Graduate Resources

Graduate Application Requirements & Process

All Applicants

All applicants must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major as listed below. Meeting of these criteria, per se, shall not be the only basis for admission.

Master's Applicants

Prospective master's students must meet the following admission requirements from the USF Catalog for the respective programs below:

*Applicants are NOT required to submit GRE test scores. However, if you believe your test scores have the potential to strengthen your application, you may send your GRE scores to ETS, code 4224 University of South Florida College of Public Health. MCAT code: SOPHAS.

Doctoral Applicants

Prospective doctoral students  must meet the following admission requirements from the USF Catalog for the respective programs below:

*Applicants are NOT required to submit GRE test scores. However, if you believe your test scores have the potential to strengthen your application, you may send your GRE scores to ETS, code 4224 University of South Florida College of Public Health. MCAT code: SOPHAS.

International Applicants

Please see the University Admission and English Proficiency requirements in the USF Catalog.

  • Send official TOEFL scores to institution code: 5828 - SOPHAS.
  • Send World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation of all foreign degree transcripts directly to SOPHAS from WES. Exceptions to the WES evaluation requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis by Graduate Admissions at the USF's College of Public Health if WES is unable to evaluate an applicant's transcripts and such proof is submitted.

Application Process Outline

  1. Complete a SOPHAS application at www.sophas.org and submit all required application materials to SOPHAS. All application materials must be submitted only to SOPHAS.
  2. Complete and submit the USF graduate application and fee at https://secure.vzcollegeapp.com/usf/. Do not upload or submit any application materials directly to USF. 
  3. Allow two to four weeks for SOPHAS to verify the application. Make sure to follow up with SOPHAS regularly to meet all their requirements to verify your application.  
  4. Monitor the email that you provided in SOPHAS for application decisions and other communications.
Application Deadlines
Degree Application Semester Priority Application Deadline
MPH, MSPH, MHA Fall 2023 May 1, 2023
MPH – Nutrition and Dietetics Summer 2023 November 15, 2022
PhD Fall 2023 November 15, 2022
DrPH Fall 2023 November 15, 2022

Note:

  • Some Masters’ programs admit for specific admission terms ONLY.
  • All applicants to the MPH in Nutrition and Dietetics concentration that are also participating in a dietetic internship match must submit both applications by the deadline for online computer matching (dnddigital.com). Incomplete applications or those received after that time will not be considered for the integrated MPH program.
  • Applicants to the MSPH who wish to pursue the Genetic Counseling Concentration should apply prior to December 15 to be aligned with the admissions timeline provided by the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors.
  • In order to be considered for admission to a PhD program in Public Health, applicants must be fully prepared to register as full-time students for at least one full academic year (consecutive fall and spring semesters).

  • The College of Public Health continually admits and graduates international students. Our international graduates make important global health contributions upon returning to their home communities. Federal financial opportunities are very limited for international applicants. The College requests that all international students are fully financially independent. As graduate assistantships and other internal financial opportunities become available, admitted students should apply at that time.

    Please visit the Office of International Admissions for more information.

  • Applicants who have completed their Bachelor’s degree may register for courses in the College of Public Health prior to applying. This option applies to non-admitted students registering for core courses or selected courses with the instructor’s approval. This option also refers to:

    • Applicants who are in the process of applying but do not have all of their documents in order by the application deadline date
    • Potential students beginning with online courses prior to applying
    • Students requesting to begin registration for certificate courses; please see the Graduate Certificate Office website at http://www.gradcerts.usf.edu for more information

    Students opting for non-admitted registration may register for a maximum of 12 hours. Only grades of “B” or higher earned as a non-degree student are eligible for transfer after acceptance into a program. Please see the COPH Academic and Student Affairs Office to transfer in non-degree credits.

    For more information regarding applying as a non-degree seeking student, please visit the Office of the Registrar website.

  • If you were previously a degree-seeking student in the College of Public Health and have become inactive or withdrew, you must re-apply and be admitted OR be reinstated into your program. Please speak to an advisor if you have questions about which process applies to you.

    Reinstatement:

    Re-Application:

    • Review the USF Graduate School Readmission Policy.
    • Complete a SOPHAS Application: 
      • As part of your statement explain why you would like to be readmitted to the program
      • When your information is received by USF you will receive an email notifying you to complete the USF application and pay the fee
    • An admissions officer from the College will be in contact with you to let you know if any additional information is needed before the application is sent to the department *All Transcripts regardless of the University attended must be ordered and sent to SOPHAS, This includes USF Transcripts.
    • Once all required application material is submitted and the application is complete, it will be sent for review to the admission committee.

  • Congratulations on your acceptance in the Master of Public Health program at the University of South Florida. We are delighted that you have chosen to pursue your graduate study at USF, and we look forward to welcoming you to our community.

    Click here to get a head start on your degree.

  • The USF Health Office of Preadmissions and Outreach is the first stop for prospective students interested in USF Health’s graduate and professional programs. Our Preadmissions Advisors can answer your questions about specific programs while helping to guide you through the necessary steps you will need to take to apply to the graduate and professional programs at USF Health.

    To speak with a Preadmissions Advisor, you can schedule an appointment through our website, Office of Preadmissions and Outreach, or email questions to preadmissions@usf.edu.