Admissions

 

Dear Prospective Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the Masters in Public Health Program at the University of New Mexico. Students are admitted for the Fall semester only.  Applications are due in the UNM Admissions office by February 1st of each year.  Screening of completed applications will begin February 1st.  Applications received by that date will be given first consideration for admission and financial assistance.  Applications received or completed after that date but before the university deadline for the Fall semester will be considered on a space available basis only. Please verify with us prior to the submission of your application that you have the correct forms. There may be slight changes to forms made throughout the year.

The MPH Program requirements for admission:

  • B.S., B.A., or equivalent from an accredited U.S. institution or a recognized foreign institution.
  • G.P.A. of 3.0
  • Required Exam Scores:
  • All students must have
    • Recent (5 years) GRE scores:  preferred verbal & quantitative scores of 500 each and analytical writing score of 4 or above, or
    • MCATS: preferred score of 10 and N in writing, or
    • GMATs: preferred score of 500 and above.
    • Use Institution Code 4845 and Departmental Code 0616 to indicate where your scores should be sent.
  • US Licensed MDs & PhDs are exempt from submitting the above tests scores.
  • Foreign Students must take the TOEFL examination and score at least a 560.
  • Students are required to have two years of experience in the Public Health field.  Your experience could be in community development, research, health education, health science, health promotion or other health-related work.  Please call our office if you are unsure if your experience satisfies this requirement.

If you are applying as a foreign student you must check with the Office of International Admissions, University of New Mexico, Student Services Center, Room 140, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5267. Please feel free to contact us for further information regarding your application at (505) 277-5829.

Included in this packet is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the MPH program and information showing areas where public health individuals most frequently work. We hope this will help answer many of the questions that you may have. If you need further information, please feel free to call our office at (505) 272-4173.

We look forward to hearing from you.


The application process is a self-managed process whereby each applicant is expected to compile all information required for application to a specific program. Please follow the instructions provided below that specifically state where to send materials.

» PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR APPLICATION TO THE MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM.

It is very important you mail items requested by the Admissions Office directly to them. The Admissions Office will return incomplete packets without processing.

Send these materials to the Admissions Office:

The University of New Mexico
Office of Admissions
Attn: Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 4849
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849

  1. The Application/Residency form has two parts to complete. Please ensure that all blanks on each form are filled in. Missing information can create a delay in the processing of the application.

    A. An Application Form:
    Please type or print with ball point pen. Indicate your full legal name, and also any other names you use. If you do not have a social security number, please request one from your nearest Social Security Office (social security numbers will not be used as a student ID). To complete Numbers 16 and 17, select from the list of UNM major codes. Be sure to sign and date the application, and be careful to correctly check the semester and year for which you are applying.

    B. A Residency Form:
    This is used to determine residency for tuition purposes. ALL applicants are required to submit this form, whether seeking in-state residency or not. Military residents should request an Active Duty Military Tuition Residence form to be considered for in-state tuition.
  2. An Application Fee of $50.00: A check or money order should be made out to the University of New Mexico. The fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived.
  3. One official transcript from EACH academic institution you have attended: (With the exception of the University of New Mexico.) Do not assume that any transcript is irrelevant to your proposed program of study. If you are currently enrolled in a school, send the transcripts as they are at present and re-submit transcripts once current grades are posted. It is preferred that the institution send the transcripts directly to the Admissions Office . If you have the transcripts sent directly to you, DO NOT OPEN THE TRANSCRIPT ENVELOPES. Those that have been opened or tampered with will be considered unofficial and will delay the admissions process.

Please order your transcripts early, so that you do not miss the departmental deadline! (It can take up to four weeks to receive transcripts.)

NOTE: Do not list study abroad programs separately on the application form if they are included as part of a transcript program from an accredited U.S. Institution.

Send these materials to the Masters in Public Health Program:

University Of New Mexico
Masters in Public Health Program
Attention: Admissions
2400 Tucker NE

MSC09 5060
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

  1. A Letter of Intent: (Applicant Essay) This is your opportunity to tell the MPH faculty why you want to pursue an MPH degree.  An applicant's essay must demonstrate public health leadership potential based on their previous employment, extracurricular experience, or commitment to the field. This essay should include a summary description of your 2 years of public health experience.  It should also include a brief statement of how this degree will be used upon completion of the MPH.  Maximum length: 5 pages, double spaced.
  2. A minimum of three letters of recommendation are also required as part of an application. You are responsible for completing the blanks at the top of each letter of recommendation form (e.g., name, program, etc.).  The persons who recommended you may choose to return the sealed recommendations to you or directly to the Masters in Public Health Program.  Letters that are being directly submitted should be mailed to the Masters in Public Health Program – not to the Admissions Office. It is important that you provide to each person providing a recommendation a stamped envelope addressed to our program. This information ensures that all materials related to your application are easily identifiable.
  3. Test scores are to be sent to the Masters in Public Health Program before the final deadline.
  4. Resume: Include public health experience (can be voluntary or paid)

If you have any questions about the application procedure, please contact Gayle Garcia at (505) 272-3982.

Non Degree Status

If you currently have an undergraduate degree and are interested in taking MPH courses before officially applying to the program, you may apply as a non-degree student.

You will need to apply to UNM as a non-degree student with the non-degree application form at http://www.unm.edu/~ndc/app-main.pdf. There is a $10.00 non-refundable application fee. 

Up to 21 credit hours of MPH courses that you take in non degree status, with a B or better, will apply towards your MPH degree. You will bring these courses officially into your degree program once you are accepted into the MPH. Please keep in mind that there is a seven year time limit from when you start your first course as a non-degree student. You have seven years to complete your MPH degree from the time you begin your coursework as a non-degree student.

For more information, please contact the student advisor, Gayle Garcia at 272-4173.