How to Apply for a Doctoral Degree

Applications

Applications for doctoral degrees at the University of Michigan School of Public Health are managed in collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School. Applicants will interact with the Michigan Public Health department to which they would like to apply and Rackham Graduate School. Finalized applications must be submitted online through the Rackham Graduate School website.

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Deadlines

Application deadlines for Fall 2022 admission to doctoral programs vary by department and program, though most are due by December 1, 2021. Department Coordinators can provide deadline information for specific degrees.  

Application Requirements

Applicants for PhD programs should complete the Rackham School of Graduate Studies application. Through the CollegeNet online application (Rackham School of Graduate Studies), applicants must submit the following:

  • Statement of Purpose: A concise, well-written essay about your career goals and how the graduate program will help you meet your career and education objectives. Please indicate the area(s) of research and departmental faculty that are of interest to you.
  • Personal Statement: A brief description about your background (500 word limit).
  • Official Transcripts documenting all undergraduate and graduate work (official transcripts must be sent to Rackham). Individuals submitting transcripts from an international academic institution must first submit their transcripts to World Education Services (WES) for a ICAP credential evaluation. For more information on required academic credentials from non-US institutions, please see the Rackham website.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation: Academic and professional recommendations are desired; personal recommendations are not accepted.

Additional requirements are determined by the Michigan Public Health department to which applicants are applying. Please visit the respective department page of interest for more information on specific application requirements.

Michigan Public Health does not require and does not review GRE or other standardized test scores for admission to any master's or doctoral programs. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on required application components. Please contact our admissions staff at sph-inquiries@umich.edu if you have questions.

Have Questions?

Program coordinators in Michigan Public Health departments are best equipped to help with questions about specific PhD programs and requirements. 

The Office for Student Engagement and Practice manages recruiting, application processing and admissions, student records, courses, grades, course evaluations, official reporting, scholarships and financial aid, career services, academic outreach, and degree conferral for students at University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Biostatistics

Nicole FenechNicole Fenech, Biostatistics
fenechn@umich.edu 
734-615-9817
M4226 SPH II

Contact me if you are interested in: Biostatistics MS and PhD


Environmental Health Sciences

Rachel YarbroughRachel Yarbrough, Environmental Health Sciences
ryarbro@umich.edu
734-764-3018
6655 SPH I

Contact me if you are interested in: All Environmental Health Sciences programs.


Epidemiology

Elvira RiveraElvira Rivera, Epidemiology
eromero@umich.edu
734-764-5415
4641 SPH I

Contact me if you are interested in: All Epidemiology programs


Nancy FrancisNancy Francis, Epidemiology
nhellner@umich.edu
734-763-0274
4640 SPH I

Contact me if you are interested in: All Epidemiology programs


Health Behavior and Health Education

Jackie CormanyJackie Cormany, Health Behavior and Health Education
jcormany@umich.edu
734-615-2564
3774A SPH I

Contact me if you are interested in: All Health Behavior and Health Education programs


Health Management and Policy

Kaitlin Taylor Kaitlin Taylor,  Health Management and Policy
kaitlinl@umich.edu
734-936-1217

Contact me if you are interested in: Health Management and Policy Executive Master's MHSA, Health Services Organization and Policy PhD


Nutritional Sciences

Carole DurgyCarole Durgy, Nutritional Sciences
beckca@umich.edu
3866 SPH I

Contact me if you are interested in: Nutritional Sciences PhD, MS, MPH and Graduate Programs in Dietetics.


For more general information about the admissions process and to connect with admissions team members, please visit our contact us page.

If you would like to receive more information about a specific department or program, please connect with us through our prospective student inquiry form.

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