Below are questions frequently asked by prospective Public Health graduate students about admission and programs offered at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
How do I apply?
We accept applications to our MPH program using SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health schools and programs. Applications for our Advanced Certificate are accepted through SOPHAS Express.
You may review application requirements on our Master of Public Health Admissions Process page. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; once a completed application has been verified in SOPHAS, a decision is typically rendered within a few weeks. Applicants will be notified via email.
Are standardized scores like the GRE required?
Standardized test scores are no longer required for admission to our program. However, those who choose to self-report scores and would like them considered as part of their application should send their official scores from the testing agency directly to SOPHAS for verification purposes. For instructions on how to submit official scores, please visit this website.
Are pre-requisite courses or a specific major/degree required to apply?
No, we do not require any pre-requisite courses or a specific degree/ major to apply to our program. Applicants to the MPH program must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
When is the application deadline?
Students may apply for enrollment for the Fall, Spring I, or Spring II terms.
| Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall (September start) | June 1 |
| Spring I (January start) | November 1 |
| Spring II (April start) | February 1 |
Can the TOEFL requirement be waived?
Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit scores from the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Applicants who received their first university degree in an English-speaking institution may be exempt from taking the TOEFL or IELTS.
Foreign medical graduates do not have to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores if they have an ECFMG certificate. Please upload a copy of the ECFMG certificate with your SOPHAS application.
Is this MPH program STEM-eligible?
The Master of Public Health degree program at Mount Sinai is classified as STEM-eligible, allowing students who have F1 status to apply for 24 months of additional employment in the United States after graduation if they meet required eligibility criteria. All Specialty Tracks of the Master of Public Health degree are classified as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Designated Degree Program by the US Department of Homeland Security. If you have specific questions about this please feel free to contact the International Personnel office at (212) 241-8300.
What is your policy on transfer credits?
Students may transfer up to 10 credits from courses taken at other institutions as long as they were not counted toward another degree. Transfer credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and must be approved by the program director. Transfer credits will not be considered until a student has enrolled in the program.
When are courses offered? How long does it take to complete the MPH degree?
Courses are offered Monday-Thursday starting 4 pm the earliest and ending 9 pm at the latest. Our MPH degree is designed to be completed in two years with full-time study. Once admitted into the program, students may choose to attend part-time.
Note: Students in the Epidemiology or Biostatistics track who enroll in Spring I or Spring II should allow more than two years to complete their MPH degree. Students in these tracks are strongly encouraged to begin in the Fall term. For more details, please contact the program office.
May I take classes without enrolling for the MPH program?
Yes. Non-matriculating students are welcome.
Non-matriculation is an option for students who wish to take individual courses in public health without matriculating toward a degree. To apply, students must submit the following:
Completed Non Matriculate Application
- Create and account by clicking “New Applicant”
- Select the Option Non-Matriculate Application for the term you are interested in
- Please fill out all the information requested on the application page
- When asked “Please indicate in which program/discipline you are interested in registering for courses” select Public Health
Tuition and Financial Aid
What is the current tuition cost?
Tuition for incoming students in the 2022-2023 Academic Year is $1,350 per credit and the MPH program is 45 credits in total.
Does your program offer scholarships?
We offer a limited number of merit-based scholarships which aim to cover one (1) course per term. Admitted students will be notified if they have received a scholarship starting in the Spring and will continue to be notified until all scholarships have been granted. You may read more about financial aid, including information on our merit based scholarships, on our website here. We begin distributing merit scholarships starting in March and continue to do so into the spring until all scholarships have been granted.
Does your program offer financial aid and work study?
Yes. Federal financial aid typically comes in the form of student loans and work-study. If you haven’t already, be sure to fill out the FAFSA for federal financial aid. If you decide to enroll at our institution, you will also need to submit the Graduate Students Application found on the school’s Office of Student Financial Services website. Our Office of Financial Aid is available to assist applicants with questions regarding financial aid. For information concerning financial aid contact the Office of Financial Aid and Bursar at 212-241-5245 or studentfinancialservices@mssm.edu.
Students and Alumni
Who are the students?
Our students come from diverse ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds that serve to enrich the educational experience. Our recent graduates have included:
- College graduates
- Professionals seeking to change careers
- Professionals from law, medicine, nursing, social work, and business
- Medical students
- Resident and fellow physicians
Where do your MPH graduates work after completing their degree?
Our graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of settings: hospitals, clinics, departments of health, and industry-related fields such as public health practice, management, and research.
Some of our recent graduates are employed by:
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- City Harvest
- Doctors of the World
- Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
- The Earth Institute
- Epic
- Hospital for Special Surgery
- Icahn School of Medicine
- Maimonides Medical Center
- McKinsey & Company
- Mount Sinai Health System
- New Jersey Department of Health
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School