Admissions requirements
Application procedures
Application materials


Admission Requirements

Typically the Department of Epidemiology receives more than 250 applications for approximately 40 openings. Therefore, the Department is unable to offer admission to a large percentage of applicants, even those who are seemingly well-qualified.

A competitive applicant to the Department of Epidemiology will generally have strong biological and quantitative preparation, although no specific courses are required. Some background in the social sciences is also desirable. Although not required, prior coursework in probability and logic is strongly recommended. In addition, applicants should have some relevant biomedical research experience or other evidence of a commitment to research. This can be paid or volunteer experience or coursework.

Many factors are considered in evaluating an individual’s application. However, most successful applicants have an undergraduate GP A at or above 3.0, and A or B grades in advanced courses in the social sciences, biological or physical sciences, and math, as well as demonstrated skills in writing. These factors are neither necessary for admission to the program, nor are they typically sufficient on their own, as full applications are considered holistically.

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Application Procedure

Step 1: Decide Which Degree is for You.

Step 2: Review Application Deadlines

  • UNC Graduate School Deadline
    • Though the department makes admission decisions, some financial awards are given through the Graduate School. For full consideration for these awards, the deadline is 2nd Tuesday in December.
  • Epid Deadlines
    • Most decisions are made between February 1 and April 1. The Graduate School will mail the official decision letter no later than April 1.
    • You may apply only for fall admission.
  • Financial Aid Information
    • Applications with all required materials received by the 2nd Tuesday in December will receive full consideration for Graduate School fellowships. Applications received after that date will be considered for departmental funding, as available.
    • For more information on financial aid, please refer to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid
    • The School of Public Health and Epidemiology offer financial assistance, guidance and awards for financing your education as well. Information on Departmental funding options can be found in our Awards and Funding section.

Step 3: Collect Application Materials and Review Admission Requirements

Step 4: Review Special Instructions

  • Applicants are expected to apply online. Please contact the Graduate School if you have problems with the online application.

Step 5: Complete an Application

  • PhD and MSCR applications are processed centrally through the UNC Graduate School and are available online.
    • You must create an account to begin the process
  • Once the fee is paid, the application is processed and the application is available to Epidemology the next business day.

Step 6: Manage Your Application

  • After the application has been submitted and the fee paid, you may track the progress of your application and verify the receipt of your application materials.
  • Please allow adequate time for the application materials to be processed.

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Application Materials

The following are items required to complete your application:

  • Application Fee
    • Visit the Graduate School’s web page for fee information.
    • Each application submitted requires payment of a non-refundable application fee either paid online by credit card, or by check or money order made payable to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  • Transcripts
    • One unofficial transcript of all post-secondary work is uploaded within the Graduate School’s online application. You will be required to send official transcripts only if offered admission.
    • A transcript is needed even if credits earned at one institution appear on another institution’s transcript as credits transferred.
    • If you are currently enrolled in school, you should wait to submit your application until current term grades and/or awarding of degree are posted so that a final transcript can be uploaded within your application. If final transcripts will not be available until after the application deadline, you can upload a current transcript, but you must upload an updated transcript to your submitted application as soon as possible.
    • International applicants must also submit a certified English translation of transcripts not issued in English.
  • Faculty mentors: In your online application, you are not required to list faculty with whom you would like to work, but it can be helpful to the Admissions Committee. However, you should not solicit faculty to support your application. The Admissions Committee judges applications on their merit and does not base their decision on support from an individual faculty member.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
    • Applicants will be asked for Recommenders’ email addresses within the online application.
    • Letters of recommendation will arrive electronically and be automatically linked to your application.
  • Department of Epidemiology Statement of Purpose/Interest
    • Uploaded within the online application.
  • CV/Resume
    • Uploaded within the online application.

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    Additional Materials for International Applicants Only

    • TOEFL or IELTS Scores
      • PhD and MSCR applicants send recent TOEFL or IELTS scores to University Code 5816 from the Educational Testing Services
      • ETS will not report scores over two (2) years old.
      • See “Note on TOEFL and IELTS test scores” below
    • International Student Data Form and Financial Certification
      • Every international applicant offered admission, including applicants who may receive teaching or research assistantships or other awards, must complete and upload the International Student Data Form and Financial Certification Instructions/Worksheet to their ConnectCarolina Student Center after being offered admission. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will send you information and instructions for completing and uploading these forms in order to document that you meet necessary financial requirements.
      • Please do not mail in forms or supporting documents.

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    Note on GRE test scores:

    • GRE scores are not required.
    • If GRE scores are submitted, they will be considered as part of a holistic evaluation of the candidate’s application materials.

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    Note on TOEFL or IELTS test scores:

    • On the paper-based TOEFL exam, the Graduate School recommends a minimum score of 550 with a minimum score of 50 on each subsection.
    • On the internet-based TOEFL exam, the Graduate School recommends a minimum score of 90.
    • On the IELTS exam, the Graduate School recommends a minimum total score of 7.
    • An exception to this requirement is made for applicants from Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada-except Quebec, England, Ghana, Ireland, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobego, Uganda, and Wales.
    • An exception to this requirement is made for applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. university.
    • An exception to this requirement is made for applicants who have received a degree from an accredited university where English is verified as the SOLE language of instruction.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
For general questions about the department, the degree program, or admissions, contact us via email at epidemiology@unc.edu or call us at 919-843-6182. Questions about employment should be directed to 919-843-6182.

Main Department Contacts

Academic Coordinators

Mailing Address
Department of Epidemiology
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
135 Dauer Drive
2101 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7435
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435

Our offices are located on the second floor of McGavran-Greenberg Hall.

Latest News

Epidemiology Events

November 8
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Seminar Series
November 12
12:30 pm
1:20 pm
Gerardo Heiss Cardiovascular Epidemiology Seminar Series
November 15
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Seminar Series
November 19
12:30 pm
1:20 pm
Gerardo Heiss Cardiovascular Epidemiology Seminar Series