any of the programs listed above in the UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) AND no other programs.

How to Bypass: You can manually add only one course to the transcript entry section and upload unofficial transcripts later in the application (in the Documents section under the Program Materials section).

When using the bypass option, someone from SOPHAS might contact you about your manual transcript entry being incomplete.