Admissions

Fall 2023 Application Cycle

The Application Systems at both San Diego State University (SDSU) and UC San Diego (UCSD) will be open to accept applications on Tuesday, October 1, 2022, for the Fall 2023 Application Cycle. Please carefully read the instructions for each of the three (3) separate applications.

**Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirements outlined below that applicants for the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health submit scores for the GRE are suspended for the Fall 2023 admission cycle.**

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to the SDSU-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, students must meet the general requirements for admission to both universities with classified graduate standing as outlined in the respective current catalogs. These include:

  • an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or equivalent academic preparation, as determined by the deans of the two graduate divisions;
  • a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted;
  • good standing at the last institution attended;
  • Graduate applicants are required to submit GRE scores (verbal and quantitative);
  • Full consideration of the admission application can take place only after all required documents have been received

Preference will be given to applicants with an MPH or MS degree in public health.

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must present evidence of capacity for graduate study in public health. A multidisciplinary field such as public health draws from a wide variety of undergraduate majors, but the student is expected to have a strong grounding in the quantitative, behavioral, and biological sciences.

Application Process

The application process is required at both institutions. Please follow the information for each university accordingly. Three separate applications (SOPHAS, SDSU Graduate Application, and UCSD Application) must be submitted.
The Joint Ph.D. program admits students for the Fall semester/quarter only.

SDSU Application Process (2 – Step System)

  • Applicants for the Ph.D. programs must submit two applications in order to be considered for admission to San Diego State University (SDSU). Please see the separate instructions for each application. The priority deadline to submit the SOPHAS application and SDSU Graduate Application is November 15 with a FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE OF December 15; however, priority will be given to applicants who submit both applications by the November 15 deadline.
  • Please apply early and allow sufficient time for all required supporting materials (such as GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts) to be received. All supporting materials must be received by November 15 for both the SOPHAS and SDSU Graduate Applications to ensure your application will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Applications submitted or completed after the November 15 priority deadline will be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee.
  • The application instructions provided below must be followed carefully. It is important to send the required materials to the separate addresses exactly as specified. Applicants should not send materials for the SOPHAS application to SDSU Enrollment Services, or the other way around; sending materials to the wrong address will jeopardize meeting the file completion deadlines and may result in non-consideration of the application. Materials cannot be shared between the SOPHAS and SDSU Graduate Applications; therefore, applicants must be sure to send test scores and official transcripts separately for each application.
  • Only complete applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Application review will begin in December and we anticipate that applicants will be notified of the decisions on their applications beginning in late January, and no later than early April.

UCSD Application Process

Please see the separate instructions for each application process. IT IS REQUIRED TO APPLY at BOTH INSTITUTIONS. The Joint Ph.D. program admits students for the Fall quarter only. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS December 15, 2022. Priority will be given to applicants who submit both applications by the November 15, 2022 deadline.

To apply to the doctoral program in Public Health, use the UCSD Application through the Graduate Division. UCSD uses a web-based application to apply for graduate study. You may work on your application a bit at a time, and then submit it once it is complete. The site is secure, and your application information will remain confidential.

Required Documents

In addition to the application forms, we also require the following documents:

  • A copy of your most recent academic transcript(s)
  • A copy of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores (Not Required Fall 2023 Cycle)
  • CV or Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 3 letters of recommendation