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
Application Steps
All applications are submitted online through the UW Graduate School system. Details on the process are below.
Step 1: Research the Program
Learn About Our Program and Requirements
Learn as much as you can about our focus, format, and program expectations to consider if the program is right for you.
Explore our website, particularly the following pages:
- Admissions: The page you’re currently on. Bookmark this as your application guide!
- Courses and requirements: Curriculum, areas of emphasis, exams, dissertation, and sample schedules
- Cost and aid – Tuition, assistantships, training grants, scholarships, and funding guides — with additional information for international and undocumented applicants
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Attend a virtual information session:
We highly recommend that prospective applicants view one of our monthly information sessions over Zoom. This presentation will walk you through details about the program, curriculum, research, funding, application advice, careers, and more; with Q&A time at the end.
For many, this is most efficient way to learn about the program.
Contact Us
After reviewing the website and information session, send us your remaining questions:
Lauren Szychowski (she/her)
Marketing Communications and Recruitment Specialist
hservask@uw.edu
Book an online prospective student advising appointment
Note: Reaching out to the prospective student advisor is not required for admission, and these are not admissions interviews. The purpose is to help clarify information so you can decide if the program is the right fit and to help with application issues.
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 PhD faculty before applying. We match incoming students with first-year faculty advisors based on the fit of research interests, student preferences, and faculty availability. These faculty advisors often become students’ dissertation chairs.
Prospective students do not need to secure a commitment from a faculty member before applying. Though, we strongly encourage you to review faculty profiles to identify those with shared research interests and reach out 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. We recommend listing at least 2-3 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
Eligibility Criteria
We consider all applicants who apply as long as they meet The UW Graduate School’s:
- Minimum degree and GPA requirements
- English language proficiency requirements. Recommended English Language Proficiency (ELP Satisfied) requirements.
UW Grad School Admissions Requirements
Holistic Review
We use a holistic admissions review process, meaning we evaluate applicants as whole people through a comprehensive assessment of their academic performance, personal qualities, and achievements. We use a rubric to rate our applicants so no factors on the following list will make or break an application.
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/or 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:
Step 2: Prepare to Apply
Draft written materials, obtain unofficial transcripts, designate people to write letters of recommendation, and apply early for fee waivers.
Application Materials
Application Fee and Waiver
Pay the $90 application fee
Non-refundable; payable online by MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. (You will be redirected to a separate page to submit payment after clicking “Submit Application’)
OR
Request a fee waiver
Visit the UW Graduate School fee waiver page for eligibility requirements and instructions on how to request a waiver.
Please do not send fee waiver requests 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.
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.
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.
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
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. Their letters 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. Once added, they will each receive emailed instructions with unique links to submit their letters.
- 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 your recommendations have been received.
- The committee only has the capacity to review three letters per applicant, please do not submit more than three.
- Applicants are expected to be in contact with each of your references to make sure they submit their letters to the online application system by the due date.
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.
GRE Scores (optional)
GRE scores are not required to be considered for admission. Most applicants do not submit scores and applicants are not penalized for not submitting them.
However, if you think your GRE scores are a better representation of your academic preparedness than your transcripts alone (e.g. because of lower GPA), you may include GRE scores to be considered.
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, 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 no waivers, but there are multiple ways to demonstrate English proficiency, including attaining a qualifying degree or taking English language tests.
Please do not email our program asking whether your degree sufficiently meets the requirement or whether you need to take tests. It’s the responsibility of each applicant to review the policy.
- For remaining questions after reviewing the ELP policy, please contact the Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) team at uwgrad@uw.edu.
Submitting English language proficiency test scores
The UW Grad School accepts TOEFL iBT, TOEFL MyBest, Duolingo, and Academic IELTS.
- Review 3.2.2 Submission of Test Scores for each testing site’s instructions to submit scores
- Please allow 14 business days from the date you requested your testing agency to electronically send your scores to the UW. After your application and fee are complete, allow an additional 2 business days for your scores to match your record.
- Only scores less than two years old will be accepted
Note: This program requires applicants to meet the Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied), NOT the Minimum Score (ELP not satisfied). Our schedule unfortunately cannot accomodate the additional English language courses required for applicants who score below the ELP Satisfied level.
- Reference the 3.2.1 Demonstration of Proficiency for each testing site’s recommended scores
- If interested in working in teaching assistantship positions please also review Policy 5.2: Conditions of Appointment for TAs who are not Native Speakers of English
Step 3: 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/