How to Apply

If you wish to apply for admission to one of USP's graduate programs, or would like to take one or more graduate courses, you may apply directly on-line. If you prefer to submit your application on paper, you may download the application and supplemental forms below.

To apply for formal admission you must submit:

• Completed application for graduate studies available online or download PDF
• Application fee of $50.00 made payable to University of the Sciences in Philadelphia which is non-refundable. If you are only applying to take a course you will not be required to pay the application fee until you formally apply to the program. If you are a USP alumnus you are not required to pay a fee.
• Course registration form if you wish to begin taking courses prior to admission (see Take a Course for more details)
• Three letters of recommendation
• NOTE: Health Policy applicants are required to submit written letters of recommendation in place of or in addition to the recommendation form.
• Official transcripts from colleges/universities you've attended.
• NOTE: If you attended USP or PCPS, we will obtain this transcript for you.
• A written statement of your professional goals
• For Health Policy applicants, a 500-word minimum is required
• For MPH applicants, an additional essay answering the following is required:

  In 2-3 paragraphs, please describe a current public health issue and how it relates to your interest in public health.

• Résumé/Curriculum Vitae listing all significant education and employment
• GRE test scores if required by the program to which you are applying. Official GRE* scores are required for all programs EXCEPT:
• Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Writing
• Pharmacy Administration
• MBA in Pharmaceutical Business
• MPH
• Science Teacher Certification
• TOEFL and TWE scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English and all international students; International students seeking financial aid must also submit TSE scores. We Will accept IELTS in place of TOEFL.
• Certification of Finances are required from international students

* Cell Biology & Biotechnology applicants may apply for a waiver from the GRE exam if you have taken a minimum of 9 credits of coursework in the program, have maintained a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and have received no grade less than "B-."

* Health Policy: GRE scores are not required for admission to the master's program in Health Policy. GRE scores are required for the PhD, unless the applicant has completed a USP graduate health policy course.  In addition, a personal interview is required for all PhD applicants. This interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.

Take a Course

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States you can explore taking a course or two at USP before formally enrolling in a graduate program. There are several advantages to doing this — for example, you may be able to reduce the number of requirements you must meet for formal admission into the program. To learn more, review Take a Course.

For additional admissions information, please contact our graduate admissions counselors by phone at (215) 596-8556 or by e-mail at graduate@usp.edu.

Attention Post-Baccalaureate Masters in Occupational Therapy Applicants

The University has combined the Post-Baccalaureate Masters in Occupational Therapy Program admission application process with the University's Admission Office that manages the Transfer admission process for students who have completed the entire preprofessional sequence, but have not yet earned a BS degree.

Post-Baccalaureate students are admitted as "Graduate" level students, and enroll directly into the professional phase of the MOT curriculum. Entrance criteria and prerequisite requirements have been reduced to essential fundamentals for the PostBac applicant, and differ significantly from transfer students who are admitted into the MOT program without a BS degree.

Post-Baccalaureate students should utilize the application form listed as Undergraduate Transfer Domestic or Undergraduate Transfer International. To apply click here . Please do not use any of the application forms listed as "Graduate", as they will not link to the correct admission office.

USP's Commitment to Diversity

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding. We value equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and diversity.

USP does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or in violation of federal, state and local laws or executive orders.

Application materials should be submitted to:

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
College of Graduate Studies, Box 98
600 South 43rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Fax: (215) 895-1185

Note: The forms listed on this page are in PDF format and can only be opened through Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, please click here and download it for free.

Admission Requirements & Deadlines >
Try a Course before Enrolling >
Transferring Credits >

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