The UW Health Services PhD program attracts and welcomes strong scholars from varied backgrounds with a passion for research. We aim to match each incoming student with funding and strong mentorship.
Use this page as a guide to prepare your application materials.
Autumn 2027: Application Timeline
Application opens: September 1, 2026
Fee waiver request deadline: December 3, 2026 – visit the UW Graduate School fee waiver requests page for more information
Application deadline: December 10, 2026
Applicants notified of admissions decisions: Mid-February 2027
The program is no longer accepting applications for 2026 entry.
Application Steps
All applications are submitted online through the UW Graduate School system. Details on the process are below.
Step One: Research the Program
Eligibility Criteria
We consider all applicants who apply as long as they meet the UW Graduate School’s minimum degree and GPA requirements, and recommended English Language Proficiency (ELP Satisfied) requirements.
UW Graduate School | Minimum Admission Requirements
UW Grad School Admissions Requirements
We use a holistic admissions review process and applicants who meet the qualifications below are more competitive:
- High academic standing
- Graduate GPA of 3.7 or higher
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher
- A bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree in a field related to health services or public health
- Research experience and publications
- Strong service orientation
- Unique and diverse background and experiences
International and/or Undocumented Applicants
We welcome international and/or undocumented applicants. To learn about eligibility, resources, and available financial options for international students, visit the following pages:
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.
Information Sessions & Advising
1. View an information session
We highly recommend that prospective applicants attend one of our monthly Zoom information sessions.
In these hour-long presentations, we cover program format, curriculum, research, mentorship, funding, careers, and the application process; with Q&A time at the end. For many applicants, this is most efficient way to learn about the program and admissions.
2. For remaining questions, connect with our prospective student advisor
Email Lauren Szychowski (hservask@uw.edu) or schedule a Zoom advising appointment.
Connect with Faculty
We highly recommend that prospective students connect with one or more core faculty in the program before applying. We match incoming students with first year faculty advisors based on the fit of research interests, student preferences, and faculty availability.
Prospective students do not need to secure a commitment from a faculty member before applying. Though, before applying, we strongly encourage you to review faculty profiles to identify those with shared research interests.
You may reach out directly to faculty to let them know you plan to list them on your application as a potential first-year faculty advisor; and to discuss shared interests, research projects, opportunities for student involvement, and program fit.
There will be a space on the application for you to list any faculty you are interested in working with. It’s a good idea to list 1-3 faculty members if possible.
Tools to find faculty:
- HSPop faculty – research interest search tool. Under “view by program” filter for “PhD Program in Health Services”, and under “filter by faculty type” select “core”
- PhD Area of Emphasis – faculty leads are listed under each AOE title
- PhD Training Grants – click on each grant to find their faculty leads
Step Two: Prepare to Apply
Draft written materials, obtain unofficial transcripts, designate people to write letters of recommendation, and apply early for fee waivers.
Application Materials
Unofficial Transcripts
The application portal will prompt you to upload a PDF of your 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. Even if they say “official,” transcripts are considered unofficial when the applicant has access to them.
All transcripts that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation (translated by a university, government official/organization, or certified translation service) in the same format as the originals.
After the application cycle, UW will request official transcripts when an offer of admission is made (international applicants) or accepted (domestic applicants). This request will be sent to the email you use in the application portal.
View more guidelines on when and how to request official transcripts.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Upload a PDF of your updated resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
3 Letters of Recommendation
Number Required: 3
You need three letters of recommendation. Please do not submit more than three. Recommenders can be professors, academic advisors, supervisors, or mentors; they should be familiar with your academic/career/research goals and potential for achieving those goals. Recommenders should address the general topic of your suitability for the program, as well as how they know you and for how long.
Note: The application portal will prompt you to designate recommenders by entering their names and email addresses. The online application will then send specific instructions and unique links to each recommender so they can add their letters.
Note: You may add recommenders as soon as you start your application. We suggest adding them at least several weeks ahead of the deadline to give them ample time to respond.
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.
GRE Scores (optional)
Submitting GRE scores is not required. However, if official scores are submitted, they may be considered during the review process. If applicants think their GRE scores are a better representation of academic preparedness for the program, they may include their GRE scores.
Scores must be sent directly to UW from the Educational Testing Service using the UW Institution Code: 4854, and must arrive by the deadline to be considered.
Proof of English Language Proficiency (If English is not your first language)
If English is not your first language, please carefully review the UW Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for the most up-to-date information on how to demonstrate proficiency for your specific situation. There are multiple ways to demonstrate English proficiency.
Test scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using the UW Institution Code, 4854. Only scores less than two years old will be accepted.
Note: This program requires English language test scores to meet the UW Graduate School’s Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied), not the minimum score (ELP not satisfied). Reference the English Language Proficiency page for each testing site’s recommended scores.
If you have remaining questions after reviewing the ELP policy, contact the Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) team at uwgrad@uw.edu.
Application Fee and Waiver
The UW Graduate School application fee is $90.
Pay the nonrefundable fee before submitting your application.
Waivers are available to qualified applicants.
Visit the UW Graduate School fee waiver page for eligibility requirements and instructions on how to request a waiver.
If eligible, request your application fee waiver as soon as possible, at least seven days before the application deadline to ensure Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) staff have sufficient time to review your request and pay the fee on your behalf.
The application fee cannot be reimbursed. If you request an application fee waiver, do not pay the fee until you receive approval or denial. GEMS cannot waive or refund the application fee once it has been paid. Contact us if you have not heard about your fee waiver and need to submit your application before the deadline.
Please do not send fee waiver requests over email to the academic program or HSPop department. Waivers for this program are only available through the UW Grad School’s official process and we cannot grant fee waivers over email.
Essays/Written Statements
Statement of Purpose
Length: 2-3 pages, single spaced
The statement of purpose should include a description of the applicant’s professional background, career goals, and the educational objectives which they expect to meet through UW’s Health Services PhD program. An applicant should be sure to include a description of their work experience in health care or related fields, as well as any prior research experience. The admissions committee places particular importance on well-specified and realistic career objectives.
Personal Statement
Length: 1-2 pages, single spaced
The Personal History Statement is meant to give you the opportunity to offer a narrative of your lived experiences and obstacles you may have overcome and how these have guided you towards an interest in public health. This statement may include information about who you are as a person; your family or background; your socioeconomic conditions; and your experiences growing up, including successes, challenges, and moments of learning and growth. Please do not feel compelled to provide personal information you would rather not share.
Research Interests
Length: 250 words max, list okay
Describe how your research interests are aligned with the UW Health Services PhD Program.
Training Grants
Length: 100 words max
Are your research interests aligned with any of our training grants? If so, which and how?
Faculty Mentorship Preference
Length: 250 words max
Please list any faculty you are interested in having as your faculty advisor/mentor and briefly explain why. Review faculty profiles to identify 1-3 with shared research interests. You are welcome to reach out to faculty to discuss shared interests and program fit. You do not need to secure a mentorship commitment from a faculty member before you apply.
Note: Read the Connect with Faculty section above for more advice on identifying potential faculty mentors.
HSEED Award
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.
Note: All PhD applicants who are eligible and submit a complete UW Graduate School application to the program will be considered. There is no formal application process or essay.
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.
Application Sections and Materials
- Program Name: Health Services (PhD)
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores (optional)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency Scores (for select students)
- Essays/Written Statements
- Statement of Purpose
- Personal Statement
- Research Interests
- Training Grants
- Faculty Mentorship
- Pay and Submit: Pay the nonrefundable $90 application fee and submit your application. If you request a fee waiver, do not pay the fee until you receive approval or denial as it cannot be reimbursed.
UW Statement of Nondiscrimination
The University of Washington prohibits discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns, make complaints, or direct inquiries to the Civil Rights Compliance Office. The statement of nondiscrimination is located at: uw.edu/civilrights/policies-and-guidance/statement-of-nondiscrimination/