Application Requirements and Categories

Application Requirements

For Applicants Who are from Institutions Other Than OUHSC or OU

A complete application to the Hudson College of Public Health will include:

  1. Completed Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application (www.sophas.org) and payment of fees. The SOPHAS application requires
    1. Transcripts
      US applicants: official transcripts from all institutions attended International applicants: WES course-by-course or ECE evaluation of all international coursework (www.wes.org) (https://www.ece.org/)
    2. A personal essay or career goal statement
    3. A current CV or résumé
    4. International applicants are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. For most programs, the minimum acceptable score is 88 on the TOEFL internet based test (iBT) or a score of 6.5 on IELTS. The MHA program requires a score of 100 on TOEFL iBT or a score of 7.0 on IELTS; the PhD program in OEH requires a score of 90 iBT or a score of 6.5 on IELTS. (For more information on these requirements, visit: https://admissions.ouhsc.edu/Prospective-Students/International-Applicants/English-Proficiency-Requirement-TOEFL).
    5. A GRE score is required for the MS and PhD programs.
  2. Completed Hudson College of Public Health supplemental application (https://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/) and payment of fees.

For Applicants Who are Current OU/OUHSC Students or OU/OUHSC Alumni

A complete application to the Hudson College of Public Health will include:

  1. Completed Hudson College of Public Health supplemental application (https://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/) and payment of fee.
  2. An email informing the Admissions Team of the intent to apply should be sent to hcoph@ouhsc.edu.
  3. A personal essay or career goal statement
  4. A current CV or résumé.
  5. Official GRE test score report for the MS and PhD programs - ETS should be instructed to send the report to code 6902. GRE is not required for the dual BS in Math/MS in Biostatistics program.

For Current HCOPH Students Seeking a Change of Major

A complete application to the Hudson College of Public Health will include:

  1. Completed Change of Major form https://admissions.ouhsc.edu/Portals/1047/assets/ChangeCollegeMajorDegreeOption6_2016.pdf.
  2. A personal essay or career goal statement.
  3. A current CV or résumé.

 Further details on the Application Process and other information for Prospective Students is available at https://publichealth.ouhsc.edu/Prospective-Students.

All completed applications will be reviewed by the appropriate Hudson College of Public Health Admissions Committee and a recommendation will be made to the Dean or his designee for the type of admission status to be offered to the applicant. The admission types are described in the following section.

Admission Categories

Full Standing

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center uses the 4.00 scale to calculate grade point averages, with an “A” equal to 4.00. An applicant must have a baccalaureate or entry level first professional degree from an accredited university or college. Applicants with an undergraduate degree must have a 3.00 grade point average (4.00 scale) in upper division coursework or in the last 60 credit hours of coursework applied to the degree. Applicants with an advanced degree must have an overall grade point average of 3.00 in all coursework required for the degree. The applicant must be in good standing with the college or university where currently enrolled or last attended in order to be considered for admission in full standing to a degree program.

In special cases, an applicant who has completed 12 credit hours or more of graded graduate level coursework in areas that demonstrate the potential to complete the program may be considered for admission. The applicant is encouraged to consult with the college to select the appropriate coursework prior to enrollment. Completion of some quantitative courses will strengthen consideration. The applicant must have completed the coursework at an accredited college or university with a 3.00 grade point average in all graduate work attempted and be in good standing with the college or university where currently enrolled or last attended. Additional academic credit hours that are applicable to the degree program may be used in evaluating a student for admission into a public health degree program.

Special Students

The Special Student admission category is reserved for individuals holding baccalaureate or professional degrees who are not degree-seeking, but wish to take one of more courses to improve their knowledge and skills in specific areas. For example, a medical professional seeking a board certification that requires completion of certain supplementary courses would be an appropriate candidate for Special Student status. Special Students are under the academic supervision of the Dean or his designee. Students who wish to pursue a degree program within the Hudson College of Public Health must apply to the degree program they wish to pursue. No more than 12 credit hours may be taken as a Special Student.

Probationary Admission

An applicant who does not meet the minimum 3.00 grade point requirement for admission in full standing may be considered for probationary admission. Only in exceptional situations will applicants with grade point averages below 3.0 be admitted on probationary status. An interview will be required for students seeking admission on probationary status. Probationary admission to the degree program requires the recommendation of the Admissions Committee and approval of the Dean or his designee. When the student has completed the required conditions of the probationary admission, the student’s status will be changed to full-standing in the degree program. Admission on academic probation will depend heavily on other indicators of the applicant’s ability to do successful academic work. These indicators might include but are not limited to a strong performance on standardized tests, a high grade point average in the major, or experiences that clearly indicate strong professional and academic ability in a public health area related to the degree of interest. Applications indicating a grade point average of less than 2.75 (4.00 scale) in upper division coursework or in the last 60 credit hours of coursework applied to the baccalaureate degree are not admissible.

A student admitted with a grade point average less than 3.00 must receive letter grades of A or B in the initial 9 credit hours of graded public health coursework. The 9 credit hours must be courses required for the degree and approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Dean or his designee. It is expected these courses will be completed within one calendar year following initial enrollment. Students who fail to meet the probationary admission requirements will be dismissed from the degree program and denied further enrollment in the Hudson College of Public Health.

Deferred Admission and Readmission

Upon being admitted to the Hudson College of Public Health, prospective students are expected to enroll in courses at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the semester they are admitted. Upon the approval of the department or Dean or his designee, the Office of Student Services may defer admission for one semester. Longer deferrals require permission of the Dean or his designee. Students are subject to the regulations in effect during their first term of enrollment so long as they maintain continuous enrollments. Students who interrupt their enrollment in the Hudson College of Public Health for more than one year must reapply for admission. If readmitted, they will be subject to the regulations and degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Change of Degree or Major

Students in good academic standing may request to change degree option or specialty track within a Program or transfer to another degree program at the Health Sciences Center by completing a Change of College, Major or Degree Option Form (see “For current HCOPH students seeking a Change of Major” subsection above). Students on probationary status must move to full-standing status and have an overall graduate grade point average of 3.00 or greater prior to initiating a request for change of status. Students must complete a minimum of nine credit hours of required core coursework prior to applying for a change of status within the Hudson College of Public Health.

The Change of Major form is available in the Office of Student Services or online at https://admissions.ouhsc.edu/Portals/1047/assets/ChangeCollegeMajorDegreeOption6_2016.pdf. A new career goal statement and résumé should be submitted as well. The request must be approved by all programs involved.