ASPH Launches Schools of Public Health Application Service

Applicants to schools of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) will now be able to apply to multiple schools with one application by using the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). The service launched on July 7, 2006, by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), will streamline the application process for applicants, as well as provide a wealth of information on the 38 ASPH-member schools.

The development of the public health Centralized Application Service (CAS) was guided by a national advisory committee of directors of admission, faculty, and deans of the accredited schools of public health. Liaison International, Inc., a company based in Boston, MA, worked with the committee and ASPH to develop the service and will manage the day-to-day operations.

The SOPHAS website provides a directory of CEPH-accredited schools and the degree programs they offer, information concerning deadlines and requirements, and a frequently asked question page. The online application allows applicants to enter their contact information and academic and work history, to designate references, upload CVs/resumes and to submit personal essay to each selected school.

SOPHAS remains a source of information even after applicants have completed the online application. Through the site, applicants can track their application until they receive notification from the school or schools.

Twenty-two schools of public health will participate in SOPHAS in its inaugural year and more schools have already indicated they will join in the second year of service. A directory of schools of public health is available at www.sophas.org.

The development of SOPHAS represents a growing trend in centralized application services. Other application services for schools of health professions include allopathic medicine (AMCAS); dental medicine (AADSAS); osteopathic medicine (AACOMAS); pharmacy (PharmCAS); physician assistant (CASPA); podiatric medicine (AACPMAS); veterinary medicine (VMCAS) and Texas state schools (TMDSAS). The timing of the launch of SOPHAS also reflects increasing interest on the part of students in pursuing a career in public health. Over the last decade, the number of applications to schools of public health has nearly doubled and SOPHAS will serve to ease the application process for these prospective students.

For more information about SOPHAS and schools of public health, visit http://www.sophas.org. For more information about public health, see http://www.whatispublichealth.org.