Admissions FAQs

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). Applicants should complete the requirements for both the SOPHAS application, and the UCLA DGE application as noted in the checklist here. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed. 

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.

 *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 University requires that an applicant hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor's degree from the University of California, with an overall scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better (or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used), or an overall scholastic average of 3.0 in graduate level study in a field related to the one to which the application is submitted.
• An international student whose post-secondary education is completed outside of the U.S. is expected to hold a degree with above average scholarship from a university or university-level institution.
• Please keep in mind that FSPH graduate programs have additional requirements and/or requirements beyond the minimum given above, and that many more applications are received from qualified applicants than there are places available. 

All degree programs are full-time and all classes are held during the daytime. Course schedules are similar to a typical undergraduate schedule so there is flexibility for part-time work, etc. as your schedule permits.

The MS is an academic degree designed for students who desire to specialize in methodology. In general, the MS programs are more research oriented and quantitatively based than the MPH programs. As such, MS programs tend to include extra research modules and more mathematically based coursework. The MPH programs also include required 400-hour field work to provide practical experience.

Applicants will receive official communication regarding admission decisions from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education (DGE) around winter/spring. Please wait for official notification before contacting departments. We appreciate your patience during this time.

This varies by department and degree program. Typically, admissions offers are made by mid-March.

The statement of purpose serves three functions:

1. To see your writing ability/style
2. To determine the match with the FSPH program
3. To help determine merit-based funding.

The 1500-word statement should address your path to the field of public health, your passion, and areas of interest, the fit with the FSPH program, and your future dreams and aspirations in the field of public health.

No. Applications are only accepted for the fall quarter.

If you have worked in public health for several years, but your undergraduate grades were not strong, first, note that we are looking mainly at your upper division (last two years of college) GPA. A couple of bad grades will not have a large impact on your application. Be sure to focus on your work experience in your statement of purpose. Find letter of recommendation writers who can relate your professional work experience to potential for excellence in the classroom. If you have more questions, you should contact a staff member from the program to which you hope to apply. 

 

View Contact Information

Log into your SOPHAS application and look at the “Status” box on the right side of your screen. Click on “School Designations” to find out if your completed application has been sent to the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

You should contact SOPHAS directly at sophas@sophasinfo.org or 617.612.2090.

Email SOPHAS

Admission decisions are made by a committee made up of faculty members from the program to which you have applied.

• Prospective applicants who have additional questions about the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health should call the Office of Student Services at 310.825.5524 or email Sukhwinder Sagoo.
• For questions about a specific department and/or degree program, contact the department's student services officer. 
• For questions about the SOPHAS application process, call 617.612.2090, email sophasinfo@sophas.org, or visit www.sophas.org.

The fee structures for our students vary, depending on the student's residency status and the student's degree program. The annual fees are as follows:

Professional Degree Fees MPH
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Fees-Residence/Annual-Fees/Public-Health-MPH-Degree-Fees

Professional Degree Fee DrPh
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Fees-Residence/Annual-Fees/Public-Health-DrPH-Degree-Fees

Academic Master’s Degree Fee
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Fees-Residence/Annual-Fees/Academic-Masters-Degree-Fees

Academic Doctoral Degree Fee
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Fees-Residence/Annual-Fees/Academic-Doctoral-Degrees

UCLA Fielding also offers awards, scholarships, training opportunities, employment, summer internship funding, and need-based aid to students. 

Learn About Scholarships & Financial Aid

UCLA offers various types of financial aid, including graduate fellowships and scholarships, federal traineeships, need-based scholarships, and loans. In order to apply for any type of financial assistance, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted. The FAFSA is available beginning October 1st of each year and is due March 2nd of the year of matriculation. Please visit the FAFSA website for applications and additional information. Support based solely on merit is available in the form of fellowships, traineeships, teaching assistantships, and graduate student researcher positions. 

Learn More About Scholarships & Financial Aid

UCLA does not offer deferrals. You must re-submit both SOPHAS and UCLA graduate application for the following year.

A maximum of eight quarter credits may be accepted towards the master’s degree, however, the course curriculum must be reviewed and approved.

If you are an undocumented prospective student, please visit UCLA Resources and University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Undocumented Student Resources.

Fee waivers are available to applicants who meet certain requirements.

• To determine eligibility, please visit this website for more information on fee waivers for the UCLA Graduate Application.
• SOPHAS has their own fee waiver program which can be found here.
• We do not purchase waiver codes from either application system.

GRE requirements for each application cycle vary by department and degree.

The MDSH, MPH, MS, and PhD degrees in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology are classified as STEM.

Applicants can only apply to one FSPH graduate program. University regulations do not permit an applicant to apply to more than one major, with the exception of already-established concurrent or articulated degrees. Please decide which of our programs is most appropriate for you prior to submitting your application. 

Yes, you have to take the TOEFL exam if all your education was from the country whose official language is not English.

Please visit the English Requirements page from the UCLA Division of Graduate Education's website to determine if you are required to prove your English proficiency. 

The overall minimum score for TOEFL is 87. For IELTS, the overall minimum band score is 7.0. For more information on English Language Requirements, please visit the English Requirements section of the UCLA Division of Graduate Education's website. 

To determine if the English Language Requirement can be waived, please visit the English Requirements section of the UCLA Division of Graduate Education's website. If you meet the criteria, you do not have to submit a TOELF/IELTS score.

Below is the name and email of each department's Student Affairs Officer (SAO) that you may contact:

• Roxy Naranjo, Biostatistics: rlnaranjo@ph.ucla.edu. 
• Adrian Aini, Community Health Sciences: aaini@ph.ucla.edu.
• Annie Lee, Environmental Health Sciences: EHS-SAO@ph.ucla.edu.
• Joy Miller, Epidemiology: jdmiller@ph.ucla.edu.
• Anna Lim, Health Policy and Management: apark@ph.ucla.edu.