PhD in Health Professions Education
Admission Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
- Prior Degrees
- Required: Baccalaureate degree
- Preferred: A combination of a master’s degree in education, social science, or related fields and significant experience in a health professions setting; OR, a master’s degree in health professions education and/or an advanced professional degree in a health professions discipline.
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Advanced standing credit determinations will be considered for applicants with master’s degrees in health professions education; master’s degrees in education, social science, or related fields; and advanced professional degrees in a health professions discipline. See the Graduate College website for details.
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Transfer of graduate credits from other institutions will be handled on a case-by-case and course-by-course basis, pursuant to the transfer process described on the Graduate College website.
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- Grade Point Average Above 3.00/4.00 or 3.75/5.00.
- Tests Required The GRE is not required for this program; however, applicants may submit their scores if they wish.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (revised Paper-Delivered Test), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four categories, OR,
- PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56
- Transcripts Registrar-issued transcripts from each college and professional school attended are required.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required. Recommendation letters should address the applicant's academic qualifications, research ability/experience, and ability to carry out advanced degree studies (including institutional/financial support, if available).
- Personal Statement Required. The statement should be a narrative that touches on the following topics:
- Past experience in HPE and/or education (including previous experience with HPE research, including mentored research projects)
- Future projects or interests
- Faculty members the applicant wants to work with
- Fit with program and why the applicant is pursuing the PhD in HPE
- Applicant characteristics or experience likely to contribute to applicant success in the PhD program, including experience with online/virtual learning, prior graduate programs, institutional support, local mentorship, etc.
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Personal Statement (part-time applicants) If applicants are planning to pursue the degree in connection with their employment (part-time), they must also include a statement of how the doctoral program of study will fit in with their professional schedules and commitments.
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) Required, highlighting research, teaching, and service experience, particularly in HPE.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum Semester Hours Required At least 96 hours from the baccalaureate or at least 64 hours from the master's degree.
- Course Work
UIC MHPE Graduates
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundational Course Work (10 hours) | ||
MPHE 506 | Introduction to Health Professions Education: Leadership, Scholarship, and Current Issues for PhD students a | |
Research Design in Education a | ||
MHPE 595 | Departmental Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course | |
Methodology Course Work | ||
A minimum of 8 semester hours. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is required; MHPE methodological courses that have not previously been taken are recommended. b | ||
Health Professions Education Area of Study Course Work | ||
A minimum of 12 hours. Specialist course work is recommended. Specialty areas could include, for example: Assessment/Measurement; Diversity/Equity/Inclusion; Curriculum/Pedagogy/Instruction; or Leadership/Management. Courses may be MHPE courses or other UIC graduate programs. | ||
Applied HPE Experience | ||
MHPE 592 | Applied HPE Experience (4 hours required, but students can take up to 8 hours) |
- a
Students may select an equivalent course with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
- b
Specific course work to fulfill these requirements should be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
Graduates with Relevant Master's (Non-UIC MPHE) and Health Professionals with Advanced Degrees without Prior Master's
Code | Title | Hours |
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Foundational Course Work (10 hours) | ||
Scholarship in Health Professions Education a | ||
MPHE 506 | Introduction to Health Professions Education: Leadership, Scholarship, and Current Issues for PhD students a | |
MHPE 595 | Departmental Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course | |
Methodology Course Work | ||
A minimum of 10 semester hours. If thesis was not completed for previous degree, additional methodology course work is recommended. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is required; MHPE methodological courses are recommended. b | ||
Health Professions Education Area of Study Course Work | ||
Applied HPE Experience | ||
MHPE 592 | Applied HPE Experience (4 hours required, but students can take up to 8 hours) |
- a
Students may select an equivalent course with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
- b
Specific course work to fulfill these requirements should be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
Graduates with Bachelor's Degree Only
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundational Course Work (10 hours) | ||
Scholarship in Health Professions Education a | ||
MPHE 506 | Introduction to Health Professions Education: Leadership, Scholarship, and Current Issues for PhD students a | |
MHPE 595 | Departmental Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course | |
Methodology Course Work | ||
A minimum of 10 semester hours. Additional methodology course work is recommended. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is required; MHPE methodological courses are recommended. b | ||
Health Professions Education Area of Study Course Work | ||
Applied HPE Experience | ||
MHPE 592 | Applied HPE Experience (4 hours required, but students can take up to 8 hours) |
- a
Students may select an equivalent course with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
- b
Specific course work to fulfill these requirements should be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.
Other Requirements
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Examinations
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Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required; written. Comprehensive exam assessing knowledge of foundational HPE content.
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Preliminary Examination: Required; oral.
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Dissertation Required; manuscript or multi-article format. MHPE 599 for a minimum of 14 semester hours