Transfer Admission Criteria
To request transfer to the MPH program of SJBSM, the applicant must come from a public health program at the graduate level of a college or university accredited by the MSCHE and licensed by the Board of Post-Secondary Institutions of PR; with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); must be fluent in the Spanish language [speak, write and read] and must have reading comprehension skills in the English language. The Program allows the transfer of a maximum of 12 course credits. The Integrated Learning Experience courses and the Applied Learning Experience course are not transferable. The transferred course credits will not be included in the grade point average (GPA). Transfer requests are subject to space availability. Prior admission to an MPH program does not guarantee transfer.
The transfer credits request must meet the following criteria: (1) have been approved within five years of enrollment in the public health graduate program; (2) core course credits must have been approved with a grade of A or B and non-core courses with a grade of A, B or C; (3) course credits must be comparable in content and number of credits; and (4) must address the same competencies as SJBSM MPH Program course.
If the applicant meets the above criteria, they must submit the following documents:
- Complete the online application
- Application Fee. Non-refundable payment of $100. Payment methods: credit card, certified check, or money order payable to San Juan Bautista School of Medicine.
- Official Transcript. A copy of the university or college where the applicant was admitted as a student of a Graduate Program in Public Health. Must be sent from the registrar or designated school records official directly to the SJBSM Admissions Office (e-transcripts are accepted and can be sent to mphadmission@sanjuanbautista.edu). Official transcripts from the applicant, photocopies, or unofficial records will not be accepted.
- Transfer Credit Request Form. For each course listed on the Form, you must submit: (1) a course description according to the institutional catalog or course syllabus; and (2) a document certifying that the course addresses the same competencies as the SJBSM MPH Program course.
- Statement of Purpose. Must address the following questions: (1) What is your motivation to study and work in the field of public health? (2) Why do you want to study at the SJBSM? (3) How your professional, academic and personal experiences will enable you to contribute to the SJBSM MPH program? (4) What are your career goals, and how do they relate to the public health field? (5) What are your research and community service interests, and how do they relate to the public health field? No more than 3 pages at 1.5 or double space, with 12 pt. and Times New Roman font.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae. Include all previous and current work experience (if any), educational background, and any other relevant information (e.g., research experience, community service/volunteer activities, professional associations, awards, publications, licenses and certifications, computer and technology skills, languages proficiency, interests, etc.).
- Letter of Recommendation. Three letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s development and performance at the academic and/or professional level, as well as any research experience and/or community service. If the applicant has been out of school for over five years, they may submit three letters from employers, research mentors, or volunteer/community service preceptors. Recommenders must provide information using the Letter of Recommendation Form. The recommenders themselves must submit letters; they cannot be completed or submitted by the applicant or another party on behalf of the recommender.
- Good Standing Certificate [Certificado de Antecedentes Penales], which can be requested online at the following link: https://servicios.pr.gov/.
