Admissions Criteria
Applicants must have the following qualifications to apply:
- A master’s degree or terminal professional degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
- At least two years of experience working in global health and/or with underserved populations
- Prior exposure to scientific research
The program places a very high value on the diversity of students who matriculate and reviews all applicants in a holistic manner. Applicants who come from traditionally underrepresented populations and students who have faced hardships are encouraged to apply. See our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education statement.
How to Apply
Submit the following required materials to the UCSF Graduate Division online application, where you will find more detailed instructions:
- Three letters of recommendation: All recommendations must be submitted electronically via the UCSF application. Contact your recommenders to ensure they receive the automated email request (in case it goes to a junk or spam folder) and they submit their letters before the deadline. You can monitor the status of your recommendations on your application.
- Résumé or curriculum vitae: Summarize your education, professional experience, publications, languages spoken, honors and awards, local and international experience, extracurricular interests, and special skills.
- Statement of Purpose (1 page, single spaced, minimum 11-point font): Address your reasons for applying to the UCSF PhD program in Global Health Sciences, describe why you chose the field of global health for your doctorate, and describe your professional and academic goals.
- Transcripts from all academic institutions you attended: Upload unofficial transcripts from each institution you attended, even if you did not receive a degree. If you have transcripts from institutions outside of the United States, also upload an unofficial copy of your World Education Services (WES) credential evaluation. The program does not require official transcripts until admission. See additional details on the FAQ page.
- Application fee: U.S. citizens or permanent residents may qualify for an application fee waiver. See guidelines on Application Fee Waivers to determine eligibility for this exemption. To request the waiver, select the “application fee waiver” option in the payment area of the online application.
- Test scores: Graduate-level tests are not required for entry to this program, but if you have taken the GRE you may choose to self-report your scores. To do so, you may email a copy of your score report to education.globalhealth@ucsf.edu. You do not need to send official GRE score reports to UCSF through the GRE system.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores: If you are a non-native English speaker, you must demonstrate English proficiency in one of three ways:
- Submit an official transcript showing you completed at least one year of full-time academic coursework at an accredited college or university in the United States with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Submit an official transcript showing you completed either your bachelor’s or graduate degree or the equivalent from an accredited, English-speaking college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Submit TOEFL or IELTS scores that are no more than two years old. Please submit official scores to UCSF’s institutional code 4840 and email a copy of your score report to education.globalhealth@ucsf.edu. The program accepts the following minimum scores based on the type of test:Test Type Minimum Score Paper-based TOEFL 550 Computer-based TOEFL 213 Internet-based TOEFL iBT 80 IELTS 7
Student Success and Wellness
Success in graduate school requires care and attention to all aspects of your life: health and wellness, community, career development, personal and professional relationships, and security and safety. UCSF is committed to providing a full range of resources and services to help you succeed. Learn more about these resources by visiting our Student Success website.
Student Disability Services (SDS) is available to assist you in obtaining the services and accommodations you require to ensure equal access to all aspects of the UCSF experience. Early communication with the relevant administrators is critical to successful partnership in arranging accommodations. SDS will coordinate communications and procedures with you and the graduate faculty and programs. Please visit the SDS website and review their information sheet to learn more.
Timeline
September 15, 2024
Application opens for the 2025-2026 academic year
December 13, 2024
Application deadline
September 2025
Admitted students begin courses
Information Sessions
