Admissions

Please visit our programs pages for a full listing of available academic programs. 

Pursue the MPH or DrPH degree if you're interested in practical application. These interdisciplinary degrees prepare students to become well-rounded public health professionals, ready to assume responsible positions in state or local health departments, health care or managed care organizations, community based organizations, consulting firms, or health-related non-profit agencies in the US or overseas. Both degrees feature real-world experience in the form of intensive internships or practica, giving our students the benefit of entering the workforce with impressively robust resumes. 

If you're interested in a research or academic career, explore our MS and PhD degrees. Unlike the broad spectrum of training offered by the MPH and DrPH degrees, MS and PhD degrees are designed to focus on the research interests of the student. Under the guidance of a faculty member, students conduct research on a chosen topic, which culminates in a written thesis or dissertation.

• In-state tuition rate: $471 per credit.
• Non-resident rate: $963 per credit.
• Students exclusively enrolled in fully online programs: $471 per credit for NYS residents and $565 per credit for non-residents.
• Please visit the Office of Student Accounts for more information on cost of attendance.

The School of Public Health offers several scholarships to incoming students who demonstrate merit and meet eligibility criteria. Students who wish to be considered for one of these awards must submit a complete application for entry into the School of Public Health by the priority application deadline or stated deadline associated with the scholarship, whichever is earlier.

David Axelrod Fellowship: 

• Awarded annually to one entering MPH or MS student.
• Awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and commitment to a career in public health. 
• Applicants must apply by January 15 to be considered.

William Randolph Hearst Fellowship: 

• Awarded annually to one entering MPH or MS student.
• Awarded for academic merit and commitment to and interest in serving an underrepresented community.
• Applicants must be a member of one of the following underrepresented groups: African-American; Latino; Native American/Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

The CDPHP Scholars Program:

• Established by the Capital District Physician’s Health Plan.
• Awarded to incoming graduate students (must be a New York resident) pursuing an MPH or MS degree through either the Department of Health Policy and Management or the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
• Recipients must demonstrate academic achievement and a demonstrated  interest in health administration, health promotion, or epidemiology.
• Preference given to students who currently reside in one of the 24 counties served by CDPHP: Albany, Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington. 

Carson Carr Diversity Teaching/Graduate Assistantships:

• Awarded to entering underrepresented or disadvantaged students pursuing a PhD, DrPH, MPH, or MS degree, with priority given to doctoral students.
• The stipend and tuition award varies depending upon degree and program. The award is renewable up to four years for doctoral students and three years for masters students.
• To be considered, students must submit all School of Public Health application materials and the Carson Carr supplemental application and essay by January 15 or the priority deadline of the degree to which the student is applying, whichever is earlier. 

Presidential Doctoral Fellowships for Research Training in Health Disparities:

• Awarded to entering PhD or DrPH students at the University at Albany who wish to receive transdisciplinary training in health disparities.
• Students seeking admission to the fellowship program must also be an applicant to a doctoral program at the University at Albany.
• The applicant must be accepted and nominated by their doctoral program, and must provide the fellowship program with a one page essay on their interest in health disparities issues and research no later than February 21.  Visit https://www.albany.edu/cemhd/fellowship.php for more information on the fellowship program and application process.  

The Adell Y. Smith HANYS Healthcare Leadership Scholarship: 

• Awarded to a graduate student interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or healthcare management.
• The Donor's first preference is that the recipient(s) is an African-American female student, with second preference of a female student from an underrepresented population. Adell Y. Smith established this endowed scholarship with appreciation to HANYS (Healthcare Association of NYS) for her 28 years of service, to encourage students toward leadership roles, and to promote diversity within healthcare and healthcare management.

Nancy Alfred Persily Memorial Scholarship: 

• Awarded to a University at Albany student with demonstrated financial need, with preference given to public health majors.

Edward & Frances Gildea George Scholarships: 

• Awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence.

Birkhead Scholarship: 

• Awarded to an MPH or MS student entering their second year.
• Established in honor of Dr. Gus Birkhead, Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Office of Public Health, New York State Department of Health, for the purpose of promoting academic excellence in public health.
• The scholarship seeks to support a student with a strong passion for public service. 
• To be considered, students must meet eligibility criteria as defined on the scholarship application, and submit the Birkhead Scholarship Application and required essay by March 15.

Janet D. Perloff Scholarship:

• Awarded to an MSW/MPH student in the joint degree program in Social Welfare and Public Health who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and an interest in a career which combines public health and social welfare.
• Established in memory of Dr. Janet Perloff, who was the School of Social Welfare Dean for Research and a profession of Social Welfare and Public Health.
• Submit the Perloff Scholarship Application for consideration no later than June 21.

Funding for PhD students varies by semester and by department. Graduate assistantships are awarded to incoming PhD students based on merit. No supplemental application is required.  Decisions are made by the individual department and students will be notified by the department if they are selected to receive an assistantship.

You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing the University at Albany School code: 002835. The Office of Financial Aid provides newly accepted graduate students with financial aid eligibility packages in mid March. For questions about eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at fao@albany.edu or 518-442-3202.

MPH students should include in the application the need for summer financial aid to help cover the costs of the 6 credit summer internship, which is typically completed over the summer between the first and second year of study. Please note that the Office Financial Aid is not able to provide graduate students with financial aid eligibility prior to confirming acceptance.

Graduate students admitted as "non-degree" are only eligible for federal aid if they are taking approved University at Albany undergraduate courses required for admission into a University at Albany graduate degree program.

Your registration status for financial aid depends on the number of enrolled credits. A minimum registration of 5 credits in a degree program is required to receive federal financial aid.

Most financial aid awards require an acceptance decision by the aid recipient before the aid can be processed further. If you have been awarded a Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford loan, you must notify financial aid of the amount you accept. If you choose to decline an award, you must inform Financial Aid of this decision. For more information on Federal and New York aid programs, access to financial forms, and how to accept your financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.

Full-time employees at a New York State local health department or the New York State Department of Health who are enrolled in a public health graduate program in the School of Public Health may apply for tuition assistance from the Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow (PHLOT) program. Information on eligibility criteria and how to apply for a tuition award is available on the PHLOT web page.

• The School of Public Health Internship and Career Services Office provides students with information via weekly emails about part-time jobs, graduate assistantships, student assistant positions, fellowships, and grants that become available during the academic year. 
   
• Many students also receive funding while completing their MPH internship, either through an internship fellowship which is applied directly to the student account to cover the cost of tuition, fees and living expenses associated with the internship, or as a student assistant paid directly by the internship organization.
   
• The University at Albany 's Graduate School provides ways to fund your education here: Graduate Education External Funding
   
• The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) provides extensive information and tips on how to find scholarships on their Financing Your Degree website. ASPPH has also produced an informative webinar on How to Finance Your Public Health Degree.
   
• We encourage you to start the process of searching for financial support as early as possible, as most scholarship deadlines are October, November, and December - before the application deadlines for most academic programs.

Choose a public health program using the "Programs" tab on the navigation. If you are unsure which program is a good fit for you, we are happy to assist you. You can email us at sphadmissions@albany.edu. 

To apply through SOPHAS (the centralized application service used when applying to graduate programs at many schools of public health), you will need:

1. Completion of a degree program equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling.

2. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores if your native language is not English. We require a TOEFL score of 98 for the MPH and DrPH programs and a minimum of 100 for the MS and PhD programs. TOEFL scores are not required for students who have previously been enrolled for a minimum of two full-time semesters in a U.S. college or university, or who have completed an undergraduate degree in a country where English is the official language and language of instruction.

3. Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores.

4. Specific admission requirements for the degree and program of study to which you are applying. Please review the program specific admissions guidelines on each program page carefully prior to applying to be sure you meet all requirements.

All official documents must be submitted directly to SOPHAS. It is not necessary to submit additional copies of materials to the School of Public Health.

• All academic transcripts and credentials from international universities attended must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) and submitted by WES directly to SOPHAS. It may take up to 6 weeks for SOPHAS to receive the WES evaluation, so it is important to plan for this extra time when submitting your credentials to WES to ensure that degree application deadlines are met. Please note that SOPHAS and the University at Albany will only accept evaluations from the World Education Services (WES). SOPHAS applicants will receive a 10% reduction in the cost of the WES evaluation.
• Personal statement describing background, goals, and objectives in your proposed area of study
• Resume
• A minimum of three letters of reference - at least two must be from former teachers
• Official TOEFL scores: use code 5688
• Official GRE scores: use code 4216
• Completion of all sections in the SOPHAS application

The specific SOPHAS UAlbany School of Public Health codes are to be used when requesting results to be sent directly from ETS to SOPHAS electronically. Do not send copies of your score results directly to either SOPHAS or the School of Public Health, as they will not be considered official. The scores must be sent directly from ETS to satisfy the application requirement of official scores.

Applicants whose academic training was not in the U.S., but who are in the U.S. at the time the application is submitted MUST adhere to all requirements as outlined for international students on SOPHAS.

A notification email from the School of Public Health Office of Admissions will be sent directly to the email you provided in your SOPHAS application to let you know if you have been accepted into your program.

Accept your offer of admission:  You will need to complete the School of Public Health Enrollment Decision form and a submit a $250 enrollment deposit to secure your place in the incoming class. Depending on your program, you will have applied in one of two ways - either through SOPHAS or "UAlbany Apply Now":

SOPHAS Applicants: Submit the $250 enrollment deposit to UAlbany Marketplace.

UAlbany Apply Now Applicants: Confirm your admission and submit the $250 enrollment deposit via the link provide in your admit letter posted in your online application portal.

1. Submit the Financial Affidavit Form: Proof of funding must be presented before the University will issue the I-20 documents necessary to obtain a visa. All international students must submit the Financial Affidavit Form, verifying possession of sufficient funds to cover the cost of tuition, fees, living expenses, books and supplies. Financial Affidavit Form and instructions

Once the Financial Affidavit Form has been submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, the I-20 documents will be issued. Request express shipping of immigration documents.

Although proof of finances is only required for the first year of study, it is the responsibility of each student to ensure they have financial support sufficient to pay for all tuition, fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the academic program. 

The Office of Graduate Admissions will not issue I-20 documents to international students who have not paid the enrollment deposit.

2. Obtain your I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa) form

The I-20 form is a document issued by the university to certify to the U.S. government that you are eligible for a student visa. The initial I-20 form is mailed with your official acceptance letter (1) after you have been officially accepted to the program and (2) after you have provided proof of finances to cover the cost of tuition, fees and living expenses.

The DS-2019 Form is issued by the university to certify to the U.S. government that you are eligible for the J-1 Trainee Visa. The J-1 visa is typically issued to individuals coming to the U.S. as students who are receiving funding to pursue a specific program of study, research, training or a cultural enrichment program.

After receiving your I-20 form or your DS-2019 form it must be signed and brought to the U.S. Embassy in your country.

3. Pay your SEVIS Fee

The SEVIS fee must be paid in order for you to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa. You cannot apply for your visa until the fee is paid.

Please note that while citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the requirement to possess a visa to enter the U.S., they are still required to pay the SEVIS fee.

Please refer to the Student and Exchange Visitor website for more information 

All students who pay the SEVIS fee will receive a formal receipt that should be used as proof of fee payment. To pay the SEVIS fee online, go to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements website then select File the 1-901 Form online and follow the instructions.

Follow the instructions specific to the U.S. embassy of your country of application and schedule an appointment.

To obtain a student (F-1) or an exchange visitor (J-1) visa you must:

Once the visa has been approved your passport will be stamped with the name of the school.

1. Bring verification of official acceptance into the program.
2. Have formally confirmed that you plan to attend the University at Albany School of Public Health.
3. Provide a copy of your Student Financial Affidavit or evidence of financial support.
4. Bring a passport from your home country that is valid for 6 months after your program's end.
5. Provide any evidence that you might have to demonstrate that you have strong ties to your home country and that you plan to return to your home country at the conclusion of your study and any period of authorized employment.

4. I-94 form

The I-94 form will be issued to you once you cross the border into the United States. It must be completed by foreign citizens being admitted into the country on a non-immigrant status. Once completed, the form is evaluated by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer who will approve your admission into the country for an authorized time period. This time period is typically based on the length of time it will take you to obtain your degree. After approval, the stamped form will usually be stapled into your passport. Do not lose this form because it is proof that you have entered the country legally. This form must also be presented to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) once you have arrived on campus.

1. Register for classes. You must be registered for classes within 30 days after your visa has been issued. Contact your department directly to obtain advisement and begin the registration process.

2. Start looking for housing. Both on and off-campus housing options exist. Visit the International Student and Scholar Services website for more housing information. If you are relying on public transportation, you should look for housing near bus routes, especially the University at Albany shuttle bus to the Health Sciences Campus.

If you're on an F-1 visa, you can work on campus as long as you are in good academic standing and are taking a full-course of study. Get more information about on campus employment for international students.

You may work off campus only if the off campus job is related to your course of study and is considered Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Off campus employment (CPT) requires the approval of the International Students Service and Scholars office.