The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to explore the field of public health through hands-on training, structured workshops, group events, volunteering opportunities, and leadership and professional development. The program works with community-based organizations, health systems, government agencies, and others to offer scholars the unique opportunity to “learn by doing” public health in a large, urban city. Through internship experiences that focus on health equity, scholars work to advance the health of underserved populations by learning about the communities our partners serve, engaging with community members, and exploring the Los Angeles landscape while commuting on public transportation.

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Program Details

• Cohort of 30-35 students will participate in a rigorous 8-week workforce training program (Sunday, June 23 – Saturday, August 17, 2024).

• Scholars are matched with partnering organizations and contribute to public health efforts full-time, three days per week.
• Scholars attend structured programming two days per week designed to build public health knowledge, develop professional skills, and learn about professional and educational opportunities.
• Scholars participate in a research poster showcase hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia alongside Public Health Scholars from other programs across the nation. The Showcase is tentatively planned for the last of week of July 2024.
• Scholars are housed at the UCLA campus at no cost.
• Scholars are provided with a Metro TAP Card to subsidize public transportation costs.
• Scholars receive a $3,000 stipend, $800 to cover some meals, and $200 for optional transportation. The total amount of $4,000 is distributed in three installments throughout the program (start of program, halfway, and a week after program completion). NOTE: this amount is not meant to cover all costs associated with the program. It is the scholar’s discretion how the funds are allocated for personal use. Scholars are considered UCLA students and are not employed by UCLA or their internship host site and do not receive per diem, health insurance, or other benefits associated with full-time employment.
• Scholars that do not live within a 300-mile radius of UCLA will have their transportation to and from Los Angeles arranged by the program team. Checked luggage, local mileage, and transportation to and from the airport cannot be reimbursed.

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Program Eligibility Criteria*

• Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident (DACA recipients eligible)  
• Must attend an institution in the U.S. or in a US territory.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must possess an interest in exploring a career in the field of public health by the start of the program
• Applicants must be:
• Community college graduates or transfers to four-year institutions OR
• In a four-year institution and have completed at least two years of undergraduate education (regardless of credit standing) by the start of the program  OR  
• Recent college graduates (Fall or Winter 2023 or Spring 2024) who have not enrolled in a graduate program by the start of the program.
• There is no GPA requirement.

* additional criteria outlined in the application

Program Requirements

• Ability to be present in Los Angeles and participate in all program activities from Sunday, June 23 – Saturday, August 17, 2024.
• Willingness to attend social and volunteer events on evenings and occasional weekends (virtually or in-person).
• Willingness to travel to the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia for a research poster showcase.
• Willingness to stay engaged with the program for alumni tracking, professional development opportunities, maintaining contact with cohort, and participating in recruitment for the 2025 cohort.