Admissions
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester - January 15th
Apply to the Doctor of Public Health Program
Requirements
- A Master of Public Health degree from a program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health is required.
- Transcripts. Official transcripts from all previous postsecondary CHEA regionally accredited colleges or universities.
- Grade Point Average (GPA). A cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the major course of study is preferred.
- Completion of the doctoral application.
- Personal Statement. An essay of 1000 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 SPH Faculty Webpage 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
- 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).
- TOEFL Box 6151,
Princeton, New Jersey 08541
phone: (609) 771-7100
web: www.toefl.org
» Please note: Your application is not considered complete without the required standardized test score(s).
- TOEFL Box 6151,
- Application Fee. A non-refundable application fee.
Application Deadlines
Applicants intending to enter in the Fall semester must have their application completed and submitted by January 15th. Note that applicants may be admitted after this date, but only on space-available basis.
Transfer Credits
A maximum number fifteen (15) credits from another CEPH and 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. Courses taken outside of SUNY Downstate’s School of Public Health while actively matriculated in the program will not be considered.
For transfer of credits or a waiver, the accepted student must provide: 1) a detailed course syllabus and 2) an official transcript verifying at least a B grade (3.0 on a 4.0 system) in that particular course(s).
If the student fails to provide appropriate proof of course content equivalency and an official transcript in a timely fashion, the option for credit transfer may be denied.
Notification of Status
Notification of action on the application is mailed after the complete admission materials are received and reviewed by the SPH Committee on Admission. The application review cycle begins in January of each year. 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.
Mandatory Criminal Background Check
Please note that all students who attend SUNY Downstate Medical Center will be required to complete a background check prior to enrollment, at your expense. Background Checks will be conducted post-admission and are not used by the Admissions Committee to determine admissibility. Once you are accepted, you should complete the criminal background check by following the instructions here.
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.
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.
Application Processing
All applicants are instructed to submit the application for admission and all official supporting credentials via the ApplyYorself application system. When an application is complete that application is forwarded to the School of Public Health for review by the Committee on Admissions.
Important Information
Admission to SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is based on the qualifications of the applicant. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or status as a disabled veteran in the Vietnam era. Responses on this application to questions of race, sex, and date of birth are voluntary and are used for statistical purposes only.