Apply to PhD Program

These requirements apply to all three PhD programs at the UTMB School of Public and Population Health (SPPH). Review them before you start your application in SOPHAS, the Schools of Public Health Application Service, where every SPPH application is submitted.

Faculty review each application as a whole, weighing your academic record, research potential, experience, and fit with the program. SPPH's preferred minimum GPA is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, but GPA alone does not decide admission. The GRE is not required.

What to submit in SOPHAS

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  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

    Include your education, professional and clinical experience, and any research, publications, or certifications.

  • Official transcripts

    Submit official transcripts from every postsecondary and professional institution you have attended. If you studied outside the United States, see the international applicant requirements below.

  • Statement of purpose and objectives

    Your statement is your opportunity to show faculty reviewers your qualifications, your motivation, and the contribution you hope to make in your field. Write it for the specific program you are applying to, and address each of the following.

    • Your academic and professional preparation for graduate study in your chosen field
    • Your interest in the program, concentration, or track you are applying to
    • Your career plans after you complete the degree
    • Relevant strengths in your background, along with any weaknesses or gaps you want reviewers to understand

  • Three letters of recommendation

    Letters are submitted electronically through SOPHAS. Ask people who can evaluate your academic and professional performance, ability, motivation, and character. Unless your program's notes below say otherwise, at least one letter should come from a current or former professor or instructor.

  • Writing sample

    Submit at least one example of your academic writing on which you are the sole or first author. A peer-reviewed publication, a course paper, a master's thesis, or another scholarly product all qualify. Reviewers for the PhD in Bioethics and Health Humanities look especially for evidence that you can write analytically and build an argument.

Fall 2027 PhD application deadlines

Your application must be complete and verified by SOPHAS by the deadline for your program. SOPHAS lists the official deadline for each program, and dates are subject to change. Check the Prospective Students page for Application Deadlines.

Additional notes by PhD program

Academic background for the PhD in Bioethics and Health Humanities

Applicants should hold one of the following.

  • A master's degree in bioethics or another humanities discipline, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and coursework that shows skill in critical analysis and writing
  • A bachelor's degree in bioethics or another humanities discipline, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and advanced writing and critical analysis skills shown through projects, volunteer work, or internships with significant writing components
  • A professional degree such as an MD or JD, with bioethics or humanities coursework or relevant experience in research, writing, or clinical settings

Funding and the MPH option in Population Health Sciences and Rehabilitation and Health Services Research

Apply by the October 15 priority deadline to be considered for funding. Highly qualified Population Health Sciences applicants may also pursue the PhD/MPH dual degree pathway, which lets students earn an MPH in Epidemiology while completing the PhD. Rehabilitation and Health Services Research students may also earn an MPH while pursuing the PhD.

Requirements for international applicants

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  • Credential evaluation from World Education Services

    If you completed coursework at an institution outside the United States or English-speaking Canada, submit a World Education Services (WES) iCAP course-by-course evaluation in place of official transcripts from that institution. Degrees earned outside the U.S. must be equivalent to the U.S. degree required for admission.

  • English language proficiency scores

    Submit TOEFL or IELTS scores that are less than two years old and meet one of these minimums.

    • TOEFL iBT overall score of 5.0 or higher on the 1 to 6 scale, or a total score of 95 or higher on the 0 to 120 scale for tests taken before January 21, 2026
    • IELTS overall score of 7.0 or higher

    If English was the primary language of instruction at your institution and your WES evaluation lists it, you may request a waiver in writing from SPPH Admissions at spphadmissions@utmb.edu.

  • Student visas

    Most international students enroll on an F-1 visa. Visa processing times vary, so apply early. Before you apply, review international student information for SPPH, including visa requirements, estimated costs, and the I-20 request process. If you will need a student visa, contact SPPH Admissions before applying to the online MPH in Biostatistics.

Tuition, scholarships, and application fees

Review SPPH tuition and fees and scholarships for SPPH students. SPPH does not offer application fee waivers, though SOPHAS provides a limited number.

Questions about applying to an SPPH PhD program