Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions

Does the WVU School of Public Health offer online graduate programs?

Yes! In addition to our residential (on-campus) programs, we offer the following master’s programs in an online format:

• Online Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Leadership
  
  
• Online Master of Health Administration
  
  
• Online Master of Science in Population Health

Our Master of Science in Biostatistics and Ph.D. programs are currently only available in residential (on-campus) formats.

How do I apply to a master’s or Ph.D. program at the WVU School of Public Health?

1. Complete the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application.
   
   
2. Wait for an admission decision.
   • We evaluate applications on a rolling basis for our master’s programs. Ph.D. applicants will begin receiving application decisions in February. You will receive an email when your application is out for review.
   
   
3. Complete the Admissions Reply Form.
   • If an offer of admission is made, complete the form that is linked in your offer of admission email letting us know you accept our offer and plan to join us at the WVU School of Public Health.
   
   
4. Complete the WVU graduate application.
   • AFTER you are offered admission and complete the Admissions Reply Form, you will be invited to complete the WVU graduate or WVU Online graduate application.

Are GRE scores required?

No, GRE scores are not required for our master’s or Ph.D. programs.

What documents are required to complete the SOPHAS application?

• Letters of recommendation
  • Applicants must include three letters of recommendation when applying. Master’s applications can be assessed once two letters of recommendation have been received; however, Ph.D. programs require three letters of recommendation to be received.
• Transcripts from ALL institutions attended. World Education Services (WES) evaluation is required for ALL international transcripts.
  If applying as an international student, English proficiency scores are required (Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.)
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Statement of Purpose and objectives
• GRE scores are NOT required

How can I contact SOPHAS if I need assistance completing the SOPHAS application?

You can find helpful information about the application process at the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center.

You can also contact the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center by calling +1 617-612-2090 or by emailing support@sophas.myliaison.com.

Can I just apply through the WVU graduate application?

Applying through SOPHAS is the mandatory first step in our graduate application process. It cannot be bypassed. Applicants should ONLY complete the WVU graduate application AFTER being offered admission and being invited to do so.

How much does it cost to apply?

There is a $150 charge for the first SOPHAS application ($60 fee for each additional program). There are added fees associated with ordering transcripts to be sent to SOPHAS. The cost of these fees vary depending on how many transcripts need to be ordered (based on the number of institutions attended) and on what each individual institution charges.

There is a Professional Transcript Entry Service offered through SOPHAS for an additional $80. This is optional and transcript entry can be done manually by the applicant at no additional charge. If the Professional Transcript Entry Service is selected, applicants are still responsible for ordering and paying for their transcripts to be sent to SOPHAS before transcript entry can begin.

If admission is offered, a WVU graduate application must be completed. The fee for the WVU graduate application is $60.

Do you offer application fee waivers?

WVU does not offer application fee waivers for the WVU School of Public Health at this time.

Are English language proficiency scores required for international applicants?

Yes, WVU requires English language proficiency scores for international applicants. WVU accepts TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test scores. You can find minimum requirements along with countries from which degrees were earned that DO NOT require submissions of test scores on the International Graduate Applicant site.

Do my international transcripts need to be evaluated by WES?

Yes, the SOPHAS application requires a WES evaluation for ALL international transcripts. These can be ordered through the SOPHAS application.


Does the WVU School of Public Health offer graduate assistantships or funding for master’s programs?

Students in the WVU School of Public Health’s master’s programs may be eligible, on a limited basis, to hold assistantships outside of the school.

To seek or hold a graduate assistantship outside of the school and to receive waivers, current or prospective WVU School of Public Health students and hiring units must obtain permission from the WVU School of Public Health Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. These assistantships offer a stipend and cover University tuition; however, fees and program tuition would be the responsibility of the student. Learn more about graduate assistantships, including the benefits and what is covered.

Does the WVU School of Public Health offer scholarships for master’s programs?

Merit-based scholarships are available for the on-campus Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration programs. If you have a qualifying GPA (3.0+ on a 4.0 scale), these scholarships waive University tuition for 1 to 4 credit hours per semester for a maximum of two years (does not waive University fees or school program fees/tuition).

You will be considered for these opportunities with your SOPHAS application submission. A separate scholarship application is not needed. If you qualify, you will receive notification via email with the specifics about the scholarship. Merit-based scholarships are not available through WVU School of Public Health for our Master of Science in Biostatistics or online programs at this time.


Does WVU accept Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)?

WVU considers Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana to be comparable to U.S. bachelor’s degrees under the following conditions: the HND is a two-year program that followed a two-year National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) program, for a total of at least four years of post-secondary study.

Does the WVU School of Public Health offer graduate assistantships or funding for Ph.D. programs?

Eligible Ph.D. students who are offered a graduate assistantship receive an annual stipend, paid bi-weekly. These assistantships come with a 20-hour-per-week work assignment, either as a teaching assistant or research assistant within the WVU School of Public Health.

Ph.D. graduate assistantships currently provide a waiver of both University and school tuition, though students are responsible for covering their fees. This funding is initially guaranteed for the first year of study, with continued support dependent on identifying a faculty mentor or external grant funding . Our Ph.D. program director and staff typically work with students to assist with this process. These decisions are made and communicated after an offer of admission.


Do I need to identify a mentor before applying to the Ph.D. program?

No, you do not. The admissions committee will decide which candidates are the best fit for our programs and areas of research during the application review process. However, you can find the areas in which our faculty are conducting research to see if our program is the right fit for your interests on our Academic Faculty and Staff page.

Are there fellowship opportunities for Ph.D. students?

Students are welcome to pursue fellowships or funding opportunities outside the WVU School of Public Health, such as those offered by the University. These may come with different award structures than graduate assistantships (e.g., a smaller stipend without a work requirement).