UC-HSI Doctoral Diversity Initiative Pathways Program - Student Track

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) - Student Track

DDI logoThrough the UC-HSI-DDI, UCLA is offering a pipeline MPH/MS to doctoral 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 inclusive excellence. 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 2027 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. The program is offered once per year, with the final cohort scheduled for selection in December 2029.

ddi logo 2

To learn about the UC-HSI-DDI Faculty Track, click here.

  • Timeline and Training Schedule

    The tentative dates and workshop topics of the 2027 program are as follows:

    Tentative training schedule for Cohort 1

     

    Date

    Topic

    Friday, February 12, 2027

    How to be a strong candidate and choosing a PhD Program

    Friday, March 12, 2027

    Admissions Processes

    Friday, April 9, 2027

    Deep Dive in Application Development, part 1

    Friday, May 7, 2027

    Deep Dive in Application Development, part 2

     

    Summer Immersion Experience for Cohort 1 – August 2027 (In person at UCLA)

    Date

    Topic

    Monday, August 16, 2027

    Time Management and Study Skills
    Financing your Future
    Developing your Resume
    UCLA campus tour

    Tuesday, August 17, 2027

    Admissions Counseling session
    Pre-Health workshop
    Social outing in Westwood

    Wednesday, August 18, 2027

    History of Public Health
    Panel Discussion with FSPH Alumni and Students 

    Thursday, August 19, 2027

    Bridging the Gap in Racial Health Disparities in Health Care
    Group Project Presentation

    Following this timeline, trainees would be positioned to submit their PhD application in Fall 2028, 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 2029. Trainees are expected to attend 4 workshops in winter/spring, and then a four-day summer immersion in August. Trainees will meet with their doctoral mentor and faculty mentor regularly throughout the year. 

    Tentative training timeline per Cohort

    Cohort

    Expected Timeline

    Cohort 1

    December 2026: Selected as trainee
    Winter/Spring 2027: monthly workshops
    August 2027: summer intensive
    December 2027: PhD Applications due
    September 2028: Start of doctoral program

    Cohort 2

    December 2027: Selected as trainee
    Winter/Spring 2028: monthly workshops
    August 2028: summer intensive
    December 2028: PhD Applications due
    September 2029: Start of doctoral program

    Cohort 3

    December 2028: Selected as trainee
    Winter/Spring 2029: monthly workshops
    August 2029: summer intensive
    December 2029: PhD Applications due
    September 2030: Start of doctoral program

     

  • 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 FSPH doctoral student graduating June 2027 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 June 30, 2027.

  • Application & Eligibility Requirements

    Eligibility requirements

    • Current first-year MS/MPH student at CSULB, CSUN, CSULA, UCLA, or other California HSI
    • Enrolled in a public health or public health-related masters degree, such as Public Health, Health Administration, Health Sciences, Environmental Health, Community Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy, or related field
    • A US Citizen, US Permanent Resident, or AB540-eligible student
    • Interest in pursuing a PhD/DrPH in public health

    • Commitment to attend workshops and trainings (please refer to schedule). Must be physically in Los Angeles for in-person trainings

      If you are a current MS/MPH student in public health 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.