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PhD Application from the UW Epidemiology MS or MPH Program
Students currently completing a master's program in Epidemiology at the University of Washington who wish to continue on to the PhD program, must apply to the Epidemiology Admissions Committee.
Although "internal applicants" are given special consideration for admission to the PhD, passing the Doctoral Preliminary Examination does not guarantee admission into the PhD program.
Students who have received a failing grade on the doctoral preliminary examination will not be admitted to the PhD program.
DEADLINES
December 1 of 2nd year of MS/MPH. This is the application deadline for receipt of a) statement of purpose, b) Epidemiology Application form, and c) current CV. See below for additional required application procedures.
December 15. New references, unofficial UW transcript and GRE scores are due. See exceptions and additional required application procedures below.
August 1 after 2nd year of MS/MPH. If you pass the Preliminary Exam at the end of your second year, then all of the application materials listed below, including references, are due by August 1st.
The Admissions Committee prefers to receive applications in January of the student's second year, so that they can be considered along with applications from outside the Department, but will review applications received by August 1, as explained above.
PROCEDURES
Submit all of the following items to the Epidemiology Program Office at epiapply@u.washington.edu.
- A new statement of purpose including a discussion of your thesis research in about a paragraph. You should have thought carefully about and done some background research into potential areas of research for the PhD. Discuss potential topics in your statement. Also describe how a PhD will contribute to your career goals. The application will be strengthened to the extent that you have identified a faculty member willing to chair your dissertation.
- New curriculum vitae.
- Your master's thesis title and an abstract of your master’s thesis, if completed or near completion at the time of your application for the PhD program.
- Your current unofficial UW transcript. Obtain at no cost from MyUW. It should include the most recent quarter’s grades, if applicable.
- Two current letters of support from faculty and/or research supervisors who know your work well. At least one letter must be from a faculty member familiar with your master's thesis. A third letter from an epidemiology faculty member who has agreed to chair your dissertation committee will strengthen your application. The letters should be sent as email attachments to epiapply@u.washington.edu.
- Your Doctoral Preliminary Examination score will be considered if you have taken the exam. You do not need to send this score.
Although the Preliminary Exam is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program, it is strongly recommended. Taking the Prelim at the end of the first year will give the Admissions Committee another piece of information, and will also help you complete the PhD in a timely manner, by allowing you to repeat the exam at the end of the second year if you do not pass the first time. However, if after preparing throughout your year and attending the review sessions, you do not feel ready to take the exam, consider waiting until your second year in conjunction with advice from appropriate faculty.
- GRE test scores are required from postdoctoral applicants if you have not previously submitted them, and only if you have not taken (and passed) the Preliminary Exam.
- It is NOT necessary to apply online to the UW Graduate School, unless you have let your admission lapse through not being registered or officially on leave. If you are not sure, you should check your current status through MyUW. If your admission has lapsed, you must apply on-line following the directions for regular applicants. However, you do not need to re-submit prior institution transcripts, prior test scores, or the Epidemiology Application form mentioned here. You should follow the directions above concerning the content of the statement of purpose and references. However, you must follow the on-line application procedures. You will have to pay the application fee or obtain an approved fee waiver, which requires several days to review. The on-line application is at https://www.grad.washington.edu/applForAdmiss/, but it is important to read the directions first.
IF ADMITTED, you must complete your MS or MPH degree unless you hold a US doctorate. All requirements for the master's degree must be completed prior to undertaking the doctoral General Examination. You may form your doctoral committee prior to MS or MPH completion.
Epidemiology Application Form
Questions? Contact the Epidemiology Program Office at epiapply@u.washington.edu.
This page was last updated on April 29, 2008