Application Checklist Overview

Before starting the application

Things to keep in mind

  • As of August 18, 2024: The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health will continue requiring 2 applications for the MPH*, MS and PhD degrees in each department. However, most of the UCLA DGE application will be pre-populated (based on SOPHAS application).
    • MPH – this does not apply to the Executive MPH or the MPH-HP programs. This also does not apply to the MHA or MDSH programs.

    The priority deadline for matriculation in 2025 is December 1, 2024. If you are applying after this date, please contact the department directly to ensure that applications are still being received.

  • Applicants should receive a separate email within 1-2 business days after submitting their SOPHAS application from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on creating an account for their UCLA DGE application. Please be sure to use the same email used for the SOPHAS application. Those applying in August will receive an email in September.
  • Applicants should complete the requirements by the priority deadline (12/01/2024) for both the SOPHAS application and the UCLA DGE application as noted below. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.

Step 1: SOPHAS Application

The primary application system for applicants is SOPHAS, the common application for public health schools. Please submit the following materials here:

  1. Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  2. Statement of Purpose – Maximum of 1500 words. The statement should describe the following: a) reasons for interest in public health, b) reasons for interest in the program of study and/or concentration; c) reasons for interest in UCLA; and d) career goals. If you are applying to a doctoral program, you should include your proposed research topics.
  3. Personal Statement – Maximum of 500 words. The personal statement is an additional opportunity for the reviewing committee to learn more about any challenges faced, personal background, and past and future contributions to diversity. Full information can be found on SOPHAS. Applicants should address one or more prompts in the personal statement.
  4. Three Letters of Recommendation — Please see below for the minimum requirement for letters of recommendation based on the degree program. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by the recommender.
    • MS, PhD Applicants
      • Applicants with less than three years of post bac professional experience should submit a minimum of two academic letters and one professional letter. 
      • Applicants with more than three years of post bac professional experience may elect to submit three professional letters.
    • MPH Applicants
      •  Applicants with less than three years of post bac professional experience should submit a minimum of one academic letter and two professional letters. 
      • Applicants with more than three years of post bac professional experience may elect to submit three professional letters
  5. Official Transcripts – Applicants should submit one set of official transcripts from each institution they have attended. International applicants must submit transcripts through World Education Services (WES) for an official WES evaluation.
  6. Official GRE Test Scores* — Please check here to determine GRE requirements.
    ETS code is: 4225.
  7. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores – Applicants may view English proficiency requirements here.
    TOEFL code for SOPHAS is: 5688
    IELTS code for SOPHAS: See instructions on submitting your scores to SOPHAS here
  8. Writing Sample – This component is only necessary for doctoral applicants applying to the Department of Community Health Sciences or the Department of Health Policy and Management.
  9. SOPHAS Application Fee – The fee is nonrefundable. The amount will vary according to the number of applications submitted.
For questions about the application process please contact SOPHAS at:

SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471
Telephone: 617-612-2090
Email: sophasinfo@liaisoncas.com

 

For Overnight Delivery of Materials Only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Step 2: Receive email from UCLA Division of Graduate Education 

All applicants to UCLA must complete the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) application. Most of the information you submit through SOPHAS (step 1) will be transferred over to the UCLA graduate application. 

Applicants should receive a separate email within 1-2 business days after submitting their SOPHAS application from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on creating an account for their UCLA DGE application. Please keep this in mind when meeting the Dec. 1st deadline. 

**Please do NOT proceed to Step 3 below until you receive the UCLA DGE email. 

Step 3: UCLA Division of Graduate Education Application and Fee

  1. Once applicants receive the instructions email from DGE, applicants will be prompted to create an account for their UCLA application.
  2. When creating an account, please be sure to use the same email used for the SOPHAS application. 
    • Your information will not show up if you use a different email.
  3. Applicants will need to review the application data transferred from SOPHAS and add/update any additional information as necessary. The system will not let you submit your application if there is any missing information.
  4.  For your application be considered complete, please ensure you submit the UCLA application and pay the application fee. The fee is nonrefundable.
    • **Please note that this is in addition to the SOPHAS application fee. Applicants will be paying 2 fees (1 for SOPHAS and 1 for the UCLA Grad App). 

Letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, professional experience, resume, and supporting should ONLY be uploaded to SOPHAS. 

An application will not be reviewed until both the SOPHAS fee and UCLA graduate application fee have been paid.

Application Requirements for Executive Programs:

Applicants to the MPH-HP, EMPH, MHA and MDSH programs are only required to submit the UCLA Division of Graduate Education Application. If you are applying to any of these programs do not complete a SOPHAS application.

Application Requirements for Joint Degree Applicants:

Prospective applicant applying to MPH Joint Degree

  1. Submit the SOPHAS Application and pay the application fee.
  2. Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and pay the application fee.
    • Please ensure you fulfill the joint program's application requirements.

** Applicants should receive a separate email within 1-2 business days after submitting their SOPHAS application from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on creating an account for their UCLA DGE application. Please be sure to use the same email used for the SOPHAS application. Those applying in August will receive an email in September. 

Current UCLA School of Medicine Students applying to MPH Joint Degree

  1. Submit the SOPHAS Application and pay the application fee.
  2. Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and pay the application fee.
    • UCLA MPH/MD or Prime MD students can apply to the MPH program by December 1st of their second year under the new Discovery curriculum. 

** Applicants should receive a separate email within 1-2 business days after submitting their SOPHAS application from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on creating an account for their UCLA DGE application. Please be sure to use the same email used for the SOPHAS application. Those applying in August will receive an email in September. 

Current UCLA Law School Students applying to MPH Joint Degree

  1. Submit the SOPHAS Application and pay the application fee.
  2. Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and pay the application fee.

** Applicants should receive a separate email within 1-2 business days after submitting their SOPHAS application from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) with instructions on creating an account for their UCLA DGE application. Please be sure to use the same email used for the SOPHAS application. Those applying in August will receive an email in September.

Current UCLA Graduate Students Applying to MPH Joint Degree

  1. Submit the SOPHAS Application and pay the application fee.
  2. Submit the UCLA Graduate Application and ensure you select to be considered for a fee waiver on the fee waiver section of the application. Upon submitting the application, please then reach out to Sukhwinder Sagoo or Jose Ruiz-Rodriguez regarding the fee waiver.  
    • On SOPHAS be sure to select the dual degree MPH. On the UCLA Graduate Application select the MPH degree only.

**Please do not pay the UCLA Graduate Application fee as the application fee is non-refundable.