MPH Programs Without GRE Requirements

The GRE is a standardized test that some graduate programs use in admissions. Many people applying to a Master of Public Health (MPH) want to know which programs do not require it. The wording on program pages is not consistent, and the differences affect whether you need to sit the test. This guide explains the categories, what accreditation does and does not say about testing, and how to confirm a policy yourself.

Is the GRE part of accreditation?

The CEPH accreditation criteria for schools of public health and public health programs do not set a GRE requirement. In the 2024 criteria text we reviewed, test scores appear only in a section on admissions data, where programs are asked to report quantitative scores (for example GPA, SAT, ACT, GRE or TOEFL) for newly matriculating students. Whether to require the GRE is therefore a decision made by each school or program. It can differ between degrees at the same university, between concentrations, between campus and online versions, and from year to year.

The five labels you will meet

When you read a program's page, sort its wording into these categories. They are not interchangeable.

1. GRE required. Applicants must submit scores. Some programs list exceptions, such as applicants who already hold a doctoral or other graduate degree. If exceptions are listed, read them closely.

2. GRE not required. The program does not require scores for admission. Check whether the statement applies to everyone or only to some applicants (for example, those above a certain GPA), and whether scores can still be submitted and considered.

3. GRE optional. The program accepts scores but does not require them. Ask how optional scores are used. Some programs state that submitting scores will not harm your application; others say little. Do not assume equal treatment unless the program says so.

4. GRE waiver available. Scores are normally required, but the program grants waivers to applicants who meet stated conditions, such as a minimum GPA, relevant work experience or a prior graduate degree. A waiver is not the same as "not required": you may need to request it, document your eligibility or apply by a deadline. Ask whether a waiver is automatic or reviewed.

5. Not published. The program page does not state a policy. This is not the same as "not required." Contact the admissions office and ask. The most common mistake is to treat a missing statement as permission to skip the test.

Use the MPH programs without GRE requirements page as a starting list, and check which of the five labels above applies to each program it shows. The directory does not claim to cover every program, and policies change, so confirm on the school's own admissions page. The methodology page explains how we record this information.

Check for traps

• Cycle and date. A policy can be changed for a single application cycle, extended, or dropped. Look for the year on the page, and confirm that it applies to the term you are applying for.
• Format. An online cohort may have a different policy than the on-campus cohort. So may a dual degree or accelerated option.
• Concentration. Competitive or quantitative tracks may ask for different materials.
• Scholarships. A program may not require the GRE for admission, but a scholarship or assistantship application may ask for scores. Ask whether any funding you want depends on them. See public health tuition and funding.
• International applicants. Language tests such as TOEFL are separate from the GRE. A program that drops the GRE may still ask for an English test.
• Other materials may count for more. Where tests are not required, the program has other things to weigh, such as GPA, prerequisite courses, essays, recommendations, and work or volunteer experience. Read what the program says it values.

Applying through SOPHAS

Many public health programs accept applications through SOPHAS. ASPPH describes it as a centralized portal for participating programs, and the SOPHAS Help Center has a section on sending official test scores to SOPHAS. Whether a given program requires, accepts or ignores scores is still the program's decision, not SOPHAS's. See applying through SOPHAS.

A verification routine

1. Open the program's admissions page, not a third-party list, and look for "GRE" or "standardized test."
2. Copy the exact sentence and note its date or the cycle it refers to.
3. Look at the FAQ and the application checklist. A policy stated in one and contradicted in another needs to be resolved.
4. If it says "waiver," find the conditions and the process.
5. If it says nothing, email the admissions office and ask: "Is the GRE required, optional, waivable or not considered for the MPH, concentration and format I am applying to, for the term I want?" Save the reply.
6. Check the SOPHAS Help Center if you apply through SOPHAS, in case it describes how scores are handled for programs that accept them.
7. Record the date you checked. Re-check if you apply in a later cycle.

Should the GRE be your main filter?

Dropping the test removes a barrier, but it is only one factor. Compare programs on accreditation status, practicum structure, concentration, cost and funding, format and outcomes. A program that does not need the GRE can still differ a great deal from another in those areas. Start with how to choose an MPH program and consider the best MPH programs and affordable MPH programs pages as lists to compare, not endorsements. Confirm accreditation using understanding public health accreditation.

If you plan to take the GRE anyway, for example because a scholarship asks for it or because you want more options, find the test registration and score-reporting information from the test provider, not from this site.

Short summary

• No GRE requirement is imposed by the CEPH criteria we reviewed; policy is set by each program.
• Required, not required, optional, waiver available and not published are different statuses. Do not treat "not published" as "not required."
• Confirm the policy for your degree, format and term directly with the program, and keep a record.
• Directory listings can lag behind the school; see the methodology page.