Student Experiential and Research Opportunities

The BSPH offers a number of ways for students to get involved in opportunities outside the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in the following credit-bearing opportunities, participate in student organizations including the Public Health Undergraduate Organization, study abroad, participate in health policy related experiences through UC/DC or UC Center Sacramento, and more. 

Opportunity Research Experiential Internship Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice (UGIA)
Course FMPH 199 FMPH 198 AIP 197 FMPH 195
Summary Individual or small group study focused on research not covered by present course offerings. Must include involvement in a Public Health-related research project. A faculty mentor is required and a student must be approved by the lab prior to enrollment.  Focus on providing a group of students "hands-on" experience in the field of public health. Some examples include: health promotion activities (planning events, running social media, attending seminars, etc.), medical scribing, shadowing MDs, evaluating Public Health programs, etc. A faculty mentor is required and a student must be approved by the project prior to enrollment.  Focus on individual student internship placements for traditional field learning. A faculty advisor is required and BSPH students should work directly with faculty to discuss participation. All enrollment is handled through the UC San Diego Academic Internship Programs office. Focused on teaching methodology, this opportunity provides students a chance to gain experience on a teaching team and skills for graduate school or vocational training
Eligibility Requirements
  • Upper Division Standing (at least 90 units completed)
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
  • Completion of FMPH 40
    Note: This requirement can be waived with instructor approval.
  • Upper Division Standing (at least 90 units completed)
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
  • Completion of FMPH 40
    Note: This requirement can be waived with instructor approval.
  • Upper Division Standing (at least 90 units completed)
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Completion of the class for which you wish to be a UGIA with at least an A-
  • Must be a declared Public Health major


    Note: all requirements must be met. There are no exceptions. 
  • Upper Division Standing (at least 90 units completed)
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
    Note: This requirement can be waived with college approval.
# Quarters
  • May be taken up to 9 times for credit.
  • May be used a maximum of 2x toward major requirements.
  • May be taken up to 9 times for credit.
  • May be used a maximum of 2x toward major requirements.
  • May be taken up to 2 times for credit. 
    Students may be a UGIA only once for any one class, and may only be a UGIA a total of 2 times on campus, regardless of enrollment department.
  • May be used a maximum of 1x toward major requirements.
  • May be taken up to 3 times for credit.
  • May be used a maximum of 2x toward major requirements.
# Units  2-4 units per quarter (6-12 hours/week) 1-4 units/quarter (3-12 hours/week) 4 units/quarter 4-12 units per quarter (12-36 hours/week)

For additional information about opportunities outside the classroom, visit our pages linked above/to the left, or: