HEB Ph.D. Degree Application Requirements


View the notes from the HEB open house [PDF]

Application Deadline: December 1

Note: The department has rolling admissions, but to ensure the highest likelihood of a timely review for a particular semester and eligibility for financial aid opportunities, please submit all application materials before the above deadline. It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline.


Application Materials

  • Completed University of Florida (UF) online application
  • Cover letter / statement of intent describing your interest in Health Education and Behavior, research experience and interests, professional experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
    • PhD applicants should review profiles of faculty who currently mentor Ph.D. students and then directly contact faculty who you are interested in working with prior to applying, if possible
  • Resume / Curriculum Vitae
    • Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty members who can attest to your ability to excel in graduate school.
  • Writing Sample (One example of a single-authored work by the applicant such as a published article, conference presentation, course term paper, or other original work.)
  • Submission of transcripts for all previous college coursework to University of Florida Office of Admissions (201 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000)
    • International Students must submit an official transcript, mark sheets and diploma/degree certificate in the native language from every university or college attended to the Office of Admissions (201 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000). Applicants must also submit certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for initial application review but official transcripts are required for any final decisions by the Graduate School.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA for all upper-division undergraduate coursework
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA for all graduate coursework
  • GRE scores are not currently required or reviewed as part of the application.
  • International Students –  UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English, and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (code 5812) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report. The University of Florida will only acknowledge scores reported electronically; scores are valid for two years from the date of test. Additional information can be found here: https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/
    • Minimum acceptable scores:
      • TOEFL: 550 (PBT); 80 (iBT)
      • IELTS: 6.0
      • Verbal GRE: 140 (for graduate admissions)
    • Please note: the TOEFL ITP is not accepted for admission purposes.
    • International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if enrolled for one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in a country where English is the official language prior to your anticipated term of enrollment, or if you are from one of the countries listed on the exemptions page.

Send application materials to:

Department of Health Education and Behavior
Graduate Program
University of Florida
PO Box 118210
Gainesville, FL 32611-8210

Or email application materials to:
Graduate Program Office
hebgradprogram@hhp.ufl.edu


Campus Visits:
We welcome campus visits by prospective Ph.D. applicants although current COVID-19 restrictions may add further precautions for 2022 prospective students. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator in advance before planning a visit to campus: at hebgradprogram@hhp.ufl.edu