Admissions Requirements - PhD/MS

 

We welcome and review applications throughout the year, however, applications should be received by March 15 to be guaranteed consideration for Fall Semester admission (later applications are considered as space permits).

Earlier applications are recommended if applicants want to apply for financial support from MSU. The application deadline for University scholarships is typically before the end of December. 

 

1. BASIC ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES

• PhD-Epidemiology
• MS-Epidemiology
• PhD-Biostatistics
• MS-Biostatistics

All PhD or MS degrees

TRANSCRIPTS

• Submit one official transcript from every college or university attended. Transcripts are considered official when mailed by the institution directly to Michigan State University. Please have them mailed to:

Michigan State University
Office of Admissions
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824

 

GRE

• Recommended but not required.
• If you have GRE Scores less then 5 years old, you may submit them at your discrection. Scores should be submitted to MSU electronically. Our institution code is 1465. 

 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• 3 letters are currently required.
• These should come from 3 academic or professional references. The Admissions Committee suggests applicants to request letters from multiple sources. Applicant’s will include the email addresses of their recommenders, while in the GAMS application portal. This allows the recommenders to upload their own letter. We look for letters that include the following topics:
  • The applicant’s leadership skills
  • The applicant’s capabilities in academics or professional settings
  • The applicant’s potential to successfully complete our program
  • Any specific achievements the applicant has obtained

 

ACADEMIC STATEMENT

• Your Academic Statement should be a concise statement of your plans for graduate study, your career goals, and how MSU's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. Your Academic Statement must include the following statement: "My intended area of specialization in the graduate program in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Michigan State University will be in _________________." If you have already been in contact with faculty or staff at MSU regarding your application for graduate studies, please list these contacts in your Academic Statement.

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• An 800-1000-word personal statement addressing the applicant’s research goals, career plans and research interests. Applicants should also include any additional experience in epidemiology or biostatistics, and discuss what they have done to prepare for an advanced degree in our program.
• Your Personal Statement should concisely describe how your background and life experiences - including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges - motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
• For more help on guidelines for the Academic and Personal statements click here 

 

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2. PREFERRED BACKGROUND FOR ADMISSION

• All PhD Degrees
• All MS Degrees

 

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3. APPLICANTS WITH PRIOR GRADUATE DEGREES OR OTHER ADVANCED GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSEWORK (All PhD or MS degrees)

 

TRANSFER CREDITS

• A maximum of 9 credit hours from Non-MSU graduate courses can be transferred toward credits for the PhD. These courses must match existing course options in this MSU program and be approved by the department.

COURSE EQUIVALENCIES

• Students must obtain departmental approval for any previous graduate coursework they wish to use as fulfillment in the Epidemiology or Biostatistics Master’s course requirements. This is to ensure courses taken as part of their previous degree are equivalent to our MSU Master’s course requirements. Any deficiencies will require enrollment in the MSU course and these credits are in addition to required PhD credits.

 

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4. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS (All PhD or MS degrees)

 

TOEFL

• If you are not a citizen of the United States or if your native language is not English, you are required to demonstrate your level of English proficiency by taking and submitting scores from one of the MSU-accepted language tests. TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT or MELAB are accepted. MSU’s Institutional code is 1465. When scheduling testing, note that it may take a month or longer from the time of the request to send scores until they are received and recorded in the Office of Admissions.
• Click here to learn more about acceptable minimum scores for international graduate applicants.

 

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

• You will be required to show proof of financial resources and support equal to or greater than the estimated cost of tuition and living expenses as outlined on the form below. Note: Proof of sufficient funding is not a factor in the admissions decision. Qualified applicants cannot be fully admitted until proof of sufficient funding is provided.
•  Click here for the required Proof of Financial Resources Form.

 

INTERNATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Request that one official copy of all previous schooling (mark sheets, transcripts, diplomas, certificates, etc.) be submitted in an official sealed envelope directly to MSU from the institution. In addition, where the original documents are not issued in English, also provide an official English translation of each document. Please note that translations certified by a notary are not acceptable. Transcripts are considered official when mailed by the institution directly to Michigan State University. Please have them mailed to: