Public Health, MPH

Applications submitted after the MPH program regular decision deadline, and prior to the university application deadline, will be periodically reviewed, subject to space limitations. It is recommended that applicants applying after the regular decision deadline should reach out to the program via email (mphprogram@charlotte.edu) to determine if applications are still being accepted by the program.

NOTE: University scholarships and grants are only available in the Fall semester. In order to qualify, applications should be submitted by the priority deadline.

The UNC Charlotte MPH Program does not conduct summer admissions.

April 15th is the deadline for admitted students to submit their intention to enroll for the Fall semester. UNC Charlotte does not require a deposit or payment at that time, and there is no penalty if you change your mind later. However, offers of funding from the university must be accepted no later than April 15th. Intent to enroll can be submitted in The Graduate School application portal.

Applicants must apply online through Graduate Admissions and upload supporting materials when submitting the online application. Applicants are expected to use The Graduate School application portal to track the progress of their program application and requirements received and/or still needed.

The MPH program follows the basic application requirements of The Graduate School. Please note that our Statement of Purpose and the 3 letters of recommendation have requirements specific to the MPH program. Applicants are expected to reflect these requirements in their submitted materials.

Competitive applicants to the program typically have an undergraduate GPA above 3.0, are responsive to the requirements of the personal statement and have strong letters of recommendation.

The MPH Program no longer requires GRE scores.

In addition to the general requirements for master’s students by The Graduate School, applicants to the MPH program should submit:

1. Evidence of undergraduate major or coursework that prepares students for graduate work as attested to on TRANSCRIPTS.
2. A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE that addresses the following prompts:
   • Describe how your background, education, profession, or other experiences have influenced your interest in public health.
   • Briefly summarize your skills in the following areas using specific examples tied to either your experience or previous coursework:
     • Communication (written/verbal)
     • Quantitative (math/statistics)
     • Analytic/reasoning/problem-solving
   • Describe your short and long-term career goals.
     • How will an MPH degree from UNC Charlotte help you achieve your professional goals?
     • Describe which of the UNC Charlotte MPH concentrations most closely aligns with your background and future career goals.
   • If necessary, discuss any special academic circumstances or other considerations that may aid the MPH Admissions Committee in reviewing your application.
3. THREE (3) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
   • Ideally, at least 2 letters are from instructors who have had you in the classroom.
     • The letters should speak to your written and verbal abilities, your class participation and work ethic, and your preparedness for graduate study.
       • It may be useful to send them your personal statement which will help them focus on specific areas.
   • A 3rd letter can be from another instructor, academic adviser, or from a professional reference (internship supervisor, volunteer coordinator, or work supervisor, especially if you’ve worked in public health).
     • A professional letter of recommendation should speak to your performance in the position, your written and verbal abilities, and your work ethic.
   • We do not want “character letters” (e.g. letter from your pastor indicating what a good person you are).
   • We strongly encourage you to “waive” your letters of recommendation. Waiving allows your recommender to make a comprehensive appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses. If you do not trust your recommender to write you a fair letter, then they probably are a poor choice.
4. YOUR MOST RECENT RESUME.
5. If you are an international applicant, you must meet the language requirements set forth by The Graduate School for English proficiency.
   • The university requires any applicant whose native language is not English to submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.

Admissions decisions are made by the MPH Admissions Committee. The Committee only review complete application files, including all required supplemental documents, after The Graduate School’s technical review. Their decisions are final; however, The Graduate School does allow specific decision appeals.

Applications are holistically reviewed which means the MPH Admissions Committee considers the “whole” applicant. Applicants are assessed on the strength of the applicant’s experiences and attributes as well as their academic performance. While GPA is important, the committee is especially concerned with the quality of the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. The number of students admitted each semester is based on the resources available to the program.

Please check in with the program director if you will submit to the MPH program after the stated deadlines to make sure the program is still accepting applications.

The official mode of communication between the university and applicants is email. You will be notified via email when your admission decision has been made. Your official acceptance letter will come from The Graduate School. You will also receive a welcome letter from the MPH Program.

Important information and resources for admitted students are available on The Center for Graduate Life and Learning Graduate Community page and the MPH program’s Admitted Student Resources page.

Per The Graduate School Deferment Policy, your application and offer of admission is only valid for the specific year and term for which you applied.

Course Courses (15 credit hours)

• HADM 6100 – Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System (3)
• HLTH 6200 – Case Studies in Public Health (3)
• HLTH 6211 – Evidence-Based Methods in Public Health (3)
• HLTH 6212 – Health Promotion Program Management (3)
• HLTH 6213 – Policy and Leadership (3)

Applied Learning Expereince (3 credit hours)

• HLTH 6471 – Public Health Internship (3)

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

MPH students are required to take 2 elective courses with the HLTH prefix and 1 interprofessional elective course outside the department.  MPH students enrolled in a Graduate Certificate program (e.g., Emergency Management, Gerontology, or Health Informatics and Analytics) by the end of their first year, may be eligible to substitute some of their certificate credit hours for their MPH elective credit hours. Please consult the MPH Program Director for further details.

Concentration Courses (18 credit hours)

Select one of the following concentrations, which include an associated 3 credit hour capstone course. The capstone course is an integrative learning experience where students synthesize their foundational and concentration-specific knowledge and skills.  Students declare a concentration at the time of application for admission to the MPH.  Students desiring to change concentrations should notify their advisor by the end of their second semester.  Students must meet any eligibility requirements as outlined in the concentration.

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

The MPH Capstone provides a culminating, integrative curricular experience for students enrolled in the MPH program by concentration.

• HLTH 6230 – Community Health Practice Capstone (3)
• HLTH 6250 – Health Policy Capstone (3)
• HLTH 6280 – Epidemiology Capstone Course (3)

Current tuition rates are available through Niner Central. There are several sources of funding available to assist in paying for a graduate program at UNC Charlotte.

Use our Cost Calculator to get a clear picture of the estimated costs for UNC Charlotte’s graduate programs. Share your information to receive tips, updates, and resources on making your graduate education more affordable.

Wondering if you are considered in-state or out-of-state for tuition? Learn more about residency requirements.

The mission of the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) is to provide information, services, and programs that help international students achieve their individual educational and personal goals. Find out more about your visa status, employment, taxes, and much more.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – MPH students are eligible for 12 months of OPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – MPH students can use it to do their internship off-campus