How to Apply

 Applications for all programs for the Fall of 2024 are now open.

The HILS graduate programs are focused on using information and social science to improve the health of individuals and populations by researching, designing, implementing, and evaluating change and improvement in health systems.

We offer both a residential and hybrid online 27-credit master’s program, which can be completed as a full-time student in three semesters over 12 months or as a part-time student over a longer period of time, as well as a doctoral program which includes 36 credits of coursework and two years of dissertation research and writing.

Applications for admission to HILS graduate programs need to be made through the Rackham Graduate School. The Rackham website includes a step-by-step guide to the admissions process, an online application, a steps in the admissions process, and information about tuition and fees, fellowships and other funding opportunities. Before beginning an application carefully review the information below as well as the Rackham website.

 

Application Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned. (See Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions)
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants are required to provide an official score report. Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted. For more details see Tests.
  • Persons holding master’s or doctoral degrees are usually not eligible to apply for study in the field of specialization and level for which they already have a degree. Please see the Rackham Admission and Matriculation Policy for eligibility.
  • At least one course in statistics, preferably at the graduate level for doctoral applicants.
  • We anticipate that students may come from a variety of health care and professional experiences including but not limited to health sciences/health professions, information, computing, engineering, behavioral and social sciences and organizational and policy studies, and we will assess different forms of evidence of willingness to engage in the full spectrum of learning systems courses, from data and computationally intensive courses to social science courses.
  • HILS Online is not currently available for international students.

Application Checklist

The following materials should be submitted by the application deadline.

  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Quantitative Statement
  • Scanned Copies of Official Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 letters are required)
  • Evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS), required if one's native language is not English
  • HILS does not require the GRE for admission

Application Materials

HILS PhD Academic Statement of Purpose 

*Please note: the essay prompts for PhD and MS applicants are different.*

First, briefly list:

  • Primary research area or questions. For example, “I am interested in understanding the role of data quality in driving learning health system success” or “I am interested in understanding the role of trust as it relates to data and the improvement of learning health systems.” (1-2 sentences)
  • Why Michigan/HILS? Are there particular research interest areas and faculty of interest to you? What types of mentorship and support will help you succeed? (You should contact 2-3 HILS faculty to introduce yourself and discuss potential fit before completing your Academic Statement of Purpose.)
  • Explain why you identified the potential advisors you did. Please describe the interactions you have had with them.

Then address the following questions in 4-5 pages (double-spaced):
Explain in some detail the research areas you mentioned above and describe the primary research question(s) that you previously identified considering the following factors.

  • Describe your understanding of learning health systems, and what leads you to be interested in studying the science underlying the learning health system.
  • Describe prior research experiences, courses, or projects that prepared you for doctoral study.
  • Describe the research areas in which you are interested and hope to contribute, including any experience you have with informatics, health data analysis, implementation of evidence-based programs, clinical practical improvement, and/or policy and ethics.
  • Briefly discuss the career path(s) you envision for yourself after graduate school. (We understand that these goals may change over time.) How will earning this PhD help you to achieve your goals?
  • Mention any valuable leadership experiences you have had, and how they affected you and your career goals?

Finally, to contribute to our holistic review process, in 1/2 to 1 page, summarize the strength of your quantitative and analytical skills by:

  • Referencing your grades in key math and science-related coursework and
  • Discussing specific details of any research or work experiences that involved quantitative or analytical tasks.

The following information is required in the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:

  • Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document
  • Your name
  • The name of the graduate program
  • Your 8 digit U-M ID (if known)

Set document margins to one-inch and verify that any tables fit within the margins.
Recommendation: Convert documents to PDF format before uploading.

To assist with your Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to check out the following resources: 

HILS MS Academic Statement of Purpose 

*Please note: the essay prompts for PhD and MS applicants are different.*

First, briefly list:

  • Primary research area or questions (1-2 sentences)
  • Potential advisors; you should contact 2-3 HILS faculty to introduce yourself and discuss potential fit before completing your Academic Statement of Purpose.
  • Explain why you identified the potential advisors you did. Please describe the interactions you have had with them.

Then address the following questions in 3-4 pages (double-spaced):

  • Please describe your understanding of learning health systems, and what interests you about them, noting particularly how you apply concepts from the learning health system to your current projects and/or work environment.
  • Describe prior research experiences, courses, or projects that have prepared you for graduate study. Please comment on any experience you have with data analysis, implementing evidence-based programs, clinical practice improvement, informatics, and/or policy work.
  • Specify at least one area of learning health systems that you would like to learn in depth in order to conduct research or practice in this domain.

The following information is required in the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:

  • Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document
  • Your name
  • The name of the graduate program
  • Your 8 digit U-M ID (if known)

Set document margins to one-inch and verify that any tables fit within the margins. Recommendation: Convert documents to PDF format before uploading.

To assist with your Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to check out the following resources: 

Quantitative Experiences Statement

This is now part of the Academic Statement of Purpose.

Personal Statement (500-word limit)

How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?

For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.

Do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.

Transcripts

For each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress, scan one copy, front and back, of official transcript and upload to application. If offered admission, you will be asked to submit a hard copy of each official transcript. Do not submit transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework. If you previously attended U-M Ann Arbor, Rackham will access that transcript internally.

Please see Transcripts for complete instructions including specific information for submitting non-U.S. institution records.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted electronically by your recommenders. As you are completing the online application, you will be given instructions for how to "Register Your Recommenders." Recommenders will then receive an email that will guide them in uploading their letters.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

An effective recommendation letter should provide an assessment of your potential as a graduate student and/or researcher. It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically or is familiar with your professional work.  Recommendation letters provide the admissions committee with information that isn’t found elsewhere in your application.

Evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)

Applicants (MS and PhD) whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide official score reports for one of the tests accepted by the Rackham Graduate School.

Please see the Rackham Graduate School’s information regarding Tests for information on accepted test scores, submission of test scores and exemptions.

Additional Information

Non-Candidate for Degree

Many of the courses in the HILS program are open to any enrolled U-M Ann Arbor student with graduate-level standing.  If you are not currently a U-M graduate student and would like to enroll in HILS courses, you may apply online to HILS as a Non-Candidate for Degree.

FAQ’s

  • Are application fee waivers available?
  • Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required?
    •  Neither HILS nor the Rackham Graduate School requires GRE scores for admission.
  • Do you offer online courses?
    • Yes, HILS does offer a hybrid HILS Online MS program. 
  • When are applicants notified of acceptance/rejection?
    • We aim to notify all PhD applicants of admission decisions by March 1. MS applicants can expect notification 6-8 weeks after the receipt of their application.
  • Can you verify if my transcripts, recommendations letters or test scores have been received?
    • Applicants are able to monitor their materials using a U-M Friend Account. Instructions for accessing your account may be found in the Rackham Application Checklist.
  • It’s the application deadline and not all of my recommenders have submitted their letters. Will this have a negative impact on my application?
    • The admissions committee will begin the review process in December for PhD applications and on a rolling basis for MS applications so you will want your application to be as complete as possible by the deadline.

Contact Us

  • For more information about the HILS programs or to ask questions about the application process:
       

          Email: [email protected]

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