Current Students

Incoming Student Requirements

Welcome to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health community! Here, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, forge lasting connections with peers and instructors, and explore what’s next in your academic and professional journey. As a valued SPH student, you will discover approachable faculty, real-world experiences, a thriving alumni network, and comprehensive career services. Complete the list below to set yourself up for success.

Your UMN internet ID is the key to online services such as your email account, registration, tuition, billing statements, and the student One Stop website.

To claim your account, you will need your student ID number, which is listed on your admission letter.

  1. Claim your account
  2. Check your email

Email is the official method of communication at the U of M. Start checking your U of M email now for important updates from the University and SPH.

You do not need to send any additional official transcripts, unless your degree was not conferred at the time your SOPHAS application was submitted. The Student Services Center will reach out to you to request an official transcript if needed. Please contact us at sph-ask@umn.edu if you have any questions regarding this requirement.

U.S. Institutions
If you were in the process of completing a degree at the time of application, we must receive an official transcript showing the degree conferred. This must be sent directly to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health from the issuing institution. Do not send official transcripts to yourself first. Please request they send the transcript electronically to sph-ask@umn.edu, however if your college/university does not have that feature, please request the official transcript(s) sent directly from the college/university to:

  • University of Minnesota School of Public Health
    Student Services Center
    MMC 819, Room A395 Mayo Building
    420 Delaware St SE
    Minneapolis, MN 55455

Or you may, instead, send your degree conferred transcripts directly to SOPHAS using the Academic Update option. Please note this feature opens in SOPHAS annually, June to August and you will need to log into SOPHAS to access it.

Note: If you are receiving your degree from the University of Minnesota, you do not need to have an official transcript sent. Simply notify us at sph-ask@umn.edu when your degree has been posted.

Foreign Institutions
If you were in the process of completing a degree at the time of application, we must receive an updated World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluation verifying the degree conferred before you may register for classes in your program. Designate the University of Minnesota School of Public Health as the recipient of your evaluation.

All students who are 1) admitted to a degree program, and 2) registered for six or more credits per semester (or three or more credits during summer term) that count towards the automatic assessment of the Student Services Fee, are required by the University of Minnesota to have health insurance. Students who meet both of these criteria are automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). By requiring students to have health insurance, the University ensures all students have access to medical care and can maintain good health, which is essential for academic success.

The Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) is a cost-effective, comprehensive health plan designed to meet the unique needs of students. Students may choose to waive the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan by providing proof of enrollment in an alternative eligible health insurance. Whether you’re insured through your employer, your parents, or another health insurance plan, you must provide proof of this insurance by applying for a waiver.

The Office of Student Health Benefits encourages students to turn in their certificate of coverage as soon as possible. You will be asked to enter your current health insurance information when you register for class, please note, this does not waive you from the plan.

All degree seeking students in the School of Public Health (SPH) are required to be immunization compliant and/or tests as a condition of enrollment. Immunization compliance is based on your program of enrollment as follows:

  • All students must meet the required immunizations per University of Minnesota policy.
  • Students enrolled in the Public Health Nutrition MPH Program must meet the Academic Health Sciences requirements and University of Minnesota Board of Regents requirements. This expectation for health professionals is consistent with those of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Students must complete vaccination requirements prior to their program start date and maintain compliance through the length of the program. Questions related to immunizations can be directed to Boynton Health’s Patient Assistance and Information Office at 612-625-8400, option 7.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 online training is required for all Academic Health Sciences students. You will be automatically enrolled in the HIP019 training course and will be sent an email to your UMN email account with more information. View more information about HIPPA.

Registration for admitted students is completed through the University of Minnesota’s One Stop online registration system. Your program coordinator will send you an email with information regarding registration for your specific program. You can register for classes through One Stop.

The U Card is your University of Minnesota Student ID card. You will use your U Card to access University buildings and the Student SPHere Lounge, as your University Library card, to charge books to your Student Account at the University Bookstore and more!

Go online to upload a photo of your choice for your U Card. You can then pick up your U Card whenever you arrive on campus. Check out more information about how the U Card is used on campus.

SPH offers a sequence of opportunities to begin to learn about the U of M, SPH and the many resources and supports that are available to you. Learn more and register for SPH Orientation today.

Incoming graduate students should check their U of M email in mid-August (for students entering fall semester or summer term) or mid-January (for students entering spring semester) to find information about completing the Sexual Assault Prevention module. This module is a University requirement for all new students. If you have questions or did not receive email notification about these modules, contact everficourses@umn.edu.

New students who are also University employees (e.g., Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants) will also be required to complete the sexual misconduct prevention course for employees (Preventing Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Retaliation). While some content may be similar, the courses are different and tailored to the different experiences of students and employees. Contact your supervisor for details and questions related to the requirement for employment.

International Student Requirements

All admitted international students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the U.S. will receive an email via SOPHAS, beginning in February 2024, with further instructions on how to request the I20 form, after the offer of admission has been accepted.

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