Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of California offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary education designed to prepare students for impactful careers in public health practice, policy, research, and leadership. This rigorous program emphasizes the development of essential skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences, enabling graduates to address complex health challenges at local, national, and global levels. Through a combination of coursework, practical training, and research opportunities, students acquire a thorough understanding of the determinants of health and strategies to promote health equity and improve population health outcomes. The program is tailored to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a commitment to social justice, aligning with the university’s mission to serve the community and advance public health knowledge. Students can choose from various specializations to tailor their education according to their career interests, such as epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, or community health. The curriculum incorporates hands-on experiences through internships, community engagement projects, and research initiatives, providing real-world context and professional preparation. Collaborative learning environments and access to leading experts in the field foster an inspiring academic atmosphere that encourages innovation and leadership. Graduates of the UC MPH program are well-equipped to work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare institutions, research centers, and international health agencies. They are prepared to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs, advocate for policies that improve health equity, and contribute to evidence-based solutions to pressing health issues worldwide. With its strong network of alumni, partnerships, and resources, the University of California’s MPH program offers an excellent foundation for those dedicated to making a meaningful difference in public health.

The required core curriculum for the Master of Public Health degree includes coursework in the following areas:

Biostatistics: Collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation of health data; design and analysis of health-related surveys and experiments; and concepts and practice of statistical data analysis.

Epidemiology: Distributions and determinants of disease, disabilities and death in human populations; the characteristics and dynamics of human populations; and the natural history of disease and the biologic basis of health.

Environmental Health Sciences: Environmental factors including biological, physical and chemical factors that affect the health of a community.

Health Services Administration: Planning, organization, administration, management, evaluation and policy analysis of health programs.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Concepts and methods of social and behavioral sciences relevant to the identification and the solution of public health problems.

Public Health Seminar: Case studies in public health, including historical overview, principles of public health, and problem solving of current issues in public health.

MPH Core Course List

Elective Resources:
Registrar's Office Open Course list: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/html/ocl.html 

Requirements

• Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) on graduation. Degrees must be conferred before the program starts in August.  An official transcript is required from each college-level institution you attended including summer sessions, lower division, and graduate work. You will be instructed to upload scanned copies of your transcripts after you have submitted your online application.  For more details, please visit https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/submit-transcripts.  For translation services please see these links: AACRAO International Education Services -ies.aacrao.org, World Education Services (WES) - http://www.wes.org, or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) - http://www.ece.org). 
• Applicants must be in a good academic standing and must disclose any past or present academic misconduct, institutional actions, felonies and misdemeanors.

• The following prerequisite courses are required for admission:

  Mathematics (equivalent at least to UC Davis' pre-calculus Math 12 or Statistics 13), 
  Biological Sciences (equivalent at least to UC Davis' Biology 2A), 
  Social Sciences (for example, courses equivalent to UC Davis’ General Psychology PSC 1, or Cultural Anthropology ANT 2, Principles of Microeconomics ECN 001A, or Introduction to Sociology SOC 1 courses).

• Complete and submit results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).  For reporting scores, use the Institution Code: 4834 and Department Code: 0616. Note: GREs are required for all applicants, with two exceptions:  (1) current students in, or recent graduates of, a US or Canadian MD/DO degree program may submit MCAT scores in lieu of the GRE providing these were taken within 10 years of application, and (2) current students or recent graduates of a U.S. MBA program may submit the GMAT scores in lieu of GRE providing these were taken within 7 years of application. All other students must provide the GRE exam. No exceptions. The GRE and other submitted test scores must be taken within 7 years of application, except as noted.  The USMLE is NOT accepted in replace of the GRE.
• The UCD Office of Graduate Studies requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if your native language is not English or your instruction has not been in English.  The minimum score required for admission to graduate study at UC Davis is 550 for the paper test or a score of 80 for the Internet-based test.  TOEFL scores expire after two years.  Scores that are older than two years will not be accepted by Graduate Studies.  Although an 80 iBT score is the minimum required for admission, additional English language testing may be required of admitted students with iBT scores below 104.
• CV and/or résumé listing your experience and background in public health.
• A Statement of Purpose
• Personal History Statement
• Three academic or professional recommendations (in English) are required. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the online application. Letter service letters are not accepted. There are no exceptions to the online submission rule.

Scholarships

• University Fellowships
• Graduate Group Fellowships
• Teaching Assistantships (TA Appointments)
• Global Education

The University of California offers a comprehensive Public Health program designed to prepare students for careers dedicated to improving community health and addressing complex health issues on local, national, and global scales. This program provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines principles from medicine, social sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and environmental health. Students gain a solid foundation in core public health disciplines, along with opportunities for specialization in areas such as infectious diseases, chronic diseases, health disparities, health education, and health services administration. The program emphasizes practical skills through internships, research projects, and community outreach initiatives, fostering an understanding of real-world public health challenges and innovative solutions. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, analytical abilities, and effective communication skills that are essential for leadership roles in public health organizations, government agencies, non-profit sectors, and research institutions. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies based on career interests and future goals. Faculty members are experts in their fields, often engaged in cutting-edge research that addresses pressing health concerns. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue advanced degrees, including doctorates in public health or related fields, or to enter the workforce as public health practitioners, policy analysts, epidemiologists, health educators, or program managers. The program also benefits from collaboration with local health departments, research centers, and international health organizations, offering students valuable networking opportunities and practical exposure to public health practice. Overall, the University of California’s Public Health program aims to develop a diverse and skilled workforce dedicated to promoting health equity and improving quality of life across populations worldwide.