Please review these detailed instructions and requirements for applying to the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology.

Admission Requirements

The department bases admissions decisions on:

• An applicant’s academic potential as demonstrated through grade point average, test scores and academic and personal references.
• An applicant’s motivation and interest in an area of epidemiology as demonstrated by prior experience and the statement of purpose. In addition, Ph.D. admissions decisions are strongly affected by an applicant’s fit with the research interests of the Epidemiology faculty.

MS in Epidemiology

• A bachelor’s or professional degree.
• A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
• Undergraduate preparation must have included two semesters of biological sciences and mathematics.
• For international students: TOEFL (or IELTS during the 2006-2007 year) scores are required for international students except permanent residents or those who have earned a degree from an accredited institution in the US, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. The minimum recommended score is 100. The minimum recommended IELTS score is 7.0.

Application Deadlines for MS in Epidemiology

• Fall: June 1
• Summer : April 1
• No spring admissions

MS in Clinical Investigation

• At a minimum either (1) receipt of a clinical professional or doctoral-level degree (RN (BSN required), MD, DO, DDS, PhD, PharmD, DVM) in a clinical discipline, (2) enrollment in a health science professional program or 3) eligible for admission for graduate study in the College of Public Health with a goal of clinical research.
• A Bachelor’s Degree with at least grade-point average of 3.0.
• TOEFL (or IELTS during the 2006-2007 year) scores are required for international students except permanent residents or those who have earned a degree from an accredited institution in the US, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. The minimum recommended score is 100. The minimum recommended IELTS score is 7.0.
• Courses in biostatistics and epidemiology with a B or equivalent (3.0) performance prior to admission.

Application Deadlines for MS in Clinical Investigation

• Fall: July 15
• Summer : April 1
• Spring: December 1

MPH in Epidemiology

Please visit How to Apply to the MPH Program for requirements and deadlines.

PhD in Epidemiology

• A bachelor’s or professional degree and an MS or MPH degree in an area closely related to epidemiology.
• A minimum grade-point average of 3.0.
• Courses in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences are highly recommended. This includes one semester of calculus and two semesters of biological sciences.
• Interview (In-person or Skype)
• For international students: TOEFL (or IELTS during the 2006-2007 year) scores are required for international students except permanent residents or those who have earned a degree from an accredited institution in the US, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. The minimum recommended score is 100. The minimum recommended IELTS score is 7.0

Application Deadlines for PhD in Epidemiology

• Fall: December 1 (priority deadline for consideration for financial support; June 1st is the final deadline)
• Summer : April 1
• No spring admissions

Additional Information for Prospective Doctoral Students

The Department of Epidemiology encourages all qualified applicants to submit an application to our PhD program in Epidemiology. Currently, for the upcoming academic year (2025-2026) the department anticipates being able to support doctoral students interested in working on their dissertation and other creative works in the following research areas:

Submit Application

A complete application to the University of Iowa (UI) College of Public Health is comprised of two parts:

• An application submitted to the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS)
• Once SOPHAS is complete, and student is prompted, paying the University of Iowa Graduate College Application fee

SOPHAS

You can apply through SOPHAS at sophas.org. You will be required to:

• Complete an application
• Provide official transcripts showing all previous undergraduate and graduate work with grades and degrees
  • A note for International Students: International transcripts should be evaluated by World Education Service (WES) and submitted to SOPHAS. They do not need to be sent separately to the University of Iowa unless requested.
• Provide three letters of recommendation. These letters are submitted by your letter writers through SOPHAS, which has detailed instructions on how these letters are submitted.
• Provide your resume, describing educational and employment history.
• Provide your TOEFL scores, if you are an international student.
• Provide your master’s thesis (for Ph.D. applicants only. Applicants who did not complete a thesis should submit a sample of scholarly writing).
• Write a personal statement. Please address the following questions in a two- to three-page essay. Provide equal time to each question, and in your answers use as much detail as possible, and use specific examples:
  • What previous experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree degree in epidemiology?
    • Describe the experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, research, or other opportunities or challenges that have most influenced your interest in this degree program and how they connect to what you hope to discover in this program. You may also comment on how your experiences reflect your ability to persevere and be successful.
      • For educational, research, laboratory, or practical experiences, be sure to describe specific methods or skills, including statistical and software skills that you have learned that may apply to your new research topic
  • The Department of Epidemiology has a strong research program in which both theoretical and applied research achieves high-quality epidemiologic investigations at the forefront of scientific knowledge. Describe your specific areas of research interest within epidemiology. See our research interest area pages for examples.
    • What are the current issues that you would like to know more about and address?
    • Describe broadly what you are hoping to do with this degree. Be sure to touch on your career goals and the impact that you hope to make as a graduate of this program.
  • How do your scholarly interests match with the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology?
    • What are your reasons for applying to the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology specifically?
    • Are there 2 or 3 particular faculty in the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology whose research area seems to match your main area of interest? How do you see your work aligning with their area(s) of expertise?

Set up UI account and pay supplemental University of Iowa fee

• Once you have submitted all your materials to SOPHAS and your transcripts have been verified, you will receive an email from the University of Iowa which will provide you with detailed instructions on setting up a University of Iowa account and paying the supplemental University of Iowa fee. Your application will be reviewed once this step is complete.
• All students (except those whose undergraduate degree was conferred at the University of Iowa), will need to send their final transcript (showing degree conferral) to the Office of Graduate admissions.