PhD – Doctor of Philosophy

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.

World Education Services (WES) verifies all international transcripts, degrees, and institutions, and

provides USA equivalents and scales through SOPHAS.

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.

Yes. SOPHAS allows applicants to apply to multiple programs and institutions, although you will

need to submit the program's specific requirements.

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.

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.

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 SOPHAS.

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

SOPHAS cannot process your application until all required materials are received. You must follow

up with your recommenders directly.

You will receive communication from the COPH Program Coordinator once your application has been

reviewed and a decision has been made.

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.

You may contact SOPHAS directly to troubleshoot issues on the site: SOPHAS Customer service at

sophasinfo@liaisoncas.com or (617) 612-2090.

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.

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.

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.

Please have your testing agency send scores directly to SOPHAS.

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

expected from all admitted students.

Yes, you may still apply to the program; however, any available graduate-level transcripts must be

uploaded to SOPHAS as soon as possible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No. The College of Population Health does not currently require GRE scores for admission to the

PhD in Health Equity Sciences programs.