The application deadline for students interested in enrolling in Fall 2025 is Jan. 15, 2025.
Application requirements and the application portal can be accessed at the UC Merced Graduate Admissions website.
Make sure to visit the Academic and Application Requirements and Dates and Deadlines pages, and check out information on graduate student financial support.
Good news – we no longer require prospective students to take the GRE!
Attend one of our information sessions to learn more about our Ph.D. program!
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Does this sound like you? Connect with us to learn more! Committed to conducting focused public health research Interdisciplinary mindset Strong writing ability Motivated to work independently Interested in pursuing a research career Research questions aligned with faculty projects |
Information Session Dates We will be holding two Zoom information sessions for Fall 2025 prospective students. The dates and times are: Nov 6, 2024 11:30 AM (Pacific Time) Dec 3, 2024 8:30 AM (Pacific Time) Please register for the sessions here! |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Please see our Application page!
Is there funding for Ph.D. Students?
Yes! Most PhD students are offered financial support through teaching assistantships. There are also a limited number of fellowships and graduate research assistantships available. For a full list of support sources at UC Merced, visit the Graduate Division's Financial Support page.
What courses will I be taking?
Our core curriculum includes coursework in the foundations of public health as a discipline, research methods, epidemiology, and biostatistics; students also take an advanced methods course and choose from various elective options. A fuller description can be found on our Curriculum page.
What is the expected time to degree?
The PhD is expected to take five years to complete. A sample five-year program can be found on our Curriculum page.
What if I already have an MPH or clinical degree?
Applicants are generally expected to have an MPH or other relevant graduate degree, and/or 2+ years of professional experience. All of our coursework is taught at the doctoral level, and students can waive out of coursework only under rare circumstances.
Updated September 2024
