Masters in Public Health Admissions

Admission Process

1. Start you application
   1. Online using the Graduate Studies application:  https://grad.ucdavis.edu/apply
2. Submit your application by one of our program deadlines
   1. December 1, Priority Deadline: Applicants must apply by the Priority Deadline to be considered for Internal Fellowships they apply for. Applicants who apply by the Priority Deadline will have their files formally reviewed for admission by the graduate program, once their file is complete. Final deadline for supplemental materials (transcripts, letter of recommendations, and IELTS/TOEFL scores) is February 14.
   2. January 15, General Deadline: Applicants who apply by the General Deadline will have their files formally reviewed for admission by the graduate program, once their file is complete. Final deadline for supplemental materials (transcripts, letter of recommendations, and IELTS/TOEFL scores) is February 14.
   3. June 1, Space Available: Applicants who apply by the Space Available Deadline (but after the General Deadline) or submit supplemental materials after February 14 are not guaranteed to have their application reviewed by the graduate program. Their applications will be reviewed only if the graduate program determines that it has additional space available. The application fee is nonrefundable even if your application is not reviewed. Final deadline for supplemental materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, and IELTS/TOEFL scores) is June 13.
3. Check your application portal to make sure that you’ve submitted all application requirements by the deadlines submitted above.

Application Review

The review of admission materials can take several months. If you apply by the General Admission deadline and have a completed application by February 14, the Admissions Committee guarantees an admission decision of: Admit, Waitlist, or Deny. Your Admission’s portal will send you weekly reminders of any outstanding admissions documents. If you have specific questions regarding your admission status, please contact the UC Davis Public Health Education Office at PHSinstAffairs@ucdavis.edu.  Applicants who apply by the Space Available Deadline (but after the General Deadline) or submit supplemental materials after February 14  are not guaranteed to have their application reviewed by the graduate program. 

Statement of Purpose

1. 1. The online application asks you to describe your academic plans and research interests, your specialization within your academic field, your research experiences and your career goals.
      • Describe to us how you will be a successful Master of Public Health Student at UC Davis. Each statement you write should have a clear purpose.
      • Keep the statement within the character limit (4000 characters) provided by the Office of Graduate Studies. Your statement should be clear, concise, and relevant.
   2. Do not let the Admissions Committee assume anything; be explicit in addressing the following:
      • What in your background, history, training, and experiences (personal, professional, academic) have led you to pursue graduate training and a career in public health?
      • What are your future career goals in public health (e.g., what health condition or population do you want to work with)?
      • What do you see as your contribution in public health?
      • Why do you need an M.P.H. degree to meet your professional goals?
      • Why UC Davis?

Personal History Statement

1. 1. 1. This statement should reflect on experiences and/or circumstances that are not directly related to your pursuit of graduate training in public health, but have an impact on your candidacy as an applicant. The more directly related something is to your application, the more appropriate it is to put in your Statement of Purpose.
      2. Keep the statement within the character limit (4000 characters) provided by the Office of Graduate Studies. Your statement should be clear, concise and relevant.
      3. Address how your personal background (educational, familial, cultural, economic, challenges, community services) contributes to the social, intellectual, or cultural diversity of public health and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with an M.P.H. degree
      4. Explain your experience using biostatics, statistics, and/or statistical software to conduct quantitative analyses. This could include but is not limited to biostatistics and statistics courses taken and listed on your transcript; scientific peer-reviewed publications and your role on the publication; the types and purposes of data analyses conducted in a professional role; or how you have prepared to be successful in the program’s rigorous quantitative coursework. For any work involving a team, please describe your individual role/contribution. The Admissions Committee seeks to understand the extent to which applicants are prepared for the quantitative demands of the M.P.H. program’s coursework. 
      5. Address any academic difficulties and/or challenges you may have had in school.

It is recommended that at least one of your three letters be written by someone who is familiar with the applicant’s capacity for academics and scholarship. For applicants who have not recently taken a formal course in statistics or biostatistics or who feel that their professional experiences better reflect their quantitative capabilities, it would be advantageous if at least one recommendation letter discussed the applicant’s experience with data analyses and role in the analyses.

Details about adding and editing recommenders can be found on Graduate Studies' Letters of Recommendations page.

Program Cost

1. For current Tuition and Fees, please visit the Budget and Institutional Analysis website. The tuition, fees and charges posted are estimates based on currently approved amounts.  The figures may not be final.  As a result of gubernatorial, legislative, Regental and/or campus action, these fees may change without notice. 
2. UC Davis automatically enrolls all registered students in the UC Davis Student Health Insurance Plan (Davis SHIP). If you have comparable insurance and do not wish to be enrolled in Davis SHIP for this academic year, you must submit a waiver application by the stated deadlines.  More information is available at: https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/insurance-services.

Financial Aid

1. Financial aid for the M.P.H. program is administered by the UC Davis Health System Financial Aid Office, and is awarded only to admitted students.
2. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who wish to be considered for financial aid are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal school code is 001313.  Dream Act students are encouraged to complete the California Dream Act Application on the California Student Aid Commission’s website.  Both applications are available on January 1 each year.  Although UC Davis has a priority filing deadline of March 1, it is strongly encouraged to submit your application as early as possible.  Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis until funds are exhausted. 
3. Students, whether or not they are eligible for federal financial aid or not, may also apply for supplemental financial aid through the UC Davis Health System Financial Aid Office.
4. Federal Direct unsubsidized and unsubsidized Graduate PLUS Loans are available to help meet the cost of attendance beyond any grants, fellowships and outside resources awarded.
5. Current medical and veterinary students, please note: You may not receive the same financial aid package for the M.P.H. program as you do currently for your M.D. or D.V.M. program. In addition, aid packages for the M.P.H. program are based on the 11 months of the program since the program begins in early August.  You will not receive aid for July living and transportation expenses unless you take an elective in July for your M.D. or D.V.M. program.  See the appropriate personnel regarding how an additional elective might make you eligible for the additional aid for July.

Sources of Funding

The M.P.H. program does not guarantee financial support to students. Federal financial aid is available to US citizens or permanent US residents; students need to file a FAFSA and supplemental financial aid application each year. Students can look for external sources of funding and/or a teaching assistantship, reader, or graduate student research position, but these positions are offered by individual departments and are not guaranteed to the students. See additional information and resources below.

1. University Grants and Fellowships
   • Each academic year, a limited number of merit and need-based grants and fellowships are awarded.
   • Incoming students that apply by the priority deadline and continuing students can apply for internal fellowships.
   • The Graduate Student Child Care Grant (GSCCG) is available to UC Davis students enrolled full-time in a graduate or professional degree program or on filing fee status (one term allowed). Students must have/claim dependent children 12 years old or younger in their care and must incur child care expenses. Questions should be directed to UC Davis Worklife and Wellness at 530-754-8791 or worklife@ucdavis.edu.
2. Student Employment Opportunities
   • Current M.P.H. students may have access to student teaching and research employment through one or more of the below positions. UC Davis students can access the on-campus employment postings through Handshake.
     1. Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)*: A GSR is a full-time registered graduate student appointed to assist in performing research under the direction of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator. Departments offer GSR positions on a limited basis and students should seek these out on their own. 
     2. Teaching Assistant (TA)*: A TA is a full-time registered graduate student serving an apprenticeship under the supervision of a regular faculty member. Some departments have TA positions available to a limited number of students who have substantial preparation in their area of study. Departments offer TA positions on a limited basis and students should seek these out on their own.   
     3. Reader*: A Reader serves as a course assistant which could include grading papers and exams or helping coordinate with guest speakers.

• The M.P.H. program office advertises GSR and TA positions as they become available. GSR/TA appointments will typically reduce your loan eligibility.
• *Appointments do not cover the M.P.H. Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST). Only GSR positions cover the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST).

Resources

• External Funding:

1. 1. • There are many sources available for external funding searches. These are a few websites to get started on your search:
        1. Outside Funding and Scholarship Opportunities
        2. UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies External Fellowships
        3. Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
        4. U.S. Department of Labor's Scholarship Search Tool
        5. Scholarship Search by Sallie Mae
        6. UCLA Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural Support (GRAPES) Database
        7. Grant Forward

• Loan Forgiveness Program:
  • The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full time by certain public service employers.
• Financial Wellness
• Debt Management

Salary and Debt Information

Prospective students can learn more about historical debt levels and salary information for M.P.H. graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply to the program?

2. When is the application deadline?

3. Is it absolutely necessary to attend the summer session of the program?

4. How long does it take to complete the program?

5. What is the minimum GPA requirement for entrance into the program?

6. Can I attend the program part-time, and still work part-time?

7. What's the maximum number of units I can transfer into the program?

8. Once I enroll at UC Davis, can I take elective units that are not listed in the program materials?

9. Do I have to take the GRE for admission?

10. I am a UC employee. Do I get a discount?

11. I am a UC Davis faculty member, can I enroll in the program?

12. What is the cost of the program?

13. Do I need to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

14. I am not a US citizen or permanent resident. Am I eligible for financial aid?

15. I did not take undergraduate courses in all three prerequisite areas (Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences). Can I still apply?

16. As a current UC Davis Graduate Student, can I earn an M.P.H. degree at UC Davis?

1. How do I apply to the program?

The Master of Public Health program at UC Davis is designed for individuals with an interest in disease prevention and community health. The application deadlines are January 15 (General deadline) and June 1 (Space Available Deadline). For access to the online application you can visit https://grad.ucdavis.edu/apply.

The UC Davis M.P.H. program is a member of ASPPH and accredited by CEPH, but does not use SOPHAS for admissions. Only one application is required for admissions and is submitted through the UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies. Admission is for Summer II session, which begins the first week of August.  Students are expected to attend the mandatory new student orientation, which is scheduled the week before the first day of class.

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2. When is the application deadline?

The application deadlines are December 1 (Priority Deadline), January 15 (General deadline) and June 1 (Space Available Deadline).

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3. Is it absolutely necessary to attend the summer session of the program?

Yes. All students start the program in August during Summer Session II.

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4. How long does it take to complete the program?

The 56-unit program can be completed in 12-14 months. Most students graduate after completing summer session II, three academic quarters, and a summer practicum placement.

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5. What is the minimum GPA requirement for entrance into the program?

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average (GPA). Relevant coursework taken after the baccalaureate degree will be taken into consideration. The baccalaureate degree must be conferred before the program starts in August.

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6. Can I attend the program part-time, and still work part-time?

The program is designed for students wishing to enroll full time, with classes that are offered during the day; so it is not appropriate for persons planning to maintain a practice or other professional work schedule. A limited work schedule may be possible for some students, but will likely increase the time required to earn the M.P.H. degree.

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7. What's the maximum number of units I can transfer into the program?

Students seeking the master’s degree may request to transfer course work to their graduate transcript. Students seeking a doctoral degree normally will not transfer course work; programs may accept course work taken elsewhere in place of required program course work provided the student is able to demonstrate the equivalence of such courses. Course work requested for transfer must have been taken at an accredited institution. Some work taken elsewhere may be credited toward degree requirements with the consent of the graduate adviser and the dean of Graduate Studies. If the units were earned at another campus of the university, they may fulfill up to one-half of a student’s unit requirement. This may be done as long as the units have not already been used to satisfy the requirements for another degree. The Graduate Council has established a Policy on Residence and Transfer Units (GC2011-03), go to  http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/gradcouncil/policiesall.html. The Petition to Transfer Coursework must be approved by the graduate adviser and forwarded to Graduate Studies. The dean of Graduate Studies determines final approval. The Petition to Transfer Coursework can be found at http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/forms.

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8. Once I enroll at UC Davis, can I take elective units that are not listed in the program materials?

Yes, you may take other electives, but you must do this in consultation and with the approval of your faculty advisor.

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9. Do I have to take the GRE for admission?

The GRE is no longer required for admission to the M.P.H. program. Applicants are encouraged to explain their experience with biostatics, statistics, and/or using computing programming for quantitative analysis. The Admissions Committee wants to know applicants are prepared for the quantitative demands of the M.P.H. program’s coursework.

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10. I am a UC employee. Do I get a discount?

Reduced fees are available to UC career employees and certain UC retirees who are qualified for admission to the university. Once admitted, the employee-student must file a petition for the reduction in fees before each quarter of enrollment. Employee-students pay one-third of the full-time Registration Fee and one-third of the full-time Education Fee. Employee-students also pay the Memorial Union Fee and the Student Facilities Safety Fee. More details about the Employee-Student Reduced Fee program are available through the Registrar. Employee students may enroll for up to nine units or three courses per quarter or semester, whichever is greater. [From the UC Davis General Catalog, also see the UC System-wide Policy and UC Davis Specific Policy.] Students need to work directly with their hiring departments to complete and process the necessary paperwork by the fee deadline.

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11. I am a UC Davis faculty member, can I enroll in the program?

Yes  with limitations. Faculty should refer to Senate Regulation 600 A and B to determine if they qualify.

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12. What is the cost of the program?

Detailed cost information can be found at: http://budget.ucdavis.edu/studentfees/current/index.html

California Residence for Tuition Purposes
The facts and information you will be providing after admission on a Statement of Legal residence are used by the campus Residence Deputy to determine if you meet the University of California’s definition of a California resident for the purpose of assessing tuition. Any indication of resident status for tuition purposes that you may have received during admission is provisional until a determination has been made by the residence deputy. For information about the resident determination process, and to read about who is considered a resident, please visit the University Registrar’s Web site section on residency.

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13. Do I need to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

Yes, annually, graduate students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or immigrants are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although the FAFSA can be filed at any time, it is strongly suggested that you file by the priority filing date of March 2. This form, submitted directly to the U.S. Department of Education, Iowa City, Iowa, is used to determine financial need.

The FAFSA is used for consideration for awards and loans, and work-study funds that pay some of the program fees. The FAFSA is available at the UC Davis Financial Aid Office in Dutton Hall or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Include the UC Davis School Code (001313) on the FAFSA.

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14. I am not a US citizen or permanent resident. Am I eligible for financial aid?

In general only US citizens or permanent residents are eligible for federal financial aid. Further information for international students is available though SISS (http://siss.ucdavis.edu/). All students can apply for supplemental financial aid through UC Davis Health Financial Aid.

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15. I did not take undergraduate courses in all four prerequisite areas (Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Health). Can I still apply?

Yes. Students can be admitted with missing prerequisites, but the deficiencies must be remedied by earning a grade of "B" or better in the deficient courses prior to starting the program in Summer Session II. The UC Davis M.P.H. admissions committee feels that the three prerequisite areas are reasonable, customary, and sufficiently flexible. By "reasonable," we mean that the M.P.H. faculty agrees that these three areas are important for M.P.H. candidates to understand prior to their matriculation.

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16. As a current UC Davis Graduate Student, can I earn an M.P.H. degree at UC Davis?

Yes you can get an M.P.H. degree, but  students cannot earn an academic graduate degree and an M.P.H. degree at the same time. The M.P.H. program has a separate Professional Fee that prohibits students from other UC Davis academic programs to double major. Students can choose an appropriate year to change their degree objective over for one year (or longer) to complete the M.P.H. Students still need to go through an admissions review before completing a petition for Change of Graduate Major, Degree Objective, Multiple Graduate Majors, or Multiple Degree Objectives. Once you earn your M.P.H. degree then you will be switched back to your academic graduate program.

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