Graduate Admissions in Environmental Health Sciences

The Environmental Health Sciences department utilizes the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) for receiving applications to our graduate degree programs.

Application process for Ph.D., M.S., and M.P.H. programs:

We follow a two-step application process:

1. Complete your application in SOPHAS. You will pay $150 for the first application; if you are applying to more than one school or program, the fee is $60 for each additional application. (Note: SOPHAS application fees are paid to SOPHAS, not UMass)
2. Complete your UMass Supplemental Application in Slate. After your SOPHAS application has been submitted and verified, it will be transferred into Slate within 72 hours. You will receive an email from UMass to create an account in Slate, submit the UMass Supplemental Application, and pay the associated $60 UMass Supplemental Application fee.

Admissions is a process shared by the University of Massachusetts Graduate School and the Environmental Health Sciences program. To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must meet the requirements of the Graduate School.

NOTE: All Environmental Health Sciences degree programs are STEM designated programs.

Admissions Requirements

• Transcripts: Although no specific undergraduate courses are required for admission, successful applicants must have adequate undergraduate preparation in the basic sciences. 
• Statement of Purpose and Objectives: Your statement gives you the opportunity to submit a tailored narrative which will describe your education, experience and professional career objectives.
• Letters of recommendation (minimum of three)
• Résumé/CV

Please note, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are not required and will not be considered or reviewed by our admissions committee.

International Applicants

We encourage international applicants to apply to continue their educational journey with us!  All international applicants should visit the University of Massachusetts Graduate School’s website for international applicants for important information on:

• English language proficiency requirement
• Prerequisite degrees and international transcripts
• Estimated expenses
• Receiving the I-20

Application Deadlines

We begin accepting applications in August. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Fall Admission

PhD priority deadline: Dec. 15
MS, MPH, and PhD, deadline: Feb. 1

Spring Admission

We consider applications for the spring semester on a case-by-case basis only. Please contact us at sphhsgradapply [at] umass [dot] edu (sphhsgradapply[at]umass[dot]edu) if you are considering applying for spring. The spring admission deadline is Oct. 1.

Funding

We have traditionally been very successful in providing funding for PhD students (including first-year students) in the form of research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), and traineeships. First-year students who receive funding typically receive a 10-hour-per-week position that includes a tuition waiver as well as a competitive paid stipend. The level of funding is dependent upon the availability of faculty-held grants and TA openings as well as the ranking of the student applicant in the context of the entire pool of applications. There is no separate application for funding; you will automatically be considered when you apply and are accepted for admission. Detailed information about funding will be communicated at the time of admission.  

Master’s students can also be considered for available RA and TA positions with priority given to second-year students.