Admissions

 

As part of the School of Global Public Health’s rigorous PhD in Public Health program, you’ll balance the theoretical and the practical through methodological preparation that is tailored specifically for your unique interests and goals.

If you’re ready to work side-by-side with an interdisciplinary network of venerated faculty and research experts from across NYU’s global sites, then we encourage you to apply to the PhD program today. Learn more about what we look for, how to apply and more below.

Who Should Apply?

All applicants to the PhD in Public Health must hold an undergraduate or first professional degree from an accredited institution. We suggest, but do not require, that you hold either a Master of Public Health degree or equivalent graduate coursework to apply. If you do not have these credentials, you can complete the required coursework in the first year of the PhD program.

We also strongly recommend that you have some amount of applicable work and/or research experience related to public health. Although this is not a formal requirement for admission, successful applicants will usually have completed at least 2-3 years of work or research in a relevant area.

How Are Applications Reviewed?

The review process for the PhD program is holistic, taking into account all factors and experiences in a prospective student’s application and reviewing your overall potential for success in doctoral public health studies and future careers. Our review of applications examines the following characteristics:

  • Prior academic performance: Usually at least a cumulative 3.3 GPA in prior undergraduate and graduate programs and have received A or A- grades in quantitative courses

  • Work and research experience: Usually 2-3 years of relevant experience, including professional, research, publications, internships or volunteer

  • Statement of purpose: Evaluated for evidence that the applicant understands the program and the field, can clearly articulate professional and academic goals, and has carefully considered how the program will help them achieve those goals

  • Writing sample: Help the admissions committee understand the applicant’s critical and analytical skills, facility in writing, and potential as a future researcher

  • Recommendations: Evaluated for the extent to which recommenders indicate the applicant’s potential for advanced graduate training and career in public health

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required to apply to the PhD program.

  • Personal interview (if invited)

  • TOEFL scores from applicants for applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed a previous degree at an accredited U.S. college or university; A minimum score of 100 on the internet-based test is required.

Faculty Mentors

Doctoral applicants are encouraged to list potential faculty mentors in the application.  Please note that if you choose to identify potential mentors, they should be drawn from the list of primary GPH faculty.

Deadline

All applications are due on December 1st. The NYU PhD in Public Health only accepts applications for fall enrollment.

How To Apply

For an application to be considered complete, all of the following application materials must be received by the deadline:

  • The completed SOPHAS application

  • Personal statement

  • Resume or curriculum vitae

  • Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, with English translations if applicable

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Writing sample of 5 to 15 pages

  • TOEFL scores from all applicants whose native language is not English and who did not receive the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Applicants holding or completing only a graduate or professional degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction are still required to submit a TOEFL score unless the graduate program was four or more years in duration. When ordering test reports from ETS, you must include the proper institution code for the NYU GIPH (8752).

  • NO GRE IS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION TO THE PHD PROGRAM

NOTE: Applications are due on December 1st.  Applicants should ensure that all of the above required documents are received by SOPHAS in time for them to be processed by this date. Applications will not be considered complete or reviewed for admission unless ALL required supporting documents have been received.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to the program will be fully funded by a fellowship or a combination of fellowship and Research Assistantship for five years. Learn more on GPH’s Financial Aid page.

For Additional Information

If you have additional questions or can't find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact GPH Admissions directly at gph.admissions@nyu.edu.