Graduate Admissions: Epidemiology

The epidemiology program 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 Epidemiology program. To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must meet the requirements of the Graduate School.

Admissions Requirements

• Transcripts: No specific undergraduate courses are required for admission, but successful applicants typically have completed coursework that demonstrates their quantitative ability. Successful students typically have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their baccalaureate degree.
• Applicant responses:  Each applicant will be asked to respond to a series of questions describing their motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts.  Applicants will have the ability to share additional information about themselves for the Admissions Committee’s consideration. 
• Letters of recommendation: minimum of three
• Résumé/CV

NOTE: The 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. 1
MS, MPH, and PhD deadline: Feb. 1

Spring Admission:

We no longer consider spring admission candidates.

STEM Designation

Epidemiology MPH, MS, and PhD degrees are considered STEM designated programs

Funding

We have traditionally been very successful in providing funding for PhD students in the form of research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), and traineeships. There is no separate application for PhD funding at the time of applying to the program; 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.

All current students including PhD and Masters students are encouraged to apply for posted TA/RA positions. Funding decisions will be made from the pool of qualified applicants, with first priority given to PhD students and then to second year masters students. First year masters students will be considered when positions cannot be filled by students with priority. Students must apply for specific positions to be considered. The level of funding available in a semester is dependent upon faculty-held grants and TA openings.