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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  • 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 iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Coursework In addition to the required coursework listed below, any remaining hours required should be distributed between Methodology coursework, Health Professions Education Area of Study coursework, and Dissertation credits according to the recommendation of the DGS and faculty advisor.​

UIC MHPE Graduates

Foundational Coursework (10 hours)
MHPE 506
Introduction to Health Professions Education: Leadership, Scholarship, and Current Issues for PhD students a
EPSY 509
Research Design in Education a
MHPE 595
Departmental Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course
Methodology Coursework
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 Coursework
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. b
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 coursework 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

Foundational Coursework (10 hours)
MHPE 501
Scholarship in Health Professions Education a
MHPE 506
Introduction to Health Professions Education: Leadership, Scholarship, and Current Issues for PhD students a
MHPE 595
Departmental Qualifying Exam Preparatory Course
Methodology Coursework
A minimum of 10 semester hours. If thesis was not completed for previous degree, additional methodology coursework is recommended. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is required; MHPE methodological courses are recommended. b
Health Professions Education Area of Study Coursework
A minimum of 14 hours. Generalist HPE coursework (such as MHPE 502 and MHPE 503) and additional HPE courses are recommended. b
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 coursework 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

Foundational Coursework (10 hours)
MHPE 501
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 Coursework
A minimum of 10 semester hours. Additional methodology coursework is recommended. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is required; MHPE methodological courses are recommended. b
Health Professions Education Area of Study Coursework
A minimum of 46 hours. Generalist HPE coursework (such as MHPE 502 and MHPE 503) and additional HPE courses are recommended. Additional coursework should be chosen from other HPE specialty areas; courses may be housed in the MHPE program or other UIC graduate programs. b
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 coursework to fulfill these requirements should be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty advisor.

Other Requirements

  • Examinations

    • ​Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required; written. Comprehensive exam assessing knowledge of foundational HPE content.

    • Preliminary Examination: Required; oral.

  • Dissertation 

    • ​Required; manuscript or multi-article format. MHPE 599 for a minimum of 14 semester hours