This page contains answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding admission to the UCB Maternal and Child Health MPH Program. If you have other questions about our program that are not answered on this page or elsewhere on our website, feel free to contact us. Additional information for prospective applicants is available from the UCB Graduate Division.

Why should I apply to the UC Berkeley MCH MPH Program?

There are many reasons to consider the UC Berkeley MCH Program, including:

• A rigorous, nationally-recognized curriculum with a strong emphasis on applied skills.
• An exceptional faculty of national and world leaders in their respective fields.
• A small faculty: student ratio (1:4).
• Strong public health practice training and access to the resources of the SPH's Center for Public Health Practice.
• A tremendously talented, diverse, experienced group of students.
• A collaborative, collegial learning environment.
• A world-renowned university that ranks first nationally in the number of graduate programs in the top 10 in their fields.
• An opportunity to learn about public health in California. California's public health landscape is influenced by such features as its tremendous cultural diversity, a shared border with Mexico, high rates of immigration and population growth, significant economic disparities between the rich and poor, and rural and urban health challenges.
• A program situated in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, which is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the United States
• One of the best bargains in higher education. Click here for current fees and tuition.
• A highly marketable degree: Most of our MPH graduates do very well in the job market and go on to become leaders and innovators in the MCH field at home and abroad. Click here for more information on graduates' careers.

How many students do you accept each year?

The MCH program admits approximately 9-10 1-year students and 7-8 2-year students each year. The actual class size is approximately 25 MPH students per year.

The number of applicants to the program varies from year to year. On average, approximately 80 people apply to the program each year. We typically accept 15-20% of our 2-year applicants and 40% of our 1-year applicants.

What characterizes a successful applicant?

Successful applicants can come from a wide range of backgrounds. No one factor alone will predict admission into the program. Faculty carefully consider all aspects of applicants' backgrounds.

In general, successful applicants tend to have:

• Strong academic backgrounds (indicated by such factors as courses and grades) and professional training (for 1-year students).
• Solid test scores; GRE scores are typically in 70th percentile or higher, with a particular focus on quantitative GRE scores for 2-year applicants.
• Work and/or volunteer experience in the MCH field (e.g., experience in MCH research, programming, policy settings, etc.). 1-year applicants typically have more work experience than 2-year program applicants.
• Evidence of leadership abilities and potential.
• Strong letters of recommendation. Recommenders should be able to comment on your academic abilities.
• A strong Statement of Purpose is critical. For both program tracks, the fit between the program's focus and the candidates' interests and objectives is of utmost importance.
• 1-Year Applicants: Successful candidates must be engaged in or demonstrate a commitment to shifting from the perspective of individual patient care to a public health focus on programs, policies and systems of care. 1-year program students are required to complete a Community-Based Project, for which some quantitative background is necessary.
• 2-Year Applicants: Evidence of quantitative aptitude is very important due to the strong curricular focus on research and analytic skills.

What should I include in my Statement of Purpose?

Please refer to the MCH Supplemental Application form for Statement of Purpose and other MCH-specific application instructions. Download the MCH Supplemental Application form here.

Can I talk to current students about the program?

The SPH has four Peer Advisors, current SPH graduate students who are available to advise applicants. The Peer Advisors are also willing to read one draft of each applicant's Statement of Purpose. If you require specific student input that cannot be provided by the Peer Advisors, please contact us and we will try and put you in touch with a student who can answer your question.

Email a Peer Advisor

Can I talk to faculty about the program?

Our faculty are pleased to speak with applicants about the program. We ask that you review the information on this web site before contacting faculty.

Can I/Should I visit the program?

Interviews are not a part of the admissions process. If it is feasible, we encourage you to visit campus. The SPH holds several Preadvising Sessions in the fall for prospective students, which are attended by representatives of the Maternal & Child Health Program. If you decide to visit campus, please let us know so that you can meet with our faculty and/or staff.

What financial support is available to students?

In addition to the financial support offered by the SPH and the University, the MCH Program awards a limited number of federal traineeships each year. Awards are made on the basis of merit and leadership potential. All eligible applicants are automatically considered for these traineeships.

Students may also apply for Graduate Student Research positions with MCH or other faculty members. These positions involve part-time employment on faculty research projects. Depending on the number of hours worked, they may also include partial fee remission. Admitted students may contact faculty directly to inquire about available positions.

International applicants must provide documentation that they will have sufficient financial support to complete their program of study. International students in need of financial support should contact international sponsoring organizations and their Ministries of Health regarding the possibility of fellowship or scholarship aid. International students may also be eligible for SPH Graduate Student Research positions. In addition, the UCB International House offers a limited number of grants and scholarships to cover room and board for international (and other) students. Further information about international students' fees and expenses is available from the UCB Graduate Division.

Can students work while completing this program?

Both the 1-year and 2-year MCH tracks are rigorous, time-intensive programs. Classes are held throughout the day on most weekdays and require substantial work outside of class time. Many MCH students do work part-time during their studies. However, many secure flexible positions as Graduate Student Instructors or other part-time work .

Do you accept part-time students?

Unfortunately, no. Both program tracks are full-time and all classes are held during the day.

What training do you offer in International MCH?

The core curriculum of the UC Berkeley Maternal & Child Health Program is primarily domestic in focus. However, we offer numerous relevant learning opportunities for students who are interested in international MCH. Students may select elective courses, classroom assignment topics, public health practice experiences and/or thesis projects related to international MCH. The SPH offers a specialty area (or minor) in Global Health for students in 2-year programs, which many of our students choose to pursue.

Most MCH faculty are involved in the international MCH field via research, teaching, and/or other professional activities (for instance, the Bay Area International Group. Several of our faculty are also faculty members of the International Health program. In addition, program faculty have a great deal of expertise regarding the health of immigrant MCH populations within the United States (see, for instance, the CHAMACOS Project). Students with an interest in obtaining international field experience may want to consider the Master's Internationalist Program, which combines MPH studies with a Peace Corps placement.

What do I need to know about applying for the dual or concurrent MPH/MSW degree?

Please visit the following links for more information about these two degree options:

• MPH/MSW Dual Degree Program
• MPH/MSW Concurrent Degree Program

When will I find out if I have been accepted?

Applicants are typically informed of admission decisions no later than the end of March.

What job opportunities are available for graduates?

Our graduates hold a wide array of jobs across the nation and around the world. The types of jobs they find are necessarily diverse, as our students come to the program with a variety of prior degrees and experiences.

Employment Settings:

MCH Program graduates typically secure employment as leaders and innovators in public health agencies (city, county, state, and federal), medical institutions (HMO's, hospitals, clinics), educational institutions, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, foundations, research institutions and policy-making institutions.

Types of Positions:

• Programmatic positions involving program planning, development, evaluation and administrative/leadership skills.
• Research positions drawing upon skills in research design, oversight, and implementation, data analysis, writing, etc.
• Joint public health and clinical practice. Some graduates of the one-year program choose to combine their public health and clinical training with positions in HMO's, clinics and other public health care agencies.
• Academic. Approximately 15-20% of our 2-year graduates go directly into DrPH or PhD programs after graduation. Others pursue doctoral studies after working in the public health field for several years. Alumni who earn doctoral degrees may go on to become faculty members in Schools of Public Health, medical institutions and other settings.