UC San Diego - Chula Vista Program
UC San Diego and Southwestern College are proud to partner to offer a Bachelor of Science degree with major coursework taught in Chula Vista. Beginning in Fall 2026, the Bachelor of Science in Public Health will be offered.
Courses for the Public Health major will be taught by UC San Diego faculty and offered on Southwestern College's campus. Additional requirements can be taken remotely or in La Jolla, depending upon the student's preference.
Students participating in the program will have access to UC San Diego faculty and staff physically located at Southwestern College and have full access to UC San Diego resources on the La Jolla campus.
Why Public Health?
Prepare for a career that makes a difference—whether in epidemiology, health education, policy, or community wellness.
Major Requirements
Read more about the Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Careers
Learn more about your future in public health.
Ready to Apply?
Southwestern College students who are transferring into UC San Diego are eligible to apply through the UC Application.
UC Application
Complete the UC Application for Transfer students.
Dates and Deadlines
All UC Application dates and deadlines apply.
Transfer Major Prep Courses
Review the required transfer major preparation courses to be admitted to UC San Diego as Public Health.
Transfer Student Application Requirements
Review the requirements for all UC San Diego transfer applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the program cost? Can I use financial aid?
Students will pay regular UC San Diego tuition and fees. See Cost of Attendance. Since the majority of the coursework will be completed at Southwestern College’s Chula Vista campus, students will not need to pay Housing and Dining costs normally associated with living on the La Jolla campus, or the typical costs of commuting to La Jolla.
Students can apply for financial aid through the regular UC San Diego process. Read more about FAFSA, CADAA, and financial aid eligibility at the UC San Diego Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.
Where will the classes be located?
Public Health courses for major requirements will be offered in person at Southwestern College. Additional courses including one upper-division general education course (assuming IGETC/Cal-GETC completion), unmet university requirements, and required elective units can be taken remotely or on UC San Diego’s La Jolla campus.
Who is eligible?
Students that intend to apply for transfer admission to UC San Diego from Southwestern College, seeking to major in Public Health, are eligible to apply for this program.
How can I apply?
Students must complete the UC application for undergraduate admissions and scholarships during the current filing period: October 1-December 1, 2025. Visit the UC Application for Admission and Scholarships website.
When selecting a major on the application, choose the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (no concentration).
How do I prepare for admission to the program?
To be considered for admission to the UC San Diego - Chula Vista program for Public Health, students must complete all UC transfer admissions requirements including major preparation courses. The transfer admissions requirements can be found below.
- Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units (90 quarter units) by the end of spring term prior to fall admission.
- Have a competitive GPA in UC-transferable courses and be in good academic standing.
- Complete the following 7-course pattern:
- 2 English composition
- 1 mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
- 4 courses from at least 2 of the following:
- Arts and humanities
- Physical and biological sciences
- Social and behavioral sciences
Students must also complete admissions Transfer Major Preparation courses for Public Health.
- 2 required Biology courses from the approved list must be completed for admission:
BILD 1, BILD 2, BILD 3, BILD 10, BILD 12/COGS 17, BILD 18, BILD 20, BILD 22, BILD 26, BILD 28, BILD 30, BILD 32, BILD 36, BILD 38, BILD 44, BILD 60, BILD 61
SWC students should complete BIOL 210, 211, 212 at SWC which are equivalent to BILD 1, BILD 2, and BILD 3 in order to be on track with the program plan.
- 1 required Statistics course from the approved list: COGS 14B, HDS 60, MATH 11, PSYC 60
Please refer to the Articulation Agreement on Assist.org to confirm the appropriate transfer major preparation coursework.
What support is available in Chula Vista from UC San Diego?
UC San Diego academic advising and student life staff will be located on site at Southwestern College in the University Center. Our goal is to create a community for students that are completing their UC San Diego degree at Southwestern College, and we will be focused on supporting your academic success and well-being.
How can Southwestern College students prepare for transfer?
UC San Diego staff are working with Southwestern College counselors to help support you before transfer.
More information will be coming soon about specific transfer maps and courses to take at SWC.