Thank you for your interest in applying to the College of Public Health at The Ohio State University. Based on the program you are interested in applying, you will apply using one of three application systems (SOPHAS, HAMPCAS or directly to Ohio State). Make sure to pay close attention to the application and deadlines associated with the program you will apply. Not all programs have the same deadline or application.
Quick access to CPH program applications
Doctoral and Master’s applicants
- Use the SOPHAS application.
Applicants to the Interdisciplinary PhD in Biostatistics, PhD in Environmental Public Health and MS in Environmental Public Health
Master of Health Administration applicants
- Use either the SOPHAS application or HAMPCAS application.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health applicants
- This is a competitive program. Applicants must first be admitted to The Ohio State University. Get details for applying to undergraduate programs. The major application for Autumn 2025 opens December 15.
Graduate certificate applicants
- Complete the non-degree application through Ohio State’s Office of Graduate Admissions.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
The following documents are needed as a part of applying to graduate programs in the College of Public Health.
Apply to PhD and Master’s programs through SOPHAS. A supplemental Ohio State application is also required.
Apply to the Interdisciplinary PhD in Biostatistics or PhD in Environmental Public Health and MS in Environmental Public Health through the Ohio State Office of Graduate Admissions.
Master of Health Administration applicants can use either SOPHAS or HAMPCAS to apply.
All certificate applicants apply as non-degree students through the Ohio State Office of Graduate Admissions.
All application must include an official transcript of all post-secondary course work where college credit was awarded. Transcripts must be sent by the institution where credit was received.
Ohio State students applying to an Ohio State Public Health program SOPHAS must submit their Ohio State transcript through SOPHAS. Request a transcript.
The GRE is optional for all graduate degree programs in the College of Public Health. If you include official GRE scores as a part of your application, the codes for Ohio State are: SOPHAS – 4233; HAMPCAS - 0705
Personal statements should be original. Your personal statement should be unique to each degree program you apply. Your statement gives you the opportunity to submit a tailored narrative describing your education, experience and professional career objectives. For the degree program you apply, your personal statement should describe your:
Doctor of Philosophy
- Intended research area
- Reasons for interest in program of study and/or concentration
- Targeted faculty whose research align with your research
- Reasons for interest in the school or program
- Career goals
MPH/MS
- Reasons for interest in public health
- Reasons for interest in program of study and/or concentration
- Reasons for interest in the school or program
- Career goals
MHA
- Identify how your education and experience to date has influenced your decision to pursue a Master in Health Administration
- Describe your current career interests and goals
- Highlight important factors about yourself and your experience that make you a strong candidate for a MHA degree
- Explain your particular interest in The Ohio State University's MHA program
Letters of recommendation should come from professional or academic references, or a mix of both. For applications submitted through the Office of Graduate Admissions, you will provide names and contact information. After submitting your application, an email will be sent to each reference inviting them to submit recommendation through an online form. Applications through SOPHAS will require letters uploaded as a part of the application.
Prepare and submit a current resume or curriculum vitae as a part of the application process.
All applications for programs submitted through SOPHAS require a supplemental application ($60 domestic fee). This is emailed to you from The Ohio State University within a week after your centralized SOPHAS application reaches “verified” status. SOPHAS requires four to six weeks to verify an application.
Official TOEFL scores must be submitted in your application; the SOPHAS code for Ohio State is 5688. The university also accepts IELTS and DuoLingo as proof of English Proficiency.
All coursework earned outside of the United States must reflect the equivalent of a U.S. 4-year bachelor’s degree. The World Education Services, Inc. (WES) is the preferred agency to evaluate education credentials from outside the United States.
Applying to interdisciplinary programs
The interdisciplinary PhD in Biostatistics and the PhD and Master of Science programs in environmental public health are collaborations between other departments at Ohio State and may have different application requirements.
A partnership between the Division of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health and the Department of Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Admissions requirements and application procedures are available on the interdisciplinary program website.
Applicants to the PhD or MS specializations in Environmental Public Health can find admissions requirements and application instructions from the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program.
Deadlines
Pay close attention to the deadline for the academic program you are applying. Deadlines do vary by program.
Apply early. SOPHAS requires four to six weeks to verify the application. Then a supplemental Ohio State application is sent within one week after the application is verified. You are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible and include supporting documents to ensure you meet the program’s deadline. Some programs may reach capacity prior to their deadline.
Graduate deadlines
- Aug. 16 - SOPHAS application opens
- Sept. 6 - HAMPCAS application opens
- Dec. 1 - Priority deadline for funding consideration
- Dec. 15 - Interdisciplinary programs deadline (Biostatistics PhD, Environmental Public Health PhD and MS)
- Feb. 1 - PhD and MHA regular deadline
- Feb. 1 - MPH and MS priority deadline for GRA/GTA consideration
- May 15 - MPH and MS regular deadline
Undergraduate deadlines
- Aug. 1 - Common Application opens to apply to The Ohio State University
- Nov. 1 - Early action deadline to apply to The Ohio State University
- Dec. 15 - Application to BSPH major opens for current Ohio State students
- Feb. 1 - Priority date for financial aid consideration when applying to The Ohio State University
For students interested in BSPH
New first-year applicants must first gain admission to Ohio State. Learn what you need to apply and access the university's application. Choose public health as your intended major on your application. Students are selected on the basis of their academic record, leadership, work and volunteer experiences, and potential for success. Admitted students to the university will be directly admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health major.
Students transferring from a different university must first be admitted to Ohio State. Learn how to apply as a transfer student. Admitted transfer students can apply to the major provided they maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and have earned at least 15 credits and completed prerequisites by autumn semester.
Ohio State students not currently in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health major will need to apply to the major provided they maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and have earned at least 15 credits and completed prerequisites by autumn semester. Students currently at a regional campus should stay in contact with their advisor and can connect with the admission staff in the College of Public Health if they have questions about the major.
*Current students looking to change their major must meet with a Public Health advisor after watching this presentation about the Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
The major application for Autumn 2025 enrollment opens December 15.
Completion of Sociology 1101 or 1102 with a grade of C or higher. We would also accept a grade of C or higher in Rural Sociology 1500.
Completion of Math 1148/1149 or 1150 or higher with a grade of C or higher.
If you have questions, we have answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Non-degree applicants
Graduate certificate programs in the College of Public Health are non-degree programs. Apply to the Global One Health or Environmental Public Health Risk Assessment certificate programs through Ohio State Graduate Admissions.
Helpful resources
For additional questions about the application process, take a look at our frequently asked questions.
