MPH Admissions

MPH Deadlines for 2025

A new cohort of MPH students begins the program annually in the fall semester only. 

Out of state applicants: As of Fall 2024, the Division of Graduate Studies & Career Development expands participation in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)- Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) to all master’s degree programs on campus.  Newly admitted graduate students from 16 Western states and territories who enroll at San Francisco State University as nonresidents, may be eligible to pay the California resident tuition rate.

 

Admission Criteria

To meet minimum eligibility standards for graduate study at San Francisco State, an applicant must:
  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority. Internationally Educated Students can view requirements by county.
  2. Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
  3. Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalareate degree.
  4. Meet additional academic program requirements (see below).
  5. F-1 and Internationally Educated Students must meet minimum English Proficiency Test Requirements.
1. Work Experience

A minimum of 3,700 total hours (equivalent to two years full-time work) of post-high school health-related work experience, paid or volunteer, part-time or full-time; applications strengthened by public health/health equity positions, particularly post-baccalaureate and leadership roles, and by additional years of public health/health equity work experience beyond the minimum required.

2. Prerequisite/Foundations

A completed college course in each of these four areas (see link below for more information):

  • Statistics or calculus*
  • Composition
  • Social Science
  • Cultural, Ethnic, or Social Diversity (CESD) 

​*NOTE: The statistics/calculus course must have been completed with a grade of B- or higher, and within six years of the MPH program application year (For Fall 2024 Admission - May/June 2018). If this is not the case for an applicant, the application will still be reviewed, and if the applicant is recommended for admission, a condition of admission will be a refresher statistics course completed with a grade of B- or higher before MPH program fall semester commencement.

3. Commitment to social justice, health equity, and work with populations affected by health inequalities

Steps of the Application Process

Join us for an engaging info session about our Master of Public Health (MPH) program! Discover how you can make a meaningful impact on community health and well-being. 

Our hybrid MPH Program in Community Health Education is 43 units and designed for working professionals to complete in 5 semesters with only one day on campus per week, and the rest on Zoom in the evenings after 5pm. 

These info sessions provide detailed information about the program, admission criteria, selection procedures and the application process. This is the perfect opportunity to explore your future in public health. We can’t wait to see you there!For any additional questions, please contact mfeinmanwelcher@sfsu.edu

All info sessions offered on Zoom for Accessibility. Zoom link will be provided after registration. 

Pre-registration is required. Spaces for each information session are limited. Follow instructions in the links mentioned below to register accordingly.

 

Before you begin this application, the Division of Graduate Studies recommends that you review our TIPS to Cal State Apply, as well as the information on this page. Review all detailed information on admissions criteria and be prepared to answer application questions on how you meet these requirements.

Apply Here: Cal State Apply

 

In the "My Application" section, please complete "Personal Information" and "Academic History" and then click on "Supporting Information":

1. Experiences (this is the work requirement section)
  • Please fill out your “Experiences” to list all applicable employment that fulfill the program’s work experience criteria. Hours calculated should meet the minimum admission criteria.

Under "Program Materials", you will click on "Public Health" and then find:

1. Demographic Questions
2. Documents 
  • Upload a Program Requirements Contract (Editable doc attached below)
  • Upload a CV/Resume
  • Upload a personal statement (Prompt available on Cal State Apply)
    • Tips:
      • Introduce yourself to the intended graduate program and to highlight academic experiences that prepare you for the program (e.g., coursework, research, internships, presentations).
      • Discuss your motivation or passion for pursuing graduate study.
      • Explain your research interests, disciplinary subfields, and areas of specialization.
      • Outline your professional objectives and how the program aligns with your goals.
      • Demonstrate how your experiences and interests align with the program's resources and characteristics.
      • Mention specific faculty members you want to work with and how their interests match yours.
      • Discuss your personal background and how it shapes your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
      • Include educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have influenced you
  • Upload a writing sample
    • A college/post-college professional or academic writing sample will be required for your application submission. This writing sample should demonstrate graduate writing preparedness and ability, applying research, writing and analytical skills. Applicants that have taken the GRE General Test are encouraged to submit their score. This can be submitted as an alternative or in addition to the required writing sample. The Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test is reviewed and Graduate-level proficiency in written English is usually demonstrated by a score of 4.0 or higher.
  • Upload transcripts from every college or university attended to the Documents section of this application 
    • You must upload transcripts from every college or university attended to the Documents section of this application. Transcripts should include study abroad coursework, community college coursework even if transfer credit appears on your degree transcript. Photos of documents are not accepted.  If selected for admission, you are required to submit official transcripts to the Division of Graduate Studies.
  • Upload any applicable test scores (i.e. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test score, TOEFL, etc.)
    • This is optional 
3. Recommendations
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be from academic and/or professional reference providers who can address your academic and professional promise. The letters do not have to be from faculty members at an academic institution, they can be from supervisors or professionals familiar with the candidate's work. However, if you have graduated within the last five years, at least one letter from a former professor is preferred. 
Notification of Admission Decision by the University (For Fall 2025)

•Complete applications received by January 15, 2025, will be eligible for early admission decisions (notifications will be emailed early March).

•Complete applications received by March 1, 2025 are eligible for regular admission decision (notification will be emailed by mid- May).

•Applications received after the regular admission deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis

For program-specific application inquiries, please email mfeinmanwelcher@sfsu.edu

Any technical application questions (i.e. Cal State Apply platform, sending transcripts, etc.) or questions about international graduate studies can be directed to the Division of Graduate Studies.

Applicant Resources