Requirements for Admission into the PhD Program

When you apply online, please be sure to select the following items to start your PhD in Public Health (PhD) application:

Enrollment Status: Degree Seeking

Major: Public Health (PhD)

Degree: Doctoral Degree

Though we do not have posted minimum standards, we do want to see that you have the skills required to succeed in our professional academic programs. In an effort to evaluate your application, the following materials are needed in your PhD application to the School of Public and Community Health Sciences.

• Master of Public Health degree or equivalent
• Completed application packet
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores (for international students only)

Application Materials

Application Packet Checklist

• Completed online application form
• Three letters of recommendations
• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (Note: all international students - non-U.S. university transcripts need to be first professionally evaluated before being submitted.  Options include the World Education Services site and the Educational Credential Evaluators site.)
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores (Note: for international students only)

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants will need to submit three recommendations. Applicants should select references who can comment on their potential for success in the public health field, including former advisors, instructors, co-workers, employers, former employers, volunteer coordinators, clergy members, or other professionals. Avoid selecting recommenders who have a conflict of interest with your acceptance into the program, such as family members or close friends.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is an important part of the application as it helps the Admissions Committee learn about an applicant's interest in public health. The personal statement also provides a writing sample, so applicants should compose their statements thoughtfully and edit them carefully. The entire personal statement should not exceed two single space typed pages. Please address each of the following questions or issues below with a brief paragraph.

• Why do you want to pursue graduate studies in public health?
• What are your short-term and long-term career objectives?
• Briefly describe the education, life/work experiences and personal characteristics that will enable you to be successful in the program and your chosen career.
• Describe any significant extracurricular or community service activities.
• Describe your primary and secondary research interests.
• Provide a list of faculty member(s) whose research interests best match your own, and with whom you would like to work.
• For applicants who do not have an MPH from the University of Montana, include a brief description of the completed coursework in the Public Health areas of: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences.
• Please comment on anything else you think would strengthen your application.

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

All applicants are asked to submit updated curriculum vitae or resume. Applicants who have existing graduate degrees may wish to include a list of publications and/or presentations at professional meetings.

Transcripts

All applicants are asked to enter universities/colleges/schools attended into the appropriate section in the online application, to ensure all required transcript can be checked as received.

Application Deadlines

The Admissions Committee typically meets twice a year to consider new applications, and it is highly recommended that prospective students submit their completed applications by the admission deadlines.

PhD students can start the program during the fall or spring semesters.

For the Fall semester, the application deadline is January 15.

For the Spring semester, the application deadline is September 1.

Late applications may be submitted after the deadlines.  However, they may not be considered if available positions have been filled.

Click the "Start Your Application" button below to begin.

International Students

International students are encouraged to apply for the PhD program. International applicants must complete every section of the international student form. To have an I-20 issued, international applicants must attach a certified financial statement that reflects the funding recorded in Section III. For more information, please refer to the Graduate School web site.