FAQ

Classes meet twice a month for 2 academic years (August through June). Classes are scheduled on Fridays from 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. See the academic calendar.

The application priority review deadline for the EMPH Program is February 1. The program is on a rolling admissions and application reviews occur the first of each month from February to July. Applications will close each year on July 31st. Early applications are encouraged due to the competitive application pool and limited classroom space.

Each cohort has approximately 15-25 students. We have found this to be the ideal class size to get enough different perspectives on topics while still being an intimate group where everyone knows each other.

All classes are held at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Main Campus.

UCLA establishes annual tuition fees for the following year. Click here for current tuition rates.

Stafford loans are available to cover the full amount of the tuition. Visit the UCLA Financial Aid website for more information. In addition to financial aid options, there are several opportunities for applicants to apply for scholarships. To learn more about these individual scholarships, please refer to the tuition and financial aid page or email the EMPH Student Affairs Officer, Monica Boerger, for more information at mboerger@ph.ucla.edu.

Three years of professional experience; acceptable Bachelor’s degree with a “B” (3.0) average in upper division coursework and/or prior graduate study.

Three years of professional experience or the full-time equivalent. This work experience does not need to be in healthcare.

First, review the application checklist. To apply to the UCLA EMPH Program, you must submit an application to UCLA Graduate Admissions. EMPH applicants do NOT need to submit a SOPHAS application. Please note that all application materials must be submitted before your application packet is considered complete.

The GRE exam is NOT required for admission into the EMPH Program.

TOEFL scores are considered valid for only two years. Admitted applicants are required to take the UCLA English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) before registering for their classes. Please visit the Graduate Division webpage for specific information.

International applicants are encouraged to contact the program to discuss their individual application and their candidacy for the program.

The TOEFL Exam is required for all international applicants. The requirement can be waived for international applicants who meet one of the following criteria: 1) are a licensed and currently practicing physician (M.D.), or 2) have at least two years of education toward a degree from a University in the US.

If you are interested in sitting in on one of our classes, please email us and include the course you would like to attend and date you would like come.

You need 3 letters of recommendation from either an academic or professional source. If possible, one letter should be from your current supervisor. The other two letters should be from people who can speak to your past performance in processing new information, your leadership skills or potential, and your ability to succeed in a graduate program. We encourage you to include the letters that most strongly advocate for your excellence in the EMPH program.

The statement of purpose should include an overview of your resume and highlight your achievements. This is where you may want to consider discussing your career’s past, present, and future. What do you plan to do with your MPH degree after completing the program?

The personal statement allows you the opportunity to discuss anything that remains unexplained in your application. For example, you may wish to elaborate on personal challenges you have experienced during your academic career or how the COVID-19 Pandemic impacted you.

The EMPH Admissions Committee is looking for a diverse group of individuals to participate in each cohort. A variety of factors are taken into consideration, including work experience, grade-point average, letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, and the personal statement.

No. The EMPH Program is a cohort and collaborative learning process that brings various work experiences and educational backgrounds together.

We will be happy to make those arrangements after you have begun the application process. Call our program office at (310) 267-5600.

It is important to us that you start a program that is right for you and your future goals. We recommend attending an info session to get a big picture of what the program can do for you. You may also set up a one-on-one informational interview with the EMPH Program Director to discuss your individual experience and career goals. Contact the program office to request a meeting. Please include date and time options.

Upload unofficial transcripts to online application. Official transcripts will need to me mailed to the EMPH program office (see address below) OR electronic transcripts may be submitted to mboerger@ph.ucla.edu ONLY if they are sent directly from the university.

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
ATTN. EMPH Program
650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, 31-299 CHS
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772

The typical EMPH cohort is composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and educational qualifications. Students in the EMPH program come from various professional fields such as healthcare, public health, business, policy, and management. The cohort brings together a mix of perspectives and expertise, fostering collaborative learning and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing health policy and management challenges.