PhD in Population Health Sciences admission requirements
Admission to the Population Health Sciences PhD program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is based on completion of a baccalaureate degree, although it is anticipated that many applicants will have completed a post-baccalaureate degree in public health or other health-related discipline.
Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations shall be applied equitably to all individuals, applicants and students regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.
In addition to completing the SOPHAS application, you are also required to submit the following supporting documentation directly to SOPHAS.
GRE scores are not required for admission to the PhD in Population Health Sciences. The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of each application, considering academic preparation, research experience, scholarly potential, leadership, and alignment between the applicant's research interests and faculty expertise.
Submit a statement of approximately 750 words describing your educational background, relevant professional and research experiences, and career goals. Your statement should address how the PhD in Population Health Sciences will help you achieve your academic, research, and professional objectives.
You are encouraged to discuss:
your academic, professional, and/or research experiences that have prepared you for doctoral study;
your research interests and how they align with the PhD in Population Health Sciences and your selected track;
the public health issues, challenges, or opportunities you hope to address through your research and scholarship;
your long-term career goals and how this degree will support those goals; and
the personal qualities, skills, and experiences that will contribute to your success as a doctoral student and future leader in population health.
Submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that outlines your educational background, professional experience, research experience, and other relevant accomplishments. For each position held, include the job title, employer, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Applicants are also encouraged to include relevant information such as:
Research experience, publications, presentations, and scholarly activities
Teaching and mentoring experience
Leadership roles and community or professional service
Professional certifications and licenses
Honors, awards, and recognitions
Technical skills, language proficiency, or other qualifications relevant to doctoral study
Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS. This includes previous study at Indiana University.
It is strongly recommended that all transcripts be submitted no later than 15 days before the application deadline to allow SOPHAS adequate time to verify transcripts. Please note it can take up to four weeks for transcripts to be verified.
Transcripts must be sent from institution in the institution's sealed envelope directly to SOPHAS.
For regular mail, please send your transcript to: SOPHAS P.O. Box 9111 Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For overnight delivery ONLY: SOPHAS c/o Liaison International 311 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-612-2090
World Education Services (WES): ICAP course-by-course evaluation for all post-secondary foreign institutions attended. Please note: U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university, do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
International applicants
Applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. are also required to submit the following supporting documentation to SOPHAS with their application:
World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluation of foreign academic credentials
The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health requires all applicants with foreign academic credentials to provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline to ensure that the evaluation is completed in time.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report—as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts—to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
U.S. applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. as part of a study-abroad program at a U.S. college or university, do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their foreign coursework as long as it is noted on their U.S. transcript.
Please note: Upon admission to IU Indianapolis, international students will be required to provide the Indiana University Office of International Affairs with original transcripts from all universities attended in the U.S. and abroad.
Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic ability, research potential, professional accomplishments, leadership, or relevant public health or clinical experience.
Letters should be provided by individuals who have worked closely with you in an academic, research, professional, or supervisory capacity and can provide an objective, current, and informed assessment of your qualifications, abilities, and potential for success in a doctoral program.
Applicants may be invited to interview at the discretion of the Population Health Sciences PhD admissions committee.
Applicants who are unable to travel to Indianapolis may participate in a virtual interview using the university's approved videoconferencing platform. Applicants participating virtually must have access to a computer with a webcam, microphone, and reliable internet connection.
As part of the interview process, applicants may be asked to complete a brief writing exercise in Microsoft Word on a topic assigned by the admissions committee. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the applicant's English writing skills.
Applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions, must prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be less than two years old.
SOPHAS applicants should use the following designations:
Submit TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code: 5688.
IELTS scores can be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS. Upload IELTS scores in the standardized test section of the application and include your TRF Number.
The English Language test requirement may be waived if an applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from the U.S. or other English-speaking country.
Completed applications are reviewed holistically by the Population Health Sciences PhD admissions committee after the application deadline. The admissions committee determines each applicant's admission to the PhD in Population Health Sciences program using the following selection criteria:
Leadership potential in scientific research: Assessed through the applicant's résumé/CV, personal statement, and interview.
Ability to engage in advanced graduate work: Assessed through the applicant's interview, letters of recommendation, and overall academic performance in prior graduate coursework.
Learning goals and objectives: Assessed through the applicant's personal statement and interview.
Apply now
You may apply to our Population Health Sciences PhD program online via SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service.
Remember to designate the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health as one of your school choices, along with your desired program.
We'll notify you by email once your application has been received. If you have questions about the application process or about the PhD in Population Health Sciences program, contact Shawne Mathis.
Note: All applications must be verified by SOPHAS prior to the deadline to be guaranteed review by the PhD in Population Health Sciences admissions committee. Applications that are not verified by the deadline are not guaranteed review. Applications take four to five weeks to be verified by SOPHAS. We recommend submitting your application to SOPHAS no later than one month prior to the deadline.
Upon offer of admission, applicants will need to complete Slate, a required secondary application, by using the invitation code and link provided with the admission offer. The Slate application resembles the SOPHAS application. To apply, unofficial transcripts earned at bachelor's, master's, or doctorate-granting institutions must be uploaded.
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