Applications are open now on the Chancellor's Office site.
The application deadline is February 14th, 2025.
Health Professions Track of the California Pre-Doctoral Program
Applications will be available on the Chancellor’s Office website in December, with the deadline for submission likely set in the first two weeks of February. Although part of the California Pre-Doctoral Program, the Health Professions Track (HPT) differs in its focus, and follows a separate application and review process. The HPT is designed for students interested in obtaining health professional doctorates with an explicit research component. Students interested in obtaining strictly clinical or practitioner degrees (doctorates in law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, clinical psychology, for example) are not eligible. The HPT aims to increase the number of students from the CSU’s diverse undergraduate and graduate populations who pursue health professional doctoral degrees in the California State University and University of California systems, including PhDs, DrPHs, DNPs, DSWs, and AudDs. The HPT participates in joint programming with the California Pre-Doctoral Program, while maintaining distinct elements tailored for future health professionals for whom research will play a central role in their careers..
The HPT anticipates awarding funds to approximately ten juniors, seniors, and master’s degree students in the California State University (CSU). These funds will support students as they explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in the health professions, including public health, kinesiology, social work, human development (with an emphasis on health), health/social psychology, speech/language/hearing sciences, and nursing. Awards are based on competitive review of applications from current upper-division or master’s students who, in the judgment of the review panel, demonstrate academic excellence while having experienced economic or educational disadvantage, and have strong interest in pursuing research-oriented careers in the health professions. Professional interests or career goals in health may include (but are not limited to):
- Becoming a faculty member at a CSU or other public institution of higher education in California
- Improving health care service delivery or public health systems in a leadership role
- Influencing policies, programs, and practices through evidence-based approaches in an expert capacity
The HPT welcomes applications from matriculated CSU students committed to health equity and creating a health workforce that is reflective of and responsive to California’s diverse communities.
Sally Casanova Health Professions Scholars will receive a $5,000 scholarship, administered through the Office of Financial Aid of the CSU campus in which the student is enrolled in Fall 2025. This award can be used to fund:
- Travel for the student to visit U.S. health professional doctoral-granting institutions and/or to attend professional meetings appropriate to the student's development
- Academic and Professional Development, such as fees for student membership in professional associations, subscriptions to academic journals, preparatory classes for and fees associated with standardized tests (e.g., GRE), and cost of materials to support scholarly projects.
Health Professions Scholars will be eligible to submit an application for the following:
- A Summer Research Experience opportunity in an academic institution which confers health professional doctorates, fully funded by the California Pre-Doctoral Program, so that the Scholar can participate in doctoral-level research prior to applying to an appropriate doctoral program in the health professions.
Eligibility
All CSU upper-division undergraduate and master’s students, with the exception of international students, are eligible to apply. Current or previous Pre-Doctoral Scholars are not eligible to re-apply. Applicants to the HPT must be matriculated upper-division or master's degree students who are currently seeking a degree at a CSU campus, and will be enrolled at the campus for at least the fall term of the 2025-26 academic year. Each applicant must have a faculty mentor from the student’s home CSU campus who will be available for the duration of the plan specified in the application.
Applicants will be selected on the basis of three major criteria: potential for successful application to and completion of a health professional doctoral program, probable effectiveness of the Collaborative Mentorship Plan, and level of economic and educational disadvantage.
Application Process
The online application is available on the website for the California Pre-Doctoral Program. Key components of the application will include:
- Three essays
- Collaborative Research Plan
- Budget Plan
- Academic Transcripts
- Letter of recommendation from CSU Faculty Mentor
Please see the Pre-Doctoral Program Application Guide for instructions on completing the application: 2025-26 Health Professions Track Application Guide.
It is important that students develop an authentic relationship with a Faculty Mentor who is familiar with their personal values and professional aspirations. Successful applicants will demonstrate that their Faculty Mentor is demonstrably committed to provide dedicated mentorship for professional development and exposure to key research experiences.
The prior year’s application can be found here.
Questions & Assistance
Students interested in the Health Professions Track of the California Pre-Doctoral Program may contact Dr. Arnab Mukherjea, Faculty Director for the Health Professions (Office of the Chancellor; California State University), via email at amukherjea@calstate.edu. Dr. Mukherjea will be happy to meet with potential applicants in-person or via Zoom to discuss this opportunity.