Admissions: Health Systems and Population Health M.S.


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The UW Health Systems and Population Health Master of Science (HSPop M.S.) program offers advanced research methods and skills to candidates who have some experience in health fields and who want to assume positions of greater responsibility in public health.

Most applicants to the HSPop M.S. program have an advanced degree, such as an M.D., or they might intend to pursue a doctoral degree in health services or a related field in the future. The HSPop M.S. degree can also be a good choice for applicants who want to develop strong research methods, supporting careers related to data analysis or research grants. HSPop M.S. applicants who are not already post-docs should show proof they have a strong background in quantitative coursework or quantitative professional work.

Autumn 2024: HSPop M.S. Application Timeline

Application Opens: September 1, 2023
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
Applicants Notified: End of February 2024

Admissions FAQs

Application Steps

All applications are submitted online through the UW Graduate School system. Details on the process are below.

Step One: Research the Program

Review Our Website

Learn as much as you can about our focus, format, and program expectations to consider if the program is right for you.

Meet Eligibility Criteria

Applicants who meet the following qualifications tend to be more successful in the admissions process:

  • Training goals that are a good match with our HSPop M.S. program
  • Ability to demonstrate a strong connection between past training progression, potential to succeed in the program, and rationale for how the program will contribute to their career development
  • Public health-related work experience (at least two to three years)
  • Prior experience in health-related research
  • Strong recommendation letters and transcripts
  • Strong quantitative abilities

International and/or Undocumented Applicants

We welcome international and/or undocumented applicants. To learn more about applying to the University of Washington and available financial options, visit our department’s student resources page.

Prospective Student Interview with Faculty (optional)

We highly recommend prospective students contact faculty members during the admissions process to request an informational interview. Although not required, many applicants find this a useful way to learn about the program.

Please contact faculty directly to schedule an informal interview.

Faculty

Step Two: Prepare to Apply

Draft written materials, obtain unofficial transcripts, designate people to write letters of recommendation, and apply early for fee waivers.

Request Unofficial Transcripts

Obtain unofficial transcripts from each college or university where you have earned a degree or taken relevant coursework. Download unofficial transcripts or scan printed copies.

UW will request official transcripts when an offer of admission is made (international applicants) or accepted (domestic applicants).

Update Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Make sure your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) are up to date.

Statement of Purpose

Limit: 700-1000 words, double spaced

The statement of purpose should include a description of the applicant’s professional background, career goals, and the educational objectives they expect to meet through the program.

An applicant should include a description of their work experience in health care or related fields. The Admissions Committee places particular importance on well-specified and realistic career objectives.

Personal History Statement

Limit: 1-2 pages, double spaced

The University of Washington is committed to excellence through diversity, and our program’s curriculum promotes an understanding of how social inequities and racism, generated by power and privilege, undermine health. We welcome students who have varied cultural experiences, and who will contribute to the intellectual and social enrichment of our program.

Please describe your personal history, family background, and influences on your intellectual development that reflect your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The statement may include social, cultural, economic, and educational opportunities, or disadvantages that you have overcome, and the ways in which these experiences affected you.

This statement is not intended to ask you to share personal information you are not comfortable providing.

Letters of Recommendation

Number Required: 3

Identify three people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you, preferably from former supervisors and teachers. One letter of recommendation should be from a current supervisor.

The recommendation letters should address the general topic of an applicant’s suitability for the program, as well as how and how long the recommender knows the applicant.

In the UW Graduate School online application portal, applicants will designate recommenders by entering their names and email addresses. The online application will then send specific instructions to each recommender. Applicants will be able to return to the online application to check whether the application system has received the recommendations.

Applicants are expected to be in contact with each of their letter writers to make sure they have submitted their letters of recommendations to the online application system by the due date.

HSEED Award (optional)

Limit: 1,800 characters max

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) is committed to increasing the number of health professionals from diverse communities in the field of public health. The Health Systems Excellence, Equity, and Distinction (HSEED) Award provides $5,000 tuition support to outstanding students from each of our academic programs.

Before starting your application, learn about the HSEED Award and eligibility criteria. You will need to describe how you are eligible for the HSEED Award based on the eligibility criteria.

HSEED Eligibility Criteria

GRE Scores (optional)

The GRE is no longer required! However, if applicants think their GRE scores are a better representation of academic preparedness for the program than their transcripts, they may include their GRE scores.

Applicants who choose to submit GRE scores must self-report them in the online application with the UW Graduate School AND have scores sent directly to UW from the Educational Testing Service using the UW institutional code. Scores from the testing services must arrive by the application deadline to be considered.

UW Institution Code: 4854

Proof of English Language Proficiency (select students)

Applicants whose first language is not English might need to share proof of English language proficiency. Test scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using the UW institution code. Only scores less than two years old will be accepted.

UW Institution Code: 4854

Request a Fee Waiver (optional)

You should request an application fee waiver as soon as possible.

You can request a fee waiver from the UW Graduate School or UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health.

If you requested an application fee waiver, DO NOT submit your application until you receive approval or denial for the fee waiver. You cannot get reimbursed after paying the application fee. Contact us if you have not heard about your fee waiver and need to submit your application.

Fee Waiver Info

Step Three: Apply Online

Start your online application through the UW Graduate School. You can save your application and come back to it at any time to continue working on it. Do not submit your application before applying or receiving your fee waiver.

Start Here

Application Sections and Materials