Program Prerequisites
Applicants must possess the minimum of an MPH or related U.S. equivalent master’s degree(s) or terminal clinical/doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for admission.
Applicants must have completed at least one graduate-level course in each of the following five (5) areas: (a) Biostatistics, (b) Epidemiology, (c) Health Behavior/Health Education, (d) Health Services/Policy/Management, and (e) Environmental and Occupational Health. These courses ideally should be completed with a grade of “B” or better. If these courses were not from a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited institution, the DrPH program director will make a determination of prerequisite fulfillment.
Applicants who have not completed these courses but whose applications show exceptional potential for success in the program may be admitted to the DrPH program; however, they will be required to satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses (as presented in the core course requirements for the MPH degree). Completion of the 5-core courses, totaling 20 units, entitles students to a formal certificate in the Foundations of Public Health.
In addition to courses in the public health areas, applicants must have completed a Research Methods course or the equivalent. Applicants who have not completed a Research Methods course but show exceptional potential for success in the program may be admitted to the DrPH program; however, they will be required to satisfactorily complete CGH 313: Research Methods (4 units).
Key Dates and Deadlines
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2024
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2023
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2023
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2023
Classes begin – January 16, 2024
Summer 2024
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2024
Classes begin – May 13, 2024
Fall 2024
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2024
Classes begin – August 26, 2024
Application Checklist
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For priority admission and fellowship consideration, applications should be submitted by the priority deadlines.
All supporting documents should be sent to Claremont Graduate University at the following address:
CGU Office of Admissions
150 E. 10th Street
Claremont, CA 91711
Application materials, including electronic transcripts, can also be sent via email to admissions@cgu.edu.
University Application Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Public Health and Doctorate in Public Health programs in the School of Community and Global Health should apply using the SOPHAS application. SOPHAS is a service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, which represents the CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health. You will not be required to submit an additional application to CGU directly; submission through the SOPHAS portal is all that is required.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.
International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.
Applicants must submit a copy of their resume.
A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE scores is required of all non-native English speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
- Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
- Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
- Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.
International applicants are encourage to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.
Program-specific Application requirements
Standardized test scores are not required in order to apply for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores, but are not required to do so.
Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration.
CGU’s school code:
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053
Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
All applicants are required to submit a writing sample of previous work in addition to the statement of purpose. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 10-15 pages. Writing samples should not exceed 30 pages.
When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.
You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.
Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.