Admissions

The University of Kansas Master of Public Health Program accepts applications for degree-seeking admission once a year. Application deadline is March 1.

Requirements | Admission Categories | How to Apply

Admission Requirements

Admission into the KU-MPH Program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grade scale) and one or more years of responsible work in the health field (preferred).  Applicants select one of five concentration areas and must document that any prerequisites have been successfully met.  The program may be completed on the Wichita or Kansas City campus. *Please note that the Biostatistics concentration can only be completed on the Kansas City campus.

MPH Concentration	Pre-requisite
Epidemiology	Successful completion of one semester of Calculus.
Social and Behavioral Health	Successful completion of one semester of College Algebra
Environmental Health Sciences	Successful completion of one semester of College Algebra and Two semesters of undergraduate Biology
Public Health Management	Successful completion of one semester of College Algebra
Biostatistics	Completion of Calculus I, II, and III, and one course in any computer programming language

Applicants must also submit an official copy of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or another professional test scores, such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).  Test scores cannot be more than five years old and can be waived for U.S. citizens with doctoral degrees.
International applicants must also submit official certified copies of non-English transcripts along with an evaluation of transcripts for academic compatibility with the U.S. grading system.  Reports must contain degree equivalency and grade point average.  These may be purchased through the World Education Service or Educational Credential Evaluators.

International applicants must also submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  TOEFL scores should be sent from your ETS center directly to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC institution code 6895).  Photocopies will not be accepted.  Current English language requirements can be found on the International Programs website at http://www.kumc.edu/international/esl_req.html .

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Admission Categories

A student may be admitted to Graduate Studies under one of two types of study as indicated below. The acceptance letter sent by the Dean of Graduate Studies will specify the type of admission granted.

Degree-Seeking Admission - Students who wish to work toward graduate degrees should be considered for admission under the degree-seeking category in either the regular or provisional category.

Regular Admission requires a bachelor’s degree and a grade-point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), from KU or from another regionally accredited institution or foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements. The bachelor’s degree is not acceptable if it contains credit awarded for work experience (life experience) that was not directly supervised by faculty members of an accredited university or not evaluated in units that identify the academic content (e.g., P/F, S/U). In exceptional cases, persons not holding bachelor’s degrees may be admitted if they are academically well prepared. In these cases, the dean of Graduate Studies reviews the student’s academic background before the student is admitted.

Provisional Admission. An applicant who has one or more deficiencies in grade-point average (or English proficiency scores; see Minimum English Proficiency Requirements) or prerequisite course work (or other deficiencies as determined by the department) but meets other admission standards may be admitted on a provisional basis. It is expected that a student who is admitted provisionally for a lack of prerequisite course work or low English proficiency scores will be reviewed within the academic year to see if the requirements for regular admission have been met. A student who meets the requirements will be moved from provisional to regular status when the department submits a Progress-to-Degree form. A student who has not met the requirements for provisional admission at the time of review may be dismissed immediately.

A student admitted provisionally who fails to earn a B average in the first semester may be dismissed immediately. If provisionary continuation is recommended by the department or program and approved by the Graduate Division, the student may remain on provisional status for one additional semester. Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program may be readmitted for further graduate study at KU only by petition of a Graduate Division that will accept the student. The petition must be approved by the dean of Graduate Studies.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
The University of Kansas Medical Center is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all programs and activities, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or creed, disability, veteran status or genetic testing & screening. Disability accommodation requests should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Office (http://www.kumc.edu/eoo/): (913) 588- 5048 (V) or (913) 588-7963 (TTY).

The following abilities and expectations required by all students admitted to the Master of Public Health are available on the Technical Standards and Requirement form.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS
The University of Kansas Medical Center now requires a criminal background check prior to admitting students to graduate programs (http://www.kumc.edu/student-services.html). Prior to final acceptance and initial enrollment in classes, applicants will be directed to have a background check completed by Validity Screening Solutions. The applicant must pay a one-time fee for the background check directly to Validity Screening Solutions. The KU-MPH program will review the information obtained through the background check and make a final decision on the applicant’s eligibility for the program. The KU-MPH program will then notify the applicant regarding final acceptance or denial of admission.

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How to Apply

Interested applicants may access the online application through the Prospective Student tab on the KUMC website (www.kumc.edu).  The online application requests: a personal statement, a CV/resume, three letters of recommendation, and a $60 application fee. 

Please send official transcripts to:

KUMC Office of the Registrar/Student Admission
MS 4029
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160

KUMC Institution Code: 6895

Additional questions should be directed to the MPH Site Director at the campus of your choice:

Wichita
Melissa Armstrong, MAC
marmstro@kumc.edu
316-293-2693

Kansas City
Tanya Honderick, RN, MS, MPH, BC
thonderick@kumc.edu
913-588-2720