On-Campus Graduate Program Admissions

Requirements, dates and deadlines, and application instructions.

Read this important information first!

All information provided on this page is specific to on-campus graduate programs that incorporate SOPHAS in the admissions process.

The information on this page:

  • Does not include the Biostatistics MA
  • Does not include the Biostatistics PhD
  • Does not include the Environmental Health Sciences PhD
  • Does not include the Epidemiology PhD
  • Does not include the Health Policy PhD
  • Does not include the Infectious Diseases and Immunity PhD
  • Does not include the Online MPH Program
  • Does not include concurrent or joint degrees

If you are applying to an on-campus graduate program and do not see your program on the list above, proceed on the current page. Otherwise, return to the admissions landing page and select the appropriate link to access the admissions page for your intended program.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

The School of Public Health’s minimum graduate admission requirements are defined below. More information can be found on the UC Berkeley Graduate Division website:

  • A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
  • A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum B average (3.0) or equivalent (focused on work completed in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree program and in all post-baccalaureate coursework). If your undergraduate GPA does not meet the minimum, you may still submit an application. Remember to provide evidence of other academic and professional accomplishments to demonstrate your capability to be successful in an academically rigorous environment. Alternative evidence may include courses you have successfully completed as work-related training.
  • Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen area of study – see the Individual Program Requirements section below for more information
  • Evidence of English Language Proficiency (only for applicants from countries / regions in which the official language is not English)
  • Submission of all required application materials.

Application Requirements

  • SOPHAS Application and fee ($145)
  • Berkeley Graduate Application and fee ($100 – $155)
  • Official Transcripts from each institution you have attended
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • CV/Resume
  • GRE scores if applicable – view which programs require it here
  • Additional application items for applicants with Bachelor’s Degrees from non-US and non-English speaking Canadian institutions
    • Degree Certificates (if your transcript does not contain conferral date)
    • Official TOEFL or IELTS test score (test taken after June 1, 2021)
    • WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts sent to SOPHAS ($208 + delivery fees)

Individual Program Requirements and Qualifications

All applicants to our on-campus graduate degree programs must choose a degree program; applicants may apply to only one program and should tailor their applications to their program of choice. The coursework, application materials, and amount of work/research experience required by each program varies. Please thoroughly review the webpages for the program you are applying to for more guidance.

DrPH

  • Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Applicants must hold a master’s degree in the health sciences OR in another related field or non-US equivalent degree.
    • Applicants must have a minimum of two years of professional experience post-master’s degree showing progressive responsibility and evidence of leadership potential.
    • Submission of all required application materials.
    • A writing sample. Writing samples should be no more than 7,000 words in length and all or mostly written by the applicant. Examples include: publications in peer-reviewed journals on which you were the sole or first author, papers written for a graduate course, media pieces, or reports written for public agencies.

MS

  • Environmental Health Sciences MS

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Candidates with undergraduate coursework in calculus, chemistry and biology are preferred.
    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: engineering, microbiology, environmental science, biology, chemistry, other biological, natural or physical sciences fields, population sciences and biomedical fields.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: applicants in past years have worked as lab technicians, student researchers, research scientists, environmental consultants, post-graduate fellows, toxicologists, industrial hygiene engineers, and for the Peace Corps.
    • Submissions of GRE scores are optional but recommended for this program, especially if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    A writing sample. There is no length requirement for the writing sample, but a sample approximately 10 pages in length is typical. The writing sample may be a final paper from a class, a popular media article, a report, a blog entry, an undergraduate thesis, etc. The purpose of the writing sample is to demonstrate your preparation for graduate-level coursework and research at Berkeley by sharing an example of your prior work that exhibits your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, solve technical problems, construct and evaluate arguments, and/or sustain a focused and coherent discussion. The writing sample should be your own work; if there were multiple authors, please describe your specific contributions to the writing and project.

  • Epidemiology MS

    Special note: The Epidemiology MS program admits about one to two students each year. Interested applicants are encouraged to also consider the Epidemiology and Biostatistics MPH program as the coursework is similar and that program admits a cohort of 20 to 25 students each year.

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biological, social, or mathematical sciences.
    • Work experience in a public health setting.
    • Submissions of GRE scores are optional but recommended for this program, especially if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Applicants must have a strong background in biological, social, or mathematical science, which will provide a basis for the application of epidemiological methods and principles to the study of diseases.

  • Global Health and Environment MS

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Candidates with undergraduate coursework in calculus, chemistry and biology are preferred.
    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: engineering, microbiology, environmental science, biology, chemistry, other biological, natural or physical sciences fields, population sciences and biomedical fields.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: lab technicians, student researchers, research scientists, environmental organizers and advocates, program managers, engineers, post-graduate fellows, in global health programs and for the Peace Corps.
    • Submissions of GRE scores are optional but recommended for this program, especially if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    A writing sample. There is no length requirement for the writing sample, but a sample approximately 10 pages in length is typical. The writing sample may be a final paper from a class, a popular media article, a report, a blog entry, an undergraduate thesis, etc. The purpose of the writing sample is to demonstrate your preparation for graduate-level coursework and research at Berkeley by sharing an example of your prior work that exhibits your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, solve technical problems, construct and evaluate arguments, and/or sustain a focused and coherent discussion. The writing sample should be your own work; if there were multiple authors, please describe your specific contributions to the writing and project.

Two-Year MPH

  • Environmental Health Sciences Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Ideally, applicants should have completed one undergraduate course in chemistry and one undergraduate course in biology. An undergraduate course in mathematics (e.g., calculus, linear algebra or statistics) is also desirable.
    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: chemistry, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, nutrition, ecology, public health and environmental studies.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but successful applicants in past years have worked as lab technicians, student researchers, research assistants, environmental consultants, industrial hygienists, community organizers, study coordinators and post-graduate fellows, as well as for the Peace Corps.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • A writing sample. The writing sample may be a final paper from a class, a popular media article, a report, a blog entry, an undergraduate thesis, etc. The purpose of the writing sample is to demonstrate your preparation for graduate-level coursework and research at Berkeley by sharing an example of your prior work that exhibits your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, solve technical problems, construct and evaluate arguments, and/or sustain a focused and coherent discussion. The writing sample should be your own work; if there were multiple authors, please describe your specific contributions to the writing and project.
    • We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.
  • Epidemiology/Biostatistics Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Health, biological, natural, social, and cognitive sciences.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: Volunteer work in public health, research assistant, lab technician.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Completed undergraduate coursework in mathematics, biological sciences and/or, social sciences.

  • Global Health and Environment Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Ideally, applicants will have completed one undergraduate course in chemistry and one undergraduate course in biology.
    • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: any biological, natural or physical science; public health; environmental studies; international studies; economics; political science; anthropology; and sociology.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but successful applicants in past years have worked as student researchers, environmental organizers and advocates, lab technicians, program managers, research scientists, engineers and post-graduate fellows, as well as for global NGOs and the Peace Corps.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    A writing sample. Writing samples should be approximately 10 pages and highlight your writing and analytical skills. The writing sample may be a final paper from a class, a popular media article, a report, an undergraduate thesis, etc.

  • Health Policy and Management Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • We strongly prefer at least 2 years of full time work experience after the undergraduate degree. Can be paid or volunteer (e.g. PeaceCorp, AmeriCorp, etc). Ideally an applicant will have had relevant experience in related health policy or management areas. The program may request a short video interview for applicants who are recent graduates and/or have less than 2 years of work experience.
    • Contribution to diversity of the program and the public health workforce.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.
  • Health and Social Behavior Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Contribution to diversity of the program and the public health workforce.
    • Academic excellence in undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) studies.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Course work in one or another of the behavioral, social, or biological sciences.
    • Work experience in community, health promotion, or health-related practice or research. Most students admitted to the program have two years or more of paid work experience. We strongly urge you to apply to our program only after you have worked in a professional capacity in public health or related fields.
    • A writing sample that highlights your writing and analytical skills is required. The writing sample may be a final paper from a class, a research article, a report, an undergraduate or graduate thesis chapter, or similar document. The purpose of the writing sample is to demonstrate your preparation for graduate-level coursework and research at Berkeley by sharing an example of your prior work that exhibits your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, solve technical problems, construct and evaluate arguments, and/or sustain a focused and coherent discussion. The writing sample should be your own work; if there were multiple authors, please describe your specific contributions to the writing and project.
  • Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Hold a bachelor’s degree with a strong background in science and a demonstrated interest in public health.
    • Students in their senior year are welcome to apply.
    • Common undergraduate majors: any major in biological sciences or any other major with courses equivalent to those of a biological science major, e.g. microbiology, genetics, and molecular biology. The courses listed are examples of courses taken by successful applicants; however, they are not prerequisites and not having taken one or more of them does not preclude admission to our programs.
    • Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but relevant volunteer, service and/or work experience related to infectious diseases and public health (e.g., community service, laboratory or surveillance work, and Peace Corps) is a plus. Many of our admitted applicants have some research experience.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.
  • Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Applicants to this program should be post-baccalaureate students who possess public health work and research interests in the field of maternal, child, and adolescent health.
      • Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: biology, medicine, sociology, anthropology, global studies, political science, and public health.
    • Applicants should have or express aspirations to gain knowledge and skills in MCAH focused epidemiology and quantitative data analysis.
      Have a minimum of two years of significant post-baccalaureate work/volunteer experience in the field of maternal, child, and adolescent health.

      • Examples of experience in the field of MCAH include: epidemiological and/or quantitative research, data analysis, program planning, implementation and/or evaluation.
      • The admissions committee may occasionally consider applicants who do not meet this requirement if other measures of performance, such as research experience, are particularly strong.
    • Demonstrate leadership potential.
    • Demonstrate academic and professional capability to study at the graduate level in a quantitative and epidemiological focused program.
    • Application materials focused on work completed after the bachelor’s degree program and in all post-baccalaureate coursework.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Completed at least one college-level mathematics or statistics course with at least a grade of B or equivalent, reflected on an official transcript.

  • Public Health Nutrition Two-Year MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Generally, some coursework in the sciences underlying human nutrition (including biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology), and in food and nutrition sciences, with good to excellent grades in these courses.
    • Cultural competence and demonstrated knowledge of and interest in other cultures and languages.
    • Critical thinking ability with an analytical approach to solving current issues in nutrition and public health.
    • Enthusiasm for and commitment to making a contribution to the public’s health as reflected in your Statement of Purpose.
    • Relevant work experience in public health nutrition or related fields.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

11-month MPH

All of our 11-month programs require that you have an advanced degree at the time of applying. For more information about our 11-month programs and what their specific requirements are, please go to the program page for the degree you are interested in.

  • Epidemiology 11-month MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Common work experience for admitted applicants includes medical doctor, dentist, pharmacist, veterinarian, and/or research experience in a public health setting.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Applicants must be doctoral level health professionals (e.g. physicians, veterinarians, and dentists), have a prior doctoral degree in a related discipline (e.g. anthropology, sociology, psychology, demography, the biology sciences), or be concurrently enrolled in a doctoral level degree program in a health profession or related discipline.

  • Health Policy and Management 11-month MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Prefer candidates to have some volunteer and/or paid experience in related health policy or management areas.
    • Contribution to diversity of the program and the public health workforce.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Must be doctoral-level clinical students or graduates (MD, DDS, PharmD).

  • Interdisciplinary 11-month MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Demonstrate ability to work both independently and within a team-based structure.
    • While many successful applicants are health professionals, applicants from disciplines not traditionally associated with public health are also encouraged to apply.
    • The program is also appropriate for dual-degree students completing an MPH in conjunction with an MD, MSW, MPP, or other graduate degree.
    • Medical students from Stanford and UCSF should consult their dual degree liaisons for details on our inter-campus collaboration.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Hold a graduate degree (Master, PhD, MD, JD, DO, DVM etc.) or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution.

  • Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health 11-month MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Application materials focused on work completed after the bachelor’s degree program and in all post-baccalaureate coursework.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Applicants to this accelerated 11-month MPH program must have a prior master’s or doctoral degree. We also accept current medical students.
      • Note: We will not accept applicants who only have a bachelor’s degree, unless they are currently enrolled in medical school.
      • Common master’s or doctoral degrees held for admitted applicants: medicine, nursing, social work.
    • Work experience in a health-related field, particularly with women, children, adolescents, and/or families.
      • Common work experience for admitted applicants includes health professionals (e.g., pediatricians, obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses and social workers, and other qualified master- or doctoral-level trained health professions) and/or research in a public health setting.
  • Public Health Nutrition 11-month MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Generally, some coursework in the sciences underlying human nutrition (including biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology), and in food and nutrition sciences, with good to excellent grades in these courses.
    • Cultural competence and demonstrated knowledge of and interest in other cultures and languages.
    • Critical thinking ability with an analytical approach to solving current issues in nutrition and public health.
    • Enthusiasm for and commitment to making a contribution to the public’s health as reflected in your Statement of Purpose.
    • Relevant work experience in public health nutrition or related fields.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    Be a professional Registered Dietitian (RD) with at least 2 years of experience as an RD.

4+1 MPH

For information about this degree, which is available to UC Berkeley Public Health Majors and Alumni only, go to the “4+1” 11-month MPH program page.

  • 4+1 Epidemiology/Biostatistics MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Declared UC Berkeley Undergraduate Public Health Major
    • Required to Apply: completed PBHLTH 142 Intro to Probability and Statistics in Biology and Public Health and PBHLTH 150A Introduction to Epidemiology and Human Disease in junior/third year for a letter grade (can S/US if completed in Spring 2020)
    • Completed After Admission: 8 units of graduate level coursework in final undergraduate semester and/or the summer preceding the first graduate semester:
      • PB HLTH 241 Statistical Analysis of Categorical Data
      • PB HLTH 250B Epidemiologic Methods II (optional, can take other 4 units of graduate coursework in final semester or proceeding summer)
  • 4+1 Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    • Application materials focused on work, volunteer and/or research related to maternal, child, and adolescent health.
    • GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Declared UC Berkeley Undergraduate Public Health Major
    • Required to Apply: completed PBHLTH 142 Intro to Probability and Statistics in Biology and Public Health and PBHLTH 150A Introduction to Epidemiology and Human Disease in junior/third year for a letter grade (can S/US if completed in Spring 2020)
    • Completed After Admission: 8 units of graduate level coursework in final undergraduate semester and/or the summer preceding the first graduate semester, suggested courses:
      • PB HLTH 205 Needs Assessment & Program Planning
      • PB HLTH 250B Epidemiologic Methods II
      • Other graduate-level PBHLTH courses depending on approval
  • 4+1 Public Health Nutrition MPH

    Recommendations for Competitive Applicants

    GRE scores are optional. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

    Admission and Application Requirements

    • Declared UC Berkeley Undergraduate Public Health Major
    • Up to 8 units of additional graduate level coursework in last semester as a UC Berkeley undergraduate
      • NST 10 and 1 upper division NST course OR PBHLTH 118

Graduate Admissions Dates and Deadlines

The dates and deadlines for the Summer/Fall 2024 on-campus application cycle are below.

For the on-campus graduate program, 11-month applicants are admitted for the summer term only. For all other on-campus programs, students are admitted for the fall term only. We do not accept applications on a rolling basis.

SOPHAS applicants do not need to resubmit application materials and documents to their Berkeley Grad applications. Once the fee for the Berkeley Grad application has been paid and submitted, all of the materials you send through SOPHAS will be relayed over to your Berkeley Grad application. Please allow 3–4 business days for processing.

  • August 16: SOPHAS Application Portal Opens

    The SOPHAS Application will become available August 16. Visit sophas.aspph.org to make an account. In order to submit a SOPHAS application, you will need to include a UC Berkeley Graduate Applicant ID, which won’t become available until September 15. However, you may begin your SOPHAS application and prepare your supplemental materials.

  • September 15: UC Berkeley Graduate Application Portal Opens

    The UC Berkeley Graduate Application is required for all applicants and will open on September 15. SOPHAS applicants will only be required to complete a truncated version of the form.

  • Priority Deadline: December 4, 2023 at 8:59pm PST

    Applicants who apply by the priority deadline will be given the highest priority for admissions and consideration for scholarships and assistantships. This is the recommended deadline for all applicants.

    To meet this priority deadline, Berkeley Public Health’s Admissions Office recommends you request test scores be sent by early October and submit your SOPHAS application in early November. This allows time for SOPHAS to process your application.

    We will not penalize you for submitting your application on the last day of the deadline. However, we highly recommend that you submit your application earlier so you can resolve any technical difficulties and/or correct any errors found by SOPHAS (e.g. transcript discrepancies) before our first batch of applications are released for review.

    Applications submitted after December 4 will not be accepted, unless the program offers a secondary deadline (see below).

  • Secondary Deadline: March 4, 2024 at 8:59pm PST (for select programs only)

    In the event that the following programs are not full*, applications will be accepted until March 4:

    • Interdisciplinary (11-month MPH)
    • Public Health Nutrition (11-month and 2-Year MPH)

    If your program/degree of interest is not listed above, it is not eligible for the secondary deadline.

    If you would like to apply for the secondary deadline please email sphadmit@berkeley.edu, as we will have to manually extend the deadline in our application portal for you.

    *Applying for the second round does not guarantee that your application will be reviewed. It will only be reviewed in the case that the program did not fill all of its slots in the priority round.

Graduate Admissions Dates and Deadlines FAQ

Graduate Application Instructions

All information provided on this page is specific to on-campus graduate programs that incorporate SOPHAS in the admissions process.

If you are unsure if your program is SOPHAS or non-SOPHAS, you can find out on the admissions landing page and select the appropriate link for your intended program.

You can only apply to one program per admissions cycle. All programs except for those listed in red below require two separate applications to SOPHAS and UC Berkeley. Both applications must be completed and submitted before your file is considered complete and ready for review. Incomplete application files or late applications (submitted after the December 4 deadline) will not be reviewed.

Application Checklists

  • Application checklist for applicants with a Bachelors Degree from the US or English-speaking Canadian Institutions
    • SOPHAS Application + $145 fee or fee waiver
    • Supplemental UC Berkeley Graduate Application + $100 fee or fee waiver
    • CV or Resume
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Personal History Statement
    • Three Letters of Recommendation from a combination of professional and academic recommenders
    • Transcripts from each institution you have attended
    • Official GRE test score, if applicable
    • Submit by December 4 at 8:59pm PST
  • Application checklist for applicants with a non-US bachelor's degree
    • SOPHAS Application + $145 fee or fee waiver
    • Supplemental UC Berkeley Graduate Application + $100 fee or fee waiver
    • CV or Resume
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Personal History Statement
    • Three Letters of Recommendation from a combination of professional and academic recommenders
    • WES ICAP ($208) course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts sent to SOPHAS
    • Transcripts and/or degree certificates from each institution you have attended uploaded to Berkeley Graduate Application
    • Official GRE test score, if applicable
    • Official TOEFL or IELTS test score, if applicable
    • Submit by December 4 at 8:59pm PST
    • Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional instructions about the required materials for international applicants.

Application Portals

Both the SOPHAS and UC Berkeley Graduate application must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for admission and awards (no separate application process is necessary for award consideration). Late applications will not be accepted.

To avoid delays in processing, use the same email address for your SOPHAS and UC Berkeley applications if possible and make sure you apply to the same program in both systems.

  • How to Submit a SOPHAS Application

    Submit an online application to SOPHAS with the following items:

    • CV or Resume,
    • Statement of Purpose,
    • Personal History Statement,
    • Three Letters of Recommendation (letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically),
    • One set of official transcripts from each institution you have attended,
    • Official GRE test score sent to SOPHAS only, if applicable (code 4227),
    • Official TOEFL test score sent to SOPHAS, if applicable (code 5688),
    • Include your Berkeley Graduate Reference number in the SOPHAS application,
    • SOPHAS application fee or fee waiver.

    If you are applying to more than one school in SOPHAS and they have different deadlines, enter only the school(s) with the earliest deadline, and then complete and submit the application. To apply to additional schools, you may add another school designation to your existing application and fill out the program materials section for that specific program. If you have questions, please contact the SOPHAS customer support department directly.

    If you have completed the application but are waiting on any supplemental materials, (e.g. letters of recommendation, GRE scores, transcripts, etc.), you can still submit your application and should do so by the application deadline. It is acceptable for supplemental materials to be submitted a few days after the deadline.

    While there is a small grace period for supplemental materials to be submitted, you need to submit your application by the application deadline—otherwise your application will be considered late and ineligible for review.

    Access the SOPHAS Application at sophas.aspph.org.

  • How to Submit a UC Berkeley Graduate Application

    Once you submit your SOPHAS application, you will receive an email with instructions to create a login for the mandatory supplemental UC Berkeley Graduate Application portal. The supplemental application portal costs $100 and there are fee waivers available for individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. Completion of this step is required in order for your application to be complete and reviewed.

    • Additional materials do not need to be submitted to this portal.
    • Please use the same email address that you used in SOPHAS to create your UC Berkeley Graduate Application login to avoid delays in processing.
    • Fee waiver information
  • Application Fees or Fee Waiver

    The cost for a SOPHAS application is $145 for the first school or program to which you apply. Any additional schools or programs to which you choose to apply will cost $55 per designation, even if you submit those schools or programs later in the application cycle.

    The cost for the supplemental UC Berkeley Graduate Application is $100 for all SOPHAS applicants. Payments should be submitted by credit card only.

    If you would like to request a fee waiver, you must reach out to SOPHAS and the UC Berkeley Graduate Division. Please see the following links for more information.

Supplemental Materials

  • Transcripts

    You must submit electronic transcripts to both SOPHAS and to UC Berkeley.

    International Students: Please see more information about international student transcripts in the “Additional Application Instructions for International Students” section of this page.

    Submit OFFICIAL transcripts to SOPHAS

    • Official U.S. transcripts of all the schools you attended for post-secondary education must be sent to SOPHAS.
    • SOPHAS only accepts electronic transcripts from Credentials Solutions, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse.
    • If your school does not offer any of these services, your transcript must be sent by mail. The mailing address can be found on the SOPHAS website; please see the SOPHAS website for a detailed set of instructions.

    Submit UNOFFICIAL transcripts to UC Berkeley

    For application review purposes only, include copies of transcripts for all of the post-secondary institutions you attended, including study abroad institutions in the Berkeley Graduate Application. During the online application process, you will be prompted to upload scanned documents. Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the following:

    • Your name
    • The institution name
    • Dates of attendance
    • Conferral date if applicable
    • Grades/marks received and credits
    • If you studied abroad, your study abroad grades must also be listed in the transcript, otherwise you will need to submit a transcript directly from the study abroad institution

    Note: Official transcripts will be requested if you are admitted and then decide to attend UC Berkeley

    Please do not send any paper transcripts to Berkeley Public Health—any unsolicited materials will be destroyed.

  • GRE Scores

    The GRE is optional for the majority of our programs. See our GRE requirement chart to see a summary of each program’s requirement.

    For programs that require the GRE, the current GRE Exemption Policy for these applicants will still hold. Applications to these programs will not be considered complete and will not be reviewed by Berkeley Public Health’s Admissions Committee without the required test scores.

    GRE Exemption Policy

    Applicants who have completed a MD, PhD or equivalent doctoral-level degree at the time of application from an accredited institution are not required to submit GRE scores.

    Students currently enrolled in medical, dental, optometry, business, or law school can submit their MCAT, DAT, OAT, GMAT, or LSAT scores, respectively, in lieu of the GRE. Other professional school exams will not be eligible as alternatives to the GRE exam.

    Applicants who have completed a MBBS degree and have passed the Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE are not required to submit GRE scores. In order to be eligible for the GRE waiver, copies of both official USMLE scores will be required to be uploaded with your application.

    Minimum GRE Scores

    We do not have a minimum GRE score as we review applications holistically; however, competitive applicants tend to score in the 50th percentile and above. Many program pages include the average GRE scores of admitted students for that specific program.

    How to submit scores

    • While you can take your exam as late as the date of the deadline, we recommend that you plan to take your exam no later than October to allow time for scores to arrive in time for consideration for fall admission.
    • At-home test scores are acceptable.
    • All applicants who submit GRE test scores must send official scores through ETS directly to SOPHAS only. To send an official GRE score report to SOPHAS, please use code 4227.
    • Scores must be from within 5 years of the test date for them to be considered valid. In order to apply, you must retake the test if your scores are more than five years old.
    • When completing the UC Berkeley supplemental graduate application, do not indicate that you intend to submit GRE scores even if you will, as those should be sent to SOPHAS only.

    Note: Since an official GRE score report should only be submitted to SOPHAS, it will not show as received on your UC Berkeley application. You only need to confirm receipt of your GRE scores on your SOPHAS application.

  • Quantitative Short Answer Question

    The SOPHAS Application will contain a text box for you to write a short answer response to a question on your quantitative and analytical abilities. The question has a word limit of 250 words.

    Please indicate your achievements in obtaining verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills that prepare you for the specific program to which you are applying. This can be completed coursework, such as undergraduate or post-baccalaureate math/stats or epidemiology/biostatistics courses, quantitative research, programming, data analysis, or evaluation experience, verbal/writing strengths such as professional publications and/or presentations, etc.

    Note: you may also submit a writing sample, publication, or other documents that demonstrate the above skills in the “Documents” section of the application.

  • Letters of Recommendation

    Berkeley Public Health’s Admissions Committee requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation be submitted electronically to SOPHAS with your SOPHAS application. We recommend that you request that your letter writers use an official letterhead.

    Typically, we recommend you have at least one letter of recommendation from an academic and two from individuals who can evaluate your professional experience. However, please thoroughly look at the requirements and qualifications of the program you are applying to for more guidance. Overall, it will be in your best interest to have three individuals who can attest to your academic and/or professional ability to succeed in a public health career.

    For academic references, we recommend you ask professors who you think will write the strongest recommendations. A strong quality letter attesting to your ability to succeed in the program will weigh more than a generic letter from a high-ranking professor.

    Berkeley Public Health does not accept hard-copy letters sent to our offices.

  • CV/Resume

    Applications should include a resume or CV. Prior work experience, preferably in health sector related activities, is required for some programs.

    Resumes should include:

    • Educational degrees
    • Employment
    • Experiences (especially those that are public-health related)
    • Professional skills and accomplishments
    • Volunteer activities (specify any leadership roles)
  • Essays: Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement

    Statement of Purpose

    Word limit: 1,000 words

    Your Statement of Purpose should explain why you are pursuing graduate training in public health. Your essay should also explain your eventual career goals and why you need a degree in your specific program. You can choose to explain why you are pursuing this degree now and why at Berkeley Public Health. If you are applying to a doctoral program, include your proposed research topics. Please be sure to check your program’s page, as some programs have specific questions to answer. If there are no specific program guidelines, please follow the above-mentioned general guidelines.

    Here are some best practices from the DREAM Office and the UC Berkeley Graduate Division on how to write the statement of purpose.

    Personal History Statement

    Word limit: 1,000 words

    Your Personal History Statement gives you an opportunity to add some individuality and depth to the information provided in your Statement of Purpose. Your Personal History Statement can include information about who you are as a person, your family background, cultural background, socioeconomic status, educational advantages and/or experiences growing up. It is intended to give you the opportunity to provide a narrative about your diverse personal experiences. It is important to be concise and impactful by focusing on a specific part of your life experience.

    You may also use the personal history statement to describe any impacts the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on you, such as your academics, obtaining employment, or pursuing public health experiences. We understand that there may be downstream effects of the pandemic on your ability to meet criteria for admission that is beyond your control. Use this essay to provide context on your other application materials, and elaborate on anything that may be helpful for the admissions committee to be aware of.

    Here are some best practices from the DREAM Office and the UC Berkeley Graduate Division on how to write the personal history statement.

Additional Application Instructions for International Students

International applicants should apply early in order to allow sufficient time for financial and visa document preparation.

If you are an international applicant who obtained a bachelor’s degree in the United States or an English-speaking Canadian institution, then you only need to submit the materials described in the previous sections.

If you are an international applicant who obtained a bachelor’s degree from a non-US or non-English-speaking Canadian institution, then please submit the additional materials below.

  • TOEFL or IELTS: Evidence of English Language Proficiency

    All applicants who attended college in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency via a TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of whether or not English was the primary language of instruction at your college. This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa.

    We recommend that you plan to take any required exams no later than October to allow time for scores to arrive in time for consideration for fall admission.

    For Summer/Fall 2023, tests taken before June 1, 2021 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to UC Berkeley.

    The USMLE and other similar exams are not approved substitutes for the TOEFL.

    Exemption

    You may be exempt from this requirement if you:

    • Have a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where the official language is English
    • Have completed a basic or advanced degree at an institution, in the United States or a United States institution abroad, where the language of instruction is English and the institution is accredited by one of the United States’ regional accrediting agencies
    • Have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with a grade B or better at a regionally accredited* institution within the United States.

    If you qualify for an exemption, you must upload an unofficial transcript from the recognized U.S. institution to your Berkeley Graduate Application. If you are unsure if your country of education qualifies you for a TOEFL exemption, please contact us at sphadmit@berkeley.edu.

    Minimum Scores

    • TOEFL: Paper: 570, Internet (iBT): 90
    • IELTS: 7

    Scores below the minimum will require an exception request

    How to submit TOEFL

    Official TOEFL test scores administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) must be submitted to UC Berkeley (code 4833). We do not accept MyBest Scores.

    How to submit IELTS

    Beginning for the Fall 2022 application cycle, we will no longer be accepting paper Test Report Forms. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required, directly to UC Berkeley.

    Our address for identification purposes is:

    University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division
    Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900
    Berkeley, CA 94720

    Please do not mail any score reports to us.

  • International Transcripts & WES Evaluation

    Graduates of recognized academic institutions outside the United States should hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Equivalency is determined by International Evaluators in the Graduate Admissions Office. If you are unsure if your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, you can email us at sphadmit@berkeley.edu.

    Submitting Transcripts to SOPHAS

    Official World Education Services (WES) ICAP Evaluations of international transcripts are required to be sent to SOPHAS. SOPHAS will not accept any foreign transcripts or translated foreign transcripts; only an evaluation for U.S. equivalency via WES will be accepted.

    We require a WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation which costs $208 (fees subject to change). It should be sent directly to your SOPHAS application, not to Berkeley Public Health.

    Please do not send any materials to Berkeley Public Health—any unsolicited materials will be destroyed.

    Submitting Transcripts to Berkeley Graduate Application

    Please upload copies of unofficial or official foreign transcripts and degrees to the UC Berkeley Graduate application. Academic records should:

    • Be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations if required (usually prepared by your university or Ministry of Education, unless the institution issues original documents in English)
      • English translations are required for all languages except Spanish; degree names and grades should be transliterated, not converted into English words or the U.S. grades of A–F.
      • If your home institution does not issue documents in English, you may submit translations prepared by certified translators for the American Translators Association.
    • In general, be issued by the school and include the school’s stamp or embossed seal and the signature of the authorizing official. For more detailed information on acceptable documents, please contact us at sphadmit@berkeley.edu.
    • If your academic records do not include official evidence of the award of your degree, you must also submit additional documents that verify the degree conferral, such as a degree certificate.

    Official transcripts or academic records for all university-level studies you have completed abroad will be required to be re-submitted directly to UC Berkeley if admitted. Although SOPHAS accepts WES evaluations, UC Berkeley does not accept WES evaluations for matriculation purposes.

  • Fee waiver information for international applicants

    We are unable to provide international applicant fee waivers for the UC Berkeley Graduate Application at this time. AB540 students may apply for the fee waiver if they meet the eligibility criteria. Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at gradadm@berkeley.edu for instructions.

    SOPHAS offers fee waivers for international applicants from select countries. Please read more about which countries are eligible and access the International-based fee waiver form on this page. You can also request a 50% off WES evaluation coupon in the waver form.

Fees and Financial Aid

A degree in public health is an investment in your future. At Berkeley Public Health, we understand the important role funding opportunities play in the decision to pursue your degree.

For information about Berkeley Public Health’s tuition and fees, as well as residency requirements, please visit the tuition, fees and residency section of UC Berkeley’s Office of the Registrar website. Please note that all costs are subject to change.

  • Tuition and Fees

    Tuition, fees, and charges are included on the UC Berkeley’s Office of the Registrar’s website along with more details about fee definitions. To view fee rates, please scroll down to the tab labeled “Graduate: Academic” if you are an MA, MS, or PhD student, and “Graduate: Professional-School of Public Health” if you are an MPH or DrPH student. If you enroll in an MPH or DrPH program, you are required to pay professional degree supplemental tuition each semester. The total cost of your degree is based on the length of your program.

    Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by State funding reductions. Accordingly, they may differ from the amounts shown.

  • Cost of Attendance Budget

    Your cost of attendance budget is the estimated average cost of completing an academic year at UC Berkeley. This estimate includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.

    Your budget also serves as a limit for the amount of grants, scholarships, fee remission, loans, and other forms of aid that can be offered to you. You may find the graduate student budget on UC Berkeley’s Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

  • How to Fund Your Degree in Public Health - Prospective Students

    Each academic year, fellowships and scholarships are awarded to eligible students by Berkeley Public Health. Awards are given out by nomination only by each program’s respective admissions committee. There is no separate application process for these awards beyond completing the SOPHAS or UC Berkeley application by the priority deadline.

    Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide funding to students to encourage the study of critical and less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies or international aspects of professional studies.

    In order for incoming students to be considered for this award, the FLAS portion of their admissions application must be completed and include a ­­statement of purpose indicating the relevance the study of the language has to the preparation of their academic program, chosen career and/or future goals.

    APHA KP Community Health Scholarship

    The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship supports students who intend on pursuing an MPH or DrPH/PhD. This scholarship is part of the APHA KP Community Health Leadership Program. Apply directly here.

    • MPH Scholarship: Awardees receive a $15,000 tuition award each year over the course of two years of full-time study.
    • DrPH/PhD Scholarship: Awardees receive a $20,000 tuition award per year for three years. In the third and final year, the award can be given as a stipend or as a combination of stipend/tuition.
    • Eligibility: All applicants are required to
      • Be applying for a full-time MPH or a DrPH/PhD in public health at one of our partner universities (see below) for the upcoming academic year. Students do not need to be admitted by the scholarship deadline.
      • Be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent residence visa (Green Card) in the U.S.
  • Doctoral Programs

    PhD candidates typically receive funding through a variety of sources such as soft-money grants, Graduate Division Fellowships, and fee remission from working as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or teaching as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).

    PhD programs are fully funded for up to 5 years. Full funding includes regular tuition, fees, SHIP, and a salary or stipend if you are in good academic standing. Please note that our funding packages do not include housing offers. Reach out to your program of interest for more details.

    PhD candidates may also be AB 540 eligible for tuition purposes. Please see the University of California’s website for more information.

    DrPH candidates are funded by departmental funding and are also eligible for fee remission from working as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or teaching as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI). However, they are not guaranteed funding for the duration of their program or offered a living stipend as a part of their funding package.

  • Master’s Programs

    Students enrolled in Master’s programs typically fund their education with a combination of student loans, GSI/GSR appointments, extramural scholarships and work-study opportunities.

    AB540/DACA postgraduate program students are eligible for UC Berkeley and departmental funding.

  • Federal Financial Aid and Loans

    Graduate students may apply for need-based loans and work-study through the UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office. The programs are based on demonstrated financial need and require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

    Questions about Financial Aid programs may be directed to Cal Student Central. In addition, please visit the UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships website for more information. Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (those holding permanent resident cards) may apply for funds administered by the UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office.

  • Native American Opportunity Plan

    UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to undergraduate and graduate students.

    To learn more about the eligibility requirements visit the Native American Opportunity Plan website.

  • Financial Assistance for International Students

    Financial aid awards from the UC Berkeley International Office consist of individual grants applied directly to tuition and fees via the UC Berkeley student records system. Award amounts vary depending on the number of applicants and levels of need per semester. Grants do not need to be repaid.

    International students are eligible for a number of departmental awards. There is no separate application process for these awards beyond completing the fellowships portion of the SOPHAS or UC Berkeley application.Students who are married and/or have children living with them in the Bay Area may also apply for the Supplemental Family Grant. A family grant can be applied directly to tuition and fees or can be disbursed in the form of a taxable stipend. Award amounts vary depending on the number of applicants and level of need. Family grants do not need to be repaid. See a complete list of financial aid options on the UC Berkeley International Office website.

  • Parent & Caregivers Grants

    The University of California offers a variety of services and resources for student families. Visit the UC Berkeley Graduate Division website to learn more about campus resources that aid student families in the search for affordable housing, child care, health insurance and more.

  • Veterans

    UC Berkeley Veteran Services offers information related to the types of benefits, certification of benefits, contact information for dedicated support, and campus resources for students who have served in the military.

    Eligibility for veteran’s educational benefits is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), not by UC Berkeley. For more information on eligibility and to apply visit the VA’s “How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits” page.

    After you apply for benefits through the VA, please provide the following documentation to the Veterans Benefits Office at the Office of the Registrar.

    Please visit the Cal Veteran Services Center website for more information.

  • Appeals and Special Circumstances

    In addition to Student Family Assistance, the UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships Office offers a variety of services and resources for student parents, disabled students, nonresidents of California and veterans.

    Another resource is the ASUC Student Advocate’s Office, a student-run office that provides free and confidential advice and representation to students who experience issues or conflicts with the university. This office also offers support in completing an appeals process.

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

    For information about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website.

  • Helpful Resources

    Students are also encouraged to independently seek funding from external sources. A number of scholarship search resources are available online, including:

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