Admissions

This information is intended for current UCLA undergraduate students who are interested in the Public Health BA, BS, and/or minor. 

Students who are applying to UCLA as either first-year or transfer admits should consult with UCLA Undergraduate Admission for more information.

Transfer students who were not admitted to UCLA as Public Health BA or Public Health BS majors may not switch into FSPH. We encourage these students to consider applying for the Public Health minor, take elective courses in their area of interest, or explore options for graduate study.

Major Application Requirements

UCLA students in their freshman or sophomore year can apply for either the Public Health BA or BS major. Juniors (including first-year transfer students) and seniors are ineligible to apply for the Public Health majors. Applicants must be in good academic standing.

Pre-Major Application Requirements

Freshmen who intend to apply for the Public Health BA or BS major can declare pre-Public Health BA or BS by completing our Pre-Major Request Form. Although we do not require students to declare the pre-major before applying to the major, doing so helps our School plan accordingly and ensures that students receive the most updated information regarding enrollment, the major application, and relevant co-curricular opportunities.

Public Health BA Application Requirements

Pre-Public Health BA majors and other students intending to apply for the Public Health BA major are not required to complete all preparation for the major; however, applicants should complete the following courses prior to applying: 

• Public Health 50A

• Public Health 50B (may be completed or in progress at the time of application)

• Statistics 10 or 13

The admissions committee strongly recommends that students complete these preparation for the major courses before applying:

• Chemistry 3, 14A, or 17

• Life Sciences 7A or 15 

Public Health BS Application Requirements

Pre-Public Health BS majors and other students intending to apply for the Public Health BS major are not required to complete all preparation for the major; however, applicants should complete the following courses prior to applying: 

• Public Health 50A

• Public Health 50B (may be completed or in progress at the time of application)

• Life Sciences 30A, 30B (or Mathematics 3A, 3B, 3C, or Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A)

• Life Sciences 40, or Statistics 10 or 13

• Seven (7) courses from: Life Sciences 7A, 7B 7C, 7L; Chemistry 14A, 14B, 14BL, 14C (or 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL); Physics 5A, 5B, 5C (or 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL) 

Major Application Components

• First (lived) name, Last name, UID, and UCLA (g.ucla.edu) email address

• Select the program you are applying to ("Public Health BA" or "Public Health BS")

• Do you have any planned absences from campus (e.g. studying abroad, time off, etc.)?

  • If "yes", please identify the timeframe for your absence (e.g. "Fall Quarter 2024 only", "2024-2025 academic year", etc.)

• Please select the preparation for the major courses that you have completed or are currently taking:

  • Public Health 50A

  • Public Health 50B

  • Statistics 10, Statistics 13, Life Sciences 40, or another approved lower division statistics course

  •  Other (please see the major application requirements above)

• Please attach your resume (PDF format required)

  • The Office of Undergraduate Student Services created a resume template specifically for applicants to the Public Health undergraduate programs

  • Please limit your resume to one page

• Please discuss your interest in public health and how the major aligns with your academic, personal, and professional goals. (2500 characters max)

• Public health is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and professional field of study that relies on engagement and cooperation among students, scholars, community partners, and public health practitioners. Describe how you would contribute to the major by focusing on one or more of the following: demonstrated leadership, community engagement experiences (e.g. volunteering, internships, jobs, etc.), and/or experiences supporting other students. (1500 characters max)

• [Optional] Please share anything else about yourself that is not evident from other parts of your application and that you would like the admissions committee to consider.

Minor Application Requirements

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic standing can apply for the Public Health minor. Applicants must have completed or be enrolled in Public Health 50A and 50B, or Public Health C150 during the academic year. Students who are enrolled in Public Health C150 during Summer Sessions should apply to the minor during the following Fall Quarter. If admitted to the minor, students will be tracked into the appropriate version of the minor requirements based on which introduction to public health course(s) they complete.

Minor Application Components

The Fall 2025 Public Health Minor Application is now open on MyUCLA. The form will close for submissions on November 6, 2025 at 11:59pm. We will not accept any late submissions.

• Preferred email address (The email address provided will be used for minor admission decisions and for the minor listserv) 

• Do you have any planned absences from campus (e.g. studying abroad, time off, etc.)?

  • If "yes", the admissions committee may contact you for additional details.

• Courses completed or in progress:

  • Public Health 50A

  • Public Health 50B

  •  Public Health C150

  •  Biostatistics 100A

  •  Community Health Sciences 100

  •  Environmental Health Sciences 100

  •  Epidemiology 100

  •  Health Policy and Management 100

  •  Other [coursework in the Fielding School of Public Health]

• Please attach your resume (PDF format required)

  • The Office of Undergraduate Student Services created a resume template specifically for applicants to the Public Health undergraduate programs. Students can also use the recently updated Career Guide or meet with a Career Peer for resume development support.

  • Please limit your resume to one page

• Please describe your interest in public health and explain how pursuing the Public Health minor connects with your academic studies, personal interests, and professional aspirations. In your response, also share what perspective, experiences, or strengths you would bring to the Public Health minor community.

  • Please keep your response to one page, double-spaced, 12-pt. font. The committee will not read past the one-page mark.

• OPTIONAL: If there are aspects to your academic record that you feel are not fully reflected elsewhere in your application and that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please share them on the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to declare the pre-major before I apply for the Public Health BA or BS?

We do not require students to declare the pre-major before applying to the major; however, doing so helps our School plan accordingly and ensures that students receive the most updated information regarding enrollment, the major application, and relevant co-curricular opportunities.

What are the requirements for declaring pre-Public Health BA or BS?

Students in their freshman year who are in good academic standing  can declare pre-Public Health BA or BS by submitting our Pre-Major Request Form. Sophomores who intend to apply for the Public Health majors should consult with the Office of Undergraduate Student Services before requesting to declare a pre-Public Health major.

Are pre-Public Health majors students in the Fielding School of Public Health?

Pre-Public Health majors are students in the College of Letters and Science and should connect with College Academic Counselors in their advising unit. Questions regarding the Public Health major should direct those questions to the Office of Undergraduate Student Services.

Once students apply and are admitted to the Public Health BA and BS majors, they become part of FSPH. FSPH students follow different School requirements, drop deadlines, and petition processes than students in the College.

I'm a pre-Public Health major; what happens if I'm not admitted to a Public Health major?

Students who declared pre-Public Health BA or BS and are not admitted to a Public Health major by Spring Quarter of their second year will be switched to ‘Undeclared’ in the College of Letters and Science and advised to connect with their College counseling unit for help finding a new major

I'm a junior; can I apply for the Public Health BA or BS?

Juniors (including first-year transfer students) and seniors are ineligible to apply for the Public Health majors. Public Health majors complete their core requirements and capstone as a cohort over 6 academic-year quarters (2 full academic years). Students admitted to UCLA as freshmen are expected to complete their bachelor's degree in 12 consecutive academic-year quarters (4 calendar years, plus Summer). 

Transfer students who are not admitted to UCLA as Public Health BA or BS majors cannot switch into FSPH.

Can I double major in Public Health?

Admission to both majors is based on a cohort model; we therefore do not allow students to double major. Public Health majors are encouraged to select minors that complement their academic, personal, and professional interests.

I'm not sure which major is the best fit for me; can I apply to both the Public Health BA and BS?

The application will ask sudents to apply to either the Public Health BA or BS major; applicants cannot select both programs. Admitted majors who wish to change tracks from the BA to the BS (or vice versa) must petition the Office of Undergraduate Student Services; requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but approval is not guaranteed. 

Can I graduate early with a Public Health BA or BS?

Students who wish to graduate early should speak with an academic advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Student Services. An advisor can help students navigate their degree requirements and create a graduation plan. Most Public Health BA and BS majors should plan to apply to the major in their sophomore year and graduate in Spring or Summer of their fourth year.

I haven't been able to enroll in Public Health 50A and 50B, or Public Health C150 yet. Can I still apply for the Public Health minor?

We strongly recommend that you speak with advisors in the Office of Undergraduate Student Services before applying.

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