Frequently Asked Questions

Master of Science in Global Health at UCSF

• One-year program
• Academic degree with science-based approaches to answering questions
• Interdisciplinary curriculum with a global perspective based on cultural humility principles
• Training in research, partnership, policy and advocacy to impact health equity
• Requires one quarter of field research (capstone project)

Master of Public Health

• Two-year program (usually)
• Professional degree with broad training in public health
• Traditionally discipline-specific with a regional perspective
• Emphasizes using data and evidence to make health decisions for populations
• Some programs require field research

To learn more about the various health disciplines (public, global, planetary and one health), read the Global Health Now series What’s the Difference? A Primer on Evolving Health Disciplines.

The MS in Global Health is a self-supporting program and does not qualify for reduced-fee tuition. However, UCSF employees are eligible to receive a 20% discount on program tuition.

No, there is no online option for our program. Classes for the full-time and part-time tracks take place in-person during the work week on the UCSF Mission Bay campus.

Although students have blocks of free time each quarter, the academic workload is arduous and requires considerable independent study time. We estimate that students need to spend around 42 hours per week of combined contact time and independent study to complete the coursework successfully. We advise students to work at a job no more than 10 hours per week during school.

No, students requiring an F1 visa are only eligible for the full-time track. Others should consult requirements based on their current visa status.

Most of the capstone research project happens in year two after students have passed qualifying examinations. If you want to learn how the capstone team can work with you to expand current work or new areas, email Associate Program Director Alden Blair (alden.blair@ucsf.edu).

You are eligible to apply, but you become considerably more competitive with at least 6-12 months of work experience in a relevant global health pursuit, such as through the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, an NGO, or an international multilateral or governmental organization.

We encourage pre-clinical students to dedicate a gap year during or after professional school to pursue the master’s program, in order to gain basic health science knowledge and potentially find a specialty area. Please be aware that taking MCAT exams, applying to professional schools, and participating in interviews can interfere with the demanding academic schedule of the one-year master’s program. Attendance in all classes is critical. If you are applying to school, please try to limit conflicts with class time and be responsible about your participation in the program.

You are eligible to apply to the program during a gap year from professional school. The academic year of the master’s program runs from early September through the end of July, which is compatible with August start dates of many clerkship rotations.

When you are applying to the program, you may upload unofficial transcripts to your online application, where you will find instructions. If you have coursework outside of the United States, you may upload an unofficial copy of your World Education Services (WES) credential evaluation; however, this is optional for your application and you do not need to send your official WES report until you are admitted (see below).

If you are admitted to the program, you must submit official degree conferral transcripts from each institution where you have earned a degree. The transcripts must be sent directly from the institution or a third-party credential service. A degree conferral transcript is an official copy of your transcript that includes 1) the degree you earned (BS, MS, etc.), 2) the major in which your degree was earned (e.g., Biological Sciences, Art History), 3) the date the degree was awarded, and 4) final grades for all terms attended. If your transcript does not include these four pieces of information, it is not considered a degree conferral transcript. If you are currently enrolled in courses, you will need to contact your institution’s Office of the Registrar to determine when your degree conferral will be posted to your transcript after you complete your degree requirements, typically 6-8 weeks after the end of the term.

If you are admitted to the program, you may send official transcripts electronically to education.globalhealth@ucsf.edu, provided the transcripts 1) originate from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution and 2) the institution is located in the United States. The program prefers to receive electronic transcripts. However, if your institution does not send transcripts electronically, please email education@globalhealth.ucsf.edu to arrange delivery of your official transcript.

If you are admitted and are sending transcripts from any institution outside the United States, you must have an accompanying official course-by-course credential evaluation from World Education Services (WES), even if the transcripts are in English. The WES evaluation must indicate that you earned a degree.

Applicants from outside the US must be eligible to obtain an F-1 visa and demonstrate they have financial support to attend the program and live in the US. If you are offered admission, the I-20 form (required to obtain your student visa) cannot be issued until the UCSF International Students and Scholars Office has documented and verified your ability to cover the costs of study.

If approved by the program director, you may defer admission for one academic year. If you choose not to enroll after the deferral period, it will be considered a decline of your admission offer, and you will need to reapply for any admission years beyond the deferral term.