MPH Programs that Don't Require a GRE: Application Tips and Guidance

Why Universities are Waiving the MPH as a Requirement

Many MPH programs are waiving this requirement for numerous reasons. There’s an increasing belief that GRE scores do not reflect a candidates’ intellectual ability and are more connected to their socioeconomic status³. The GRE doesn’t predict academic success. Studies have shown there’s weak, if any, correlation between academic success and GRE.

Moreover, Baylor University believes eliminating these GRE requirements will advance the nation’s communities “by expanding the students who graduate from public health programs and become the next generation of health professionals who make a difference”³. While these beliefs became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan State has been discussing this removal of the GRE requirement since the 2018 academic year.

The dean of the University of Michigan, DuBois Bowman states: “Research tells us that high GRE test scores tend to correlate with a student’s socioeconomic status, race, and gender. The test has been shown to underpredict the success of students in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and women in STEM fields”⁴.

The elimination of this requirement will create a more equitable and inclusive public health workforce.

MPH Programs without a GRE Requirement

Below are brief summaries of MPH Programs with no GRE requirement, and some of the highlights of each program. There are numerous other programs that are no longer requiring the GRE, so if you don’t see the institution you are looking for on this list, don’t be discouraged.

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Benedictine University

This CEPH-accredited program can be taken online or on campus. It provides a flexible timeline; you can finish your degree in less than 2 years or take up to 6 years. This program waives the GRE if you have an advanced degree or a minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergrad. There are three graduate certificates you can work towards on top of your degree – Health Management and Policy, Health Education and Promotion, Epidemiology. This program works with students to create a graduate experience that is tailored to how you learn best¹⁷.

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UNC at Chapel Hill

Ranked the number 1 public school of public health in 2022, UNC Chapel Hill MPH program offers 4 concentrations - MPH Leadership, MPH nutrition, applied epidemiology, and nutrition and dietetics. Not only is the GRE waived for the online program, but the tuition for the online program has also been lowered⁶.

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Des Moines University

This online MPH charges students one flat rate for tuition and no graduate student fees. This is 100% online and allows for flexibility in scheduling. Although the program is entirely online, students can benefit from the location in Iowa’s largest city during the hands-on field work experience⁷.

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George Washington University

As the only school of public health in Washington DC, the GWU MPH program is the global leader in public health education. It provides students with 6 elective course areas plus optional three concentrations – Health Informatics, Global health and women, and youth & child health. The GRE is not required through Spring 2024, but applicants can voluntarily submit their GRE test scores if they desire⁸.

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Tulane University

Over 100 years of global public health experience, Tulane offers both in-person and online degrees. They continue to waive the GRE for the master’s program and offer a degree in Tropical Medicine (MPH&TM). This degree focuses on infectious disease recognition and control in tropical and subtropical regions and developing nations, which is an exclusive degree from Tulane⁹.

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Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

SNHU has some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation and will accept up to twelve credits from previous institutions. There are no set class meeting times, which allows for flexibility and learning on your own schedule. Applicants can apply at any time and receive a decision within days of submitting all required materials – no GRE or GMAT is required. Another perk of applying: SNHU does not use the SOPHAS portal for applications¹⁰.

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Walden University

Walden’s MPH program is CEPH accredited program and offers tuition discounts of up to 10%. Students will need to reach out to a Walden enrollment specialist to further discuss the details of this tuition reduction.  This is an example of another program that offers flexibility to log into the classroom on your own schedule. Moreover, all faculty are public health practitioners with relevant terminal doctoral-level degrees, which is a distinction few programs can claim¹¹.

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Liberty University

Located in Virginia, Liberty University is CEPH accredited and offers four specializations, which provides additional training in an area of your choice. The specializations are community health promotion, global health, nutrition, and epidemiology¹².

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National University

National University provides year-round enrollment. This MPH program is offered online and can be completed in as few as 18 months. There are three specializations to choose from which include health promotion, community mental health, and healthcare administration¹³.

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Ohio University

This MPH program has 2 formats – a traditional full-time format and a flexible part time format. There is also an applied practice experience as part of the program, where students are placed at appropriate field sites and provided guidance throughout the duration of the practicum. Another aspect of the program is an integrated learning experience. Students work to answer a public health issue or questions that draws from not only their academic studies but their applied practice experience as well¹⁴.

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Oregon State University

OSU’s public health program has seven on campus program options available – biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, global health, health systems and policy, health promotion and health behavior, and physical activity. This program is designed to be completed in 21 months or 6 terms. Another option for the working professional is to complete the program part-time, moving through it over seven years. Their online degree program can be – full-time or part-time, work on a quarter system which lasts ten weeks¹⁵.

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University of Arizona

This degree program can be completed by full-time students in two years, and part-time students have up to six years to complete the program. There are nine concentrations offered on-campus, and three concentrations offered online, which include: applied epidemiology, health behavior health promotion, and health services administration. The GRE is waived for specific instances, such as students applying to the Health Administration concentration and for the health promotion concentration, students with 5+ years of paid public health work experience. Numerous dual degrees are also offered, such as MD/MPH, JD/MPH, and MPH/MBA¹⁶.

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All in all, removing the GRE requirement is essential to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive public health workforce. The GRE requirement poses financial obstacles, as well as racial and ethnic biases, and has no significant correlation to academic success. Taking a detailed and holistic approach to reviewing students’ applications sans the GRE is a sweeping trend that is not losing steam anytime soon. This allows future MPH candidates to create a more realistic and comprehensive view of their unique abilities during the application process, and further expand the dynamic and strong public health workforce.