Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health has established degree requirements that largely mirror those of the UCLA College. Students admitted to either the BA or BS must satisfy the following degree requirements:

• University requirements
• School proficiency requirements
• General Education (GE) requirements
• Major requirements
• 60/180/216 unit requirements
• 2.0 GPA in the major and overall

Note for Transfer Students 

Transfer students who completed IGETC and submitted the certification to UCLA Undergraduate Admission will be exempt from the school’s Writing I and II, Quantitative Reasoning, and General Education requirements. An additional English Composition course may be required due to placement results of English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE).

• Entry Level Writing Requirement
  • Satisfied via Entry Level Writing Placement Exam, minimum letter grade of C in English Comp 1 & 2, or English Comp 1A/1B & 2i per placement results
• American History and Institutions (approved list of courses)
  • Any approved AH&I course with minimum letter grade of C or Pass

• Writing I
  • English Comp 3, 3D, 3DS, 3E, or 3SL with minimum letter grade of "C"
• Writing II (W)
  • Any approved Writing II ("W") course minimum with minimum letter grade of "C"
• Quantitative Reasoning (approved list of courses)
  • Any approved College QR course with minimum letter grade of "C"
• Diversity (approved list of courses)
  • Any approved College Diversity course minimum letter grade of "C"

• Foundations of the Arts and Humanities (15 units)
  • Literary and Cultural Analysis
  • Philosophical and Linguistic Analysis
  • Visual and Performance Arts Analysis and Practice
• Foundations of Society and Culture (15 units)
  • Historical Analysis
  • Social Analysis
  • Historical or Social Analysis
• Foundations of Scientific Inquiry (18 to 20 units)*
  • Life Science
  • Life Science
  • Physical Science
  • Physical Science
  • *one course (5 units minimum) must have an approved lab/demo component

Preparation for the Major

Introduction to Public Health

• Public Health 50A and 50B

Foundations of Scientific Knowledge

• Chemistry 3, 14A, or 17
• Life Sciences 7A or 15
• Statistics 10 or 13

Health and Society

• One course from approved list

Cultural Competency

• One approved diversity course

Communication Fundamentals

• Communication 1 or any approved Writing II course

Total units: 36-41 units

The Major

Foundations of Public Health Knowledge and Practice

• Biostatistics 120
• Community Health Sciences 120
• Environmental Health Sciences 120
• Epidemiology 120
• Health Policy and Management 120

Public Health Electives

• Three upper division courses (minimum 12 units) from the School’s undergraduate course offerings; no more than 4 units from 195 to 199 numbered courses may be applied

Community Engagement

• Public Health 195CE or approved course

Capstone Experience

• Public Health 185A and 185B

Total units: 45-49 units

Students must earn a minimum of 180 units for the bachelor’s degree. At least 60 of the 180 units must be from upper division courses, numbered 100 through 199. A maximum of 216 units are permitted. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits do not count toward the 216-unit maximum.

To earn the bachelor's degree, students must earn at least a 2.0 ("C") grade-point average (GPA) in all UC coursework. Students must also earn a 2.0 GPA in a major and satisfy both the course and scholarship requirements for the major, including preparation for the major.

Admission to the BA will include a comprehensive assessment based on a holistic review of student applications.

Prospective applicants should complete the following courses prior to applying:

• PUB HLT 50A
• 1 course from STATS 10 or 13

The Undergraduate Admissions committee also strongly recommends that students complete these preparation for the major courses before applying:

• 1 course from CHEM 3, 14A, or 17
• 1 course from LIFESCI 7A or 15

Continuing students who were admitted to UCLA as first-years can apply to the major during their second year for admission to the major in Fall Quarter of their third year.

Transfer students who were not admitted to UCLA as Public Health BA or Public Health BS majors cannot switch into the School.

The Undergraduate Admissions committee will review applicants' personal statements, resumes, UCLA transcripts, and other information provided on the application.

The Office for Undergraduate Student Services will notify all applicants of their admissions decisions via email.

Students who declared pre-Public Health BA or BS and are not admitted to a Public Health major by Spring Quarter of their second year will be switched to ‘Undeclared’ in the College of Letters and Science, and advised to connect with their College counseling unit for help finding a new major.

Do I have to complete all Preparation for the Major requirements before applying?

No. The Undergraduate Admissions Committee will evaluate each application based on progress toward completing the preparatory courses, overall academic performance, and interest in public health. Prospective applicants should complete the following courses prior to applying:

• PUB HLT 50A
• 1 course from STATS 10 or 13

The Undergraduate Admissions committee also strongly recommends that students complete these preparation for the major courses before applying:

• 1 course from CHEM 3, 14A, or 17
• 1 course from LIFESCI 7A or 15

I won’t be able to take Public Health 50A this year. Can I still apply to one of the majors?

Primary consideration for admission will be given to students who complete Public Health 50A and enroll in Public Health 50B.

Can I double major with Public Health?

Public Health majors can study abroad during Summer. Prospective or current Public Health majors who are considering studying abroad during the academic year must consult with an FSPH undergraduate advisor to ensure that studying abroad will not impact their ability to complete the major requirements by their degree expected term.

Can I study abroad as a Public Health major?

Admission to both majors is based on a cohort model; the School therefore does not allow students to double major. Public Health majors are encouraged to select minors that complement their academic, personal, and professional interests.

Can I apply to the BA, BS, and the minor at the same time?

Students should apply to their first-choice program (either of the two majors, or the minor), but may not apply to multiple programs at the same time. Requests for admitted students to change BA or BS tracks will require a Student Petition; such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

I’m a pre-Public Health major. What happens if I’m not admitted to the Public Health major?

Students who declared pre-Public Health BA or BS and are not admitted to a Public Health major by Spring Quarter of their second year will be switched to ‘Undeclared’ in the College of Letters and Science, and advised to connect with their College counseling unit for help finding a new major.

Whom do I contact about the public health major if I’ve not been accepted to UCLA yet?

Please visit the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions Office website for information about applying to UCLA.