Office of Admissions
FAQs
What is your application deadline?
In September 2009, the Fall 2010 application will be available through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) at www.sophas.org. The deadlines listed below are received by deadlines....
What are the general Application requirements?
The application for admission may be found at the Schools of Public Health Application Service at www.sophas.org. The Fall 2010 application for admission will be available in September 2009. The...
Where do I send my Application materials?
You can submit your applications to the following address: SOPHAS P.O. Box 9111 Watertown, MA 02471-9111
Can I make an appointment to speak with an admissions staff member and to visit the school?
Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 617-432-1031 or at admisofc@hsph.harvard.edu. We are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm.
I am an international student. Are there different admissions requirements for international students in terms of test scores?
Please see information regarding transcripts and marks sheets at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/administrative-offices/admissions/application-requirements/transcripts-and-marks-sheets/index.html. The...
What are the minimum test scores required?
The minimum TOEFL score is 587 on the paper-based test, 240 on the computer-based test, or 94-95 on the Internet-based TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. We do not have a minimum GRE score requirement....
Where can I find more information on these tests?
For the GRE, go to www.gre.org. For the TOEFL, go to www.toefl.org. For the IELTS, visit www.ielts.org.
What are the requirements for foreign transcripts?
Foreign transcripts must be official... i.e., in a sealed, signed/stamped envelope from the university or institution's registrar or records office. They must also, in addition to the original language,...
I am a foreign applicant who has been admitted into the School of Public Health. What about my visa to come and study at HSPH?
If you are an accepted international student and not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., you must obtain a visa to study at HSPH. This must be an F1 or J1 visa. If you are not receiving your...
What is your tuition?
A complete breakdown of our tuition and fees is available from Student Financial Services. Please visit http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/administrative-offices/student-financial-services/tuition-fees/ for...
How will I finance my education at the Harvard School of Public Health?
Financial Aid at the School of Public Health can come from a variety of sources. Some departments have training grants offering students full tuition plus a stipend. Through need- and merit-based programs,...
How do I apply for financial aid?
Financial Aid applications can be obtained by visiting the Student Financial Services web site http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/administrative-offices/student-financial-services/. If at any time you are unable...
Can I take a course at the School of Public Health without enrolling in a degree program?
Harvard faculty and staff, employees of Harvard-Affiliated hospitals, HSPH alumni and certain other Boston-area public health professionals may register for a maximum of 10 credits per semester as non-degree...
How do I apply to the Harvard School of Public Health?
You can apply online by visiting www.sophas.org. Please visit our admissions website for more specific information on the application process.
What are the GRE & TOEFL institutional and departmental codes for the School of Public Health?
Applicants should report their GRE general test and TOEFL scores to the Harvard School of Public Health's institution code, which is 3456.
Are other test scores accepted in lieu of the GRE?
Applicants may submit the Dental Admission Test (DAT) if they have been awarded a degree from or are currently enrolled in a graduate-level dental degree program at an accredited dental school. Applicants...
Can international medical graduates submit the results from the United States Medical Licensing Examination?
No, international applicants who have not taken the MCAT as a requirement for admission to a medical school may not submit results from the USMLE. Those applicants must submit scores from the Graduate...
What if I am an international student and need to take the GRE?
Many international test centers will no longer offer the computer-based test. Applicants in affected countries should plan to take the paper-based test no later than October. This is the only paper-based...
If I apply and am accepted, can I defer my enrollment?
You may request an enrollment deferral for one year by submitting a statement to the admissions office requesting the deferral and the reasons for the deferral. Approval of a deferral is generally at...
Does HSPH accept transfer credit?
HSPH does not accept credit for coursework completed at another institution.
What test scores are required and what are the minimum test score requirements?
All applicants to the Harvard School of Public Health are required to submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Because of the preferences of the admissions committees,...
Are those deadlines flexible?
No. Applications received or incomplete after the deadlines will not be considered for admission.
What degree programs are offered at the Harvard School of Public Health?
The Harvard School of Public Health offers programs leading to the graduate degrees of Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (SM) in a public health discipline, Master of Occupational Health...
Does the Harvard School of Public Health offer any distance or Internet degree programs?
At this time, the School of Public Health does not offer any distance or Internet-based degree programs. We do offer a part-time, non-residential program in Health Care Management for physicians and dental...
Does the School of Public Health offer any joint degree programs?
Currently, we offer a joint MD/MPH and a joint JD/MPH degree program. The MD/MPH program is for current medical school students. Applicants apply at the beginning of their third year of medical school....
Can I take courses at other schools at Harvard?
Yes, students enrolled at the School of Public Health may enroll in courses offered by one of the other Harvard faculties, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or Tufts Fletcher School of Law and...
How many credit hours is the master of science program?
The Master of Science (SM) programs differ considerably from department to department. In general, the SM programs are eighteen-month (four-semester, 80-credit) programs and are intended for applicants...
What are the requirements to apply to the Doctor of Public Health (DPH) degree program?
Applicants to the DPH degree program must have, or be in progress toward, an MPH degree, in addition, candidates must hold an advanced degree in a basic public health discipline, similar to the requirements...
What are the distinctions between the various degrees offered at the Harvard School of Public Health?
The master's degree programs offered at HSPH are considered terminal degrees for individuals who seek professional positions in public health though a few departments view the SM...
I only have an undergraduate degree. Am I eligible for admission to the MPH program?
The MPH program is geared toward professionals who hold a doctorate degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, or other fields related to public health, or a master's degree in nursing...
How many credit hours is the MPH program and how long does it take to complete?
Beginning with students entering in Fall 2007, 42.5 credits are required to complete the MPH program.
Does the School of Public Health require work experience before applying?
Some departments DO require or prefer applicants to have relevant work experience. Applicants should refer to the department overviews in the Official Register/Catalog (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/register)...