Summary
San Diego State University’s School of Public Health is officially accepting applications for its prestigious Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program for the Fall 2027 cohort. This advanced professional degree is designed for public health practitioners looking to assume leadership roles. The application process requires a dual submission through both SOPHAS and Cal State Apply.
SDSU Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Admissions & Funding, San Diego State University, USA
Key Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Designation | Doctoral Student / DrPH Candidate |
| Location | San Diego, California, USA |
| Primary Institutions | San Diego State University (SDSU) |
| Application Platforms | SOPHAS & Cal State Apply |
| GRE Requirement | Not Required ❌ |
Research & Study Area
Advanced Public Health Practice, Professional Leadership, and Health Policy.
- Field: Public Health (Professional Leadership, Policy, and Advanced Practice)
- Department: School of Public Health (SPH), College of Health and Human Services
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Academic Background: Applicants must meet the rigorous standards for doctoral-level study at SDSU (typically requiring a prior master’s degree in public health or a closely related field).
- English Proficiency: If the primary medium of instruction was not English, applicants must submit scores from within the past two years matching or exceeding these minimums:
- TOEFL: 80 iBT / 550 PBT (SOPHAS Code: 5688)
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 58
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended (including SDSU, if applicable) are required. International coursework requires a course-by-course evaluation report from WES or IERF.
Program & Role Description
As a DrPH candidate at SDSU, individuals will engage in advanced practice-based training. While specific institutional fellowship or teaching/research assistantship stipends are typically finalized upon departmental review, accepted doctoral students frequently qualify for graduate funding, grants, and specialized professional roles within the School of Public Health.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit two separate applications to be considered for admission. Materials cannot be shared between them, so transcripts and test scores must be sent to each platform independently.
1) SOPHAS Application
- Complete the SOPHAS application online.
- Statement of Purpose and Commitment: Upload a statement detailing your purpose and commitment (approx. 1,500 words). Do not submit this to Cal State Apply.
- Letters of Reference: Submit three letters of reference directly to SOPHAS (one must be from your current employer).
- Resume/CV: Upload your updated CV or resume.
- Transcripts: Send official electronic transcripts via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
2) SDSU Application (Cal State Apply)
- Complete the graduate study application via Cal State Apply and pay the application fee.
- Transcripts: Order official transcripts to be sent directly to SDSU Graduate Admissions. Electronic delivery should be directed to
transcriptsforsdsu@sdsu.edu. - Note: Do not upload letters of recommendation or your statement of purpose here; those belong exclusively in SOPHAS.
📅 Important Dates & Deadlines
- Cal State Apply Opens: August 1, 2026 (Submissions accepted starting October 1, 2026)
- SOPHAS Opens: Mid-August 2026
- Application Submission Deadline (SOPHAS & Cal State Apply): February 1, 2027
- SDSU Cal State Apply Supporting Materials Deadline: February 15, 2027
- Decision Notification: Applicants can expect admission decisions no later than early April 2027.
Contact for Queries:
For specific questions regarding the process, contact Brenda Fass-Holmes, SPH Admissions Coordinator, at
bholmes@sdsu.eduor via phone at 619-594-4492.
