Frequently Asked Questions

Tracks admitting students for 2025-2026 cohort:

• BIOSTAT
• HBMI
• HSOR
• SSH

Note that HQPS will not admit new students for the upcoming admissions cycle.

Yes. Note that the Graduate School (TGS) handles all application fee waivers directly on a first-come, first serve basis. HSIP is not involved in any application fee waiver process. Please see the Application Fee section of the TGS website to verify if you are eligible.

HSIP is a full-time doctoral program only.

No. HSIP will only allow relevant part-time work approved by your adviser, the director and The Graduate School for up to 20 hours per week. Permission to work (PTW) forms must be filled out for any new position and filled out before work begins.

Yes. English Proficiency Certification (TOEFL, IELTS or a previous degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English and approved by The Graduate School) are required for international applicants.

TGS requires a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the written test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the internet test for admission to the university. Applicants may also take the IELTS. HSIP cannot waive this requirement except for applicants with undergraduate or graduate degrees from accredited institutions where English is the language of instruction and the institution must be approved by TGS.

Duolingo English Test (DET) are not accepted by TGS.

The Graduate School (TGS) has a frequently updated list of accredited, English-speaking institutions that are TOEFL/IELTS exempt. Please send an inquiry to the HSIP Inbox (hsip@northwestern.edu) to verify if your institution counts toward a TOEFL/IELTS waiver. If your institution is not approved by TGS, you must submit either an official TOEFL or IELTS score.

No. At this time, The Graduate School does not accept DET.

HSIP can only accept valid TOEFL/IELTS scores for the English Proficiency Certification requirement if you did not earn a previous degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English and the institution must be approved by The Graduate School. Because English proficiency may change from when exams are taken, we cannot accept expired scores passed their validity period. Please refer to either the TOEFL or IELTS website for more information.

Yes, all students who are admitted are offered full tuition coverage, a stipend and paid coverage in the Northwestern University student health service and insurance plan for five years upon matriculation. HSIP students continue to receive both the tuition coverage and stipend as long as they progress satisfactorily through the program. After quarter six of a student's second year is when the funding source generally changes to their respective primary research advisor (PRA) or they are self-funded by a federal grant or external award.

Writing samples must be research papers no longer than the 30 page maximum and only submitted via the online application portal. Any papers submitted by mail or email will not be considered.  

Examples include the following: published/unpublished research papers, co-authored research with your contribution to the work designated, manuscripts (can be in-progress), grants and previous undergraduate/graduate research projects.

Note that any co-authored writing must specify the applicant's contribution to the work. A separate page noting the applicant's contribution may be added as the first page prior to the actual writing sample.

Yes, HSIP interviews all applicants to the program including all dual degree applicants (MD/PhD, JD/PhD).

Yes, The Graduate School uses a secure online application site. First, review the application instructions.

Note applications must go through the ApplyWeb system via The Graduate School. Any applications completed through SOPHAS are only for our sister Master's of Public Health (MPH) program. If you accidentally created an application in the wrong system, please email the HSIP Inbox (hsip@northwestern.edu) and confirm that you are only applying to HSIP.

The deadline is December 1, 11:59 p.m. US-Central Standard Time for all program tracks. All required materials are due, including letters of recommendations (LORs) and English Proficiency Certification. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure all materials are in by the deadline.

No. Northwestern, no longer issues paper applications.

Letters of recommendations (LORs) should be submitted via the online application portal. No additional form is needed. Recommenders are the only ones allowed to upload LORs as applicants are required to waive access to view them.

The GRE is not required.

We do not eliminate applicants from consideration solely on the basis of their GPA. Students in entering classes typically have an average undergraduate GPA between 3.2 and 4.0.

Yes. HSIP has partnered with Northwestern University's English department to offer free, non-credit resources for graduate students that can be provided in-person or remotely.

No, courses and other experiences during your first year will give you an opportunity to explore many types of research before you have to select your dissertation project.

No, HSIP generally admits students to begin Fall Quarter each year. The only exception is for those wishing to pursue the Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety (HQPS) track as they matriculate into the Summer Quarter as required courses begin in July.

No, we only offer a PhD.

No, although it may be helpful especially for applicants that did not have undergraduate research experience, a master's degree is not required to apply.

Yes. If a student is interested in a dual-degree program (i.e. MD/PhD, JD/PhD, approved master’s degrees within The Graduate School), you must be accepted into both programs.

Yes, we have a faculty directory separated by each of our program tracks: Health & Biomedical Informatics Track, Health Services & Outcomes Research, Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety, Social Sciences & Health and Biostatistics.

To contact faculty, please check the People Directory. Note that faculty may not be able to touch base with potential students until the interview phase of admissions.

No. It is not a requirement to reach out faculty. Applicants are free to contact faculty listed on our website by their desired track: Health & Biomedical Informatics Track, Health Services & Outcomes Research, Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety, Social Sciences & Health and Biostatistics.