UC San Diego Celebrates Southwestern College Collaboration on Bachelor’s Program

University of California San Diego and Southwestern College leaders joined Assemblyman David Alvarez to celebrate the signing of a shared intention that will establish a joint Bachelor of Science in Public Health program in the South Bay.

The program, supported by $5 million in state funding secured by Assemblymember Alvarez, will allow Southwestern College students to transfer seamlessly to the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego and complete their upper-division coursework on the South Bay campus. UC San Diego faculty will teach directly at Southwestern College, ensuring students in the region can access a UC-quality education while remaining in their community.

“UC San Diego is committed to serving Californians by expanding access to a world-class education and ensuring that geography is never a barrier to opportunity,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “This new Bachelor of Science in Public Health program, created in partnership with Southwestern College, reflects our dedication to making higher education more accessible in the South Bay while advancing teaching and research that address the unique needs of this vibrant and diverse region.”

— Chancellor Pradeep Khosla

The South Bay, home to nearly 500,000 residents, has long lacked access to four-year bachelor degree programs. With this new agreement, students will no longer face the barrier of long commutes to access upper-division courses.

“A university campus is coming, a university education is here. Today’s agreement is a huge milestone for South County students and families. By offering UC San Diego’s public health degree at Southwestern College, we are making world-class education more accessible in South Bay and giving students the opportunity to pursue their goals while staying connected to their families and community.”

— Assemblyman David Alvarez

This announcement is part of the broader University Now Initiative, which is focused on providing academic programs that align with regional workforce needs. The UC San Diego–Southwestern College partnership complements previously announced agreements with San Diego State University and CSU San Marcos, together broadening the range of degree pathways available to South County students and ensuring they have access to the educational opportunities that prepare them for in-demand careers.

“Expanding Public Health bachelor’s degree program to the SWC University Center is about more than education, it’s about creating direct pathways to high-demand careers,” said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President, Southwestern College. “This partnership with UC San Diego ensures our students have access to the skills and credentials needed to thrive in the public health workforce, while strengthening the economic vitality of our region.”

—Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President, Southwestern College

Public health has been woven into the fabric of UC San Diego since the university’s earliest days. But in 2019, building on decades of growth and with a $25 million pledge from the Wertheim Family Foundation, the university took a transformative step toward the future of public health by elevating its public health program to a school — uniting education, research and community engagement under a new vision.

That vision is now expanding access to public health education degrees in San Diego County and cultivating future public health professionals who reflect and uplift the communities they serve. UC San Diego faculty are expected to begin teaching at Southwestern College as soon as fall 2026.