FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Students

Application Process and Admissions

What kind of background and degree do I need to be a viable applicant?
Who makes decisions about admissions?
What is a letter of intent?
Who should complete the recommendation forms and letters?
How competitive is admission? Am I likely to get in?
Can I be admitted for any term?
If I am not offered admission, what are my options?
If admitted, may I defer my admission?

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Academic Options

Can I take classes before I am admitted?
Does the School of Public Health have online programs?

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Financing My Education

How can I apply for graduate assistantships?
How do I apply for financial aid?
What assistance is available in helping find internships and jobs?
Is financial support available for international students?

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Application Process and Admissions

What kind of background and degree do I need to be a viable applicant?
Our students come from all academic areas: biology, English, social work, chemistry, art, business, statistics, history, psychology, although some SPH programs favor certain undergraduate degrees. Some SPH programs may require prerequisite coursework and others may require prior work or volunteer experience. Admission to certain M.S. and Ph.D. programs may require a prior advanced degree in a related area. To view the details, refer to the admissions preferences listed within each academic program featured here.

Who makes decisions about admissions?
Each degree and certificate program has its own admissions' committee composed of faculty members from that area of study. The committees review completed applications holistically, looking for evidence of the applicant’s intent and purpose in studying public health, past academic performance, program-specific academic potential, professional and life experience, English fluency (where required), and other factors such as an applicant’s compatibility with faculty expertise and program directions.

What is a letter of intent?
The letter of intent should describe past or present professional experience, future career goals, and educational needs. Include the professional role you see yourself performing and, if possible, the type of agency, organization, or setting in which you plan to work upon receiving your public health degree.

Who should complete the recommendation forms and letters?
Persons providing recommendations should be qualified to assess your academic work; clinical, public health, or professional experiences; or leadership potential in public health. Each letter of recommendation must be accompanied by a completed recommendation form.

How competitive is admission? Am I likely to get in?
Within the range of M.H.A., M.P.H., M.S., and Ph.D. programs, admission rates can vary by year and by major. In the past year, approximately 75% of applicants were offered admissions. However, this rather high rate may be misleading, as it includes non-degree options with less rigorous admission criteria, and advanced-degree options (e.g. clinical research) that attract a highly qualified and pre-screened applicant pool.

Can I be admitted for any term?
Fall term admission is typical for the majority of our programs, but not all of the programs. Look here to see a complete list of entry terms and deadlines. Keep in mind that many school-wide processes are structured for the traditional academic year (e.g., scholarships, awards, orientation).

If I am not offered admission, what are my options?
If you are interested in reapplying for the following year, please contact the program major chair or the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to see how you might improve your application. Applicants may be successful with their second application and go on to become high-achieving students. If you applied to a degree program, you may consider applying to a different major or to a certificate program. Coordinators in each of the majors can provide excellent advice on the possibilities.

If admitted, may I defer my admission?
Yes, in most cases, you may defer your admission one time. You must request a deferment in writing from the major. If granted, you name is added to the next year’s incoming class list. You do not have to pay the application fee again or submit another application during this one-year period.

Academic Options

Can I take classes before I am admitted?
Yes. You can take a course without being admitted. You will find the instructions and forms for doing so here.

Does the School of Public Health have online programs?
Yes. There are a limited number of programs which are also available in an online format. Attendance at on-campus summer institutes may be required. Certain online courses are available as well. Programs include:
- Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts
- M.P.H. degree in Public Health Practice-Executive Program
- M.P.H. degree in Maternal and Child Health (Coming soon!)
- M.H.A. degree in Rochester, MN (Coming soon!)

Financing My Education

How can I apply for graduate assistantships?
Graduate assistantships (GA) are coveted and competitive. Very few are offered as part of the admission process. The hiring process is like that of any job search: students must watch for openings and apply. Many of our students are fortunate in obtaining research or teaching assistantships, working for any numerous departments on campus or for numerous community organizations. Once admitted, you may begin looking at the GA postings. The coordinator in the major to which you are applying may also have information about assistantships. Application for any position requires submitting a resume and cover letter.

Hiring is competitive and not all students who seek an assistantship are able to find a position. Because they arrive with more limited and/or relevant skills, many students have more difficulty being hired in the first year of study. Experience in database analysis, literature review, information management, data gathering, statistical software (SPSS, SAS, etc.), or other research skills improve you GA prospects. Graduate assistants receive more tuition benefits, health insurance, and more.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete the entire process of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. The Title IV code of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is 003969.

What assistance is available in helping find internships and jobs?
The SPH Career Services Center provides resources to students, prospective students, and graduates. These include job and internship postings, information sessions with employers, workshops of job search tools, a resource library, and individual job search coaching.

Is financial support available for international students?
It depends on the form of support. Federally supported financial aid is directed to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. There are some scholarships, including all scholarships awarded by the SPH, for which international students are eligible. Applicants will be reviewed for these scholarships, if they complete the scholarship section on the SPH application and apply by the priority deadline. International students may also apply for graduate assistant positions that are posted throughout the year.