Public Health

*The Master of Public Health application cycle for Fall 2025 is open on SOPHAS. The final application deadline is July 1, 2025.  The Doctor of Public Health application cycle for Spring 2025 is closed. The application cycle for Spring 2026 will open in SOPHAS on March 1, 2025.*

Master of Public Health (MPH)

All applicants seeking admission to the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program must submit all required application materials and meet admissions requirements prior to enrollment in the program.

Admissions Requirements:

  • Primary application must be submitted online via SOPHAS (http://www.sophas.org). Please note that the MPH Program only enrolls in the Fall semester.
  • Overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.85 on a 4.00 scale required for regular admission.
  • Completion of an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States or recognized international institution. Official transcripts must be sent directly to SOPHAS from all colleges / universities attended.
  • Personal statement: 750 word essay on how the mission of the Mercer MPH program aligns with the applicant’s life, educational, and career goals.
  • Three letters of reference are required and must be submitted directly to SOPHAS. One letter must be from a college professor who taught the applicant in class; the remaining two letters may be from another professor, academic advisor or mentor, employer, or community/volunteer service supervisor.
  • Official GRE or MCAT scores may be sent directly from ETS to SOPHAS using the institution code 0127 (Mercer University). GRE scores optional, not required.
  • International students or domestic students with credentials from institutions outside the United States are required to have those credentials evaluated by a professional evaluation service. Transcripts from colleges and universities outside the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Please see www.wes.org/sophas for instructions.  An official evaluation report must be sent to SOPHAS to be included in the application. Applicants whose native language is not English must also demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English language as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Until this procedure has been accomplished, an application for admission cannot be considered.
  • Completion of two prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better prior to matriculation. The two prerequisite courses for Mercer’s MPH Program are:
    • College-level math course and
    • Biology.
  • Required Community Service Hours: A minimum of 30 hours as an active participant in a service or community project. Examples of this service/volunteer experience include work in an afterschool program, volunteering with a food bank or shelter, or engaging in community improvement projects (locally, nationally, or internationally). This information should be reported as part of the SOPHAS application.
  • Conditional Admissions: Occasionally students may be admitted conditionally with a GPA of less than 2.85. Students admitted under conditional status must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for the first 9 hours of core curriculum. Students with less than a 2.50 will not be considered for admission. Students who do not maintain a 3.00 during the first 9 hours will be dismissed from the program. Applicants for conditional admissions will be processed after the June 1 admissions deadline.

To request additional information about Mercer’s MPH Program, please click here.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Primary application must be submitted online via SOPHAS (http://www.sophas.org). Students should identify only one program concentration when applying for the DrPH in SOPHAS: Social Epidemiology or Diverse Populations & Health Equity. Please note that the DrPH Program only enrolls in the Spring semester.
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher in prior graduate work based on a 4.0 scale is required. Students with a GPA less than 3.0 are not considered for admission.
  • Applicants must have one of the following from a CEPH accredited school/program: Master of Public Health degree, an equivalent CEPH-accredited degree with similar core MPH coursework, or a CEPH-accredited terminal degree (doctorate). Official transcripts must be sent directly to SOPHAS from all colleges/universities attended.  A list of CEPH accredited schools/programs can be found here.
  • Personal statement: 750-word essay describing how the mission of the DrPH program aligns with the applicant’s life, educational, and career goals.
  • An updated resume/CV.
  • Three letters of recommendation: One of the three letters must be from either current or previous college professors. The second and third letter may be from a professor, employer, or colleague.  The recommender should provide a brief narrative to support their ratings of the seven elements listed on the application reference form; intellectual ability, interpersonal relations, leadership, oral communication, quantitative ability, written communication and overall public health potential.
  • GRE scores are not required. Applicants who desire to submit official scores should use the code Mercer U Pub Hlth SOPHAS (0127).
  • International students or domestic students with credentials from institutions outside the United States are required to have those credentials evaluated by a professional evaluation service. Transcripts from colleges and universities outside the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Please see www.wes.org/sophas for instructions.  An official evaluation report must be sent to SOPHAS to be included in the application. Applicants whose native language is not English must also demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English language as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Until this procedure has been accomplished, an application for admission cannot be considered.
  • Applicants are required to have one year minimum of public health or public health- related practical experience. Practical experience may include internships and fellowships post-master’s level degree, or evidence of scholarly/practical public health involvement during the master’s study if applying upon graduation from a graduate program.
  • Qualified/competitive applicants will be invited to participate in a personal interview that will include a writing sample.

To request additional information about Mercer’s DrPH Program, please click here.