Public health focuses on promoting the health of families and communities through education, prevention, and examining causes of disease while offering large-scale solutions. Some public health initiatives include smoking cessation, managing obesity, and using sustainable practices to protect the environment.
Explore
Discover whether a public health career matches your interests, skills and abilities and meets your lifestyle expectations:
- Discover Careers in Public Health
- Careers in Global Health
- Areas to Explore in Public Health:
- Learn about Schools, Programs and Accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Prepare
Confirm your interest in public health, prepare academically, and develop the necessary skills and experience:
Complete Academic Requirements
Identify School Prerequisites and the UC San Diego classes you can take to meet them. This varies greatly depending on area of concentration. Please check individual schools for their specific prerequisites.
Get Experience
- Consider the Public Health or Global Health majors
- Check UCSD Global Health Program, Field Experience Opportunities
- Internships and Fellowships
- Public Health: Student Experiential and Research Opportunities
- Academic Internship Program (UCDC Internships)
- Academic Internship Program (UC Center Sacramento Internships) in Healthcare
- Join a UCSD student organization. Consider reviewing the student organization list provided by Center for Student involvement.
Apply
Applying to public health school occurs in the fall, a year before the start of the program. Identify programs that match your interests and complete an application. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead!
Take the GRE if needed
- If required, Prepare, Practice and take the Graduate Record Examination
Selecting Schools & Program
- Consider curriculum, clinical training options, location, and cost
- 10 Things to Know Before You Apply
- Find a Public Health program
- See a list of accredited Schools and Programs for Public Health
- Public Health Degree Programs Abroad
- Financing Your Degree: Scholarship and Financial Aid
Types of Programs
A graduate degree in public health allows students the opportunity to build upon the foundational elements of public health and develop skills in a particular area or issue in the academic or professional fields. There are multiple options for students interested in obtaining a graduate degree in public health or field related to public health.
Writing Your Personal Essay
- Your personal essay is intended to give you the opportunity to submit a narrative to each school to which you are applying describing your past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. (1500 words, can vary by program)
- Additional tips to develop your personal essay
Resume
- Applicants may need to upload a resume or CV directly to SOPHAS via their online application.
Submitting Your Application
- SOPHAS: the application service that compiles your transcripts, letters, essays, and activities
- Additional Application Information
Gaining Experience
For any successful pre-health path, you will need to demonstrate you have experience. This includes service/volunteering, leadership, research, and/or other experiential learning opportunities.