Admissions Overview
To apply for USC’s Online Master of Public Health Program, you should have:
University of Southern California Admissions
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- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
- Three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation: All letters must be less than a year old and on department letterhead. At least one letter must be academic.
- A statement of purpose of approximately 2-3 pages addressing the following questions: Why are you interested in pursuing the MPH degree? How will an MPH degree affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals?
- Current professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Additional materials may be required for international applicants
A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or substitute exam score is not a requirement for admission.
Please see FAQs page for more information.
International Applicants
International applicants must also submit the following documents:
Official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in the student’s native language and an exact translation into English of each document
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). These scores are required of international applicants whose native language is not English
The minimum TOEFL requirements are:
Internet-based exam score (iBT) of 90 with no less than 20 points on each sub-score
The minimum IELTS requirements are:
A total score of 6.5, with no less than six on each band score
class="brand_2"The minimum PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic requirements are:
A total score of 61 or above, with 53 or above on each band score
Please note:
Records of TOEFL scores are purged after two years. Please visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for information about the TOEFL exam, the International English Language Testing System about the IELTS and PTE Academic for information about the PTE exam
For additional information, please visit the International Applicant FAQ page.
Academic Calendar
Spring 2025
Application Deadline: Spring
November 15, 2024
Term Start Date: Spring
January 8, 2025
Summer 2025
Application Deadline: Summer
March 21, 2025
Term Start Date: Summer
May 7, 2025
Funding Your Education
Financial aid is available to most students. In fact, more than 60% of students attending USC receive some type of financial assistance. Students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities, membership benefits of partner organizations and professional associations, as well as financial aid funding. Additionally, Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs may apply for those looking to enter and continue working full time in public service jobs.
For more information, please contact the USC Financial Aid Office.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was created to encourage individuals to enter and continue working in full-time public service jobs in local, state, federal or nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organizations. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on federal student loans after 120 on-time payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
For more information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness, please visit the Office of Federal Student Aid.
Scholarships for MPH Students
The University of Southern California Master of Public Health Online program is committed to helping students finance their education. Financial awards are announced upon acceptance into the online MPH program.
Be sure to connect with an Enrollment Advisor by calling toll-free at 877-807-7714 or via email at admissions@mphdegree.usc.edu
USC Scholarship Opportunities
USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health
Breman Global Health Fellowship
The Breman Global Health Fellowship is funded by a generous donation from the Breman family to deepen students’ appreciation of how best to address health problems in developing countries. The fellowship supports students interested in global health and public service careers by funding field, clinical or laboratory research experience in a foreign country.
Website: https://globalhealth.usc.edu/education-training/fellowships/breman-fellowship/
USC Center for Health Equity in the Americas
Ambassador Brigade Fellowship Program
The Center for Health Equity in the Americas (CenHealth) is seeking USC Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) graduate level students to be part of the KSOM CenHealth Ambassadors Brigade Fellowship Program. KSOM students are expected to conduct research on health equity with a USC faculty mentor and an international or national partner for minimally 6 weeks. This period can be split between the U.S. and abroad.
Community Health Equity and Dissemination Scholarship
The USC Center For Health Equity in the Americas (CenHealth) Community Health Equity and Dissemination Scholarship seeks to fund current USC Keck School of Medicine students for travel and/or registration cost to attend: 1) a conference where students will be presenting research/practice on a topic related to Health Equity in the Americas, or 2) travel to a practicum and/or conducting a research project related to Health equity in the Americas. Scholarships can be used for both national or international travel.
Website: https://healthequityamericas.usc.edu/ambassadors/
Town and Gown of USC
Town & Gown of USC is a non-profit philanthropic organization whose purpose is to support USC through scholarships for students, building and campus enhancements, and cultural programs. Open to incoming first-year, current undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Southern California.
Website: www.townandgownofusc.org
USC Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation
Gehr Family Student Innovator Award Program
A summer fellowship program for health professional students to develop a mentored health care quality improvement or health services research project on the USC Keck Medical School campus. Students will also receive training in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and meet healthcare leaders in the Los Angeles community who are involved in patient improvement and systems change. We select 8-12 students each summer. Each awardee will receive a $3,000 stipend.
Website: https://gehrcenter.usc.edu/programs/student-innovator/
USC Alumni Association Scholarships (contact for more information)
Asian Pacific Alumni Association: http://alumni.usc.edu/apaa
Black Alumni Association: www.usc.edu/baa
Lambda LGBT Alumni Association: https://alumni.usc.edu/lambda
Latino Alumni Association: http://latinoalumni.usc.edu
Students are encouraged to explore additional opportunities through the USC Fellowships and Awards database: http://awardsdatabase.usc.edu