If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the School of Public Health Office of Admissions at (909) 558-1600 extension 88776 or via [email protected].

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Application Deadlines

Master's Applicants

 U.S. ApplicantsInternational ApplicantsOnline Applicants
Fall 2025August 1, 2025April 1, 2025August 1, 2025

Applications for 2026 will be available starting August 14, 2025.

Doctoral Applicants

(Doctoral programs only accept students for the Fall term)

U.S. Applicants International Applicants Online Applicants
March 1, 2025 March 1, 2025 March 1, 2025

Admissions Requirements

Masters Degree

The minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a master’s degree program include the following:

  • A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above.
  • The GRE is not required for applicants who meet the admissions criteria. If an applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the GRE is required in order for the application to be considered. For prospective students who wish to strengthen their application, GRE scores can be submitted as an option, but it is not required. GRE scores must have been attained within the last five years.
  • Applicant may be interviewed by the program director and/or faculty.
  • Religious affiliation is not a requirement, but students are expected to adhere to on-campus requirements of modest dress, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, and attendance at weekly chapel.
  • Applicants must satisfy the program-specific admission requirements, including but not limited to pre-requisite courses, license requirements and years of experience. Admissions decisions are based on a review of the applicant’s transcripts, written statement, letters of recommendation, G.R.E. or equivalent scores, and interview (if necessary). Satisfying minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Doctoral Degree

The minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a doctoral degree program include the following:

  • An M.P.H. degree or master’s degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution, with a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above. Applicants with a master’s degree in another field may indicate their relevant training, research and/or practice experience, or educational background comparable to the M.P.H. or the M.S. degrees. Dr.P.H. and Ph.D. degree applicants who are admitted without a CEPH accredited M.P.H. degree will be required to take PHCJ 606 Public Health Fundamentals, EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology, STAT 521 Biostatistics I or AHRM 514 Biostatistics  (that covers SPSS and R, SAS), or equivalent courses to fulfill the public health fundamental learning outcomes described in section D.1 of the 2016 CEPH criteria. 
  • The GRE is not required for applicants who meet the admissions criteria. If an applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the GRE is required in order for the application to be considered. For prospective students who wish to strengthen their application, GRE scores can be submitted as an option, but it is not required. GRE scores must have been attained within the last five years.
  • Religious affiliation is not a requirement, but students are expected to adhere to on-campus requirements of modest dress, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, and attendance at weekly chapel, as applicable.
  • Applicants must satisfy the program-specific admission requirements, including but not limited to prerequisite courses and years of experience. Admissions decisions are based on a review of applicants' transcripts, written statements, professional experience, letters of recommendation, GRE scores or equivalent, and interviews. Satisfying minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

How to Apply

U.S. Students

  1. Application:

    1. Submit a complete application and accompanying documents to the School of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS)

  2. Transcripts:

    1. Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended must be sent to SOPHAS. If accepted, official transcripts will then need to be sent to Loma Linda University, Admissions Processing, 11139 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

  3. International evaluations:

    1. All international (non-U.S.) transcripts must be submitted to one of the LLU-approved evaluation services. See llu.edu/central/apply/intltrans.page for a list of the approved companies. Copies of transcripts forwarded from evaluation services do not meet the requirement of official transcripts. They must be sent directly to LLU from the issuing institution. SOPHAS will only accept international transcripts submitted through World Education Services (www.wes.org). Please note: Transcript copies included only in official WES evaluation reports will also satisfy the requirement for official transcripts.

  4. References:

    1. The applicant is asked to supply a minimum of three personal references. It is recommended that these include an academic reference, a reference from an employer, and a character or religious reference.

  5. Pre-entrance examination:

    1. All official pre-entrance test scores (e.g., TOEFL [international applicants only], GRE or equivalent [e.g., MCAT]) as required by each program must be sent directly to SOPHAS by the testing organization.

  6. LLU Supplemental Application:

    1. ​​​​​​​ Once your application has been reviewed and verified by SOPHAS, it will be forwarded to the schools you have designated. Once your application is received from SOPHAS, you will receive an email with instructions and a link to the supplemental application from Loma Linda University. When you open the Supplemental Application, you will find it is populated with the information you provided for SOPHAS. Check the application carefully and complete the new fields. An application fee of $50 (US) is required.

  7. Interview:

    1. ​​​​​​​The applicant's records will be screened when the supplementary application is submitted and the file is complete. The file will then be forwarded for program review and, if necessary, the applicant may be invited for a personal interview.

  8. Acceptance:

    1. ​​​​​​​The accepted student receives an acceptance letter and a link that will prompt payment of the class-holding fee and confirmation of acceptance. Official transcripts will need to be submitted to Admissions Processing prior to registration for first term.

Submitting Your Documents

Official Transcripts

Loma Linda University will accept all official documents submitted to SOPHAS, with one exception: official transcripts. We do not need official transcripts until your application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee and you have been accepted (International applicants who must have ALL requirements received before acceptance). For admissions decisions, we will work with the documents you provided for SOPHAS.

After we have made an admissions decision and you have received a “letter of acceptability” letting you know that your application was successful, it will be time to request official academic records/transcripts from all educational institutions you attended since high school. Ask your university/college to send the record or transcript directly to:

Loma Linda University
Admissions Processing
11139 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA

Once we have received all official documents, you will have completed the application process.

STEM-eligible

STEM Information

Loma Linda University School of Public Health's programs have been designated as STEM-eligible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This allows international students on an F-1 visa to apply for a 24-month extension of their Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization after graduating if they earn an MPH in Epidemiology, work for an employer meeting STEM OPT requirements, and timely file form I-765. The STEM OPT extension provides an excellent opportunity for international graduates to gain additional work experience in their field of study within the United States.

The admissions process differs for the following types of applicants

International Students

A $1,000 Advanced Refundable International Student Deposit along with your first quarter of tuition (min. of 8 units) is required from all international students seeking F-1 visa status in the U.S. International students are required to have their credentials translated and evaluated by an independent evaluation service. Follow the instructions on the SOPHAS FAQ webpage, for additional information regarding LLUH's requirements visit the International Academic Transcripts page.

 

On-campus Programs I-20 Eligible STEM OPT Eligible Terms to Apply
Epidemiology, MPH Yes Yes Fall quarter
Global Health, MPH Yes No Fall and Spring quarters
Global Health (4+1 w/ PUC), MPH Yes No Fall quarter
Nutrition (Coordinated Program with Dietetics), MPH Yes No Fall quarter
Nutrition, PhD Yes No Fall quarter
Population Medicine, MPH No No  N/A

**Note: Online programs will not be eligible for an I-20 or for an international student to maintain F-1 visa status in the U.S.

Peace Corps

Coverdell Fellows Program @ LLUSPH

SPH at LLU

Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program

Students in the Coverdell Fellows program are returned Peace Corps volunteers who receive six units of tuition waiver in exchange for five to eight hours a week of local service in an area of designated need. In addition, the school grants full academic credit for the field practicum portion of the Master of Public Health degree, recognizing the value of the Peace Corps experience.

Coverdell Fellows at Loma Linda University have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of community outreach programs. Some have served with the LLU Community Action Partners (CAPS) in the Community Mothers Connection Program, Center for Health Disparities, and Office of Public Health Practice, United Way, and as teaching assistants for an integrated community development class.

Each program has slightly different requirements. The following example is given for Global Health as the majority of students returning have chosen this program. Please contact the SPH Admissions Office [email protected] for specific details on other programs.

  • A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. 
  • Satisfactory performance in the Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) or equivalent; scores must have been attained within the last five years. Other scores are acceptable. Please contact the admissions office for details. 
  • The applicant may be interviewed by program directors and/or faculty.

To be eligible for admission, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. All applicants must submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or equivalent graduate school entrance examination and demonstrate college-level conceptualization and writing skills.

If you are interested in opportunities with the Peace Corps through Loma Linda University School of Public Health, contact Sharilyn Andersen, Practicum Director at [email protected].

Distance Education

Distance Education – View the states authorizing Loma Linda University online students and the applicable requirements on the Educational Effectiveness page.

Admissions & Recruitment

Bobby Brown, MBA

Executive Director of Enrollment Management

View our MHA program

Admissions & Recruitment

Esther Guerpo, MA

Director of Admissions and Alumni Engagement

View our MPH programs