UC-HSI Doctoral Diversity Initiative Pathways Program


A pipeline program to enter UC doctoral programs in public health

About the UCLA-CSU Hispanic Serving Institution Pathways to Doctoral Diversity Initiative (UC-HSI-DDI)

DDI logoThrough the UC-HSI-DDI, UCLA is offering a pipeline MPH/MS to PhD program for students from partner Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs): CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, and CSU Los Angeles. For the next five years, in partnership with CSU Long Beach, UCLA Fielding School will foster an academic culture of inclusion and equity especially for Latinx students and those from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Trainees will attend workshops and receive guidance on applying for the PhD/DrPH in public health.

If you are an MS or MPH student interested in pursuing a PhD or DrPH in public health, this may be a great opportunity for you!

Training

Through this year-long training program, students will receive:

  • Educational and research opportunities

  • PhD student and UCLA faculty mentors

  • Trainings on research and skills needed for success in doctoral study and beyond

  • One-week summer intensive in August 2026 at UCLA for hands-on introduction to doctoral study

  • Support services and guidance on applying for UC PhD/DrPH programs in public health

  • Ongoing support in applying for a PhD/DrPH in public health

Trainees are selected annually, at the end of each calendar year. This training program is offered annually, with the last cohort selected in December 2028.

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  • Timeline and Training Schedule

    The tentative dates of the 2026 program are as follows:

    Tentative training schedule for Cohort 1

    Date

    Topic

    Friday, February 6, 2026

    How to be a strong candidate and choosing a PhD Program

    Friday, March 6, 2026

    Admissions Processes

    Friday, April 3, 2026

    Deep Dive in Application Development, part 1

    Friday, May 1, 2026

    Deep Dive in Application Development, part 2

    Summer Immersion Experience for Cohort 1 – August 2026 (In person at UCLA)

    Date

    Topic

    Monday, August 17, 2026

    TBD

    Tuesday, August 18, 2026

    TBD

    Wednesday, August 19, 2026

    TBD

    Thursday, August 20, 2026

    TBD

    Friday, August 21, 2026

    TBD

    Following this timeline, trainees would be positioned to submit their PhD application in Fall 2026, upon completion of all workshops. Training topics will be on preparing for a PhD program, admissions processes, application development, research potential, and writing a personal statement.

    The training program runs annually, with a new cohort starting December every year, and the last cohort starting December 2028. Trainees are expected to attend 4 workshops in winter/spring, and then a Mon-Fri summer immersion in August. Trainees will meet with their doctoral mentor and faculty mentor regularly throughout the year. 

  • Participation Benefits
    • $2,000 stipend after program completion

    • Application assistance and application fee coverage for PhD/DrPH

    • GRE test prep assistance

    • Childcare stipend while attending workshops and events

    • Meals and transportation coverage for workshop and summer intensive

    • Access to faculty mentors and doctoral student mentors in public health

    • Connections with shared learning experiences and support for preparing for PhD/DrPH

  • Meet Your Mentors

    If you are a current doctoral student graduating June 2026 or later, submit an application to be considered as a mentor!

    A $500 stipend will be awarded upon completion.

    The deadline to submit an application is July 16, 2025.

  • Application

    Eligibility requirements

    • Current first-year MS/MPH student at CSULB, CSUN, CSULA, or UCLA
    • Identify as Latinx or of underrepresented minority group (URM)
    • Interest in pursuing a PhD/DrPH in public health
    • Commitment to attend workshops and trainings (please refer to schedule)

      If you are a current MS/MPH student in public health at UCLA, CSUN, CSULA, or CSULB, and are interested in participating in this training, please click here to submit your application and email Janet Hung (jhung@ph.ucla.edu) with your resume/CV.