Prospective Students

Yes. Please submit the interest form above and a calendar invitation will be sent to your email, if requested. Info sessions are typically held online every 2-3 months.

In addition, we are often available in person at the annual American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting as well as other public health fairs.

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must submit both the SOPHAS application and the Cal State Apply application.

Apply early, don't wait until the last minute.

Remember that SOPHAS closes at 8:59 p.m. (Pacific) on the deadline day.  

Be sure to send your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including transfer coursework from community colleges, etc.) to both SOPHAS and SDSU Graduate Admissions. 

A limited number of fee waivers are available from SOPHAS. Please see SOPHAS Applicant Help Center Website for further information.

There are no fee waivers for the Cal State Apply application.

See Tuition, fees, and financial aid.

To review tuition and fees for the program for the current and future academic years, please review the California State University (CSU)’s Tuition and Fees page.

For the same information broken down in more detail and by term, also see the SDSU Bursar’s Office Tuition and Fees page.

An individual’s costs in the DrPH program are comprised of tuition, campus mandatory fees, optional fees, and (if applicable) nonresident tuition fees (out-of-state and foreign student).

Financial aid is available in several forms. Students should inquire with the SDSU Office of Financial Aid, at SDSU Financial Aid Website or visit the Financial Aid Office, located in the Student Services Building, room 3615 (619 594-6323) to learn about loans, grants, and other opportunities available to SDSU graduate students. A limited number of university scholarships are usually available each year. See the College of Graduate Studies Financial Support Page and the Scholarship Office Page for additional information.

The DrPH Program also has limited funding, in the form of a Doctorate of Public Health Grant, which is available to eligible admitted students. In order to qualify, admitted students must e.g., (1) submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year: Student Aid FAFSA Page (their calculated Student Aid Index as determined by the FAFSA must be within an eligible range, which is determined each academic year: Student Aid.gov What is Sai Page); (2) must be an in-state California resident; and (3) must submit all documentation that is requested of you from the SDSU Financial Aid Office and have a financial aid award at the time grant eligibility is determined.

The DrPH Program is structured as a hybrid-modality cohort model involving both synchronous and asynchronous coursework. Except for the first summer of Year 1, most courses are held on-line. In-person class sessions during the summer of Year 1 take place in San Diego for approximately 2 weeks. 

During the Fall and Spring semesters, classes typically take place on Thursday evenings, between 6:00 p.m. - 8:40 p.m. (Pacific Time).

No, all our students are considered full-time.  

The program is typically completed in 3 years. Although there may be circumstances where extensions beyond 3 years are possible (e.g., if a student takes a leave of absence). Our students are typically full-time working professionals who mostly take courses during the evenings (e.g., Thursday evenings, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:40 p.m. Pacific Time online).

Yes. We currently have students from around the world as well as across the US, including, for example, New York and Washington DC. Out-of-state and international students add a lot of value to the program. 

Note, however, that because of the mostly online program structure, the DrPH program is not eligible for issuance of an I-20 immigration document to support application of an F-1 visa.

The DrPH Program is structured as a hybrid-modality cohort model involving both synchronous and asynchronous coursework. Except for the first summer of Year 1, courses are held on-line. In-person class sessions during the summer of Year 1 take place in San Diego for approximately 2 weeks. 

Because of program structure, the DrPH program is not eligible for issuance of an I-20 immigration document to support application of an F-1 visa.

No. Faculty advisors are determined after admission to the program.

Official transcripts must be sent to SOPHAS and to SDSU Graduate Admissions.  Please see our application instructions for detailed information.

The SDSU School of Public Health offers two doctoral programs: the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program and Public Health Joint-Doctoral Program (PhD), offered jointly with UCSD.

The DrPH is an applied doctorate with concentrations in Executive Management and Global Health Management. The PhD in Public Health is a research doctorate with concentrations in Epidemiology, Health Behavior, and Global Health.

The best way to understand differences in academic offerings between the two programs is to review their respective curriculum paths. 

More Info: Doctor of Public Health
More Info: JDP in Public Health (SDSU/UCSD)

Yes