Please review these detailed requirements and instructions for applying to the PhD program in Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa. The application portal opens early fall semester each year. (Note: MPH in Community and Behavioral Health applicants should review the MPH admissions page.)

Admission Requirements

The department bases admissions decisions on:

• An applicant’s academic potential as demonstrated through grade point average, as well as academic and professional references
• An applicant’s motivation and interest in an area of community and behavioral health 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 Community and Behavioral Health faculty.

PhD in Community and Behavioral Health

• You must have earned a graduate degree in a related field.
• You must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.4.
• International applicants must provide scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.  Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information on the English Proficiency Requirements.

Instructions for Submitting an Application

To complete an application to the University of Iowa Community & Behavioral Health Program, one must submit an application and supporting documents to the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).  After the application is complete and verified, you will be instructed by email with procedures to pay a supplemental application fee to the University of Iowa Office of Graduate Admissions.

Application Deadlines

• The application deadline for fall semester enrollment is Jan. 15.  Applications are not accepted for spring or summer semesters.
• Preference is given to applicants who contact a primary faculty member by December 1 to discuss interests.

Step 1: Schools of Public Health (SOPHAS) Application

All domestic and international applicants must apply through SOPHAS. You will be required to:

• Complete an application.
• Submit transcripts:
  • Domestic transcripts:
    • Provide official transcripts showing all previous undergraduate, graduate, and professional work with grades and degrees.
    • Send your official transcripts to SOPHAS. (If you are still working towards your degree at the time of application, you will be required to send in your transcripts twice: once to SOPHAS at the time of application and a second time to our Graduate Admissions Office once your graduate degree is conferred by your current institution.)
    • University of Iowa (UI) transcripts must be sent to SOPHAS, but do not need to be sent to the UI Graduate Admissions Office.
  • International transcripts:
    • International transcripts should be evaluated by World Education Service (WES) and submitted to SOPHAS.
    • International transcripts do not need to be sent separately to the University of Iowa unless requested.
• GRE scores are not required for the PhD program.
• International Applicants must provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores.
• Provide three (3) letters of reference. These letters are submitted by your letter writers through SOPHAS. We recommend letters of reference from your academic experiences, but we also accept professional references.
• Upload your résumé  or CV describing educational, research, and employment history.
• Applicants must provide a writing sample, such as a thesis, major paper, or research paper for which they are the sole author or explain their role in a multi-author writing sample.
• Write a personal statement. Please address the following questions in a two- to three-page (1,500-word limit) essay, typed and double-spaced. Provide equal time to each question, and in your answers use as much detail as possible, and use specific examples:
  • Describe your specific areas of interest within Community and Behavioral Health.
  • Which primary faculty members in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health do you think most closely share your areas of interest?
  • What previous experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a degree in Community and Behavioral Health?
  • How do you see yourself using this degree in the five years following graduation?

It is highly recommended that you submit your SOPHAS application for verification as soon possible.  Application errors are common and can delay verification.  After application submission, it may take as many as seven days for verification during peak times.

Step 2: 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 ($60 for U.S. citizens, $100 for international applicants). Your application will be reviewed once this step is complete.
• All students currently in a degree program (except those whose graduate degree was conferred at the University of Iowa) will need to send their final transcript (showing degree conferral) to the Office of Graduate admissions.

Applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver for the University of Iowa supplemental fee. Please refer to Graduate Fee Waiver for detailed information. International applicants are not eligible for application fee waivers.

If additional questions, please contact cbh-info@uiowa.edu.