Your MPH Admissions Process
Your future in public health starts here.
We’re excited to help you begin. Follow these steps to get started on your application to the Master of Public Health program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences.
Application Process
1. Review the Requirements for Admission
Review the MPH program’s admission requirements before proceeding.
2. Apply through SOPHAS
All applications and supporting documents must be submitted through SOPHAS, the Schools of Public Health Application Service.
3. Prepare Additional Application Materials
In addition to the online application, you must submit the following application materials:
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts showing all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework, including grades and degrees, are required. Official transcripts sent by the institution’s registrar’s office must be submitted through SOPHAS.
Applicants with degrees and/or coursework from higher education institutions outside the U.S. must plan to fulfill all standard application requirements, and additionally are required to submit a course-by-course Foreign Transcript Evaluation through World Education Services. Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. equivalence by WES, and an official copy must be sent from the service directly to DMU or the Centralized Application Service. Your application will not be complete and cannot be verified without an official course-by-course evaluation. Certification through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates does not waive this requirement.
Evaluations and References
Contact information for at least three references. These may include an employer, supervisor, academic advisor, professor or mentor. Evaluations should address:
- Academic background
- Experience in leadership
- Future career goals
- Commitment to service and the industry
- Qualities that make you a strong candidate
Statement of Purpose and Objectives
Your statement should address:
- Why you want to pursue your MPH at DMU (include your desired concentration)
- The most pressing issue in U.S. public health today
- How you plan to contribute to the field with your MPH
- How the degree builds on your previous academic/professional experience
- Any obstacles or hardships you’ve faced and how they’ve shaped your growth and leadership potential
This may be uploaded to your SOPHAS application.
Résumé or CV
Applicants must compose a professional resume or CV and include relevant academic, professional and volunteer experience.
TOEFL Requirement for International Applicants
Test of English as a Foreign Language exam scores are required of all international applicants unless the applicant has earned a degree from an accredited university in any country whose sole national language is English. Results from the International English Language Testing System or the United States Medical Licensing Examination are not accepted in lieu of TOEFL. ECFMG certification does not waive this requirement.
Note the following, depending on your application method:
- Use the TOEFL code 5688 to automatically include TOEFL scores in the SOPHAS application.
A TOEFL score of 600 on the TOEFL paper exam or a score of 100 on the online exam and a writing score of 27 are strongly recommended to be considered for admission.
Application Review and Start Dates
Applications are reviewed once verified by SOPHAS. Each application is reviewed by our admissions committee, which looks for evidence of the applicant’s intent and purpose in pursuing the degree, as well as work/volunteer/leadership experience and past academic performance.
Students may begin the program in spring, summer or fall.
Upcoming Start Dates
- Summer 2026 — June 1, 2026
- Fall 2026 — Aug. 10, 2026
- Spring 2027 — Jan. 11, 2027
Interested in exploring public health without committing to a full degree? You may also apply to enroll in select non-degree coursework.
Transfer Credit
Students with previously earned graduate credit may apply for a transfer of up to 12 semester hours of coursework. Transfer coursework is subject to the approval of the dean and/or program director and will be reviewed only if completed within the past four years with a grade of B or better. Students must apply for transfer credit within one term of enrolling in a master’s degree at DMU. Requests for transfer credit will be processed only after an applicant is admitted to the degree program.
Accommodations in Education Policy
DMU is committed to providing equal education opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. Our Accommodations in Education Policy ensures compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Iowa Civil Rights Act and other relevant laws.
To learn more about our policy and how we support students with disabilities, view the Accommodations in Education Policy.