We invite dynamic mid-career professionals to join our diverse community of change-makers. Together, we’ll address pressing issues such as healthcare access, food security, policy reform, and maternal health.
Apply today and be part of the solution!
Application Requirements
- Online application
All applicants to Berkeley Public Health Online MPH should complete the online Slate Application. - Unofficial transcripts for all college-level coursework
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.Applicants must upload unofficial electronic transcripts for ALL college-level coursework, including your bachelor’s degree, any advanced degree(s), and any coursework taken at community colleges. Any courses taken while studying abroad must be submitted from the participating institution. Abroad courses listed only on the transcript where you received your degree will not be sufficient.All Transcripts (including unofficial electronic transcripts) need to show the following:- Your name
- University or college name
- Degrees conferred
- Degree conferral date
- Course names
- Course grades
- GPA
- GPA
- Advanced GPA: Domestic applicants should demonstrate a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for all coursework completed after the first two years of undergraduate study. The first two years of coursework can be considered either the first two calendar years of consecutive full-time coursework OR the first 60 units. Please use the Advanced GPA Calculator (US and Canadian students only) to determine your Advanced GPA.
- Graduate GPA (if applicable): If you have completed prior graduate level coursework, you should also demonstrate a 3.0 GPA for all graduate coursework.
- What if my GPA is less than 3.0? All applications are reviewed through a holistic review process. If your undergraduate or Advanced GPA does not meet the 3.0 minimum, you may still submit an application. Please provide alternative 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 or GRE scores. Given the key role of statistics and data analysis in public health, you may consider including information about your quantitative preparation in relation to course work or professional experience.If there are aspects of your academic preparation that you believe could benefit from further explanation or context, please submit a separate statement or consider incorporating this information in your personal history statement. Please feel free to email online.mph@berkeley.edu.
- Prerequisite coursework
Applicants must have completed at least:- One college-level mathematics or statistics course completed with a grade of B+ or higher, reflected on an official transcript.
We recommend that applicants also demonstrate:
- Familiarity and aptitude in biological or social sciences. There is no specific major required, however candidates with undergraduate majors in the biological or social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Statement of purposeYour statement of purpose (1,000 words) should describe your career goals and how this program will meet your professional aspirations. If you are entering the field, tell us about your public health interests and the skills you wish to acquire during your program of study. Please also describe how you hope or expect to contribute to improving public health in your future professional endeavors. 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 statementYour personal history statement (1,000 words) should describe who you are, your family background, the experiences that make you a unique individual and your connection and motivation for working in public health. This essay supplements the statement of purpose and should leave the admissions committee with a better understanding of you as a person. Here are some best practices from the DREAM Office and the UC Berkeley Graduate Division on how to write the personal history statement.
- Résumé or CVApplications must include a resume or CV. Prior work experience, preferably in health sector related activities, is desirable, but not required. Resumes should include:
- Educational degrees
- Employment experiences
- Experiences (especially those that are public-health related)
- Professional skills and accomplishments
- Volunteer activities (specify any leadership roles)
- Documentation of work experience
Berkeley Public Health Online MPH recommends at least two years of prior work experience. Please provide verification of your work experience by submitting any one of the following options:
- Employment verifications from HR representatives*
- Onboarding letter*
- Paystub or tax stub*
*Please redact any sensitive information such as your social security number or bank routing number.
If you do not have 2 years of prior work experience, please provide documentation of an equivalent amount of volunteer or internship experience. Volunteer or internship experiences should be aligned with public health and demonstrate leadership.
Three letters of recommendation
We require a minimum of three letters of recommendation to be submitted electronically.
- At least one reference should focus on your academic potential, ideally from a former professor or someone who can speak to your intellectual or academic capacity.
- At least one reference should focus on your professional potential, such as a current or former employer or supervisor.
- Your third letter of reference may be either academic or professional.Recommenders may include:
- Personal impressions of your intellectual ability
- Promise of productive scholarship
- Capacity for analytical thinking and research
- Writing and reasoning skills
- Potential to succeed in the public health profession
- Quality of your previous work
- How you approach and complete projects
- Comments on your character
- Obstacles you may have had to overcome to attain your educational and professional goals (economic, social, cultural, educational, etc.)
Requesting Recommendations:
- In the application’s Recommendations section, enter the contact information for each recommender and send the email requests. (If your recommender does not receive the request, contact our Admissions Coordinator.)
- Recommenders will upload letters directly to your application. Please notify your recommenders to look out for the email request with instructions.
- You can submit your application before your letters are uploaded. However, we encourage you to follow up with your recommenders to ensure that they submit their letters before the deadline.
- Note: The Letterbanc service cannot be used for this program.
- Test scores
GRE Scores:
GRE scores are optional and not required, however, the GRE may provide additional information about an applicant’s academic preparation. If you plan to submit GRE scores, send official GRE test scores through Educational Testing Service (ETS) to code #4833.
TOEFL:
If you plan to submit TOEFL scores, send official test scores through Educational Testing Service (ETS) to code #4833.
IELTS:
If you are submitting IELTS scores, it must be sent electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required. - Application fee
If you are a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident, the application fee is $135; for all others, the fee is $155.
Fee Waiver: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need or have participated in an eligible program may apply for an application fee waiver. See guidelines for waivers.
Application process
We are committed to a holistic and equitable review process and will review all applications received within the application deadline period equally. Our hope is to notify applicants on the status of their application 6-8 weeks after an application submission.