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Become an expert in Public Health. Earn your Ph.D. at UNM.

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PhD – Doctor of Philosophy

The COPH offers a PhD program in Health Equity Sciences which integrates the rich history of public health, with the newer discipline of population health, and the human and social sciences to provide graduates with a rigorous competency-based doctoral degree. The advanced comprehensive training prepares scholars for positions in various settings - such as local, state, federal, and global governmental and non-governmental agencies, public health and social justice organizations, health care provider organizations, and higher learning institutions.

The Ph.D. in Health Equity Sciences consists of 66 credit hours total:
• 23 credit hours of core coursework
• 13 credit hours of PH credits
• 12 credit hours of concentration-specific coursework
• 18 credit hours of dissertation coursework

The COPH will offer the following concentrations:

Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Global Health Equity and Policy
Community Based Participatory Research and Action Science

PhD in Health Equity Sciences

Want to view a PDF brochure of the PhD in Health Equity Sciences program?

Click Here

Graduate Specialization

Considering a concentration can help your degree to specialize in an area that fits your professional goals. This will help you gain subject-specific education to complement your degree. Talk with an advisor to get the right fit for you.

SOPHAS Application

The application will open in mid-August 2025. The deadline to apply for fall 2026 admission is January 5, 2026.

Interested in this degree?

Apply Today Through SOPHAS

Downloadable FAQs

For program-specific questions:

PhD HES Program Directors:

Claudia Diaz Fuentes, PhD
cdiazfuentes@salud.unm.edu

Verlin Joseph, PhD, MPH
vjoseph@salud.unm.edu

PhD HES Program Coordinator:

Michael Miranda
mgmiranda@salud.unm.edu

You are encouraged to meet with the PhD Program Coordinator, Michael Miranda (mgmiranda@salud.unm.edu), prior to submitting your application to ensure it is complete.

Admissions Criteria:

Applicants must hold a graduate degree.
Documented experience in the form of research, job experience, completion of a master’s thesis, and/or other similar experience including work in non-governmental agencies (NGOs).
One graduate-level coursework in statistics or biostatistics with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Two-page Statement of Interest describing professional experience, research interests, career aspirations, and experiences that have prepared the applicant for doctoral work.
Three letters of recommendation: one from professional and/or academic contacts.
Writing sample such as a thesis or professional paper during their master’s coursework, published paper, policy brief or a completed, comparable extended project or publication (not to exceed 10 pages).

To apply please go to: sophas.org

For additional questions please contact Michael Miranda at mgmiranda@salud.unm.edu

General HES Application Questions

What is SOPHAS?

The College of Population Health uses SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service) as
our CAS to evaluate both MPH and PhD applicants. Based on the information received on SOPHAS,
COPH faculty make decisions on admissions.

What is WES?

World Education Services (WES) verifies all international transcripts, degrees, and institutions, and
provides USA equivalents and scales through SOPHAS.

Can I apply to the PhD in Health Equity Sciences program internationally, and how do I submit my application?

Yes, international applicants are welcome to apply. We use a centralized online application system.
For more information, please visit our website: https://hsc.unm.edu/populationhealth/
programs/graduate-programs/phd/. At the bottom of the page, you will find a link to the
SOPHAS system, where all applications must be submitted. The next application cycle opens in mid-
August of this year.

Can I apply to more than one program through SOPHAS?

Yes. SOPHAS allows applicants to apply to multiple programs and institutions, although you will
need to submit the program's specific requirements.

Can I apply to multiple programs or concentrations at the University of New Mexico, College of Population Health?

No, applicants to the University of New Mexico College of Population Health must select a single
program and concentration when applying. It is important that prospective students carefully consider
their educational background, professional experience, research interests, and career goals prior to
beginning the application process.

Could you provide information on the types of funding available to PHD students in the program, such as assistantships or fellowships?

Because funding is determined on an annual basis, the College of Population Health is unable to
provide details regarding past or future funding opportunities. All information related to funding and
awards will be communicated in a separate letter upon acceptance.

Can the University offer a waiver for the SOPHAS application fee?

Neither the University of New Mexico nor the College of Population Health is able to provide SOPHAS
application fee waivers to prospective applicants. However, SOPHAS offers a limited number of fee
waivers at the beginning of each application cycle. For more information, please visit:
https://help.liaisonedu.com/SOPHAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_SOPHAS_Application/Get
ting_Started_with_Your_SOPHAS_Application/03_Application_Fees."

What is the best way to contact a faculty member to discuss how my background, career goals, and research interests align with the program’s mission and their academic focus?

Please contact the PhD Program Coordinator after submitting the following materials to SOPHAS:
• Official transcripts showing degrees earned
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

What if my recommenders have not submitted my recommendation letter?

SOPHAS cannot process your application until all required materials are received. You must follow
up with your recommenders directly.

When will I be notified about an admissions decision?

You will receive communication from the COPH Program Coordinator once your application has been
reviewed and a decision has been made.

Can I update my application after submission?

Applicants cannot make edits to their applications after they have been submitted. To make edits to an
application, the applicant must contact SOPHAS directly to reopen the application.

Who should I contact if issues arise with SOPHAS?

You may contact SOPHAS directly to troubleshoot issues on the site: SOPHAS Customer service at
sophasinfo@liaisoncas.com or (617) 612-2090.

Academic Requirement Questions

Can I submit transcripts to the University of New Mexico directly?

No. All application materials must be submitted through the SOPHAS system. Documents submitted
outside of SOPHAS will not be reviewed. Detailed instructions are provided within the SOPHAS
platform during the application process. If you have any questions regarding the transcript submission
process, please contact the program coordinator promptly.

Can I submit international transcripts to the University of New Mexico directly?

No. A WES evaluation is required as part of the admissions process, and all related documents must be
submitted through the SOPHAS application system. We do not review any materials submitted outside of
WES or SOPHAS. While completing your application in SOPHAS, you will be directed to WES, with all
necessary instructions provided within the SOPHAS platform. If you have any questions regarding the
transcript submission process, please contact the program coordinator promptly.

How can I determine if credits from a specific class will transfer into the program?

Please contact the Program Coordinator and submit the syllabus for the course in question via email. The
Program Coordinator will forward all inquiries to the Program Director(s) for review. Approval of all
transfer credits rests with the Program Director(s). Please note that this process may take up to three
weeks to complete.

How do I submit test scores through SOPHAS?

Please have your testing agency send scores directly to SOPHAS.

Is this an online degree program?

No. The PhD in Health Equity Sciences is primarily a face-to-face program, with on-campus participation
expected from all admitted students.

Am I eligible to apply for the next admission cohort, even if I will complete my graduate degree shortly before the program begins?

Yes, you may still apply to the program; however, any available graduate-level transcripts must be
uploaded to SOPHAS as soon as possible.

Is it necessary to secure a faculty mentor before submitting my application, or is mentor matching done after admission?

No. Applicants should not contact faculty members to secure a mentor for the program. Facultystudent
mentorships are assigned after admission, based on the student’s research interests, academic
background, and faculty availability.

Could you please confirm if my scores meet the English language proficiency requirements for this program?

The College of Population Health adheres to the University of New Mexico’s standards for
international admissions. For detailed information, including potential exemptions from English
proficiency requirements, please visit their website: http://international.unm.edu/englishproficiency.
html.

Please note that while an English proficiency score is not required during the application process, it
will be required for formal admission to the University upon acceptance of an offer of admission to
the program.

I am interested in applying to your program, but I am unsure whether my background will make me a competitive candidate or if I will be accepted into the program.

Public health is a multifaceted field that can be explored from various perspectives. The college
comprises members with diverse professional backgrounds and areas of expertise. The goal is to
improve health equity and seek solutions in all aspects of public health.

Do I need to take the GRE?

No. The College of Population Health does not currently require GRE scores for admission to the
PhD in Health Equity Sciences programs.

Accreditation

The Master of Public Health Program is accredited until December 31, 2025 by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education. The College of Population Health at The University of New Mexico will host a reaccreditation visit by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) on October 2-3, 2025. To learn more, click here.