Before You Apply
Start Planning Now
It’s never too early to start planning.
Early preparation is the key to a smooth (and successful!) application process. Give yourself the best chance of acceptance by doing your research and putting your best application forward.
Advising Heading link
Have questions about the application process? We’re here to help.
To make sure you get the most from conversations with faculty and staff, make sure you spend some time exploring all the pages of our site (as well as those for funding sources and international requirements, if that applies) before reaching out. That way we can answer questions just right for you!
If you have questions about the application process, please contact the admissions coordinator, Catherine Eccher at cecche1@uic.edu.
Know your deadlines Heading link
Applications are due December 15 in the year of your intended enrollment.
Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! Start early and give yourself plenty of time to collect and submit all your materials.
Check your requirements Heading link
- Master’s degree in health informatics or related field is preferred
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and for all graduate-level work
- GRE General Test with a minimum score of 152 on the verbal and 151 on the quantitative sections. The GRE General Test is recommended for all applicants and required for:
- Financial aid applicants including those seeking assistantships, fellowships, and all BHIS stipends and tuition waivers
- Applicants with no prior Master’s degree
- Applicants holding a Master’s degree with a cumulative GPA less than 3.5/4.0
- Applicants with degrees awarded outside the United States and Canada
- Prerequisite courses (listed below)
International Students: If English isn’t your native language, you might need to take an English proficiency test. Check out the International Requirements to see if this applies to you, then read through the International Students section of the Applying page for more information about the minimum scores we accept.
Prerequisites
You must complete all prerequisites prior to enrolling in any program courses.
- Basic computer programming course, preferably Python: Waived with comparable experience. This can be fulfilled (with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies) through completion of a nationally recognized MOOC and submission of a signed course certificate as proof of completion.
- HIM 486 Foundations in Health Information Management: May be waived for those with previous coursework or clinical experience.
- BHIS 406 Medical Terminology: May be waived for those with previous coursework, clinical experience, or passing grade on proficiency exam. Both courses are available online and are taught each semester.
Direct PhD admission
If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or a related field, you may be considered for Direct PhD admission. If admitted, you’ll pursue your PhD without the requirement of first completing a master’s degree.
Direct PhD Admission is competitive. For fullest consideration, adhere to the early deadlines listed on the Graduate College website. Regardless of previous degree, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae and personal statement with your application.
Transfer policy
Transfer of graduate credits from another institution is determined on an individual basis. The complete prior credits transfer process is described on the Graduate College website.
Prepare your documents Heading link
When you apply, you’ll need to submit your official transcripts, current curriculum vitae, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. Get started on those now! Refer to the Applying page for all the specifics.
The application process is paperless. Please don’t mail or email any materials unless told to do so. Documents you will upload must be in PDF format, no larger than 5 MB in size. “Portfolio” PDFs and secured PDFs that require a password are not compatible with our system.
International Students: You might have a few extra things you need to provide. Read through the International Requirements page to make sure you have everything you need.
Have your test scores sent in advance
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all applicants. Scores should be sent directly from Education Testing Service to UIC. If you have taken the GRE within the past five years, you must request that scores be sent from ETS to UIC.
Our ETS Institutional Code is 1851.
International Students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted to UIC directly from ETS. Paper score reports will not be accepted. Read through the International Students section of the Applying page for more information about the minimum scores we accept.
Think about funding Heading link
See what funding options are available to you. The Office of Admissions has some great information on financial resources and funding opportunities.
International students Heading link
Check out the following resources for extra information specific to your needs.