Admission to the Master of Public Health program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Two official copies of all academic transcripts should be forwarded for all post-secondary education. These materials should be forwarded to the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at either Kansas City or Wichita, depending on where the applicant would like to complete his/her coursework. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for admission as a regular graduate student. Applicants must also fill out a KU Graduate school application (domestic or international) and submit a $35 application fee. Checks can be made payable to the University of Kansas.

Successful applicants should have at least one year of responsible work experience in the health field, other evidence of training or experience that indicates adequate preparation for the curriculum, or a degree in a recognized health field. At least one semester of college algebra or calculus is required.

Submission of an official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required if applicant does not have a doctoral degree obtained in the United States. Other professional test scores [e.g., Graduate Management Admissions test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT), United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or comparable professional test] are acceptable in lieu of the GRE. Test scores must not be more than five years old.

The ETS school code for KUMC is 6895.

Additional requirements for admission include the submission of at least three letters of reference with recommendation form from faculty members and/or employers, a current resume or CV that includes a description of previous professional experiences, and a KU-MPH program application that includes a personal written statement of career goals and objectives. Copies of any pertinent publications or reports authored by the applicant can also be helpful in evaluating a candidate's potential for success in public health. All materials should be sent to the campus you wish to attend, attention of KU-MPH Admissions.

Applications for fall semester and summer semester must be received by March 31. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Additional Requirements for International Students

All master's degree applicants whose citizenship is not of the U.S. and/or whose native language is not English must obtain an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 23 on each subsection of the computer-based TOEFL or 57 on each part of the paper-based TOEFL and an essay score of 5.0. TOEFL scores should be sent from your ETS center directly to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC institution code 6895). Test scores must be original forms sent directly from the administering agency to KUMC. Photocopies will not be accepted.

International applicants are required to submit an evaluation of their academic transcripts for 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.

Applicants are considered without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or national origin. Diversity in the student body is encouraged. All general requirements for entrance to the Graduate School must be met.

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Admission Categories

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

Degree Study: This status identifies students seeking a master's degree. Admission to master's study is valid only for the master's degree. Students are admitted to degree study in a particular academic discipline, and any change of field of study requires a new application for admission.

Non-degree Study: This status identifies students who do not wish to pursue another degree, but who wish, for personal or professional purposes, to take additional course work. Students originally admitted to a non-degree category may later reapply for admission.

Each application will be evaluated by the KU-MPH Admissions Committee and/or by the KU-MPH site director on the campus to which the student applies. Recommendations for admission or rejection are then forwarded to the Graduate School for approval.
Students accepted to the MPH degree program may be admitted under one of the following degree statuses:

Regular or Full Standing
This category is available only to degree-seeking graduate students. The applicant meets the academic standards of the department and the Graduate School to work for an advanced degree without excessive deficiencies in prerequisites.
Provisional Status
An applicant may be admitted as a provisional graduate student when either the quality or kind of his or her undergraduate preparation is deficient, i.e., the student’s undergraduate grade point average is below 2.75 or the student has not met the prerequisites to do graduate work in the department or program to which he or she has applied. After the equivalent of one semester of full-time study as a provisional graduate student, the department or program to which he or she is enrolled reviews his or her performance and recommends that the student be (1) transferred to regular status or (2) dropped from the Graduate School or (3) allowed to continue the equivalent of another semester as a provisional student. It is ordinarily expected that provisional status will not exceed two semesters. The transfer from provisional status is not automatic as it is the case of probationary status.
Probationary Status
At the University of Kansas, an applicant who meets other admission standards may be admitted on probation when his or her undergraduate grade point average is 2.75 to 3.0.
Non-Degree A
At the University of Kansas, this status is given to those applicants who are admissible to regular status but do not intend to work for an advanced degree at the time of admission.
Non-Degree C
A student admitted under Non-degree C status does not intend to work for an advanced degree at the time of admission, and would not, at the same time be eligible for regular admission status. If later admitted to the MPH program, the total of transfer credit from another accredited graduate school and non-degree C category credit earned at the University of Kansas may together not exceed 6 hours, or 8 hours if the student holds a baccalaureate degree from the University of Kansas.

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How to Apply

Interested applicants should download all application forms and submit required materials to the campus in which he/she will pursue their MPH degree.

Kansas City
KU-MPH Admissions
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
Mailstop 1008
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66160

Wichita
KU-MPH Admissions
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
1010 N. Kansas
Wichita, KS 67214

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Admission Forms

Application Checklist
KU-MPH Application
KU Graduate School Application (Domestic)
KU Graduate School Application (International)
Recommendation Letter Forms

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