Prospective Students

Academic Programs
Application Procedures
Application Deadlines
Undergraduate Minor Checklist
International Student Applications
Profiles of HPEB Students
Academic Bulletins and Handbooks
Useful Links

Application Procedures

Admissions requirements for graduate study in HPEB can be found in the Academic Bulletin: http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=35&ent_oid=1411.  The letter of intent is an important part of the application.  It should persuasively convey the degree program to which you are applying, your academic and research (for PhD, DrPH, or MSPH) interests, how the department’s programs fit with your interests, and how the training you receive will help you reach your career goals.

The number of PhD, DrPH, and MSPH admissions in our program varies by the cohort of applicants and faculty availability to mentor students. An important consideration is the "fit" between the research interests of the student and faculty member. We strongly recommend that potential applicants for the PhD, DrPH, or MSPH contact one or more faculty members in the student's interest area prior to applying.

Admissions process information and links can be found at the Arnold School of Public Health webpage: http://www.sph.sc.edu/futurestudents/index.htm.

If you are applying for one of the following degree programs in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (PhD, DrPH, MPH, MSPH), you must apply through the new Schools of Public Health Application System (SOPHAS). Please go to www.sophas.org for further details.

If you are applying for the MSW/MPH dual degree program or the Certificate of Graduate Study in Health Communication in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, you must apply through the USC Graduate School. Please click here for further details: http://www.sph.sc.edu/futurestudents/admissions.htm

Only single program applications are accepted, so you may only apply to one program at a time (unless you are applying to the MSW/MPH program or certificate program). Once received, your application and credentials are sent for review by the HPEB faculty. After reviewing your credentials, the department makes a recommendation to The Graduate School which officially grants admission. We will inform you of the department’s recommendation regarding admission, but official notice of admission comes from the USC Graduate School.

You are encouraged to review carefully the information provided on the above websites before beginning the application process. If you have further questions, you may contact:

Ken Watkins
HPEB Graduate Director
phone:  803-777-7603
e-mail:  Watkinsk@mailbox.sc.edu

Casey Goldston
HPEB Academic Services Coordinator
phone:  803-777-2966
e-mail:  Goldston@mailbox.sc.edu

Office of Student and Alumni Services
phone:  803-777-5031 
e-mail:  sphstsrv@mailbox.sc.edu

to top

Application Deadlines 

COMPLETE APPLICATIONS – must include:

I.          A completed application to SOPHAS

(or to USC Graduate School for select programs)

II.        Official transcripts with GPA from ALL postsecondary schools or colleges previously attended

III.       Official GRE scores

IV.       Three (3) letters of recommendation

V.        Letter of Intent/Personal Statement

VI.       Resume/CV

VII.     For international applicants:  Official TOEFL scores, WES transcript verification

to top

_____________________________________________________________________________

Undergraduate Minor Checklist

HPEB Minor Checklist (pdf)

to top

International Student Applications

USC International Student Services:  http://www.sa.sc.edu/ips/ips.htm
English Programs for Internationals:  http://www.epi.sc.edu/

to top

Academic Bulletins and Handbooks

USC Academic Bulletins
2009-2010 HPEB Master"s Student Handbook (pdf)
2010-2011 HPEB Master"s Student Handbook (pdf)
2011-2012 HPEB Master's Student Handbook (pdf)

2008-2010 HPEB Doctoral  Student Handbook (pdf)
2010-2011 HPEB Doctoral Student Handbook (pdf)
2011-2012 HPEB Doctoral Student Handbook (pdf)

to top

Useful Links

Careers in Public Health:

• Career information: http://www.whatispublichealth.org/

Columbia, South Carolina:

• City of Columbia:  http://www.columbiasc.net/
• Directory of SC Information: http://www.sciway.net/

Housing:

• Off-campus Housing:  http://www.accesscolumbia.net/lists/apartm.htm
• University Housing:  http://www.housing.sc.edu/

University of South Carolina:

• Carolina Community:  http://www.sa.sc.edu/carolinacommunity/
• Graduate School: http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/
• Map - Health Science Building: http://www.sc.edu/cgi-bin/uscmap/uscmap.cgi?data=HESC&type=bldgcode
• Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships: http://www.sc.edu/financialaid/
• University Dining:  http://www.sc.edu/dining/
• Visiting USC http://www.sc.edu/visitors/

to top