Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities and populations. Public health professionals focus on preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and conducting research to improve health outcomes. Unlike doctors who treat illness, public health focuses on prevention, policy, education, and research.
What Public Health Professionals do
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Shape health policies and programs
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Research disease prevention and wellness
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Deliver community health services
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Educate to encourage healthy behaviors
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Tackle chronic disease, mental health, and social factors affecting health (e.g., pollution, nutrition, infectious disease prevention, prenatal care access)
Public Health Degrees & Programs
Undergraduate Degrees:
- Students often major in various sciences, social sciences, or humanities before pursuing graduate degrees.
Graduate Degrees:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Science in Public Health
- PhD in Public Health
- Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH)
Concentrations & Public Health Specialties
Data & Research: Biostatistics, Epidemiology
Policy & Systems: Health Policy, Global Health
Environment & Communities: Environmental Health, Community Health
Populations & Equity: Maternal & Child Health, Minority Health
Health Promotion: Communication, Behavior & Social Science
Academic Requirements & Admissions Exams
Prerequisites
Core courses for prospective students:
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English Composition
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Statistics or Calculus
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Biology
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Social Sciences
Admissions Exams
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Most graduate programs require the Graduate Records Exam (GRE)
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Some schools may accept MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT in place of the GRE.
Note: Some programs may have additional prerequisites or exam requirements. It is up to the student to research various programs and check each program's prerequisites.
Students planning to apply to Public Health Graduate Programs should:
- Visit each program’s website for admission requirements.
- Make sure your courses meet each school’s prerequisites.
- Contact schools directly if you're unsure about a course.
- Double-check that your UCSB (and other) courses meet specific program requirements.
- Work with our Pre-health advising team throughout the process.
What you should know about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
The GRE Consists of Three Sections
- Verbal Reasoning
- Qualitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
Students can choose a computer-delivered or paper-delivered form.
Testing Limits
- You may take the exam once every 21 days.
- You may attempt the exam up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. This applies even if you cancel your scores on a previous test.
- You may take the paper-delivered test as often as it is offered.
Application Fees
- GRE fee is $205.
- Other fees may apply for rescheduling or canceling testing appointments.
- Limited number of Fee Reduction Certificates. Must meet eligibility requirements.
Total Exam Time
Total test time is approximately 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Study Time & Tips
Study Time Commitment: Plan for ~150 hours of preparation.
Reading and Reasoning Skills are Key: The ability to read, analyze and understand text is a crucial skill. Test takers are required to use reasoning skills to select the best answer. While your first choice may be correct, another option might be an even better.
Practice Tests: Take multiple full-length practice tests under test-day conditions.
Applying to Public Health Schools
Admissions criteria vary by program, but applicants are often evaluated on:
- Academic performance (GPA)
- Standardized test scores (if required)
- Statement of Purpose or Personal History Statement
- Strong letters of recommendation
- Professional CV/Resume
- Research experience
- Relevant work experience
Things to Consider Before Applying
- GPA & Academics: Do you have a strong/competitive GPA for the programs you are interested in? If not, consider retaking some courses.
- GRE Score: Is your composite score at or above the national average? If not, consider retaking the GRE.
- Shadowing Experience: Have you shadowed a variety of professionals in different healthcare settings?
- Clinical Experience: Do you have work or volunteer experience with direct patient contact?
- Volunteering (Non-Medical): Have you participated in community service or volunteer work outside of healthcare?
- Research: Have you engaged in undergraduate research?
- Other Involvement: Have you participated in student organizations, athletics, study abroad, or non-medical work experiences?
- Personal Statement: Have you completed a strong draft or final version?
- Letters of Recommendation: Have you requested letters and communicated your tentative application timeline to your writers?
Remember: Quality matters more than quantity. Long-term involvement is more meaningful than short-term experiences.
Explore Additional Resources
Have specific questions?
Meet with a Peer Advisor during Pre-health Drop-Ins or schedule an appointment with a Pre-health Advisor.