The application for Fall 2025 entry is now closed. Check back in September 2025 for the opening of the next admissions cycle.
Watch the latest ETS PhD Info Session HERE!
Admissions Criteria
Students must meet the following qualifications to apply:
- A bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
- A prior master’s degree in a field relevant to health research, such as epidemiology, public health, clinical research or a related technical field such as statistics or computer science with at least a 3.0 GPA; the following exemptions may apply:
- Applicants with exceptional research backgrounds may be accepted without a master’s degree. These students may be required, however, to complete additional coursework.
- Applicants with terminal clinical degrees (MD, PharmD, RN, NP) but no master’s will be evaluated based on their prior research experience and potential to be a leader in population health research, with the admissions committee recommending one of the following outcomes:
- Denial of admission
- Deferral of decision regarding admission to the PhD program with recommendation that the applicant pursue a master’s in the UCSF Training in Clinical Research (TICR) program, with reevaluation of the applicant at the conclusion of year 1 in the TICR program
- Direct admission to the PhD program, based on the assessment that the applicant’s prior work manifests experience and training on par with a research master’s degree
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Applicants are not required to take the GRE and scores will not be included for review by the admissions committee.
International applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English. There are two ways to meet this English language proficiency requirement, which are outlined on the Graduate Division’s International Admission Requirements page.
How to Apply
The application opens annually in September, and the deadline falls at the beginning of December for admission the following fall. Most admissions decisions are made by March. Submit the following required materials to the UCSF Graduate Division online application:
- Transcripts
We require transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended after high school. For your convenience, you may scan an unofficial version of your transcript and upload the PDF for review purposes only. Please provide ONLY current versions. Enrollment reports from your student portal, web site screen shots, and/or other course listings are not acceptable. If you have earned multiple degrees from one institution, please list each degree separately (i.e., create a new entry). Note that if you were required to also complete the California High Schools page, the high school will show below as well.
If you have a non-U.S. transcript, we request an English translation with course equivalencies and 4-point GPA scale if at all possible. While we do not require official copies of transcripts/evaluations during the application phase, the Graduate Division requires that transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. be accompanied by an official evaluation from an accredited evaluation service if offered admission to UCSF.
If offered admission, you will be required to submit, at your cost, final official versions of your transcript (for U.S. applicants), or an evaluation from preselected servicers (for international applicants) by the second week of instruction. - Research Experience
Research experience is valued because it shows us that you can succeed in a research-intensive environment. Focus on articulating clear and compelling scientific goals in your essays. For each significant research experience you have had, describe the scientific context of the research question you addressed, the methods you employed and the conclusions you made from your work (500 character limit including spaces for each research experience). List the name of your research adviser, the name and location of the university or company where you did the research and the dates of the project. - Comprehensive Research Summary
How have your research experiences shaped your scientific interests and expertise? While you may have detailed each research experience separately on the previous page, this summary should synthesize your experiences, highlighting how they connect or diverge. Consider the ‘big picture’ in your response (3,000 character limit including spaces). - Faculty Selections
Please provide at least one, and up to five names of prospective faculty mentors who would be a good fit for your training and research goals. You do not need to have spoken with any of these faculty prior to submitting your application. Having an idea of the faculty you wish to receive mentorship from will be helpful for our admissions committee. We also cannot guarantee a match with the names submitted. - Statement of Purpose
Please state your reason for applying to the PhD Program in Epidemiology and Translational Science. What questions are you interested in addressing in a doctoral training program? Please describe your research interests and future goals. Provide any personal or background information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your potential for graduate study. Assuming you have already received a master’s degree, please include a summary of what you have been doing since graduation. Please do not reiterate the material in your Research Summary for this section of your application. (3,000 character limit including spaces) - Personal History Statement
Discuss how your personal background influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. There is no word or character limit. Please include any educational, cultural, economic, family or social experiences, challenges or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. UCSF is committed to a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Diversity refers to the variety of experiences and perspectives that arise from differences in race, culture, religion, mental or physical capabilities, heritage, age, gender, sexual orientation and other characteristics. UCSF values diversity because it enhances the educational experience, the workplace and services to the public provided by this campus. (5,000 character limit including spaces) - Three letters of recommendation
Choose recommenders who know you well and have the professional standing to write a compelling letter of support for you. These letters should be from individuals who are familiar with the nature of your preparation for graduate school and who can provide insight into your potential to succeed as a scientist. Letters from research supervisors or others who are well acquainted with your significant research experiences (e.g., from a senior scientist in a research group where you worked) are typically of most value. At least one of the letters must be from an adviser familiar with your research skills. Your application may not be considered if your letters do not reach us in a timely fashion, so remember to follow up with a reminder to the individuals from whom you have requested letters. Letters must be received by the application deadline. - Publications
Please list citations for any publications resulting from your research. This may include publications in review and other statuses other than publications; please indicate what status the publication is in on your applications. - Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Scores TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English Speakers, if required
Interviews
Selected applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee, prospective faculty mentors, and a current student or alumni of the PhD program. All interviews will be held by Zoom.