HPL - FAQ
GENERAL
People from a variety of backgrounds have participated in the HPL program. The list includes clinicians, social advocates, healthcare administrators, litigators, health information systems engineers, philanthropists, public health researchers, paralegals, registered nurses, political scientists, patient care advocates, and more!
Please email hpladmissions@uclawsf.edu with questions. You may also schedule a virtual advising appointment by visiting here.
ACADEMIC
The HPL is a 24-unit degree consisting of all required coursework. Each semester has a set plan and coursework that cannot be changed. Please view the Student Course Plans to see semester course requirements.
All classes are offered in an online asynchronous format. However, students must also attend three in-person convenings in San Francisco: Orientation, Midyear, and Final/Graduation.
The curriculum for the HPL program is set, meaning there are no electives or flexible course options. However, the program is designed to cover a variety of subject areas including legal research and writing, health economics, US health policy and health care system, and more.
APPLICATION
See the How to Apply page for a list of required application documents.
The application opened on October 1 with a priority application deadline of January 31. After this, applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed on a space available basis. The final deadline for consideration is June 30. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
No standardized test scores, including LSAT, GMAT, and GRE scores, are required for admission into the HPL program.
Not at all! So long as you meet the eligibility requirements for the program, you are welcome to apply. Majority of our students enter our program without a graduate level degree (Bachelor’s only).
People working in the healthcare field who would like more legal and policy knowledge, and lawyers who would like more health policy and health care structure knowledge should both also consider applying to the HPL.
The quality of your statement of purpose is much more important than the quantity. However, the statement of purpose should not exceed two pages single-spaced, and it must be typed.
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation.
No, applications for the HPL program are accepted for the Fall only.
Your statement of purpose is an opportunity for you to tell us something about yourself that the admissions committee cannot glean from your resume. We hope to learn why you are motivated to pursue an HPL degree and how the program would complement or contribute to your educational and career goals. Past statements of purpose have described applicants’ professional and/or personal experiences with health care that drove them to the HPL program and to become a changemaker for health. Statements of purpose should be no longer than 2 pages single spaced and should be typed.
Tips for Writing a Good Statement of Purpose:
- Create an outline before you start writing to keep your thoughts organized
- Stories or anecdotes are not required, but encouraged if they help illustrate your motivations for applying to the program
- Make sure you answer the prompt above
- Proofread your statement at least once and fix grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors
- Consider asking a friend or family member to proofread it for you
- Consider sharing your statement with the people providing your letters of recommendation. This can help them write a letter for you and is an opportunity for feedback on your statement.