Admissions

M.P.H. Program

The basic requirement for admission into the M.P.H. program is a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university.

The applicant must have maintained satisfactory grades, especially in appropriate courses, in upper-division work (junior and senior level) and in any graduate work already completed. The Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) is optional but encouraged. The applicant must also provide three letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

M.D./M.P.H. Program

Students seeking admission must meet the application requirements for both UT Southwestern Medical School and the M.P.H. program at the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health.

Applicants must first apply and receive admittance to the M.D. program at UT Southwestern. Accepted applicants will receive a letter with a link and information about how to complete the dual degree application.

Students must complete a personal statement.

Your personal statement is a chance for us to get to know you and your academic and professional goals as a potential student in our program. In 1,000 words or less, please:

State your reasons for pursuing an M.P.H.
Clearly and concisely, describe your relevant public health experience.
Indicate why you feel UT Southwestern might be a good fit for you.

Ph.D. Program

The requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program is a master’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university.

All applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and objectives, a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts. The Graduate Record Examination is optional.

Admissions Policy

In addition to the standards set forth in EDU-119 Admissions, the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health adheres to the following school-specific admissions policy.

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee of the O’Donnell School of Public Health shall be appointed by the Dean and be comprised of no fewer than seven (7) full-time faculty members, broadly representative of programs, concentrations, and diverse faculty research interests. A subcommittee of no fewer than five (5) full-time faculty shall be established for M.P.H. admissions, and a subcommittee of no fewer than five (5) full-time faculty members shall be established for Ph.D. admissions. Committee members may be required to serve on one or more subcommittees.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health must submit letters of recommendation as specified in the school's application. Letters of recommendation submitted outside of the formal application process specified by the application will not be made available to the Admissions Committee or considered in the admissions decision.

Conflicts of Interest

Admissions Committee members in the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health shall alert the Committee Chair of any potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the evaluation of an applicant. The Committee Chair, in consultation with the Dean's Office, will determine whether any additional steps must be taken to eliminate the potential conflict. Admissions Committee members who personally know an applicant, directly or indirectly, will be permitted to participate in the Committee's discussion of the applicant but will not cast a vote at any point in the admissions process.

Designated Point of Contact for Admission Inquiries

The designated point of contact for inquiries regarding the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health's specific admissions policies and procedures is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Operations (OSPH@UTSouthwestern.edu), who also serves in an ex officio capacity on the Admissions Committee but does not participate in actual admissions decisions.

OSPH General Admissions Information