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University of Michigan School of Information

How do I apply to the Master of Health Informatics?

How to apply

The application for fall 2027 will open this September.

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Application deadlines

Priority deadline: Jan. 15  
Apply by this date to receive first consideration for UMSI scholarships.

Final deadline: May 1

Funding note: Applications received after the Jan. 15 priority deadline date will still be considered for UMSI scholarships. However, to receive first consideration for these funds you must apply by the priority deadline.Application deadlines.

Application requirements overview

Applicants from any academic or professional background are welcome and encouraged to apply to the Master of Health Informatics program. While there are no prerequisites for the master’s degree program, we recommend that applicants acquire or refresh their knowledge of a relevant analytic discipline, such as basic statistics or computer programming, prior to enrollment. Applicants are not discriminated against on any basis, including age, race, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.

All undocumented individuals are eligible for admission to any degree program at the University of Michigan and consideration for merit based awards whether or not they have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA). For help navigating the application process, please contact the Health Informatics program at [email protected].

All applicants:

  • Online application and $75 application fee, payable by credit card or electronic check. Learn more about application fee waiver eligibility.
  • Official transcripts sent by the college/university attended to [email protected]
  • Three letters of recommendation submitted via the online application system
  • Three short answer essays and a personal statement
  • Resume

Minimum requirements for admission:

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree or an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized and approved by the higher education authority in the country where the degree is earned.
  • Required academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions
  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. We do periodically admit applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.0, based on the strength of their overall application.

International applicants:

  • All the above, plus official TOEFL scores submitted by the testing agency to U-M code 1839

More information on these requirements is below.

Transcripts

As part of the online application, applicants will submit scanned or electronic versions of transcripts for all previously completed or in-progress undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Applicants who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree may submit a current transcript at the time of application and a final transcript upon conferral of the bachelor's degree.

We will accept unofficial transcripts for the review of your application and will require official transcripts if offered admission. 

  • We strongly prefer that applicants upload a copy of their transcript directly into the application (unofficial or scanned).
  • If needed, an electronic copy of your transcript can be sent directly from your institution to [email protected].
  • ​​If an e-transcript option is not available, documents can be mailed to:

University of Michigan School of Information
Attn: MHI Admissions
2200 Hayward Street Suite 2260 
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide an official score report from one of the following tests, taken within the past two years:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (strongly preferred)

    • We recommend a score of 5+ overall with 5+ in each section on the new TOEFL scale (102+ overall with 25+ in each section on the previous TOEFL scale)
    • When taking the TOEFL, use the U-M institution code: 1839
    • The School of Information does not have a specific department code for the TOEFL; you may list "99"

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

    • We recommend a score of 7.5+ overall

Applicants who have earned a bachelor's or master's degree are exempt from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria is met:

  • You are a native speaker of English.
  • You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught exclusively in English.
  • You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught exclusively in English.
  • You are a current U-M student.

Example of not meeting the English Proficiency Exemption criteria:

  • You completed two years of an undergraduate degree program at an overseas institution (Fudan University) where the medium of instruction is a language other than English. You then transferred to an institution (Monash University) where all classes are taught exclusively in English and earned a degree from that institution.

Being a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking an English proficiency exam; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit English proficiency exam.

Note for International Applicants:

UMSI does NOT require the submission of financial documentation at the time of application. International students who are admitted to the program will receive information about I-20's, F-1 visas, and submitting financial documentation in their email offer of admission. They should submit appropriate financial documentation at that time, following the instructions provided. 

Please email us [email protected] if you have additional questions about our application requirements.

Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should come from faculty members or supervisors who can provide substantive letters, who know your academic abilities, classroom work, personal qualities and professional demeanor, and who have taught or supervised you and can speak to your potential for successful graduate study.  

If you are a current or recent student, faculty members are appropriate recommenders. For current or recently graduated students, we strongly encourage a minimum of one letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Other possible recommenders include employers and leaders in organizations where you have volunteered. It is important that they are able to speak to your intellectual abilities and potential for leadership in the field of health informatics. Personal friends and family members are not appropriate recommenders.

Please note that we do not accept emailed letters of recommendation and we do not accept letters through the University of Michigan Reference Letter Service. Letter writers must upload their letters of recommendation to the online application portal themselves.

You will register your recommenders through the online application. Once registered, recommenders can submit their letters online. 

Resume

All applicants must upload a current resume or curriculum vitae as part of the online application.

Personal statement

Personal statement: How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? 

Please see the online application for further details. The Personal Statement should be one to two (1-2) pages double spaced.

Short answer essays

Within the online application, you will be asked to respond to the following questions based on your own reflection on your academic abilities, experiences, and personal qualities. Each question should be answered in 250 words or less. At the University of Michigan School of Information, we highly value academic integrity. Please be sure that any essay content that is not your own original thoughts is properly attributed.

Tip for manually entered text: You are encouraged to compose your essay in a Word document and then copy-and-paste it into the essay field.

  • What are the critical issues in the field of health informatics? Which of these are of greatest interest to you?
  • Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Based on your understanding, how would the University of Michigan Master of Health Informatics program help you achieve these goals?
  • What specific personal, professional and/or educational experience would you bring to the program and to the field?

Scholarships

The application for admission automatically provides scholarship consideration; there is no separate scholarship application. Please review the requirements and instructions before beginning the application process.