Master of Public Health at University of California, Davis

The UC Davis MPH program is a 60-quarter unit curriculum typically completed in two years of full-time study. The program integrates core public health knowledge with practical experience and culminates in a capstone project.

• Core Courses: Students complete foundational coursework in the five core areas of public health: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health policy and management. Examples include Introduction to Epidemiology, Biostatistics for Public Health, Environmental Health, Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health, and Health Policy and Management.
• Electives & Areas of Emphasis: Students select electives to deepen their knowledge in specific areas such as infectious disease, chronic disease, global health, health equity, or "One Health" topics. While formal concentrations aren't always listed as separate tracks, students tailor their experience through elective choices and faculty mentorship.
• Practicum: A required supervised field experience (e.g., 200 hours) provides hands-on public health practice in a professional setting, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
• Capstone Project: The program culminates in a capstone project, which integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. This often involves a research project, program evaluation, or policy analysis, demonstrating the student's ability to address a significant public health issue.

Applicants to the UC Davis MPH program must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate coursework.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.
• A Statement of Purpose outlining academic background, career goals, and interest in public health.
• A current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• GRE scores are optional for Fall 2025 admission (applicants may submit scores if they wish).
• Completion of prerequisite courses: one college-level mathematics course (e.g., college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, or statistics) and one college-level biology course.
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS scores).

The application process for the UC Davis MPH program involves submitting materials to two separate platforms:

• SOPHAS Application: Applicants must complete and submit the online application through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). This includes uploading official transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume/CV, and GRE scores (if applicable).
• UC Davis Graduate Studies Application: A separate online application must be submitted directly to UC Davis Graduate Studies.
• Fee Payment: Pay the SOPHAS application fee ($145 for the first application, $60 for each additional) and the UC Davis Graduate Studies application fee ($135 for domestic applicants, $155 for international applicants).
• Monitoring Application Status: Applicants should regularly check the status of their application materials on both the SOPHAS portal and the UC Davis Graduate Studies portal to ensure all required items have been received.

Application Fee: SOPHAS: $145 (first app); UC Davis: $135 (domestic), $155 (international)