How to Apply

Opens

Deadline Reviewed Decisions
October 1st

Priority December 1st

Final May 1st

Apps are reviewed monthly: from December 1st to May 15th

Admissions decisions are sent on a rolling basis from January to May

Please note that this is the application process for the in-person MPH Programs 

Holistic Admissions Committee

The CSUN MPH Admissions Committee evaluates applications on a number of factors, including GPA, work experience, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Holistically, we look at the total person, and not just a GPA. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the University's graduate programs and those additional requirements of the MPH program.

Application Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university by the time you start your MPH
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA

Application: 3-part process

Degree options (you may only apply to one):

  • Master of Public Health in Community Health Education (MPH)
  • Master of Public Health in Applied Epidemiology (MPH)

Check out a walkthrough video that helps walk you through the whole application process. 

Part 1

  • The first application will need to be completed through Cal State Apply

Step 1. Create Account & Start Application

  1. Go to https://www2.calstate.edu/apply; select “Apply Now” from the homepage to start the application process.
     
  2. Click the “Create an Account” button. Once all of the required fields are completed and you agree to the terms and conditions select the “Create my account” button. Select “Continue” to complete your account and begin the application.
     
  3. Complete your profile. Fill in the education field with “Graduate” for level of degree, “Master’s degree or higher” for type of degree, Fill in all other questions and save changes. 
     
  4. Select “Start Your Application” to launch the application.
     
  5. Select the following for each of the fields: “CSU Northridge” for campus, “Face to Face” for delivery format, “Main campus” for location, and the start term you are applying for.
     
  6. Scroll down to view the full list of programs. Results may be longer than one page. Locate and click on Master of Public Health program.
    1. To apply to the Community Health Education program, click on "Master of Public Health - Community Health Education"
    2. To apply to the Applied Epidemiology program, click on "Applied Epidemiology - MPH"
  7. Scroll to the top of the page and click “I am Done, Review My Selections.”
     
  8. Click “Continue to My Application.”
     

Step 2. Personal Information Quadrant

Begin by clicking on the Personal Information Quadrant. For the Personal Information Quadrant some information is required while other information is optional. You are required to fill out all fields unless they have the word in tiny grey italic print following them. Click the “Save and Continue” button after completing each section.

 

Step 3. Academic History Quadrant

For the Academic History Quadrant, some information is required, while other information is not required. Begin by entering all of the colleges and universities you attended.

  • If you are currently attending CSUN or earned your bachelor’s degree from CSUN, you are not required to enter transcript information. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “I Am Not Adding Any College Transcripts.”
  • Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree and are not currently taking courses can scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “I Am Not Adding Any College Transcripts”
  • If you currently have coursework in-progress and/or have planned coursework for next semester, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Start” and then begin entering your transcript information for each school you have attended. Enter courses under the institution where you originally took the course. Include any in-progress or planned coursework.

Please provide your GPA information for each college or university you have attended.
Include test scores, if necessary. Here are the guidelines:

  • If your overall undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher, the MPH program does not require you to submit GRE scores. Please scroll down and click on “I Am Not Adding Any Standardized Tests”
  • If your overall undergraduate GPA is lower then 3.0 and your last 60 units GPA is 3.2 or higher, the MPH program does not require you to submit GRE scores. Please scroll down and click on “I Am Not Adding Any Standardized Tests”
  • If your overall undergraduate GPA is lower then 3.0 and your last 60 units GPA is lower than 3.2, you must submit GRE scores. Please scroll down and add your GRE test scores. 
  • If you are an international student and received your bachelor’s degree outside of the U.S., please submit TOEFL scores. Please scroll down and add your TOEFL test scores.

 

Step 4. Supporting Information

Click “Continue to Next Section” to move forward. It will continue you to the Supporting Information Quadrant.

Supporting Information will be entered into the supplemental application (Step 2 below). Therefore, it is not required, however you do need to go into each section and indicate that you are not adding any information. To do this click on the “I Am Not Adding Any Experiences,” “I Am Not Adding Any Achievements,” and “I Am Not Adding Any Documents” buttons on each section.

For the Statement of Purpose, type “Not Applicable” in the box. You will be uploading your personal statement or statement of purpose in the supplemental application. Click “Save and Continue” and “Continue to Next Section.”

 

Step 5. Submit Application

Click on “Submit Application” when all of the above steps have been completed. Click “Submit All.” Click “Continue to pay the non-refundable application fee, which cannot be transferred to another term. Specific payment instructions follow.

 

Step 6. Mail Required Materials

Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities (including community colleges; but not those already on file at CSUN), GRE or TOEFL scores (if applicable) that you have attended. Mail your official transcript(s) (in their original sealed envelopes) to CSUN Admissions and Records at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. Processing time can take some time, so we recommend requesting transcripts be sent as soon as possible.

 

Step 7. Complete the MPH Program Application

Please move on the MPH Program Application (below)

Part 2

  • The second application needed is the MPH program application that will be submitted through an application survey link.

Step 1. Prepare your materials and information

  • Things you will need to know

    • If you have completed the CalStateApply application
    • Your contact information
    • Your educational background – Information about each post-Secondary Institution you have attended
      • Add all colleges/universities (including community college) starting with the most recent. CSUN students or graduate MUST also include unofficial transcripts from CSUN.
    • Example of information needed: Name, Location, Major, Degree, when you attended.
    • What program you are applying for:
      • Select either “Public Health: Community Health Education” or “Public Health: Applied Epidemiology” and the Fall term you are applying for
    • Applicants require two letters of recommendation. You will not upload them but you will have to provide us the information for your recommenders so we know who we will be receiving them from. You will then have to send an email to your recommenders and tell them where to submit the letters. We strongly recommend that one of your recommenders be a past instructor or professor. 
  • Things you will need to submit (as PDFs)

    • Unofficial transcripts from about each post-Secondary Institution you have attended
      • You MUST be sure your file is named correctly it should be "Lastname Firstname Transcript College"
        • Example "SmithJohnTranscriptCSUN.pdf"
    • Current resume which demonstrates your work experience related to public health. Be sure the descriptions provided are accurate and relevant information. Your experiences should be in reverse chronological order (most recent experiences should be first).
      • You MUST be sure your file is named correctly it should be "Lastname Firstname Resume"
        • Example "SmithJohnResume.pdf"
    • Personal statement essay. Statements should be no longer than 3 pages double-spaced. Click the link below when you are ready to write it to see what it should cover - Read the instructions carefully!

 

Step 2. Click the link and submit the information and PDFs

If you have all your PDF documents ready and your information ready you can CLICK HERE to Submit Your Application

Part 3

  • Send an email with the letter of recommendation submission link to your 2 recommenders. 

You will need to send an email to your recommenders 

Applicants require two letters of recommendation. You will not upload them. You need to send an email to your recommenders and tell them where to submit the letters. We strongly recommend that one of your recommenders be a past instructor or professor. 

 

Recommended steps:

  • Confirm with your recommenders that they are willing to be a recommender for you.
  • Craft a formal email to your recommender that includes the recommender link (below), which includes instructions to submit their letter.
  • Confirm with your recommenders that they have submitted the recommendation. We will NOT provide you with a copy of the letter of recommendation. 

Link to send to recommenders: https://w2.csun.edu/health-human-development/health-sciences/programs/public-health/master-public-health/how-apply-0

Note: Both letters of recommendation must be completed for the application to be submitted for review. It is your responsibility to ensure all of your letters of recommendations are in and that the application has been submitted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.

Part 4

  • ONLY for International Students. 

 

  • Submit official TOEFL scores.
  • About Part 1 (CalStateApply) above - there are more instructions for part 1 for international students - CSUN Office of International Admissions
  • ALSO submit the MPH program application and send the letter of recommendation emails (Parts 2 & 3 above).

Please do not send any paper materials to the department office – all materials are to be submitted online!

For additional information, please email mph@csun.edu