Admission Requirements

• Prior Degree: Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited US institution or international equivalent.
• Transcripts and GPA: Admitted students typically have at least a combined undergraduate/graduate grade point average of 3.00/4.00. However, all applicants are given a holistic evaluation of their application. The minimum acceptable GPA is 2.75 but such applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they will be able to successfully complete the required coursework.
  • Domestic Applicants must submit transcripts issued from the University for all undergraduate and post-baccalaureate work directly to SOPHAS. Domestic students who have completed course work at foreign institutions should follow the instructions provided below for international applicants for submitting those academic credentials.
  • All international transcripts must be uploaded directly into the UIC system after completing the Supplemental Application. Students uploading international transcripts must also pay a UIC International Credential Evaluation Fee. Domestic students submitting international coursework from study abroad do not pay the evaluation fee. Students admitted to the UIC School of Public Health will need to provide sealed official transcripts to the UIC Office of Admissions prior to their second term at the university. International applicants may submit a course by course EWS evaluation directly to SOPHAS, but it is not required and will not replace the upload requirement.
• Tests: GRE not required.
• External Recommendations: At least 3 external recommendations submitted via SOPHAS are required. Recommenders will be contacted via Liaison Letters once you fill in their contact information. They will be asked to complete a few Likert scale questions and upload a letter of recommendation.
• Resume or CV: Required, uploaded via the SOPHAS application.
• Personal Statement: Applicants will upload a 500-800 word statement via the SOPHAS application. The statement should focus on the applicant’s interests/ experiences in public health, goals with the degree, and why they would be successful in the program.
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GRE not required.

Minimum English Competency Test Score for International Applicants

• TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
• IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
• PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.

• Prior Degree: Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited US institution or international equivalent.
• Transcripts and GPA: Proof of baccalaureate (or its international equivalent) or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. Proof of degree should be a PDF copy of a degree certificate/diploma or a transcript with the award of a degree clearly indicated.  International degrees/transcripts issued in a non-English language should be accompanied by a certified translation. Additional credentials may be requested, if necessary, to confirm degree equivalency.
  • Transcripts are preferred for proof of degree, as applicants uploading only a degree certificate or diploma will be contacted to provide transcripts. A 3.0 GPA (out of 4) is strongly recommended. The minimum acceptable GPA is 2.75 but such applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they will be able to successfully complete the required coursework.
• Resume or CV: Required (uploaded in the application)
• Personal Statement: A concise statement of the student’s reason for seeking foundational training in public health. Please be sure to include your full name at the top of your personal statement. The statement should be no more than 300-500 words. (uploaded in the application)

Admission into the Public Health Foundations Certificate does not guarantee admission to an MPH program in UIC’s School of Public Health.

• Minimum English Competency Test Score for International Applicants
  • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
  • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.

At this time currently enrolled UIC students are not eligible to enroll in the Public Health Foundations Certificate.