How We Evaluate Applicants

The Brown School considers each applicant holistically. Our students come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds.

Although we welcome students with an undergraduate degree directly related to public health, it is not a requirement for the MPH program. Admissions and scholarship decisions are based primarily on a review of the following:

• Your commitment to the mission of the Brown School and ability to introspectively articulate your reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in public health.
• Your undergraduate GPA over the last 60 – 75 semester credit hours (90 – 105 quarter credit hours) on transcripts provided at the time of application. The Brown School prefers a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Additional academic work you may have undertaken following completion of an undergraduate degree, if applicable.
• Specialized training(s) relevant to the degree program completed by applicant.
• Your public health or human service-related experience (paid, volunteer, research and internship).
• Recommendation letters and/or forms submitted.
• You may also submit an optional statement explaining any concerns you have about your application, including extenuating circumstances that should be considered as we review your academic history.

The MPH program requires that you complete an undergraduate campus-based human biology course with a grade of “B” or better. Students must complete the human biology prerequisite prior to completing their first academic year of coursework, but admitted students are strongly encouraged to complete the prerequisite prior to beginning at the Brown School.