Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública

Each year the INSP admits new students to all of its postgraduate programs. Students are selected through a rigorous evaluation of their admissions file, which is conducted by the collegiate bodies. The Institute has a non-discrimination policy, and admissions decisions are made without reference to race, ethnicity, place of origin, color, citizenship, beliefs, affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disabilities.

The minimum requirements for applying to the Specialties, Master and Doctoral programs are as follows:

1. Admission application submitted to the appropriate academic program.

2. Minimum grade point average of 8.0 (on a scale of 0 to 10) for the bachelor degree; the diploma or grade transcripts from the last degree completed must be submitted.

3. Two letters of recommendation for the master’s program and four letters for the doctoral program.

4. Résumé with work and academic history, along with copies of corroborating documentation.

5. Institutional proposal letter if the applicant works in the Ministry or Health.

6. For independent students (those without an institutional proposal), a letter of request to the INSP’s Director General/Dean stating the reasons for wanting to apply and a commitment to cover the tuition costs according to INSP payment procedures if accepted.

7. For students whose native language is not Spanish, demonstrate Spanish comprehension.

8. Letter of exposition of reasons

Applicants must also take the following tests:

1. National Postgraduate Enrollment Exam (EXANI III) (for Mexican students only). This exam is similar to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in the US. It is given by the National Evaluation Center for Higher Education (CENEVAL). The INSP establishes minimum scores required for acceptance.

2. General Exam (for international students only). The thematic content of this exam is similar to that of the CENEVAL exam, which foreign students are not eligible to take.

3. Institutional diagnostic exams in mathematics and psychometrics. Both of these exams are delivered online. The mathematics exam, developed by the Faculty College for Biostatistics, tests knowledge of math concepts and skills. The psychometric exam evaluates candidates’ interests, skills and analytical abilities.

4. Specific exams. Some programs administer additional exams specific to their area.

In addition, every applicant is interviewed by at least two members of the Faculty College that oversees the program for which he or she is applying. Students may also be asked to complete additional requirements, depending on the department to which they are applying. (For example, some departments may ask for more advanced mathematics evaluations, presentation of research protocols, etc.)