Admission Requirements for the MS and MPH Degree Programs

All applicants to the graduate program in Environmental Health Sciences should have sufficient undergraduate or graduate training in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, or math) in order to ensure the maximum likelihood of success in our program.  While it is not essential that students have formal degrees in these sciences, a well-prepared student will have experience such as laboratory or field research studies, analyzing or collecting data, monitoring of the population or environment, or performing risk assessments or management.  Formal academic training in one or more of these areas is advantageous, though post-graduate work experiences may be viewed favorably as well.

Applicants for admission to the Department of Environmental Health Sciences must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, with an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a scale of 4.0. The department’s basic admission requirements are a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. Applicants should have completed undergraduate coursework in basic biology and chemistry.

The Environmental Health Science program at the University of Massachusetts requires a strong grasp of English.  However, as a globally-relevant science, we do actively encourage competitive applications from candidates for whom English is not their native language.  These candidates are expected to have completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to seeking admission.  Minimum combined scores on this test are 90.

We are a public health program and thus require all students, regardless of degree program, to complete the Public Health Core Courses (‘PH Core’) prior to matriculation.  These courses are typically offered every year (often twice a year) and provide a broad understanding of the five major disciplines in Public Health.  Students are required to obtain a B or better in each class; only one class may be repeated if needed.

Some applicants approach our program with previous academic training in public health or in environmental health.  Transfer of course credits from other institutions (including the Public Health Practices MPH offered online by the University of Massachusetts) require the authorization of the Graduate Program Director, and the University Graduate School, and are made on a case-by-case basis.  The applicant is required to furnish a copy of the syllabus from the previous course and the transcript showing a grade of at least a ‘B’ (or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale); only graduate level course work is permitted to transfer.  Because of the rapidly evolving nature of environmental health sciences, courses offered more than 5 years ago are not normally permitted to transfer.  Upon authorization by the Graduate Program Director, the student will be issued a course waiver if that course is a required course.  It should be noted that the EHS core course PubHealth 565 (Environmental Health Practices) is never waived.