Attendance Policy

The UCLA MPH for Health Professionals program requires in-person attendance at all scheduled class sessions. Attendance will be monitored by the HP Program Office rather than by individual instructors.

Students are expected to communicate any anticipated or necessary absences directly to Program staff and copy their instructors on the communication.

Core Courses: There are nine in-person class sessions scheduled during each quarter. More than one absence may result in a deduction of the student’s final grade or require the student to withdraw from the course.

2-Unit Electives: Attendance is required for the full duration of the three-day weekend course, unless the course is specifically designated as asynchronous. If a student anticipates needing to miss any portion of the scheduled elective class weekend, they may be required to withdraw from the course and enroll in the 2-unit elective during the next scheduled offering.

Remote Class Sessions: Some HP faculty may offer remote class days during the quarter. On these days, students are expected to have their cameras on, be present for the full class session, and remain fully engaged throughout the class.

This expectation during remote sessions will be used to determine attendance, not participation. Because remote learning is offered as a privilege, this option may be discontinued if instructors feel that students are not consistently present and engaged during remote sessions.

Please note: Not every instructor will offer remote class days.

Key Aspects of the MPH|HP Attendance Policuy

In-Person Attendance is Required
The program emphasizes a "Core Culture of being present," meaning attendance at all class sessions is expected. 

Communication with Program Staff and Faculty
It is the student's responsibility to notify the HP program and their professors regarding any scheduled absences. 

Making Up Missed Work
For approved absences, students must make up any missed class materials.

Consequences of Unexcused Absences
An unexcused absence can result in a final grade deduction. A drop by a fraction of a letter grade, such as moving from an A to an A- or a B+ to a B, etc. Two or more unexcused absences may result in the need to withdraw from the course. 

Limits on Excused Absences
There are limits on the number of excused absences allowed per course. Students needing to miss two or more class sessions may need to take an Incomplete or withdraw from the course and take it at the next scheduled time. *Extended absences with documentation may be approved on a case by case basis. 

Tardiness
Students are expected to plan their commute accordingly to ensure they arrive to class on time. There are approximately nine in-person class sessions per quarter, making attendance and punctuality especially important. Three tardies will count as one unexcused absence.

What to Do if You Need to Miss a Class 

1. Review the HP Program Attendance Policy

2. Submit the Absence Request Form
   Students must submit the Absence Request Form for all urgent or scheduled absences. In emergencies, the form should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible.

   • MPH|HP Absence Request Form

3. Contact the HP Program and Professor(s)
   Send an email to the HP program director and assistant director, sshafir@ucla.edu  and ptoussaint@ph.ucla.edu with a copy to your professor(s) of your need to miss class. 

Excused Absences may include:

• Illness or Injury: A personal illness or injury that prevents the student from attending the scheduled class session.

• Medical or Dental Appointments: Necessary health care appointments that cannot reasonably be rescheduled.

• Family Emergencies: Serious illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member or loved one.

• Legal Obligations: Required court appearances, jury duty, or other legally mandated obligations.

• Religious Observances: Religious holidays or observances that conflict with a scheduled class session.