International applicants are strongly encouraged to compile application materials as early as possible to ensure applications can be reviewed by the deadline.

Applicants who attended a post-secondary institution outside of the U.S. or Canada must provide the following documentation, in addition to general application requirements:

World Education Services (WES) ICAP Credential Evaluation

A course-by-course World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluation of all foreign academic transcripts is required.

• Evaluations must be sent directly to SOPHAS.
• SOPHAS must be selected as the recipient (CAS provider) when ordering your report.
• Evaluations from agencies other than WES will not be accepted.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

All applicants are required to prove English proficiency. This is evidenced by proof through one of the following:

• Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States or one of the following U.S. Territories
  • American Samoa
  • Guam
  • Virgin Islands
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Puerto Rico
• TOEFL iBT
  • Send scores to SOPHAS using DI Code: 5688
  • Preferred minimum total score: 100
  • Scores must be less than 2 years old, with a test date within 24 months of the program start date.
• IELTS
  • Send scores directly to SOPHAS
  • Preferred minimum total score: 7.0
  • Scores must be less than 2 years old, with a test date within 24 months of the program start date.
• ECFMG Certificate
  • Upload a copy of your certificate in the SOPHAS application.
• Academic Coursework
  • Completion of 16 semester credits or 24 quarter credits (within 24 months of the program start date) at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction. ESL coursework is not accepted.
• English-Language Instruction WES Verification
  • If you attended a university where English is the primary language of instruction, this must be verified and documented through your WES ICAP evaluation, with SOPHAS selected as the CAS provider.

WES Evaluation Exceptions

Foreign-Trained Physicians (FCVS Option)

Physicians with a foreign medical degree who are licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. and are applying to one of the following programs may submit an official FCVS evaluation in place of a WES ICAP evaluation:

• Executive MHA
• Executive Public Health Administration & Policy MPH
• Executive Public Health Practice MPH

The FCVS evaluation must be sent directly to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health via email: sph-admissions@umn.edu

Biostatistics PhD Applicants

International applicants to the Biostatistics PhD program may upload copies of their international transcripts (in English) and degree conferral documents (in English) directly in the SOPHAS application under:

Program Materials → Documents → International Transcripts

Note: Admitted students will be required to submit an official WES ICAP document-by-document evaluation to SOPHAS upon matriculation.

If you wish to be considered for the MS in Biostatistics (or if your application is not accepted into the PhD program and you wish to be considered for MS admission), a WES evaluation is required at the time you submit your application to SOPHAS to consider your application complete.

Study Abroad Exception (U.S. Applicants)

U.S. applicants who participated in study-abroad programs through a U.S. or Canadian institution do not need to submit a WES evaluation if the foreign coursework is documented on the official transcript from their U.S. or Canadian school. Visit SOPHAS for more information on reporting Study Abroad coursework.