Admission Information for Prospective Students
The Institute for Public Health Genetics (IPHG) is located on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington, primarily within the Health Sciences complex.
What You Should Know About IPHG Programs
If you are interested in applying to one of the graduate programs in Public Health Genetics (PHG), be sure to consider the specific purposes and requirements of each program, which are described in detail on separate pages:
- The Graduate Certificate program is for students enrolled in other UW graduate departments who wish to complement their studies with a solid knowledge of public health genetics.
- The program leading to an MPH in Public Health Genetics provides broad training in the field for students who seek a career in public health practice or academia.
- The program leading to an MPH/JD Concurrent Degree offers students the opportunity to combine in-depth professional educational training in public health genetics and law to prepare them to advocate for, and implement, public health policy in both national and international arenas.
- The M.S. in Genetic Epidemiology equips students for applied research focusing on genetic susceptibility to disease, as well as the ethical, legal, and social issues of public health genetics.
- The Public Health Genetics Ph.D. program trains highly qualified scholars for careers in colleges and universities, healthcare delivery systems, public health departments, government agencies, and the private sector.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for all programs are expected to have an excellent academic record with a bachelor's degree in a related field and coursework in human genetics.
Admissions decisions are made by a faculty committee based on:
- Academic record (previous degrees and grades)
- Applicable test scores (Graduate Record Exam for most students)
- Relevant professional work and/or volunteer experience
- Motivation and interest in public health genetics as shown by a personal statement and letters of recommendation
Admission to the Ph.D. program assumes all of these considerations plus additional criteria.
Admission to the concurrent MPH/JD degree program requires an application to both the UW Law School and the IPHG in the SPHCM
For more information about admission requirements, please see IPHG Frequently Asked Questions.
Admissions Process
All applications for IPHG programs are reviewed and evaluated by the Academic Program Committee (APC). Decisions to admit or deny admission are based on a simple majority vote of APC faculty members.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for graduate students at the University of Washington is available through several sources and in several forms: loans and grants based on financial need, fellowships, and research assistantships. For more information, see Funding Information for Applicants.