MD/MPH Articulated Program — Accelerated MPH Policies for Medical Students

Overview

The M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences is designed as a traditional two-year program consisting of six academic quarters. While the department does not offer a formal one-year M.P.H. program, some medical students may be able to complete degree requirements in fewer than six academic quarters depending on their academic schedule and medical school obligations.

Because of the accelerated pace, students are responsible for carefully planning their coursework and meeting all program deadlines and requirements.

Important Academic Planning Notes

• BIOSTAT 201A, EPIDEM 201, ENV HLT 201, and HLT POL 201 are schoolwide core requirements and must be completed in the sequence amd the quarters listed above.

• The CHS 200A/200B/200C series are required Community Health Sciences core courses and must be completed in sequence and in the quarters listed above. 

• Department Methods & Elective Courses and School Electives may be shifted between quarters depending on course availability.

• Students are responsible for monitoring course availability and managing their schedules accordingly.

• The department strongly recommends regular meetings with the CHS Student Affairs Officer for academic planning.

Fieldwork (APEx) Requirement

All M.P.H. Community Health Sciences students must complete:

• 400 hours of fieldwork (APEx)

• Enrollment in CHS 400 for 4 units after fieldwork completion

Important Fieldwork Policies

Students:

• May not begin fieldwork until the CHS 200A/200B/200C sequence has been completed

• Typically complete fieldwork during the summer after Year 1

• Should expect fieldwork to continue at least 10 weeks beyond Spring Quarter, often ending around mid-August

No exceptions are made to the fieldwork requirement timeline. Students are responsible for ensuring their medical school schedule can accommodate these requirements.

Comprehensive Examination

Students may be eligible to take the:

• Master’s Comprehensive Examination
  during the second Fall quarter.

Assuming all required coursework (excluding CHS 400) has been completed:

• Students do not need to be physically in residence at UCLA while enrolled in CHS 400 or while taking the comprehensive examination.

• University policy requires students to be registered during the final academic term in which they expect to receive the degree.

Medical School-Specific Guidelines

UCLA Medical Students

Current UCLA medical students:

• Must enroll in CHS 400 during the quarter in which fieldwork is completed

• Should discuss accelerated completion plans early with the CHS Student Affairs Officer

UC Medical Students (Non-UCLA)

Students attending another University of California medical school may complete the M.P.H.:

• By the end of the second Fall quarter, or

• By the end of the second Summer Session

depending on their medical school schedule.

Option 1 — Complete by Second Fall Quarter

Students must either:

1. Enroll in CHS 400 during Summer Session, complete fieldwork during summer, and take the Comprehensive Exam at the beginning of Fall Quarter

OR

2. Register concurrently at UCLA and their home UC campus during Fall Quarter, pay required fees at both campuses, complete fieldwork by the end of Fall Quarter, and take the Comprehensive Examination during Fall Quarter.

Option 2 — Delayed Fieldwork Completion

Students unable to complete fieldwork during the first summer due to medical school obligations must:

1. File a leave of absence from UCLA for the second M.P.H. year

2. Return to their home UC campus to complete medical school requirements

3. Return to UCLA after completion of medical school to finish field studies and the Comprehensive Examination

Students should meet with the CHS Student Affairs Officer as early as possible to discuss planning and timelines.

Non-UC Medical Students

Students attending non-UC medical schools:

• Must be registered and enrolled during their final academic quarter in the M.P.H. program.

Enrollment Above 20 Units

Any student wishing to enroll in more than 20 units in a single quarter must first obtain approval from their academic advisor through a Blue Petition process.