Application Process

Fall 2023 Application Dates

The Autumn 2023 application cycle has closed.

Eligibility Criteria

The Health Services MPH program reviews all applications as part of a holistic admissions process. The admissions committee considers several factors including applicants' interest in public health, academic background, letters of recommendation, professional experience, transcripts, career goals, and more.

Biostatistics and epidemiology are core courses for the MPH; thus, it is important that students demonstrate strong quantitative performance. Some candidates take additional coursework in algebra or statistics to bolster their preparedness in this area.

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STEP 1: RESEARCH THE PROGRAM

Review the Health Services MPH website, including the FAQ page

Attend an information session. We highly recommend that prospective applicants attend one of our monthly Zoom webinars. This presentation (followed by Q&A) is the most engaging way to learn about curriculum, concentrations, admissions, career outlook, and more.

Additional questions?

• Contact the Marketing and Student Recruitment Specialist - hservask@uw.edu
• Book a virtual prospective student advising appointment

STEP 2: PREPARE TO APPLY

Review the application instructions and requirements listed below.

The School of Public Health's Application FAQ page also addresses questions about SOPHAS.

Prepare to apply. Draft your written materials, designate people to write your letters of recommendation, and apply for fee waivers early.

STEP 3: APPLY ONLINE

To be considered for admission, complete both the UW Graduate School (MyGrad) application AND the SOPHAS application.
You may do this in either order, but you will not be able to submit either application until the two are linked.

UW Graduate School Application Instructions

Go to UW Graduate School and follow the prompts for new or returning applicants.

• Complete sections
  • Profile
  • Select your graduate program and ONE track/concentration:
    • Health Services (MPH - General)
    • Health Services (MPH - Health Systems and Policy)
    • Health Services (MPH - Social and Behavioral Sciences)
  • Review requirements and deadlines
  • Report prior schools attended
  • Upload unofficial transcripts (PDF)
  • Enter SOPHAS application number
  • Verify personal data
• Pay the nonrefundable fee ($85) or request a waiver
  • Read UW Grad School | Fee Waivers and Dept. of HSPop | Fee Waivers to learn if you qualify
  • Applicants must request a fee waiver prior to submitting their application, at least seven days before the application deadline
• Submit the application

SOPHAS Application Instructions

Applicants will electronically submit or report the materials below through SOPHAS. Information and materials reported in the Personal Information, Academic History and Supporting Information sections are shared amongst all SOPHAS applications. Only materials submitted through the Program Materials section are unique to the Health Services MPH application.

Go to the SOPHAS website and create a login ID and password

• Complete general sections
  • Personal Information
    • Profile and demographic information
  • Academic History
    • Enter high schools and colleges attended
    • Transcripts
      • Order official transcripts
      • Manual entry
    • Standardized test scores
      • GRE (optional)
      • English language proficiency (if required)
  • Supporting Information
    • Letters of recommendation
    • CV/Resume
• Add the program to the application
  1. Under Program Materials, click Add a Program
  2. On the Add Programs page, locate the section titled "University of Washington School of Public Health"
  3. Click the + icon (left column) that corresponds with ONE Health Services MPH track:
     • Health Services General Track
     • Health Services-Health Systems and Policy
     • Health Services-Social and Behavioral Sciences
  4. Click My Application (top left)
• Complete Program Materials section
  • UW Graduate School application ID number
  • Questions required by UW School of Public Health
    • Statement of purpose
    • Personal history statement
    • Equity, diversity, and anti-racism statement
  • Questions required by the Health Services MPH program
    • MyGrad Application ID
    • Program personal statement
    • Program specific interest
    • Areas of interest
  • Optional questions
    • Academic performance and background
    • Consideration for concurrent/dual degrees
    • Fellowships
    • HSEED Award Application
  • Documents
• To request a fee waiver, click your name in the upper right corner of the application, then select Fee Waiver Form
  • Visit SOPHAS | Fee Waivers to learn if you qualify
• Pay the nonrefundable fee
  ($145 for the first program and an additional $55 for each additional program)
• Submit the application

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Application Materials - Definitions and Requirements

Program Track/Concentration

Please do not submit applications to multiple tracks within the Health Services MPH program in a single application cycle. Only apply to ONE track/concentration. Candidates will be reviewed only once per cycle.

Apply directly to the concentration or track you are most interested in. Admitted students may declare a concentration or switch to the generalist track up to the last day of Winter quarter in their first year of the program.

• Generalist track
• Health Systems and Policy concentration
• Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration

Application Fee Waivers

Visit the following pages to learn about qualifications and instructions:

UW Graduate School Fee Waivers

A non-refundable fee of $85.00 is required for each application to the University of Washington School of Public Health. Applicants will submit payment online via the admissions application.

Eligible applicants must request a fee waiver prior to submitting their application, at least seven days before the application deadline. If granted, someone from the program will pay the fee for you. DO NOT pay the nonrefundable fee until you hear back from the program.

SOPHAS Fee Waivers

SOPHAS charges $140 for the first program you apply to and $50 for each additional program. Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
SOPHAS | Fees and Fee Waivers

Transcript Requirements:

UW MyGrad Application: Unofficial Transcripts

Download unofficial transcripts or scan printed copies from each college or university you have attended. Then, upload these unofficial transcripts to MyGrad.

• You may omit transcripts that are redundant or irrelevant to this degree (Ex: minor transcripts for coursework that is irrelevant to this program).
• The University of Washington will only request official transcripts when an offer of admission is made (international applicants) or accepted (domestic applicants).

SOPHAS Application: Official Transcripts AND Manual Entry

The SOPHAS application requires applicants to both:

1. Order official transcripts from each collegiate level institution attended (Section: Academic History, Colleges Attended)
2. Manually enter all coursework exactly as it is listed on official college level transcripts (Section: Academic History, Transcript Entry). This process takes a significant amount of time and applicants should plan to enter this information as early as possible.
   • Alternative: We understand the accessibility issues posed by this requirement. Therefore, if this is the only program you are applying to, you may alternatively add only one course to the transcript entry section, and then upload unofficial transcripts later in the application (Section: Program Materials, Documents).
     
     
     IMPORTANT:
     
     DO NOT bypass the SOPHAS transcript entry section if you plan to apply for any other programs!

     • This alternative option is unique to the Health Services MPH, MPH in COPHP, and Online MPH programs from the Dept. of HSPop. It does NOT include other programs from the School of Public Health or other universities
     • The documents you upload under Program Materials are ONLY viewed by the specific program you uploaded them to
     • Someone from SOPHAS might reach out to let you know that your manual transcript entry is incomplete

Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

Applicants must list three LOR requests from academic advisors, professors, supervisors, mentors, and anyone else familiar with your academic and professional abilities.

These letters should address the general topic of an applicant's suitability for the training provided by the program and should mention how long recommenders have known the applicant and in what context.

• Each request requires:
  • Name
  • Email
  • Due date
  • Personal message to the recommender (limit: 500 words)
• After you submit the LOR's, each person listed will receive an email that directs them to a secure website where they will submit their letters.
• You will be able to return to the online application to check whether your letters have been submitted. Applicants should be in contact with each recommender to make sure their letters are submitted by the application deadline (December 1).

Standardized Tests/GRE (optional)

The GRE is no longer required! However, if applicants feel their GRE scores are a better representation (than their undergraduate transcripts) of their academic preparedness for the program, they may include the scores.

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Questions Required by the UW School of Public Health

SPH Application Questions FAQ

Statement of Purpose

Limit: 750 words

Your Statement of Purpose is intended to give you the opportunity to describe your education, prior work/volunteer experience, and/or professional career goals.

Your Statement needs to include:

• Why you are interested in public health and your career goals
• Your reasons for pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, and why you are interested in attending the University of Washington School of Public Health
• The skills you hope to gain by obtaining an MPH

Personal History Statement

Limit: 500 words

The Personal History Statement is meant to give you the opportunity to provide a narrative about your lived experiences, obstacles you may have overcome, and how these have guided you towards public health. This statement should not be the same as your Statement of Purpose.

Your Personal History Statement can include information about who you are as a person; your family or cultural background; socioeconomic conditions; and experiences growing up, including successes, challenges, and moments of learning and growth. This question is not intended to ask you to share personal information you are not comfortable providing.

Equity, Justice, and Anti-Racism Statement

Limit: 350 words

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are core values of the UW School of Public Health. We are committed to a future that is free of health inequities and promotes the highest level of wellness for the communities we serve. We strive to cultivate a public health workforce that embodies humility, respect, and leadership.

We further seek to create a community that is inclusive of underrepresented populations and in service to underserved communities. The school is committed to becoming anti-racist and adopting anti-racism principles in the classroom and in our work. Completion of this MPH application attests that you, as an applicant, are informed of these commitments and expectations of students who attend the UW School of Public Health (You can review additional details provided on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion web page.)

Describe how you might contribute to these efforts, and/or learn and grow in the areas of EDI and anti-racism, during your time at the UW SPH, and in your public health work post-graduation.

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Questions Required by the Health Services MPH Program

Application ID

To be considered for admission, applicants must complete both the UW Graduate School (MyGrad) application and the SOPHAS application.

Both application portals will provide:

• Unique application ID numbers for every program you apply to
• Prompts to link the two applications:
  • Add SOPHAS application ID to MyGrad application
  • Add MyGrad application ID to SOPHAS application

You may do this in either order, but you will not be able to complete either application until the two are linked.

Program Personal Statement

Limit: 1,800 characters (277-360 words)

Please explain what specifically attracts you to the Health Services MPH program as well as your chosen track/concentration. Make sure to address educational and career objectives you expect to meet through the program.

Areas of Interest

Respond with a comma-separated list. For example, "social determinants of health, health policy, Latinx health, immigrant and refugee health, payment reform."

Concurrent Degree (optional)

Limit: 100 characters (15-20 words)

Applicants who intend to pursue the MPH as a concurrent degree with another UW program should indicate which program and their current status with respect to that program.

Fellowships (optional)

Applicants currently with UW fellowship should indicate which UW fellowship and their current status with respect to that program.

Academic Preparation (optional)

Limit: 1,000 characters, optional

Is there anything that is not obvious in your transcript or resume that you would like to share that would indicate preparation for the writing and quantitative demands of the program.

HSEED Award Application (optional)

Limit: 1,800 characters

The Health Services Excellence, Equity and Distinction (HSEED) Award offers $5,000 package to one incoming student with funds distributed over a 9-month period. The recipient will be notified before Autumn quarter begins. Before starting your application, learn about the HSEED Award and eligibility criteria.

If applying, please state how you are eligible for the HSEED Award.

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International Applicants

You are considered an international applicant if you are NOT a U.S. citizen or green card holder (permanent resident). International applicants include students who hold U.S. visas, such as F-1, J-1 Exchange Visitors, H-1, dependent visas, or any other non-immigrant classifications.

Please note that international students should be prepared to cover their educational costs.

• Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) for International Students
• UW International Student Services (ISS) Money Matters
• UW Grad School | International Students FAQ
• International Applicant Information

We welcome applications from international students. The Health Services MPH Program focuses mainly on population health and healthcare in the United States. Whether international or domestic, some applicants with interests that lean more toward global health than healthcare in the United States may wish to consider other MPH programs within the UW School of Public Health, such as Epidemiology or Global Health.

Visa Status

International students must have a U.S. visa status that allows for academic study at the University of Washington. Review the citizenship and visa status section of the Graduate School application process page, and contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services at uwgrad@uw.edu with questions.

• Financial Ability Requirement
• Visa Information for F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

• Memo 8: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements

Undocumented Applicants

We accept applications from undocumented applicants. The Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP) offers application guidance and resources. Additionally, once admitted, our on-campus resource Leadership Without Borders provides support to undocumented students.