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DrPH Maternal and Child Health Admissions Criteria

Overview 

  • The program is designed for students who have a previously awarded Master's degree, preferably a Master of Public Health, and at least two years of public health experience
  • GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • GRE scores are waived for Fall 2025 admission
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose and objectives
  • Advanced practice statement
  • Writing sample
  • Mission and values statement
  • Resilience statement (optional)
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international applicants

More Information

Academic Background

The program is designed for students who have a previously awarded Master's degree, preferably a Master of Public Health, and at least two years of public health experience. 

A grade point average of 3.2 is required for the DrPH program. The GPA is calculated based on the last 60 undergraduate units, or if the applicant has 12 or more graduate units, the GPA will be based on graduate units.

Applicants should send official transcripts from any college or university attended to SOPHAS (PO Box 9111; Watertown, MA 02471).

GRE Scores are waived for Fall 2025 admission

Combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores of 310 or above are considered competitive. The analytical writing portion of the GRE is required when submitting scores. GRE may be reported to the University of Arizona College of Public Health/SOPHAS code #4253, which routes scores directly to SOPHAS. For more information about the GRE, visit the GRE website.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must provide a minimum of three letters of recommendation from academic advisors, professors, supervisors, mentors or anyone else familiar with their academic and/or professional ability. Letters are submitted to SOPHAS electronically.

Resume or CV

Applicants are asked to submit a resume or CV outlining their academic and professional experience and achievements.

Statement of Purpose and Objectives

The personal statement (maximum of 1500 words) should include:

  • Why you are interested in the DrPH program
  • Specific areas of interest in public health related to maternal and child health
  • Reason for selection of this program
  • Academic and professional background, including experience/expertise with public health related topics
  • Future goals and objectives

Please note that some schools of public health use software to detect plagiarism in statements of purpose. It is important to ensure that an applicant’s statement is written in their own words and, when appropriate, that quotations and citations/references are used for a direct quote.

Advanced Practice Statement

DrPH applicants must provide a statement of practice interest (maximum of 500 words / 2500 characters). Please describe the specific content area in which you propose to focus your doctoral work; why this area is of interest to you; and identify faculty members at the College of Public Health whose interests align with yours and with whom you would like to work.  

Faculty Advisor

One of the most important pieces of an application to a doctoral program at the College of Public Health is finding a faculty advisor whose research interests and areas of expertise align with your interests.  Through the admissions process, the College of Public Health seeks to ensure that we have sufficient faculty with relevant research experience to effectively mentor you through your doctoral program and your dissertation.

Please research the faculty in this program and outline which faculty members you hope to work with in your Research Statement (see above).  Given that faculty commitments change from year to year, we strongly recommend that you list at least two faculty with whom you would like to work.  Although you are welcome to contact specific faculty to discuss our program and your goals, it is not necessary for you to communicate with faculty before or during the application process.

Writing Sample

The writing sample may be a paper, article, or report written for work or school that demonstrates the applicant's writing and research abilities. Applicants may submit their writing sample electronically via SOPHAS.

Mission and Values Statement

In 250 words or less (1,250 characters), please describe how you would embrace and support the Mission and the Values of the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

  • Our Mission:  The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is dedicated to promoting the health of individuals and communities in the southwest and globally with an emphasis on achieving health equity through excellence in education, research, and service.
  • Our Values:  The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health acts with respect and integrity to continuously advance health and well-being for all through knowledge, collaboration, empowerment, advocacy and sustainability. Our core values are: Fairness, Trust, Equity, Social Justice, Excellence, Innovation, Commitment, Collegiality, Diversity, Open Communication, Participation, Consensus, and Enhancement.

Resilience Statement (Optional)

If you have not addressed this elsewhere in your application, please describe any obstacles you have had to overcome including experiences in adversity or isolation and/or failures you have experienced in pursuit of a goal; how you showed resilience, motivation and determination; and how these experiences have shaped your resolve to pursue a graduate degree. 250 words or less (1250 characters).

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

All international applicants are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. A TOEFL iBT score of 90 or higher is required. Please see more information, including when the TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived, for international applicants.

Other Factors

Other factors considered in the determination of a candidate's potential for success in the DrPH Program are:

  • Long range goals and commitment to public health
  • Successful leadership experience or potential
  • Work and volunteer experience related to the track area of choice
  • Demonstrated community service
  • Public health experience
  • Documented experience and/or commitment to underserved areas and populations

Further Information

For more information about the DrPH program, please visit the DrPH Page. If you have additional questions, please contact our Director of Admissions, at coph-admit@email.arizona.edu or (520) 626-3201.

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