Program Overview

Master of Public Health Program

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers various degree options, including residential and distance learning formats. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in public health, preparing them for careers in research, practice, and policy.

Program Options

• Master’s (residential)
• Master’s-Asheville site (residential)
• Master’s (distance)

Admission Criteria

• Term and Deadline:
  • Master’s (residential): Fall, deadline February 10, 2026
  • Master’s-Asheville site (residential): Fall, paused for fall 2026
  • Master’s (distance):
    • January 2026, deadline November 18, 2025
    • May 2026, deadline March 10, 2026
    • August 2026, deadline July 7, 2026
• Fall Graduate School Fellowships: December 16, 2025 (Recommended)
• Academic Program Aid/Financial Assistance: Available

Application Requirements

• Test Requirements: GRE scores are neither required nor typically recommended for applicants to the Master of Public Health program
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, from letter writers who can attest to the applicant’s ability or potential to complete graduate public health training
• International Applicants Only: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score (no more than two years old)
• Other Requirements:
  • Residential applicants must submit an application to the MPH through SOPHAS first
  • After the SOPHAS application has been submitted, applicants will receive an email from the UNC Graduate School with instructions on how to submit the UNC Graduate School application
  • Applications will not be reviewed until all applications and application materials have been submitted and verified
  • Applicants to the MPH Nutrition and Dietetics concentration must apply through DICAS rather than SOPHAS

Concentrations

• The MPH Program allows applicants to apply to up to two concentrations in their application
• Available Concentrations:
  • Applied Epidemiology
  • Environment, Climate and Health
  • Global Health
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Equity and Social Justice
  • Health Policy
  • Leadership in Practice
  • Maternal, Child and Family Health
  • Nutrition, Food Systems and Health
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Population Health for Clinicians
  • Public Health Data Science (not admitting new students for Fall 2026)
• Concentration-Specific Admissions Preferences: Each concentration has unique preferences in the review process

Additional Information

• The School of Public Health also offers an online MPH degree program, MPH@UNC
• Applications will not be reviewed until all applications and application materials have been submitted and verified
• For Fall 2026 Graduate School Fellowship consideration, SOPHAS must be submitted by December 1, 2025, and UNC supplemental application must be submitted by December 16, 2025
• For Fall 2026 MPH applicants, SOPHAS must be submitted by February 1, 2026, and UNC supplemental application must be submitted by February 10, 2026