Master of Public Health

Trojan Scholars for Advancement in Public Health

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A Scholarship and Career Path

More than a typical scholarship, this merit-based scholarship and mentorship program is aimed at training Master of Public Health students to attain knowledge and competencies that will enable them to secure positions in public health organizations that address health disparities among residents of Los Angeles County.

The program will provide financial support to select recipients that covers up to 18 units of tuition required to complete the MPH training. Scholarship recipients will participate in an academic and career building mentorship program focused on core public health functions and social determinants of health.

As part of their training, MPH students will complete an applied practice experience (practicum) in one of the partner organizations that serve areas of Los Angeles County with high proportions of health disparities and underserved residents.

Application Deadline

December 12, 2025

 

Applications are open to current USC MPH students (on campus and online) only. See the eligibility criteria for more details.

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Who should apply?

Those who are academically successful and committed to working at public health departments or community focused organizations after graduation.

Eligibility and Scholarship Requirements

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria to be considered.

Scholarship recipients will be required to adhere to the conditions of the scholarship.

    Eligibility Criteria

    • U.S citizen, national or permanent resident
    • Minimum cumulative MPH GPA of 3.5 and no history of academic warning or probation
    • Completed at least two semesters in the USC Master of Public Health (MPH) program
    • Completed at least 24 units of MPH courses by the end of Fall 2025, OR completed all core foundational courses (on campus program: PM 502, PM 503, PM 510, PM 512; online program: PM 501, PM 508, PM 510, PM 512, PM 564)
    • Declared an MPH concentration and taken at least one concentration course
    • Expected graduation semester in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026
    • Graduate student status and full-time enrollment in the MPH program for its entire duration. Full-time graduate enrollment is 8.0 units. The only exception is enrollment in PM 596: Practicum in Public Health and PM 597: Capstone in Public Health
    • Committed to pursuing a career in local health departments or community-based organizations after graduating from the USC MPH program
    • Applicants who receive other form/s of financial assistance, grants, fellowship or scholarship from federal funding source/s are not eligible

    Conditions of the Scholarship

    • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in MPH coursework
    • Maintain full-time student status
    • Enroll in PM 519 (Health Disparities in the US: Moving Towards Health Equity) or complete equivalent online training modules assigned by the program director
    • Participate in the mentorship program by attending in-person monthly lunch-and-learn and other workshops in the Spring 2026 semester
    • Complete practicum at local health departments or community facing organizations
    • Commit to a career in local health departments or community-based organizations after graduating from the USC MPH program

    How to Apply

    The application is open to current MPH students only.

    Assemble all components before beginning your application session:

    1. Complete the online application
    2. Submit a short paragraph (maximum 250 words) or video (maximum 2 minutes) responding to the following questions:
      1. Share relevant experience in public health service, including volunteer and leadership experience, that make you a good candidate for this scholarship program
      2. How do you plan to use your degree to address the current needs of public health?
      3. What are your long-term career goals in public health?

    Apply

    Application Portal

    FAQ

    • Applicants will be notified of decisions by December 17, 2025.

    • Yes! This application cycle is only open to currently enrolled USC MPH students who have completed 2 semesters and 24 units of MPH coursework by the end of Fall 2025.

    • Mentorship includes:

      1. In-person monthly learning sessions that cover academic advisement, networking, and workshops specifically targeted for career development
      2. Academic progress monitoring is provided through regular check-ins to ensure course requirements are met and academic performance is maintained
      3. Scholarship recipients receive American Public Health Association (APHA) student membership and access to other professional development resources like webinars, offering valuable public health education and training to support continued learning.

    • MPH faculty and staff at USC, along with Public Health Career Services within our department, will provide students with resources to aid in their practicum site search and job search to fulfill this requirement.

      In addition, scholars will have opportunities for practicum placement and career development through the mentorship portion of the program. One such opportunity will be to network with the MPH Public Health Advisory Board, which consists of more than a dozen public health departments and local health organizations.

    TSAPH Program Leadership

    Amie Hwang, PhD, MPH

    TSAPH Program Director
    Director, MPH Program

    Jane Steinberg, PhD, MPH

    TSAPH Practice Director
    Director of Public Health Practice, MPH Program

    Reyna Macias, MPH, CHES

    TSAPH Program Manager
    Career Services Advisor, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

    Register for an Info Session

    Apply to the MPH Program

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