UM SPH Home > Prospective Students > How to Apply > M.S. and Ph.D. Applicants

Prospective Students

Learn About Public Health

Why UM SPH

How to Apply & Deadlines

Financial Aid

Admitted Students

Contact Student Services

Site Menu

M.S. and Ph.D. Applicants

Masters of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees are academic degrees that prepare students to participate in research and the production and analysis of public-health-related knowledge. Programs of study ordinarily begin in the fall term because courses are arranged in sequence.

M.S. and Ph.D. programs are offered through the Rackham Graduate School . If you are interested in dual or joint programs with other schools or colleges at the University of Michigan, you are required to apply to both programs separately.

Applications & Deadlines

All Rackham applications and supplemental materials should be submitted in accordance with the directions on the Rackham application. Questions about M.S. or Ph.D. admissions should be directed to Rackham Admissions Office (rackadmis@umich.edu) or to the department you are applying to.The cover sheet, application fee, and certification of funding (for non-U.S. applicants) should be submitted directly to Rackham.

Please refer to the UM SPH department that you are applying to for instructions on submitting your supporting materials. Departmental staff process these and forward recommendations to Rackham. Formal decisions are made by the Rackham, and applicants are notified of their status by either the department or Rackham.

For an overview of the steps in the Rackham application process, please visit their prospective student site.

Credentials for Application

Requirements include official transcripts documenting all undergraduate and graduate work and three letters of recommendation. Applicants must also submit scores from the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years. The University of Michigan GRE code is 1839. Health Management and Policy also accepts the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is acceptable for all programs except Health Management and Policy and Biostatistics.

  • Applicants to the Health Management and Policy M.S. program with transcripts from an international institution (non-U.S. university, college, or school) are required to submit credential evaluations from WES directly to the department.

Ph.D. Applicants

Applicants admitted to Ph.D. programs embark on a multi-year relationship with an academic organization. It is important for doctoral applicants to thoroughly review the University of Michigan School of Public Health faculty profiles and research interests in order to clearly identify a fit with the program of choice and an applicant's own area of interest for doctoral study before applying. Doctoral applicants may also consult current Ph.D. students.

Guidelines, forms, and checklists for current students preparing their dissertation and defense.