Application

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Department of Population Health Sciences accepts students from a wide range of disciplines. The PhD in Population Health Sciences is a STEM designated field and eligible for STEM OPT Extension for international students (CIP Code 26.1311).

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. Please be sure to read all the application requirements below and upload all documents to your online application PRIOR to submitting your application. Once an application is submitted information and documentation cannot be changed.

The Department of Population Health Sciences only accepts applications submitted to the Graduate School.

START 2024 Application

Fall 2024 Admissions	Deadline
International Applications	December 15, 2023
Domestic Applications	January 15, 2024

*Applications received after the deadline will only be reviewed if sponsored by a PHS faculty member.

Requirements

Application Requirements

Unofficial transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework. Official transcripts will be required upon admission into the program.
For international students, demonstration of English proficiency. Approved tests and required test scores are set by the Office of Graduate Admission.
A current Curriculum Vitae
Three letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s potential for success in a doctoral program
Research Statement (refer to Research Statement tab for additional details)

The Department of Population Health Science utilizes a holistic admission review process. The Graduate Entrance Exam (GRE) is NOT required (submitting scores is optional).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD in Population Health Sciences will require:

Meet admission requirements as set by the Graduate School at the University of Utah
- Graduate applicants to the University of Utah are students who have completed the equivalent of a U.S. four-year Bachelor’s degree at either a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an institution recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in their home country.
- At least a 3.0 or higher undergraduate weighted mean GPA on a 4.0 scale. If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, applicants must have received a post-baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- International GPAs are evaluated by the Office of Admission and converted to a 4.0 scale.

Prerequisites will vary based on program emphasis and an applicant's educational background.

It is recommended that all applicants have previous research experience.
Applicants applying for an emphasis in either Clinical and Translational Epidemiology or Health Systems Research are required to have passed a graduate-level biostatistics course with a B grade or better. It is also recommended that applicants have experience in STATA statistical computing.
Biostatistics emphasis applicants are required to have passed with a B grade or better Calculus III (or three semesters of calculus) and Linear Algebra.

Research Statement

As part of your application, you must upload a research statement. Please write a paragraph for each question below. The statement should be no more than two pages maximum (~250 words per question) and single spaced.

Describe your academic background, research or professional experiences (e.g., team work, interdisciplinary projects), and achievements so far.
Your purposes and objectives (career goals) in pursuing graduate study in PHS and how will admission to this interdisciplinary program will help you obtain your career goals.
Please identify which emphasis you are interested in (biostatistics, clinical and translational epidemiology, or health systems research). Describe how the selected emphasis will help you address a population health or health system problem or another challenge you would like to address as part of your studies.
Identify 1-3 faculty members within the School of Medicine (at least 1 in the PHS department), whom you would be interested in as a faculty mentor. For each faculty member listed, please write 3-5 sentences to describe how this faculty member can help you achieve your research and/or career goals.
- Applicants do not need to have any prior communication with a faculty member for them to be identified as a faculty of interest. Due to the high volume of admission applications, it is not possible for faculty to always be able to communicate with applicants.
- This information will help the PHS admission committee match applicants to faculty with available funding. Applicants are not expected to know which faculty has available funding. Applicants are not expected to secure funding before admission to the program, this is part of the department's admission process. Information provided in the research statement will allow the admission committee to consider all possible options.

Application Fee

Applicants can request an application fee waive before submitting your application by emailing PHSPHD@hsc.utah.edu. In the email request, please indicate the emphasis you are applying for and include your current CV and unofficial transcripts.

Applicants that have already have paid the application fee will not receive a refunded.

Timeline

Applications are due by the posted deadline. Applicants should ensure that all letters of recommendation have been received by checking their status in the application.
- Applicants can send a reminder to an online recommendation provider, by clicking "Edit" next the recommendation status and clicking on the "Send Reminder" button . This will automatically generate a reminder email, along with the link to upload.
Applications will be reviewed by the Admission Committee. Top applicants will receive a request for an interview by February.
Applicants will be notified no later than April 15.

Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities are available on an individual basis. The majority of admitted students receive full funding. Funding is through the University of Utah’s Graduate School’s Tuition Benefit Program (TBP). The TBP offers eligible students a full tuition waiver, subsidized health insurance, and a yearly stipend based on employment as a Graduate Research Assistant (RA) or Graduate Assistant – Research Focus (GR). The department does not offer Teaching Assistant positions. Students in the PHS program are paid through positions in research groups.

Please note, that due to TBP restrictions, applicants who already hold a PhD or clinical doctorate such as PharmD, DPT, DNP, DDS, or MD are ineligible to participate in the TBP. These applicants will not be considered for financial support.