Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Public Health Schoolwide Programs

School of Public Health

Graduate Degrees

The School of Public Health offers the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) and Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degrees.

Certain degrees within the School of Public Health are not offered by the individual departments but are administered on a schoolwide level: the Master of Public Health; the Doctor of Public Health; eight concurrent degree programs, the J.D./M.P.H. with the School of Law, the M.B.A./M.P.H. with the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, the M.S.W./M.P.H. with Social Welfare, the M.A./M.P.H. with African Studies, with Asian American Studies, and with Islamic Studies; the M.P.P./M.P.H and the M.U.R.P./M.P.H. with the Luskin School of Public Affairs; and two articulated degree programs, M.D./M.P.H. with the School of Medicine and the M.A./M.P.H. with Latin American Studies.

The M.P.H. is a professional degree in the field of public health. Students are expected to focus on public health practice and to acquire a broad knowledge related to professional skills.

For information on the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, or the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Public Health within the Department of Community Health Sciences, applicants should see the listings for those departments. For information on the interdepartmental Ph.D. degree program housed in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, applicants should see the listing for Molecular Toxicology.

For information on the M.S. program in Preventive Medicine, applicants should contact the Student Affairs Office in the School of Public Health.

Admission

Program Name

Public Health

Information regarding the Executive MPH and the MPH for Health Professionals appear separately.

Address

A1-269 CHS
Box 951772
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772

Phone

(310) 825-5524

Email

sagoo@ph.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.P.H., M.S., Dr.P.H., Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Consult department.

Deadline to apply

December 1st

Applications received after this date have reduced opportunities for admission and financial aid.

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General or equivalent

MCAT or DAT scores are accepted only for applicants already holding MD or DDS degrees or currently enrolled in medical or dental school. LSAT scores are accepted only for applicants to the joint JD/MPH program. Biostatistics does not accept MCAT, DAT, or LSAT scores.

Letters of Recommendation 

3, two from former professors and one from an employer; if no employer, three from former professors

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit the departmental application through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS] and a statement of purpose.

Prior field experience is not required as a condition of admission, although a background of public health experience may be considered. Also, applicants must be accepted by and accommodated in the department of the School of Public Health in which they wish to study. Applicants needing help in deciding on a department should speak either to the department administrators or to staff in the Student Affairs Office. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants must perform satisfactorily on the verbal and quantitative sections of a recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except as above. The Biostatistics Department has different criteria for evaluating performance on aptitude tests for its applicants. Those applying to the biostatistics program should contact that department. No screening examination is required for admission; however, specified courses are required by Biostatistics and by Environmental Health Sciences. Applicants whose undergraduate coursework has been deficient in breadth of fundamental training have to take specified undergraduate courses after admission. At the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, the GRE requirement may be waived for applicants who hold a doctoral degree from a U.S. university and five years of relevant postdoctoral experience.

Master’s degrees: The prior program of study for applicants to the M.P.H. degree should include adequate preparation in mathematics, physical sciences, biological sciences, and social sciences, and typically includes two courses each in mathematics, biological sciences, social sciences; one course in physical sciences; and other courses that constitute an adequate preparation for the proposed area of specialization.

Applicants whose prior work in the biological, physical, mathematical, and social sciences does not constitute adequate preparation for the proposed area of specialization must include courses in those sciences in their graduate programs; these may not be applied toward the minimum requirements for the degree.

Interdivisional International Health. The school offers several options for foreign or domestic students interested in international health. Faculty in all departments of the school are actively involved in health-related programs in foreign settings, and many departments on campus have international, health-related interests and courses relevant to health occupations and cross-cultural settings.

Applicants who are interested must specify the department most relevant to their skills area on their application, clearly indicating their international interests. Once admitted, students are given an appropriate adviser and directed to the international health committee, which is interdepartmental and promotes internationally-oriented training and research. Its members consult with interested students and attempt to optimize the learning experience.

Biostatistics

Students concentrating in biostatistics should have completed at least one year of calculus. Students whose preparation does not include sufficient calculus must take courses in the Mathematics Department while in the M.P.H. Program. Majors in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a field of application in biostatistics are preferred.

Environmental Health Sciences

Applicants concentrating in environmental health sciences should have a bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in public health, life sciences, physical sciences, or engineering or a related field. Students who have taken extensive related coursework but who majored in other fields, or who have a related professional degree, are also encouraged to apply. Well-prepared applicants have basic knowledge of biology, mathematics (through calculus), and chemistry (including at least one quarter of organic chemistry or biochemistry).

Health Policy and Management

Applicants interested in the joint M.P.H./M.B.A. program in the Health Policy and Management Department must take the GMAT. The GRE is not required for the concurrent program.

Applicants to the one-year health services organization program in the Health Policy and Management Department must have a prior doctoral degree (M.D., D.D.S., J.D., Ph.D., or equivalent). Applicants with doctoral degrees from other countries should plan to take the two-year program. Satisfactory performance on the GRE is required, and a personal interview is recommended.

African Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

The School of Public Health and the African Studies Program have a concurrent degree program whereby students can pursue the M.A. degree in African Studies and the M.P.H. with a specialization in Community Health Sciences at the same time. Applicants are required to satisfy the admission requirements of both programs and students must meet the requirements in both programs to be awarded the degrees. Applicants interested in this concurrent program should contact the African Studies program, and the Student Affairs Office, School of Public Health.

Asian American Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

The Asian American Studies Department and the Department of Community Health Sciences in the School of Public Health offer a concurrent degree program whereby students can work for the M.A. in Asian American Studies and the M.P.H. Students must complete the program requirements for both degrees. When applying, the same statement of purpose may be submitted to each program. Applicants interested in this concurrent program should contact the Asian American Studies Department and the Student Affairs Office, School of Public Health.

Islamic Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

The School of Public Health and the Islamic Studies Program have a concurrent degree program whereby students can work for the M.A. in Islamic Studies and the M.P.H. The concurrent program expects to attract both students specializing in public health who plan to live and work in the Middle East, North Africa, or Southeast Asia, and require knowledge of the Islamic culture, society and language, and students in Islamic Studies desiring to prepare for a professional or academic career in public health. Applicants interested in this concurrent program should contact the Islamic Studies Program and the Student Affairs Office, School of Public Health.

Latin American Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

The School of Public Health and the Latin American Studies Program have arranged an articulated degree program, organized to permit specializations within the M.A. and the M.P.H. degrees, with the award of both degrees after approximately three years of graduate study. Qualified students apply to the graduate adviser of the Latin American Studies Program and to a relevant area of public health, such as: (1) environmental and nutritional sciences; (2) epidemiology; (3) health education; or (4) population and family health.

Potential applicants should contact the Graduate Adviser in Latin American Studies and/or the Public Health/Latin American Studies Articulated Degree Program Adviser, School of Public Health.

Law, J.D./Public Health, M.P.H.

The School of Public Health and the School of Law offer a four year concurrent degree program in which students complete both the M.P.H. and the J.D. degree programs simultaneously. The program comprises three years in the School of Law and one year in the School of Public Health. In addition, the M.P.H. degree requires field-training experience, which is generally completed in the summer following the public health study. Applicants apply separately to the School of Law and the School of Public Health. Students enrolled in the first year of either the J.D. or the M.P.H. program may also apply for admission to the concurrent program. Interested applicants should contact the School of Law and the Student Affairs Office in the School of Public Health.

Medicine, M.D./Public Health, M.P.H.

The School of Public Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine have an articulated degree program designed to enable students to complete both the M.P.H. and the M.D. degree programs in five years. The program includes four years of medical school and one year plus one additional quarter in the School of Public Health. Additionally, up to ten weeks of field training is required for the M.P.H. The field training is generally completed in the summer after the year of public health coursework. UCLA medical students apply for admission to the School of Public Health in the fall quarter of their third year.

Public Policy, M.P.P./Public Health, M.P.H.

The Department of Public Policy and the Department of Health Services offer a concurrent degree program whereby students may pursue the Master of Public Policy degree and a Master of Public Health degree at the same time. For admission, applicants are required to satisfy the regular admission requirements for both the M.P.P. and the M.P.H. programs. During the first year, students generally begin with the first year core courses in Public Policy. In Spring Quarter students also begin taking the required Health Services courses. For the remaining two years of the concurrent degree program, students take both Public Policy and Health Services courses for a total of 68 units in Public Policy and 56 units in Health Services. Applicants interested in the concurrent program should contact the graduate adviser in Public Policy.

Social Welfare, M.S.W./Public Health, M.P.H.

The Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Community Health Sciences (Public Health) offer a concurrent program whereby students pursue the Master of Social Welfare and the Master of Public Health at the same time. Applicants are required to satisfy the regular admission requirements of each program. Studentsin the three-year concurrent program complete their first year curriculum in either Social Welfare or Public Health. During the second year, students complete the first-year core courses in the other department along with certain electives. In the third year, students complete the advanced practice methods and field internship course sequences in Social Welfare, complete requirements and electives in Public Health, and meet remaining requirements for both programs. Students must meet requirements for graduation in both programs to be awarded either degree. Applicants interested in the program should contact the department of Social Welfare or the department of Community Health Sciences.

Urban Planning, MURP./Public Health, M.P.H.

The Environmental Health Sciences department in the School of Public Health and the department of Urban Planning in the School of Public Affairs offer a concurrent plan of study providing an integrated curriculum for students interested in interdisciplinary training on the public health consequences of urban planning. Students in this program study how public health intersects with urban design and land use patterns, location choices and acticity participation, economic factors, equity and social justice, governance and institutional management and planning for sustainability.

Concurrent students pursue studies in both schools/departments and following three years of full time study earn both the Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Environmental Health Sciences and the Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

Applicants must apply and be admitted to both the M.P.H and MURP programs. Further details regarding coursework and program structure may be obtained from the admissions office or graduate adviser in either the department of Urban Planning or the department of Environmental Health Sciences.

Master’s Degree

Advising

An adviser is appointed for each new master’s student by the head of the respective department. Student and adviser together agree upon a study list for each academic quarter and both the adviser and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs must approve any subsequent alterations. Students are expected to meet with their advisers each quarter. A departmental guidance committee is established when the student has completed approximately half of the program for the master’s degree. The department chair nominates the departmental guidance committee after consultation with the student and the student’s adviser.

An adviser is responsible for the student’s academic progress. Progress is evaluated on an ongoing basis. At the end of each quarter, the Associate Dean for Academic Programs reviews academic listings of students and notifies them and the advisers when the cumulative grade-point average is below 3.0. Advisers review each case with their advisees and make recommendations to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs for continuance or dismissal. Students who wish to change advisers must file a petition which must be approved by the new adviser, the department chair, and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

Areas of Study

Areas of specialization and typical course plans, in addition to mandatory courses, are listed below.

Biostatistics

Required department courses include Biostatistics 110A, 110B, (100A and 100B may be substituted with departmental permission); Biostatistics 201A, 201B, 402A, 402B (402B satisfies the field training requirement), 403A and 406; and 12 units of elective courses from Biostatistics 200B, 200C, M210 through M238, or M403B, 410 through 419. Additional elective courses are recommended and should be selected in public health, biomathematics, or mathematics.

J.D./M.P.H. The J.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Biostatistics requires a minimum of 58 quarter units in the School of Public Health. Required department courses include Biostatistics 110A, 110B (100A and 100B may be substituted with departmental permission); Biostatistics 200A, 201A, 201B, 402A, 402B (402B satisfies the field training requirement), 403A and 406; and 12 units of elective courses from Biostatistics 200B, 200C, M210 through M238, or M403B, 410 through 419. A maximum of eight elective quarter units from Law courses are allowed for concurrent credit toward the M.P.H. degree.

Community Health Sciences

A minimum of 60 units of graduate and upper division coursework is required for the M.P.H. degree. Normally two years or six quarters are needed to complete the 60 units of coursework required. No less than 32 units must be taken in the department. A maximum of 12 elective units from outside the department may count towards the 60 units. Candidates with a prior doctoral degree or advanced preparation in a related field may petition the departmental faculty to waive up to 12 units for the M.P.H. degree.

All students are required to complete Community Health Sciences 210, 211A-211B, and four units of 400 (400 hours of field work).

Students are required to select one course from each of the three curricular areas of a) Public Health Practice, b) Populations, and c) Individual and Structural Influences (12 units).   The courses for these three areas are listed below.  New CHS department courses will be added to these areas as appropriate. Students are required to take at least one additional course (4 units) within CHS. An additional course in research methods or program planning, similar to CHS 211 A&B is strongly recommended for students in the second year of the program.

Students have the option to focus their studies in areas such as social and behavioral sciences, health education/promotion, international health, child and family health, public health nutrition, health policy, disaster planning and relief, aging and life course, women’s health, and population health.

Students focusing in health education/promotion may select coursework to meet the requirements for the Society for Public Health Education, and students with appropriate prerequisites may select coursework to meet the requirements set by the Association of Graduate Faculties in Public Health Nutrition.

Students who complete the UCLA undergraduate minor in Public Health have already completed the four 100-level core courses (Biostatistics 100A, Environmental Health Sciences 100, Epidemiology 100, and Health Policy and Management 100). Accordingly these students should not retake these courses but replace them with four additional elective courses in order to complete the 60 units required for the master’s degree. Students must consult with their adviser when selecting these replacement courses. For any courses taken outside of the School, students must file a blue petition and have it approved prior to registration. If the blue petition is not approved, the student must consult with their adviser about selecting other options. Replacement courses within the School do not require a blue petition.

J.D./M.P.H. The J.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Community Health Sciences requires a minimum of 60 quarter units in the School of Public Health. Required department courses include Community Health Sciences 210, 211A and 211B, four units of 400 (400 hours of field work), and eight units (two courses) from the following (no substitutions are allowed): Community Health Sciences 200, 231, 247, 271, 282, 284, M287, 295, 432. A maximum of eight elective quarter units from Law courses are allowed for concurrent credit toward the M.P.H. degree.

African Studies, M.A. /M.P.H. The M.A. African Studies./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Community Health Sciences allows students to use a maximum of eight units of coursework in Public Health toward both the M.A. degree in African Studies and the M.P.H. degree.

M.S.W./M.P.H. The M.S.W./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Community Health Sciences requires a minimum of 67 units of Social Welfare coursework and 52 units of Public Health coursework. The remaining nine units of the regular 76-unit requirement for the M.S.W. degree are fulfilled through research and policy courses taken for the M.P.H. degree and are applied toward the M.S.W. program through a pro forma petition to the Graduate Division upon application for advancement to candidacy. A maximum of eight quarter units of Social Welfare coursework may be applied toward the M.P.H. degree.

Environmental Health Sciences

Required department courses include Biostatistics 100B; Environmental Health Sciences C200A, C200B, 201, C240, 400, 401 (or 410A and 410B), and 411 (to be taken once a year for two years). At least 12 units of elective courses are required and are selected by students in consultation with the faculty adviser. Any departmental required course may be waived by instructor consent if the student either has taken a similar course or can pass a waiver examination. Any students who matriculate into the program without prior completion of the equivalent of one year of chemistry and one year of biology must address these deficiencies prior to graduation.

Students may choose to focus on Industrial Hygiene. The M.P.H. program in Industrial Hygiene is fully accredited by the Related Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET/ASAC). In addition, students in the M.P.H. program in Environmental Health Sciences may choose to pursue a curriculum that has been approved by the California Registered Environmental Health Specialist program.

J.D./M.P.H. The J.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Environmental Health Sciences requires a minimum of 58 quarter units in the School of Public Health. Required courses include Biostatistics 100B; Environmental Health Sciences C200A, C200B, 201, C240, 400, 401 (or 410A and 410B), and M411 (to be taken once a year for two years). At least 12 units of elective courses are required for area of specialization. A maximum of eight elective quarter units from Law courses are allowed for concurrent credit toward the M.P.H. degree.

Urban Planning, M.U.R.P./Public Health, M.P.H. The concurrent degree program requires completion of 110 units (as opposed to 128 units if the two degree programs were completed sequentially). Students are required to complete 86 units of required courses, 20 units of Urban Planning stream electives (chosen from an approved list) and 4 units of Environmental Health Sciences/Public Health Electives. Concurrent degree program students are required to separately satisfy the capstone requirements for each program (i.e. the comprehensive examination option in Public Health). A total of 18 units of course overlap is allowed between the two programs.

Required courses include Biostatistics 100A or Urban Planning 220A, Biostatistics 100B or Urban Planning 220B, Community Health Sciences 100, Health Policy and Management 100, Epidemiology 100, Environmental Health Sciences C200A, C200B, 201, 207 (or Urban Planning M206A), 208, C240, 401, 411 (once a year for two years), 400 (or Urban Planning 496), Urban Planning 205A, 205B, 207, 222A, M254, 269, 281.

Epidemiology

Students with no prior clinical doctorate degree are required to complete Biostatistics 100B, Epidemiology 200A-200B-200C, 220, 400, two units of a data management course in Biostatistics that features SAS, and 20 elective units taken from the general list of courses: Epidemiology 203, M204, M211, M212, M218, 220, 222, 223, 224, M225, M226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232,  240, 242, 243, 244, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, M252, 253, M254, M255, 257, M258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 265, 266, 267, 268, 270, 271, M272, 273, 280, 402, M403, M406, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, M418, and 420. Among the 20 units of electives, up to eight can be taken outside the Epidemiology department with the consent of the advisor and by petition.

Students with a prior clinical doctorate degree or students enrolled in an M.D./M.P.H. program are required to complete Biostatistics 100B, Epidemiology 200A-200B-200C, 400 and 14 total elective units. Students may apply six units in relevant topics from the Department of Medicine or other departments in the School of Public Health toward their total 14-unit elective requirement.

All students must submit a report demonstrating competence in epidemiologic methodology. The report may not be submitted prior to the completion of Epidemiology 400. Epidemiology 400 must be taken after completion of 200C.

J.D./M.P.H. The J.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Epidemiology requires minimum of 68 quarter units in the School of Public Health. Required courses include Biostatistics 100B, Epidemiology 200A-200B-200C, 220, 400, four units of a data management courses in Biostatistics that features SAS, and 20 elective units taken from the general list of electives. Consult the department Student Affairs Officer for acceptable electives. A maximum of eight elective quarter units from Law courses are allowed for concurrent credit toward the M.P.H. degree.

Health Policy and Management

Health Policy and Management specialization programs include (1) Health Care Management, (2) Health Policy, (3) Executive (4) Health Services Organization, (5) a concurrent M.P.H./M.B.A., (6) a concurrent M.P.H./M.P.P., (7) J.D./M.P.H., and (8) M.D./M.P.H. All specialization programs require Health Policy and Management 200A-200B, 400, and a summer internship in a local health care organization, as well as School of Public Health core courses: Biostatistics 100A, Community Health Sciences 100, Environmental Health Sciences 100, and Epidemiology 100.

Students who hold an M.B.A. and three years of managerial experience in health care will be required to take 15 courses rather than 18. In addition, students who have had the equivalent course work in their M.B.A. program may petition to waive out of an additional 3 courses. Petitions will be considered on a case by case basis.

Health Care Management. The Health Care Management specialization is a two-year program requiring 23 full courses (88 units) and a major written research report based on the summer internship at a local health care organization. Required courses include Health Policy and Management 232, 234, M236, M285, 215A, 400, 403, M422, 431, 433, 436, 437, 440A, and 445. In addition, students select at least three elective courses from Health Policy and Management or other academic schools/departments approved via blue petition.

Health Policy. The Health Policy specialization is a two-year program requiring 22 full courses (88 units), and a major written research report based on the summer internship in a local health care organization. Required courses include Health Policy and Management 232, M233, M236, M285, 215A, 286, M287, 400, M422, 431, and Biostatistics 100B. In addition, students select at least five elective courses from Health Policy and Management or other academic schools/departments approved via blue petition.

Executive. The executive program is for people with at least three years of managerial experience in the health care field. It is a two-year program requiring 18 full courses and a major written research report based on the summer internship. Required courses include Health Policy and Management 234, M236, 251, M422, 431, 433, 436, 450, and Biostatistics 419.

Health Services Organization. The health services organization specialization is a one-year program requiring a minimum of 13 full courses (56 units). Admission is limited to students with prior doctoral-level degrees completed in the U.S. (M.D., Ph.D., J.D., D.D.S., or equivalent). Required courses include Health Policy and Management M236, 400 and 403. In addition, students select at least four elective courses from the Department of Health Policy and Management or other academic schools/departments approved via blue petition.

Concurrent M.P.H./M.B.A. The concurrent M.P.H./M.B.A. program is a three-year concurrent degree program. It requires a minimum of 14 full courses (52 units) in the School of Public Health and a summer internship in a local health care organization. Required courses include Health Policy and Management 232,M236, M285, 215A, 400, M422 and 437. In addition, students select at least one two unit elective course from the Department of Health Policy and Management. Management 402 may substituted for Biostatistics 100A. Students are waived out of the Health Policy and Management 400 requirement if they have successfully completed an equivalent class in the M.B.A. program. However, no unit credit is awarded for waived courses. Students must take an elective course to fulfill unit requirements.

Concurrent M.P.H./M.P.P. The concurrent M.P.H./M.P.P. program is a three-year concurrent program. During the first year students generally begin with the first year core courses in Public Policy. In Spring Quarter students also begin taking the required Health Policy and Management courses. For the remaining two years of the concurrent degree program, students take both Public Policy and Health Policy and Management courses for a total of 68 units in Public Policy and 56 units in Health Policy and Management. A total of 12 units of course overlap is allowed between the two programs. Required courses in Health Policy and Management include Health Policy and Management M287, M422, and 400. In addition, students select four elective courses from Health Policy and Management or other academic schools/departments approved via blue petition.

Concurrent M.P.H./M.U.R.P. The concurrent M.P.H./M.U.R.P. program requires completion of 110 units (as opposed to 128 units if the two degree programs were completed sequentially). Students are required to complete 86 units of required courses, 20 units of Urban Planning Stream electives and four units of Environmental Health Sciences/Public Health electives. Concurrent degree program students are required to separately satisfy the capstone requirements for each program (i.e., the comprehensive examination in Public Health and the comprehensive examination or master’s thesis in Urban and Regional Planning. A total of 18 units of course overlap is allowed between the two programs. Required courses include Biostatistics 100A or Urban Planning 220A, Biostatistics 100B or Urban Planning 220B, Community Health Sciences 100, Health Policy and Management 100, Epidemiology 100, Environmental Health Sciences C200A, C200B, 201, 207 (or Urban Planning M206A), 208, C240, 400 (or Urban Planning 496), 401, M411 (once a year for two years), Urban Planning 205A, 205B, 207, 222A, M254, 269, 281.

J.D./M.P.H. The J.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Health Policy and Management requires a minimum of 14 full courses (56 units) in the School of Public Health and a field training experience in a state or federal agency, as counsel to a hospital or other health care institution, or working in a law firm with a substantial health law practice. Required courses include Health Policy and Management M236, M285, 286, M287, 400, 403, M422, and 437. A total of 18 units of elective courses are required. A maximum of the 16 elective quarter units from Law courses are allowed for concurrent credit toward the M.P.H. degree. Three Law electives chosen from an approved list, plus one additional Law course chosen with the approval of the Public Health adviser constitute the 16 units.

M.D./M.P.H. The M.D./M.P.H. program with a specialization in Health Policy and Management requires a minimum of 14 full courses (60 units) in the School of Public Health and a major research report based on the summer internship in a local health care organization. Required courses include Health Policy and Management M236, 400, 403, and M422. In addition, students select at least three elective courses from Health Policy and Management or other academic schools/departments approved via blue petition.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students must complete at least one year of graduate residence at the University of California and a minimum of 11 full courses (44 units), at least six of which must be graduate courses and at least two of which must be 400-series courses. Only one 596 course (four units) may be applied toward the six graduate courses; 597 and 598 courses may not be applied toward the degree.

Required school core courses include Biostatistics 100A or 110A; Community Health Sciences 100 (210, 211A, 211B for community health sciences majors); Environmental Health Sciences 100 (C200A-C200B for environmental health sciences majors); Epidemiology 100 (200A-200B-200C for epidemiology majors) and Health Services 100 (200A-200B for health services majors). Each core course may be waived via blue petition if the student has taken a similar college-level course ,and passes the waiver examination. Students may substitute the core sequence for majors in departments outside their own major department for the department’s100-level course (e.g. a Community Health Sciences major who takes Biostatistics 201A, 201B). Students must file a blue petition for the substitution.

In addition to the core courses, at least three courses (two or four units) outside the student’s area of specialization are strongly recommended.

Only courses in which a grade of B- or better is received may be applied toward the requirements for a master’s degree. Courses taken for S/U grading may not be applied toward the degree requirements. Students must maintain an average of no less than 3.0 (B) in all courses required or elected during graduate residence at the University of California.

African Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

A maximum of eight units of coursework in Public Health may be applied toward both the M.A. degree in African Studies and the M.P.H. degree.

Asian American Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

A maximum of 12 units of course work in Public Health may be applied toward both the M.A. degree in Asian American Studies and the M.P.H. degree.

Islamic Studies, M.A./Public Health, M.P.H.

A maximum of 12 units of course work in Public Health may be applied toward both the M.A . degree in Islamic Studies and the M.P.H. degree.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Field training in an approved public health program is required of candidates who have not had prior relevant field experience. A minimum of four units, but no more than eight units, is required. Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, before beginning the field experience.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Students must pass a comprehensive examination in their department. Students may be reexamined once. The aim of the examination, as a culminating experience, is to assess the student’s ability to select theories, methods, and techniques from across the content matter of a field, integrate and synthesize knowledge, and apply it to the solution of public health problems. Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, before taking the comprehensive examination.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

From graduate admission to award of the degree, normal progress is from three to seven quarters. Upper time limit for completion of all requirements is seven quarters of enrollment, including quarters enrolled in previous graduate study at a UC campus prior to admission to the School of Public Health. Maximum time allowable from enrollment to graduation, including leaves of absence, is five years.

Doctoral Degrees

Advising

An academic adviser is assigned to each new student by the chair of the respective department. Student and adviser together agree upon a study list for each academic quarter; any subsequent alterations must be approved both by the student’s adviser. Students may change advisers after the first quarter as long as the student and the new adviser agree. This is done by filing a petition countersigned by the area head/department chair and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Within the first three quarters of study, students file Doctoral Form 1, Petition for Establishment of Three-Member Guidance Committee and Study in Major and Minor Fields for the Dr.P.H. The guidance committee comprises three members including the student’s adviser in the major field and the student’s adviser in the minor field. On this form students list the courses to be taken for the minor which must be approved by the student’s adviser and the department chair.

Community Health Sciences

An academic adviser is assigned to each new student by the head of the department. Student and adviser together agree upon a study list for each academic quarter. The adviser supervises the student’s completion of course work and preparation for the written qualifying examinations, and can, but need not, serve as the Chair of the Guidance Committee appointed at the end of the first year of study.

After being enrolled for three quarters, students file Doctoral Form 1, which designates the membership of the guidance committee. The guidance committee consists of the student’s adviser in the major field, a second faculty member in Community Health Sciences and the student’s adviser in the minor (cognate) field. Courses to be taken for the cognate field are listed on this form. The members of the Guidance committee must be full-time faculty with appointments in the professorial series (tenure-eligible, in-residence, or acting or emeritus, with the proviso that one of the four faculty on the committee and/or the committee co-chair may hold an appointment in the Clinical or Adjunct professorial series. The Guidance Committee membership must be approved by the Department Chair. This committee functions as a group to assist in tailoring the program to the student’s needs and objectives. The student is responsible for informing the committee about the student’s progress, and should also turn to the committee first in the event that special assistance or intervention is required. Hence, the committee should be selected in recognition of its role in promoting the student’s academic progress.

Major fields or Subdisciplines

Major fields and subdisciplines and typical course plans are listed below.

Biostatistics

Consult the graduate adviser.

Community Health Sciences

Consult the graduate adviser.

Environmental Health Sciences

Consult the graduate adviser.

Epidemiology

Consult the graduate adviser.

Health Policy and Management

The Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) is a schoolwide degree and the highest professional degree for leaders in public health, including health care, governmental public health practice, territorial non-profit, and other health-related organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Students who complete the program become well grounded in the study of health services organization, deliver and management. They also develop a mastery of population health, social and policy analysis, evidence-based health promotion, and program evaluation. The dissertation is applied and practical in nature and addresses a problem within an organizational context. Health services is one of the areas of specialization. There is no foreign language requirement. Program graduates advance to responsible leadership positions in a wide range of health-focused organizations in both the public and private secotrs.

Prerequisites are an M.P.H. degree or equivalent and at least two years of work experience in the field of health care of public health or health services delivery. Typical students will have worked in a government or private sector health agency and desire to advance their careers toward higher levels of leadership. Identifying a faculty adviser is another prerequisite for admission. Following matriculation, the adviser meets regularly with the student to develop a course curriculum and practicum tailored to the experience and career goals of the student. This individualized curriculum and the availability of coursework in other graduate programs within the university are strengths of this doctoral program.

The Dr.P.H. program can be completed in three years of full-time study, including two years of academic study and one year of field work experience (practicum or residency). In the first two years of study, formal coursework is intended to acquaint the student with the full scope of public health knowledge. The student is expected to complete 14-21 full courses beyond the M.P.H. degree in Health Policy and Management to develop mastery in the following areas (core competencies): (1) Population Health Perspective: Ability to identify and utilize the tools for developing and implementing population health and health care interventions, and perform evaluations of these interventions; (2) Assessment and Evaluation: Ability to amass and critically evaluate evidence for health effectiveness and dollar cost effectiveness of population-targeted policy and programmatic interventions to improve or maintain health; (3) Leadership: Ability to apply established leadership concepts and principles to structure and lead organizations or groups in health care, public health, or health-interested agencies; (4) Determinants of Health: Ability to articulate the complex relationships between underlying determinants and health for the U.S. population and key sociodemographically-defined (age, ethnicity, gender, SES) population subgroups; (5) Public Health Infrastructure: Ability to describe key aspects of the development/evolution of the ways that society organizes to protect and advance health, demonstrating an understanding of the historical underpinnings of current issues in public health policy; (6) Inter-Sectoral Relationships: Ability to understand, foster, and manage the relationships between the private and public health care sectors in the U.S.; (7) Systems Management: Ability to use effective management principles and practices to develop health improvement strategies in various sectors and settings; and (8) Organizational Management: Ability to apply advanced management precepts and tools, including performance and change, required for the efficient operation of a health services organization.

Coursework includes a public health leadership seminar featuring participating public health practitioners as well as scholars/academicians. The specific course program depends on the student’s previous coursework, experience, and leadership interests. Because fostering discovery is important in preparing students for leadership positions, and flexibility is an appealing feature of this doctoral program, students may fulfill program requirements with appropriate coursework from other graduate programs within the university (Education, Law, Management, Nursing, Public Policy, and Sociology).

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Course requirements in the major field depend on the department/program and the field chosen. Students must take a minimum of six full courses (four must be at the 200 or 400 level) in at least two School of Public Health departments outside the major department.

The major department requires an additional area of concentration which may be either inside or outside the school. In departments allowing it, an equivalent field experience completed while a doctoral student and approved by the guidance committee may be substituted for the additional area of concentration.

Biostatistics

A written screening examination of all students entering the doctoral program is required and must be successfully completed before the end of the first year in the program, if not taken prior to entering. Courses covered by this and other examinations are determined in consultation with an adviser and the department faculty. Students must complete the following courses, unless previously taken: Biostatistics 200A-200B-200C, 202A, 202B, M215, 250A-250B; any three additional graduate-level courses in biostatistics selected with consent of the adviser; three courses in the 400 series selected with consent of the adviser. All registered doctoral students must enroll in Biostatistics 409 (doctoral statistical consulting, field training course) for three consecutive quarters and in Biostatistics 245 every quarter.

In addition, required for breadth are 24 units of courses at the 200 or 400 levels selected with consent of the adviser in at least two School of Public Health departments/programs other than Biostatistics. The School also requires students to select an additional area of concentration. Biostatistics students fulfill this requirement by enrolling in Biostatistics 409 for three consecutive quarters. This requirement must be met prior to advancement to candidacy.

Electives, selected in consultation with the adviser, should be chosen from courses in mathematics, biomathematics, human genetics, AIDS, survey research methods, operations research, computer data processing, and other appropriate areas.

Community Health Sciences

If the student does not have a master’s degree in public health, the school’s core courses for the M.P.H. degree are required: Biostatistics 100A, Epidemiology 100, Health Policy and Management 100, and Environmental Health Sciences 100; and the department’s core courses, Community Health Sciences 210, 211A-211B. Additionally, all students are required to take the following courses if they have not already taken them or their equivalents during the course of their master’s studies: Community Health Sciences 212, Biostatistics 100A, 100B, and 406. These courses do not count toward the minimum course requirements for the doctoral degree.

In addition to the coursework specified above, the student must take a minimum of 48 units in residence in the doctoral program. Twenty of the 48 units required must be taken within the Department of Community Health Sciences. Only four units of individual studies (Community Health Sciences 596) may be counted toward the 48-unit minimum requirement. Students must take a minimum of two courses (eight units) in research methodology (i.e., data acquisition) and two courses (eight units) in statistics (i.e., data analysis). These courses may be taken inside or outside of the School of Public Health. All doctoral students must enroll in Community Health Sciences 286 (doctoral roundtable) every quarter until they are advanced to candidacy. With the exception of the first quarter of registration as a doctoral student, students may petition to waive out of the seminar for up to two quarters. The doctoral roundtable does not fulfill any of the 48 units required for the doctorate.

Students must complete a minor which is expected to be in another department within the School of Public Health. Six graduate-level courses (24 units) are required, four units of which must be taken from within one department. Students must consult with their advisers before declaring a minor.

Environmental Health Sciences

Students select a course of study upon consultation with their Advisor and guidance committee. A total of six full courses (four must be at the 200 or 400 level) in at least two Fielding School of Public Health departments other than Environmental Health Sciences are required for breadth. Students must complete the following required courses: Environmental Health Sciences C200A & C200B, 296, 411 (taken one quarter per year for the first two years), and Environment 410A. In addition, students must complete Epidemiology 200A, 200B, and 200C; these courses may count towards the six courses required outside the department.

Epidemiology

Students must complete a minimum of 50 units beyond the requirements of the M.P.H. degree in Epidemiology. Epidemiology M204 (four units) and either four units for a course in statistics beyond Biostatistics 100B/110B or four units in methodology from a list approved by the department are required. The requirements are equivalent for all students, regardless of whether they hold a prior doctoral degree. Students must take at least five full courses (20 units) of the 50 units within the Department of Epidemiology, and a minimum of six full courses (24 units) in at least two School of Public Health departments other than Epidemiology. At least four of the six non-Epidemiology courses must be at the 200 or 400 level. Students must also take three quarters of Epidemiology 292 for a total of six units, thereby fulfilling the 50-unit minimum requirement.

A field experience is required, chosen in consultation with the adviser, for a duration of at least eight months, and is composed of full-time field training at no more than two sites, with at least one being outside of the School of Public Health. During the field experience, students enroll in eight units of Epidemiology 596 in each quarter of the academic year. These 596 units are in addition to the 50-unit minimum requirement. It is recommended that the field work take place after the student has passed the written qualifying examination. The chosen field site may be with a government or non-government health agency, a private foundation, the military, or with a business in the private sector. The selected site should have public health relevance and offer exposure to creative epidemiologic practices and experiences. The intent is to provide experience in recognizing and describing health problems, determining causative factors, developing intervention or prevention strategies, and evaluating the effect or impact of health programs or policies.

Health Policy and Management

The core curriculum of 14 required courses includes Health Policy and Management 200A, 200B, 206 or M274, 207, 231, 232, 237A-237B, M249L, M287, 438, M442; one four-unit life course requirement from the following: Community Health Sciences 238, 285, Health Policy and Management M241, M242, M449A; and one four-unit management course to be selected from the following: Health Policy and Management 234, 251A, 431, 433, 437, 440A and 445.

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience is recommended but not required for the doctoral degree.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

Before advancement to candidacy, students must pass written examinations in the major prepared and administered by the guidance committee or by the faculty of the department. Normally no more than one reexamination after failure is allowed. The doctoral committee is nominated after the student has made a tentative decision on a dissertation topic. The doctoral committee consists of at least four faculty members who hold professorial appointments. Two of the faculty must be tenured. For students specializing in Epidemiology, the chair of the committee and one additional member must be from Epidemiology. Three of the four must hold appointments in Public Health; one must be an outside member who holds no appointment in Public Health; one of the four must be from the minor field. The doctoral committee administers the University Oral Qualifying Examination after the written examinations have been successfully completed.

Community Health Sciences

Before advancement to candidacy, all coursework must have been completed, and the student must have passed two written examinations and an oral qualifying examination in the major field. The first written examination is taken by all students. The other is tailored to the specific interests of the individual student. Both written examinations may be repeated only once. In addition, the student must complete the requirements for the minor field.

The first examination provides an assessment of the student’s breadth of substantive knowledge, theory, and methods that are common to the disciplines that comprise Community Health Sciences. Students are expected to demonstrate a coherent and well-synthesized command of this material. This examination is administered by the departmental doctoral committee in the Fall Quarter of each year. The second examination is in one of the areas of specialization: public health policy, health education/promotion, sociocultural aspects of health, public health nutrition, and international family health. Students are expected to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the area, and to be able to apply this knowledge and knowledge derived from the minor to problems or practice and policy. The examination is based on a reading list generated by the student in consultation with the student’s guidance committee, which also administers the examination. It is administered after the first examination at a time that has been agreed upon mutually by the students and the guidance committee.

After the student has passed the written qualifying examinations and completed the minor requirements, and at least one month prior to taking the University Oral Qualifying Examination, a doctoral committee is nominated. The student first selects the committee chair, who also serves as the student’s adviser. The student and chair then work together to nominate the remaining committee members. The doctoral committee consists of at least four faculty members including the chair, who hold professorial appointments at UCLA. Two of the faculty must be tenured. Two of the four must hold appointments in Community Health Sciences; one must be an outside member who holds no appointment in the school of Public Health; one of the four must be from the minor field. Eligible faculty include those in the tenure-eligible series, the in-residence series, acting or emeritus in these series; in addition, one of the four committee members, who may also cochair if appropriate, may hold an appointment in the adjunct or clinical professorial series. The composition of the committee must be approved by the department chair. The doctoral committee guides the student’s progress toward completion of the dissertation.

The student is advanced to candidacy and commences work on a dissertation by passing the University Oral Qualifying Examination, which is administered by the doctoral committee. Only the student and the committee members attend this examination; all committee members must be present. The examination may be repeated once if a majority of the committee so recommends.

Health Policy and Management

Students are required to pass a written qualifying examination after completion of most of the required coursework, normally at the beginning of the third year of study. A doctoral committee is nominated after the student makes a tentative decision on a dissertation topic. The committee consists of at least four faculty members who hold regular appointments: two of the faculty must be tenured, two of the four must hold appointments in the department, and one must be an outside member who holds no appointment in the School of Public Health. The doctoral committee administers the University Oral Qualifying Examination (the dissertation proposal hearing), normally during the first six months of the practicum.

Required coursework must be completed prior to the commencement of the practicum. The practicum accommodates the completion of a problem-solving study for the specific organization. A preceptor is identified within the organization who assists the student in structuring the practicum and delineating expectations and opportunities. Usually, but not necessarily, this practicum is accomplished within the context of the student’s primary employment. Advisers and the Dr.P.H. Committee members assist in placement when students are not employed or the place of employment is not appropriate for the student’s course of study.

During the first quarter of residency students prepare a dissertation proposal that addresses a problem of interest or concern (practical relevance) to the preceptor organization. The proposal may deal with needs assessment, program design, program implementation, program evaluation, or some combination of the above. The emphasis in this problem-solving dissertation is not necessarily to test a hypothesis derived from a disciplinary or theoretical perspective but rather to address a problem defined within the context of the preceptor organization and the environment in which it interacts. Students are expected to employ competencies gained from prior education/experience and doctoral coursework in addressing this problem. The proposal is to be written, reviewed by the doctoral committee and the practicum preceptor organization, and approved during the first six months of the residency. The expectation is that the prepared project be feasible and realistic within the context and resources of the organization, and normally can be completed within one year of the beginning of the practicum.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Maximum allowable time for the attainment of the degree is 24 quarters of enrollment or eight years. This limitation includes quarters enrolled in previous graduate study at a UC campus prior to admission to the doctoral degree program and leaves of absence. However, the approved normative time-to-degree is 18 quarters (six years). It is expected that students will normally complete coursework by the end of the third year in residence (nine quarters); complete written and oral examinations and advance to candidacy by the middle of the fourth year in residence (11 quarters); and complete the dissertation and defense by the end of the sixth year (18 quarters).

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master’s

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination for failure to failure to complete the required course work within seven quarters of matriculation.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination for: failure to maintain a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive quarters following matriculation into the doctoral program; a second failure of any written qualifying examination in the major or minor fields; a second failure of either oral examination; or exceeding enrollment time limits.

A student may appeal a recommendation for termination first to the departmental chair, then to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, then to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and finally to the dean of the school.