Master of Public Health - Brigham Young University

Admissions Requirements

What are the admission requirements for the MPH Program?

Students must fulfill basic requirements established by BYU’s Office of Graduate Studies:

  1. Submit a complete application before the deadline - February 1
  2. Agree to live BYU's standards of personal conduct as stated in the Honor Code
  3. Earn a bachelor's or higher-level degree from an accredited U.S. university or the equivalent from a university outside the United States
  4. Earn a 3.0 grade-point average in your last sixty semester hours of course work
  5. If your first language is not English, or if you did not earn a previous degree from an English-speaking university:
    • IELTS - Overall band score of 7.0 (minimum band score of 6.0 in each module)
    • TOEFL (Computer-based) - 237
    • TOEFL (Paper-based) - 580
    • TOEFL iBT - Total score of 85 (minimum score of 22 in Speaking and minimum score of 21 in Listening, Reading, and Writing)

Students must apply to the MPH Program through BYU’s Office of Graduate Studies: http://www.byu.edu/gradstudies/admissions/applynow.php

In addition to university requirements, applicants must:

  1. Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). You may visit the following website for more information: http://www.gre.org/splash.html. Scores of 500 are generally desirable for both the verbal and quantitative sections of the general test. A score of 3.5 (6 points possible) or higher is desirable the analytical writing section of the general test. The analytical writing section of the test is required of all students taking the exam after October, 2002.
  2. Include a statement of professional interest and related goals in public health and global health promotion not to exceed 1000 words in length. This statement of professional interest must include the following:
    • Preparation and background for the MPH program
    • Career goals in public health
    • Basic reasons for choosing a career in public health
    • Special qualities and talents that would enhance success in your public health career
    • Research interests
    • Professional interests
    • Reasons for applying to Brigham Young University’s MPH program
  3. Include in the three letters of recommendation (Forms C1-C3 in the graduate application) your experience in public health or how your background has prepared you for a career in public health. This information is to be provided in addition to the general instructions for the letters of recommendation. Only one letter may be written by a faculty member in the Department of Health Science.
  4. Include any relevant experience in public health as well as any international experience in your application or your statment of intent.
  5. Upon notification, applicants must make arrangements to visit the campus and interview with select faculty.

Am I qualified to apply without having international experience or multiple language capabilities?

While international experience, work among underserved populations, and additional language capabilities are advantageous, a candidate’s previous undergraduate studies, overall work experience, especially in public health, and career motivation and goals will be given greater emphasis.

Must I have work experience to apply?

While relevant work experience is desirable and advantageous, it is not a requirement for application to the MPH program.