Eligibility Requirements
Note for applicants with a bachelors degree only: The departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology will review applicants holding a minimum of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) for the 80-credit Master of Science or doctoral programs.
The departments of Environmental Health; Global Health and Population; Health Policy and Management; Nutrition; and Social and Behavioral Sciences may consider applicants with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, however, most successful candidates have some relevant work experience.
Degrees
| Degree Name | Prerequisite Degree Requirements |
| Master of Science (80-credit) |
The 80-credit, Master of Science requires prior bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent. Some departments prefer relevant work experience as well. The 80-credit SM is offered in: Biostatistics Computational Biology and Quantitative Genetics Environmental Health Epidemiology Global Health and Population Health Policy and Management Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Master of Science (60-credit) |
Requires prior bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent in one of the mathematical sciences or an allied field (for example, biology, psychology, or economics). The 60-credit master of science is offered in Biostatistics. |
| Master of Science (42.5-credit) |
The 42.5-credit, Master of Science requires a master’s or doctoral degree. Some departments prefer relevant work experience as well.The 42.5-credit SM is offered in: Biostatistics Environmental Health Epidemiology Health Policy and Management Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Master of Public Health | Requires prior doctoral degree- for example MD, DO, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or non-US equivalents). Also eligible to apply are those with a master’s degree in a health-related field (for example, MSN, MSW, MBA) and three years of relevant experience. The law and public health concentration requires a prior JD or non-US equivalent degree. Students who have been accepted to Harvard Law School may apply to a joint JD/MPH program. MD and DO students may apply to enroll in our MD/MPH program between their third and fourth year in medical school. |
| Doctor of Public Health | Bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent is required for the DrPH. No prior public health degrees are required. |
| Doctor of Science | Bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent is required for the SD. Some departments may prefer a prior master’s degree or significant experience. The SD is offered in: Environmental Health Epidemiology Global Health and Population Nutrition Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Doctor of Philosophy | All PhD programs are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. PhD programs are offered in: Biological Sciences in Public Health Biostatistics Health Policy |
| Residency | The Harvard Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency (OEMR) is available to MPH students concentrating in Occupational and Environmental Health or Special Students. |
Non-Degree Programs
| Non-degree Program | Prerequisite Requirements |
| Global Health Effectiveness(GHE) | GHE attracts a diverse, international cadre of mid-career global health professionals who seek training in global health delivery content and skills. During the three and a half week intensive summer course, participants in the program take three courses at the HSPH: epidemiology and biostatistics (EPI505), principles of global health management, and a case-based course in global health delivery (GHP532). |
| Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE) | PCE is designed for the clinician seeking the quantitative and analytic skills needed for clinical research or interested in health care administration. |
| Special Student Status (SS) | This non-degree option is open to anyone who would like to register for Harvard School of Public Health courses for one academic year. Applicants must apply to a department through the standard SOPHAS application process and need to have met departmental eligibility requirements. This option is available for the following departments: Biostatistics; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Health Policy and Management; Nutrition; Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Summer Session for Public Health Studies | The Summer Session is intended for current and incoming HSPH degree students as well as health professionals in training or those who are considering a mid-career change into public health and want to strengthen their skills. Participants include public health professionals, primary care practitioners, physicians engaged in the evaluation of health care delivery and management, physicians in training (including preventive medicine residents and medical students in an MD/MPH joint degree program), and candidates for a part-time MPH program. |
Please note: Admission to, or academic performance in non-degree programs does not guarantee admission to the School’s other full- and part-time academic degree programs, which require a separate application and admissions process. Current degree candidates at HSPH and individuals who have applied to a degree program at HSPH for the Fall will be contacted directly in the Spring with information on how to apply for summer courses.