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Doctor of Public Health

ADMISSION POLICY FOR DrPH PROGRAMS:

The time allotted for completion of the DrPH degree, regardless of concurrent degree involvement is seven (7) years unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Admission Requirements

  • Graduate Degree. Prior Master's degree from a CHEA regionally accredited college and/or university.
    • Such Master's degrees may include MPH, MSW, MBA, MHS, or another relevant Master's degree.
    • The applicant may also be required to take additional coursework to meet the requirements of the core MPH curriculum in the chosen area of study. Please note that coursework completed to meet this requirement may not be used to satisfy doctoral coursework requirements unless such courses are at the doctoral level. Such decisions are made on an individual basis by each department.
    • If additional course work is required, then the applicant may be given a conditional acceptance to the doctoral program until the conditional requirements are satisfied.
  • Transcripts. Official transcripts from all previous postsecondary CHEA regionally accredited colleges or universities.
  • Grade Point Average (GPA). A graduate record with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the major course of study is preferred.
  • Appropriate completion of the doctoral application.
  • Personal Statement. An essay of 300 words or less denoting the applicant's interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in a specific area. The applicant should examine the research and practice interests of the doctoral faculty in his/her respective areas of interest to ensure that an appropriate faculty collaboration is possible. Please see the Downstate Website to learn more about the respective faculty.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Three (3) letters of recommendation preferably from either faculty in the primary field of study and/or from a recent employer
  • Entrance Examinations. A graduate entrance examination is required. Graduate entrance examinations that will be accepted include the following :
    • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Combined scores of 1200 or above are preferred. Note that both quantitative and qualitative scores will be considered. For those applying to Biostatistics, Epidemiology, or Environmental and Occupational Health, quantitative scores in the 50th percentile or above are preferred.
    • Medical College Admissions test (MCAT) Score of 24 or above are preferred
    • Dental Admission Test (DAT) Score of 17 or above are preferred
    • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Score of 550 or above are preferred
    • Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Score of 150 or above are preferred
    • Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Score of 70 or above preferred.
    • United States Medical Licensure Exam (USMLE) Step 2 or 3.
  • On-site Interview. Each doctoral applicant must have an on-site interview with a designated faculty member in the department to which the applicant is applying. The interview will be arranged by the specific department when the applicant's application is complete. The detailed written report and recommendation of the interviewer will be submitted with the application for consideration by the Admissions Committee,
  • Licensure. Proof of current licensure must be submitted for all licensed health professionals
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL is required for ALL applicants for whom English is a Second Language and who have not completed at least one year of full-time study in a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (at least 24 semester credits, including two courses in English composition). A minimum score for the paper exam of 536 (undergraduate programs) and 564 (graduate programs); and a minimum score for the computer exam of 208 (undergraduate programs) and 223 (graduate programs) is required on the TOEFL.
    • Address: TOEFL Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541
      Phone: 609 771-7100 www.toefl.org
      Use the SUNY Downstate Institutional Code of 2534
      Please note: Your application is not considered complete without the required standardized test score(s).
  • Application Fee. A $45 non-refundable application fee made payable to SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
  • For those applying to Biostatistics, Epidemiology, or Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, a Bachelor of Science degree is preferred with at least one (1) undergraduate math and one (1) undergraduate biology course. For applicants to Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, an undergraduate chemistry course is also preferred.

Application Deadlines:

Applicants intending to enter in the Fall semester must have their application completed and submitted by April 15th. Note that applicants may be admitted after this date, but only on space-available basis.

Transfer Credits

Doctoral Program: A maximum number fifteen (15) credits from another CHEA regionally accredited college and/or university can be transferred into the doctoral program. Courses used towards the completion of a granted degree will not be considered. However, some DrPH coursework may be waived if relevant doctoral level courses have been taken at another institution. A waiver or transfer of credits for course(s) taken at another accredited institution(s) must be approved by the departmental chair.

For transfer of credits or a waiver, the accepted student must provide: 1) a course description and 2) verification of at least a B grade (3.0 on a 4.0 system) in that particular course(s).

Notification of Status

Notification of action on the application is mailed after the complete admission materials are received. A student accepted for admission into one of the graduate programs is required to secure his or her place in the class by submitting a deposit that will be applied to the first semester's tuition.

Matriculation Policy

Accepted students are required to submit all required documents, including final transcripts for all college and universities attended, to the Office of Admissions prior to the start of classes. Note that required health documents must be submitted directly to the Student Health Office.

International Student Applications and Foreign Medical Graduates

Applicants who have completed all or part of their education abroad, are required to have a course-by-course educational credential evaluation completed by an approved agency accredited by The National Association Of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org). This evaluation must include a breakdown of each course by name, US equivalent semester hours, and the corresponding letter grade. These requests should be done and completed well in advance of the semester deadlines.

Our entering classes are small and admission preference is given to New York State residents and to individuals who have completed their prerequisite courses in the United States.

International students should not consider assistance from the college in their financial planning. On-campus employment is not recommended because of the demanding nature of the academic program. Many international students have visa restrictions on working. All international applicants must document their ability to finance their education as part of the admissions process.

International Medical Graduates who wish to be considered health care professionals are required to either have a valid and current state license in the United States or have passed Steps I and II of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before they can be considered for entry into the program.

Deferrals

If accepted, individuals may request a deferral for up to one year for personal or professional reasons. Requests must be made in writing and submitted to the Office of Admissions and to the Chair of the specific department. No extensions beyond the one-year are permitted.

Re-applicants

Some "re-applicants" are admitted each year with improved credentials. Re-applicants should contact the Program Office to schedule a pre-application advisement appointment to discuss how to improve their credentials in a reapplication. Re-applicants must submit a new application form, application fee, transcripts, and at least one new letter of recommendation.

Application Processing:

All applicants are instructed to send the application for admission and all official supporting credentials to the SUNY Downstate Office of Admissions. When an application is complete that application is forwarded to the Graduate Program in Public Health for review by the Committee on Admissions.