UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · UNITED STATES
Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health (PhD)
PhD · Taught in en
At a glance
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PhD
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The Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health is a collaborative program between the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU). This program offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, preparing students for leadership roles in research, academia, and public health practice. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in quantitative, behavioral, and biological sciences, enabling students to address complex public health challenges.
Careers
Graduates of the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health are prepared for impactful roles in various sectors.
- Academia
- Research
- Public Health Practice
- Government
Frequently asked questions
- What are the application deadlines for the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health?
- The application deadline for the SOPHAS, Cal State Apply, and UC San Diego applications is December 1, 2026. Application opening dates are mid-August 2026 for SOPHAS and October 1, 2026 for Cal State Apply and UC San Diego.
- What academic qualifications are required for admission?
- Applicants need a Bachelor's Degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units. Preference is given to those with an MPH or MS degree in public health.
- How do I apply to this program?
- You must submit separate applications to both UC San Diego (via their application portal) and San Diego State University (via Cal State Apply), as well as a SOPHAS application, all within the same application window.
- What are the estimated tuition and fees for international students?
- Specific tuition and fee information for this joint doctoral program is not detailed. General UCSD graduate cost of attendance figures for non-California residents in 2026-2027 were illustrative and may not apply, with an example MBA program costing approximately $114,095.
- What are the career prospects after completing this program?
- Graduates are prepared for roles in academia, research, public health practice, and government.
- Is there information on living costs?
- Specific living cost estimates for this program are not provided. General UCSD graduate student cost of attendance figures include estimates for food, housing, books, personal expenses, and transportation.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's DegreeAn acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or equivalent academic preparation.
GPAA GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.
Academic StandingGood standing at the last institution attended.
Graduate Study CapacityEvidence of capacity for graduate study in public health, with a strong grounding in quantitative, behavioral, and biological sciences.
Preferred DegreePreference given to applicants with an MPH or MS degree in public health.
TOEFL, IELTS, or DETNot specified, but evidence of English language proficiency is required.
All required documents must be received by the application deadline for full consideration. Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee of both universities.
Fees
Tuition (international)Tuition and fee information for this specific joint doctoral program is not detailed on the provided pages. For general graduate student costs at UCSD, the estimated Cost of Attendance can vary significantly. For instance, the Full-Time MBA program at the Rady School for Non-California Residents has an estimated annual cost of $114,095 (On Campus) for the 2026-2027 academic year, which includes tuition, fees, living expenses, books, and personal expenses. This figure is illustrative and may not apply to the PhD program.
Tuition (home)Tuition and fee information for this specific joint doctoral program is not detailed on the provided pages. For general graduate student costs at UCSD, the estimated Cost of Attendance can vary significantly. For instance, the Full-Time MBA program at the Rady School for California Residents has an estimated annual cost of $101,850 (On Campus) for the 2026-2027 academic year, which includes tuition, fees, living expenses, books, and personal expenses. This figure is illustrative and may not apply to the PhD program.
LivingSpecific living cost estimates for the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health are not provided. General UCSD graduate student cost of attendance figures include estimates for food and housing, books, personal expenses, and transportation. For the Rady School Full-Time MBA program (as an example), estimated living expenses (food & housing) were $31,056 for students without dependents in 2026-2027.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Some or all instruction may be delivered remotely, but tuition and fees will remain the same. Students may be able to waive the UC San Diego Mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) if covered by equivalent private insurance.
How to apply
1. Submit SOPHAS ApplicationComplete and submit the SOPHAS application. This is typically expected to open mid-August. The deadline is December 1, 2026.
2. Submit Cal State Apply ApplicationComplete and submit the Cal State Apply application for SDSU Graduate Admissions. The deadline is December 1, 2026.
3. Submit UC San Diego ApplicationComplete and submit the UC San Diego application. This application is expected to open October 1, 2026. The deadline is December 1, 2026.
4. Upload Supporting DocumentsEnsure all required supporting documents, including Statement of Purpose, CV/Resume, unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency scores (if applicable), are submitted by the deadline for each respective application. Materials cannot be shared between applications.
5. Send Official DocumentsOfficial transcripts and test scores must be sent separately to each university (SDSU and UCSD) as per their specific instructions. Do not send SOPHAS application materials to SDSU or vice versa.
Scholarships
General Financial Aid and ScholarshipsNot specified
Accreditation
The program is offered jointly by UC San Diego and San Diego State University, both accredited institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the application deadlines for the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health?
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The application deadline for the SOPHAS, Cal State Apply, and UC San Diego applications is December 1, 2026. Application opening dates are mid-August 2026 for SOPHAS and October 1, 2026 for Cal State Apply and UC San Diego.
What academic qualifications are required for admission?
+
Applicants need a Bachelor's Degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units. Preference is given to those with an MPH or MS degree in public health.
How do I apply to this program?
+
You must submit separate applications to both UC San Diego (via their application portal) and San Diego State University (via Cal State Apply), as well as a SOPHAS application, all within the same application window.
What are the estimated tuition and fees for international students?
+
Specific tuition and fee information for this joint doctoral program is not detailed. General UCSD graduate cost of attendance figures for non-California residents in 2026-2027 were illustrative and may not apply, with an example MBA program costing approximately $114,095.
What are the career prospects after completing this program?
+
Graduates are prepared for roles in academia, research, public health practice, and government.
Is there information on living costs?
+
Specific living cost estimates for this program are not provided. General UCSD graduate student cost of attendance figures include estimates for food, housing, books, personal expenses, and transportation.