Admissions Prerequisites

Upper Division Admission

The upper division admission option is typical for most students both at the UW and transferring from other institutions. Generally, students will be considered upper division admissions if they plan to graduate two years from the time they start the major.

Applicants must complete the following by the application deadline to be considered for admission:

1. Minimum 60 college credits
2. Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
3. Minimum grade of 2.0 in one 5-credit course of English composition
4. Minimum grade of 2.5 in one introductory public health course from the following:  ENV H 205, ENV H 111, EPI 201, EPI 220, G H 101, HSERV 100, NUTR 200, PHG 200 or one 5-credit course from Asian American Studies (AAS), American Ethnic Studies (AES), African American Studies (AFRAM), American Indian Studies (AIS), Anthropology (ANTH), Chicano Studies (CHSTU), Geography (GEOG), Political Science (POL S), Psychology (PSYCH), or Sociology (SOC)
5. For BA path students, minimum grade of 2.5 in one introductory science from the following: BIOL 118, BIOL 180, CHEM 120, CHEM 142, CHEM 145, or MICROM 301/302
6. For BS path students, minimum grades of 2.5 in at least two courses within the same year-long sequence of introductory science, with laboratories, or mathematics, chosen from:  *biology (BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220); *chemistry (CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162); organic chemistry (CHEM 237, CHEM 238, CHEM 239, CHEM 241 CHEM 242); physics (PHYS 114/PHYS 117, PHYS 115/PHYS 118, PHYS 116/PHYS 119, or PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123); or mathematics (MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126)
       *Students interested in the BS pathway are strongly recommended to have completed or made significant progress in the biology and general chemistry sequences as those are required BS selectives for the major

The University has deemed the following quarters as Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters: SPR 2020, SUM 2020, AUT 2020, WIN 2021, SPR 2021, SUM 2021, and WIN 2022.  “S” grades earned extraordinary circumstances quarters will count toward admissions prerequisites.  Learn more about extraordinary circumstances quarters and S/NS grading here.

Early Admission

The early admission option is for a select group of students, already enrolled at the UW, who have discovered the major early. Generally, students will be considered early admissions if they plan to graduate three years from the time they start the major.

Applicants must complete the following by the application deadline to be considered for admission:

1. Minimum 30 college credits
2. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
3. Minimum grade of 2.0 in one 5-credit course of English composition
4. Minimum grade of 3.0 in one introductory public health course from the following:  ENV H 205, ENV H 111, EPI 201, EPI 220, G H 101, HSERV 100, NUTR 200, PHG 200
5. Minimum grade of 3.0 in one introductory science from the following: BIOL 118, BIOL 180, CHEM 120, CHEM 142, CHEM 145, or MICROM 301/302

The University has deemed the following quarters as Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters: SPR 2020, SUM 2020, AUT 2020, WIN 2021, SPR 2021, SUM 2021, and WIN 2022.  “S” grades earned extraordinary circumstances quarters will count toward admissions prerequisites.  Learn more about extraordinary circumstances quarters and S/NS grading here.

What We’re Looking For

The following factors determine the competitiveness of an applicant beyond the minimum requirements and are the criteria used when determining admission to the major:

• Overall academic record
• Grades in relevant coursework
• Selection of and preparation for the appropriate Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science path
• Ability to make satisfactory progress towards the degree
• Understanding of and potential fit with the major as demonstrated in the short answer questions

Our Admission Vision

The Public Health-Global Health Major shall seek to enroll classes rich in the abilities, academic commitments, diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and talents that create a stimulating environment and promote desired learning outcomes. Entering classes shall also include students who demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity or disadvantage to achieve their goals and those who show promise to represent the School of Public Health well in the communities in which they will serve and lead. Students should have also planned and prepared well for timely completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Steps to Apply

1. We strongly encourage you to learn more about the Public Health-Global Health Major and the application process by attending an information session and reading through the major's web pages.
2. Complete the online Public Health-Global Health Major Application and upload transcripts for non-UW courses. This application will be available approximately one month prior to the next deadline, the first Friday of Spring quarter or the third Friday of Autumn quarter.

Please check here for the dates and deadlines of the next application cycle.

Transfer students must also apply for general admission to the University and abide by the UW Office of Admissions’ deadlines: Feb. 15 for Autumn Quarter and Sept. 1 for Winter Quarter.

Updated: Dec 27, 2023