Program Description
The Master of Science in Health Outcomes and Policy Research degree offered by the Institute for Health Outcomes and Policy is designed for students interested in studying healthcare delivery, health policy, and outcomes. As part of this program, students receive training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health research methods, health care systems and public policy.
Admission and Selection
The program is offered to qualified applicants holding a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree in a variety of disciplines including but not limited to physical, biological, and social sciences, health and medical sciences.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Admissions will be determined based on strength of academic credentials, maturity of interest, and fit with faculty interests.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university;
- Official academic transcripts (international applicants must arrange for an independent educational equivalency evaluation company to submit an evaluation of their transcripts to UT at their own expense; the evaluation report should include the grade-point average based on a 4.0 scale);
- Letter of intent (200-word minimum) describing the applicant’s specific area of epidemiological interest;
- Two letters of recommendation;
- A minimum score of 1000/300 on the old/revised Graduate Record Examination. Physicians licensed in the United States (and, under certain circumstances, persons with terminal degrees, such as a Ph.D.) may petition for the GRE requirement to be waived;
- TOEFL minimum score of 213 on the computer-based exam, or 79 on the Internet-based exam, for applicants whose first language is not English.
Technical Standards and Accommodations
The minimum abilities for eligibility to participate successfully in educational programs and activities by students enrolled in the College of Graduate Health Sciences are listed below. All persons who wish to enter one of the programs in the College should be aware of the minimum abilities required for success. Admission decisions for the College programs do not take disabilities into consideration; students may disclose their disabilities after admission to request accommodations to the UTHSC Office of Student Academic Support Services and Inclusion (SASSI) https://www.uthsc.edu/sassi/.
Minimum abilities are as follows:
- To make proper assessments and ethical judgments regarding research and professional decisions.
- To communicate effectively with colleagues and professional staff.
- To acquire necessary information developed through classroom instruction, laboratory experience, independent learning, and consultation.
- To search and evaluate articles in the scientific literature.
- To obtain, interpret, and accurately document research data.
- To complete computer-based assignments and use computers.
- To understand and carry out safety rules and precautions in the laboratory.
- To handle emergencies in the laboratory, including fire, exposure to dangerous agents, and explosions.
These abilities may be accomplished through direct student response, use of prosthetic devices, or personal assistance (e.g., readers, signers, and note takers). Purchase of prosthetic devices to aid the student in meeting these requirements is the responsibility of the student. On a case-by-case basis and upon written request of the student, the College may assist in providing attending services.
