Apply Now | PhD in Health Policy and Management

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Health Policy and Management PhD program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is based on completion of a baccalaureate degree, although it is anticipated that many applicants will have completed a post-baccalaureate degree in public health or other health-related discipline.

Online Application Steps

You may apply to our Health Policy and Management PhD program online via SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service.

Remember to designate the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health as one of your school choices, along with your desired program.

The application deadline for Fall admission is May 1 (April 1 for international students). Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The deadline to receive priority for financial support is January 5.

PhD Health Policy and Management applications and supplemental materials must be submitted to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). SOPHAS is meant to facilitate the collection of common application materials and general information. For more information and frequently asked questions please visit sophas.org. In addition to the SOPHAS application all applicants will be required to complete a short application to the IU Graduate CAS application system (select IUPUI campus) at the link provided within the SOPHAS application or by clicking below.

Apply here

Please note that all applications must be verified by SOPHAS prior to the deadline to be guaranteed review by the PhD Health Policy and Management Admissions Committee. Applications that are not verified by the deadline are not guaranteed review. Applications take 4 to 5 weeks to be verified by SOPHAS. We recommend submitting your application to SOPHAS no later than one month prior to the deadline.

We'll notify you by e-mail once your application has been received. If you have questions about the application process or about the PhD in Health Policy and Management program, contact Shawne Mathis, snmathis@iu.edu.

Supporting Documentation

In addition to completing the SOPHAS application, you are also required to submit the following supporting documentation directly to SOPHAS:

  • Statement of Purpose and Objectives: Provide an essay of approximately 750 words describing your past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. You are encouraged to comment on any or all of the following: plans you have to use your education and training; the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study; and, any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in your chosen field of study.
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University.
  • It is strongly recommended that all transcripts be submitted no later than 15 days before the application deadline to allow SOPHAS adequate time to verify transcripts. Please note it can take up to four weeks for transcripts to be verified.
    Transcripts must be sent from institution in the institutions sealed envelope directly to SOPHAS.

    For regular mail, please send your transcript to:
    SOPHAS
    P.O. Box 9111
    Watertown, MA 02471-9111

    For Overnight Delivery ONLY :
    SOPHAS
    c/o Liaison International
    311 Arsenal Street
    Watertown, MA 02472
    Phone: 617-612-2090
     
  • World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation for all post-secondary foreign institutions attended. Please Note: U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university, do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess your academic work; clinical, public health, or professional experiences; or, leadership potential in public health. These letters should be from professional sources who can provide an unbiased, current and critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths and weaknesses related to successfully completing a doctoral program.
  • Sample of scholarly writing – Applicants must submit an electronic copy of a course paper or published article in which the applicant is the sole author. This document can be uploaded to your SOPHAS application.
  • GRE test scores – GRE scores, while not required for admission, if you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, you are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores with your application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than 5 years old) in order for students to be eligible. Applicants must submit GRE scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 0167.

Recommendations

You should submit at least THREE letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess your academic work; clinical, public health, or professional experiences; or, leadership potential in public health. These letters should be from professional sources who can provide an unbiased, current and critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths and weaknesses related to successfully completing a doctoral program. Examples of sources that are not acceptable include co-workers, colleagues, classmates, family acquaintances or relatives.

  • Letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically through the online application. The online application asks applicants to supply e-mail addresses for their referees.
  • Upon submission of the application, the system automatically sends recommendation forms to the referees.
  • After completing the form, referees should return them to the IUPUI Graduate Office via e-mail. They have the option of attaching a letter if they wish.

Submission of Documents

In addition to completing the SOPHAS application, you are also required to submit the following supporting documentation directly to SOPHAS:

  • Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended (except those from Indiana University. The department can access your IU transcript electronically).
  • A copy of your current resume or CV.
  • Scores on the GRE entrance exam while not required for admission, applicants who you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores with their application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than 5 years old) in order to be eligible.
  • TOEFL score for applicants whose native language is not English.
  • Sample of scholarly writing – Applicants must submit an electronic copy of a course paper or published article in which the applicant is the sole author.

Transcript

Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE scores, while not required for admission, if you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, you are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores with your application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than 5 years old) in order for students to be eligible. Applicants must submit GRE scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 0167.

Please Note: If you have a graduate or professional degree from an accredited U.S. institution, you may request a waiver for the test score requirement. (E-mail Shawne Mathis, snmathis@iu.edu) If you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, you are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores with your application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than 5 years old) in order for students to be eligible.

World Education Services (WES)

ICAP course-by-course evaluation for all post-secondary foreign institutions attended. Go to our International Applicants web page for more information.

Please Note: U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university, do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.

On-site Interview Steps

In-person interview: Applicants will be invited to participate in an in-person interview with several members of the Admissions Committee. Alternative arrangements can be made for applicants unable to be interviewed on-site.

Completion of an on-site essay: Applicants participating in the interview process may be asked to write a short essay on a specific topic assigned to them using Microsoft Word. The purpose of this step is to allow the Admissions Committee to assess the applicant's English writing skills.

Review of Applications

Completed applications will be carefully reviewed by the Health Policy and Management PhD Admissions Committee after the program deadline. The Admissions Committee will determine each applicant’s acceptance or non-acceptance to the Health Policy and Management PhD program by using the following selection criteria:

  • Scientific Leadership Potential: Assessed by the applicant’s resume/CV, personal statement, and personal interview.
  • Ability to Engage in Advanced Graduate Work: Assessed by the applicant’s personal interview, evaluation of letters of recommendation, overall grade point average in prior graduate work, and scores from the GRE or other graduate entrance exams.
  • Learning Goals and Objectives: Assessed by the applicant’s personal statement and personal interview.

Helpful Websites

SOPHAS Applicants

SOPHAS applicants should use the following designations:

  • TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 5688.
  • IELTS scores can be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS and official copy sent to IUPUI School Code 1325.

English Language Test Waiver

The English Language test requirement may be waived if an applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from the U.S. or other English-speaking country. For more information, visit http://iapply.iupui.edu/english-speaking-countries/.