Frequently Asked Questions
- What is health services research?
- When is the application deadline?
- What are the admission criteria? (GRE score minimums, GPA, TOEFL?)
- When are students notified of acceptance or denial?
- How long does it take to complete this degree?
- What is the tuition and other expenses?
- How can I finance my education?
- How can I contact someone associated with the program?
- Can I take courses as a GNM student?
Our Department defines health services research broadly, to encompass research into the social determinants of population health as well as research into cost, quality and policy aspects of the provision of medical services, prevention and health education. Health services research is the process of generating new knowledge and understanding through development of new theory and empirical evidence, as well as the original synthesis of existing theory and evidence, regarding one or more of the following areas:
- the delivery, financing, management, and organization of health services
- the social and economic factors that contribute to population health and health disparities
- health promotion, prevention and health education.
Health services research is instrumental in the advancement of population health and in the improvement of policy, management, and practice within the health services domain.
We evaluate an applicant's entire record, but have in general admitted students with GPAs over 3.5, verbal and quantitative GRE scores over 600, analytical scores over 5. The UW requirements for TOEFL and other English language proficiency tests are available (Here.)
All applicants will be notified of their status by early March. Some admissions decisions are made in early February.
Most students will graduate in four years. Students who have completed the core courses at entry may be able to graduate in three years. Time to graduation is also dependent on the type of dissertation project the student pursues.
Most students finance their education through a combination of traineeships, research/teaching assistantships, loans, and grant support.
It may be possible to take certain courses as a non-matriculated student. Read the information GNM/NM registration and the contact the PHD program coordinator to discuss your options.



