Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
An MPH in Community Health Sciences prepares students to engage in the planning, administration, and evaluation of public health programs and policies in the U.S. and abroad that aim to maintain and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and broader populations. The curriculum integrates basic and applied approaches to addressing public health problems in the community through the key tools of assessment, planning, and evaluation. Coursework covers areas such as health equity/health disparities, health education and promotion, reproductive and population health, global health, health across the life span, program development and evaluation, and research methodology. The degree program includes a field placement in the U.S. or abroad, as well as a comprehensive exam.
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Program Requirements
The program requires a minimum of 60 quarter-credit units of graduate and upper division coursework. Candidates with a prior doctoral degree or advanced preparation in a related field may waive certain requirements for the MPH degree, but only after formal consideration and approval by the department's faculty.
1. Course Requirements in Community Health Sciences
Department Core Courses
- CHS 210: Community Health Sciences
- CHS 211A, B: Program Planning, Research and Evaluation in Community Health Sciences
- CHS 400: APEx in Public Health (400 hours of applied practice experience)
- In addition to CHS 400, students are required to take one more 400-level course in the CHS Department.
Department Required Courses
Students are required to select one course from each of the three curricular areas of:
- Public Health Practice
- Populations
- Individual and Structural Influences
The MPH Curricular Areas lists courses in each category (found in Masters Handbook).
Students are also required to take at least one additional course (4 units) within CHS. An additional course that includes elements of program planning or evaluation, similar to CHS 211 A&B, is strongly recommended for students in the second year of the program.
2. Core Course Requirements in Public Health
- PH 200A and B: Foundations in Public Health
- PH 401: Public Health as a Profession
3. Electives
At least 32 units must be taken in the department. A maximum of 8 elective units from outside of the department may count towards the 60 graduate or upper-division units. Students have the option to focus their studies in areas such as social and behavioral sciences, health education/promotion, international health, child and family health, public health nutrition, health policy, disaster planning and relief, aging and life course, women’s health, and population health.
4. Applied Practice Experience (APEx)
All students are required to complete an APEX, which requires a minimum of 400 hours in the field. An APEx takes place in a health agency or organization in the community, under the supervision of a qualified public health professional. Most students arrange to do their APEx in the summer between the two years of study, but other arrangements are possible.
5. Comprehensive Examination
MPH students must successfully pass the Department of Community Health Science's Comprehensive Exam.
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Time to Degree
The MPH degree is typically obtained after two years of full-time study (six academic quarters), including the 400-hour field training experience.
For students in medical school, there is an accelerated option for completing the MPH. Please consult the Accelerated MPH Policies for Medical School Students in the Masters Handbook for more information.
CHS Masters Handbook -
Department Faculty
View a list of faculty in the Department of Community Health Sciences.
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Career Outcomes
Graduates generally assume positions in the planning, administration, and evaluation of public health programs and policies in the U.S. and abroad that have as their objective the maintenance and improvement of the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
Examples of positions held by graduates include:
- Program Manager
- Health Educator
- Monitoring/Evaluation Analyst
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Program or Community Outreach Coordinator
- Nutritionist
- Communications Associate
- Research Associate
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Tuition & Fees
For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the registrar's office.
Please see the cost and aid section of our website for information on awards, scholarships, training opportunities, employment, summer internship funding, and need-based aid. Please note that opportunities listed under 'Summer Internship Funding' are only applicable to MPH students.
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Admissions
Desired Qualifications
In addition to meeting the University’s minimum requirements, prior work experience in community health or health education is strongly considered in the evaluation of applicants for admission.
Admissions Process
Visit the application guide to learn about our admissions process.
Application Guide
Please note:
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This information is intended as an overview, and should be used as a guide only. Requirements, course offerings and other elements may change, and this overview may not list all details of the program.
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Admission requirements listed are departmental requirements, and are in addition to the University's minimum requirements. Many programs receive more applicants than can be admitted, so meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not ensure admission. Every effort is made to ensure minimum admissions requirements are up to date - for the most up-to-date information on the University's minimum requirements, please visit the UCLA Graduate Division.
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Fees are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the registrar's office.