School-level Admission Requirements

Degree and Certificate Requirements

All degree and certificate applicants must have completed Pitt Public Health’s prerequisite courses.

Master of Public Health (MPH)
Applicants must possess:

• U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school and substantial knowledge in a discipline relevant to public health, either through study, experience, or both
• Applicants who don’t already have a graduate degree are required to submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Departments may require GRE scores from any applicant. In some cases, results of the LSAT, MCAT, or DAT may be substituted.

Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Applicants must possess:

• U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school and substantial knowledge in a discipline relevant to public health, either through study, experience, or both
• All applicants must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). MHA/MBA applicants may submit GMAT or GRE scores. In some cases, other test scores may be substituted. 

Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health (MMPH)

• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in the health sciences, be an advanced medical, dental, or veterinary student, or hold a relevant doctoral degree in a related field (considered on an individual basis). 
• In most cases, official scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted. GRE waivers will be granted on a case by case basis provided MCAT, PCAT, DAT or USMLE/ECFMG scores are submitted in place of the GRE.

Note: If you’re a graduate of a foreign medical or dental school, you must hold a valid medical or dental license in the United States, be eligible for licensure, be in a residency or fellowship program, or be a visiting clinician planning to return to your native country.

Master of Science (MS)
Applicants must possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in arts, science, engineering, or nursing, or an MD, DDS, or DVM from an approved U.S. school or equivalent foreign degree
• Evidence of adequate training in the sciences basic to public health (some applicants may be admitted at the discretion of the faculty, making up deficiencies as prescribed)

Applicants may be required to take any examinations deemed necessary to satisfy the faculty as to the applicants’ qualifications. In most cases, official scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Applicants must:

• Possess a U.S. graduate or bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent degree from a foreign school, in a field relevant to the PhD program to which they are applying
• Have had sufficient courses in mathematics and the biological and social sciences
• Have had sufficient prerequisite courses in the field to which they are applying

Applicants who don’t already have a graduate degree are required to submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Departments may require GRE scores from any applicant. In some cases, LSAT, MCAT, or DAT scores may be submitted.

Certificate Programs
Applicants must possess:

• U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign school and substantial knowledge in a discipline relevant to public health, either through study, experience, or a combination
• Applicants who don’t already have a graduate degree must submit scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions (general test) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Departments may require GRE scores from any applicant. In some cases, results of the LSAT, MCAT, or DAT may be substituted.

GRE Requirements for Degree Programs

Each department reserves the right to require that any applicant submit an official GRE score report, even if the chart indicates that under the specified circumstances the GRE is generally waived. No photocopies of GRE score reports will be accepted. Use Pitt Public Health code 4234 to send your official GRE scores; department codes are NOT used.

GRE Scores

*If you already have a U.S. graduate degree (or the equivalent), contact the department and request a GRE waiver. There is no guarantee that a waiver will be granted. If the GRE requirement is waived, you must request that the department send a written memo to the admissions manager. E-mail this request to the department student services staff: BCHS: Paul Markgraf; EOH: Bryanna Snyder; HUGEN: Noel Harrie; IDM: Chelsea Yonash. 

**MCAT or DAT may usually be substituted for GRE.
 

School-wide Prerequisite Courses

Social Science Requirement
MHA, MPH, and certificate applicants must have six college credits in behavioral and social sciences (with a C or better).

Mathematics Requirement
All applicants must have mathematical preparation appropriate for entrance into Principles of Statistical Reasoning through either previous collegiate coursework or advanced placement coursework reflected on the college transcript. An ETS administered advanced placement test score of three or higher in calculus or a GRE quantitative score at or above the 70th percentile is also evidence of acceptable preparation.

Department Requirements
In addition to school and degree-level requirements, each department has specific requirements. Once you know which program(s) you’re applying to, be sure to review departmental requirements.

Certificate Programs
Applicants must meet requirements for admission to MPH.