FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Program Structure and Timing
Admissions
Tuition, Scholarships and Grants
Individual Courses and Credits
Miscellaneous
Program Structure and Timing
How do the public health informatics online courses work?
Our courses rely on asynchronous learning, discussion and collaboration as the principle form of communication. Via a web-based system (Blackboard), students interact extensively with one another and the instructor. You may participate anytime day or night, when your personal and professional schedules allow.
Are there any required campus visits?
No, all coursework is delivered entirely online. You will not need to travel or interrupt your work schedule for on-campus sessions.
When should I log in to the courses?
There are no specific times or days of the week for required log in (as long as assignments are completed by the due dates specified in the course syllabus). We do, however, recommend logging in at least four times per week to stay on track.
How much time should I expect to spend each week on my courses?
You should expect to spend between 8-10 hours per week on course related activities. Many readings can be downloaded and/or printed, so actual online time is much less.
How long does it take to complete the MPH PHI?
The UIC Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis, and your timelines are flexible.
Given that many of our students are employed full time, we recommend a part-time schedule of two courses in fall, two courses in spring, and one course in summer. With this schedule, MPH PHI students may graduate in as few as three years. Students who want to graduate earlier usually take courses on a full-time basis with three courses in fall, three courses in spring and one course in summer. Because all courses are not offered each semester, students are allotted five years to complete the master’s program.
Most students complete the standard MPH program in three to five years on a part-time basis. Accelerated options are available for full-time students and MPH students in the Professional Enhancement Program.
How long does it take to complete the PHI Certificate?
Many students choose to complete the certificate program in one year by taking two courses in the fall and spring and then one course in the summer. Students are allotted three years to complete the certificate program, but most finish within eighteen months.
How many credit hours do I need to earn the MPH PHI?
51 credit hours are required to complete the master’s degree, as indicated on the Master’s Degree Program Structure section of this site. Students who qualify for the Professional Enhancement Program, an accelerated Master of Public Health degree option, are required to complete 44 credit hours. See the Professional Enhancement Program page of our site for additional information.
When are the public health informatics online courses offered?
The PHI course schedule follows the Academic Calendar set forth by the University of Illinois at Chicago. Courses are offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Admissions
What are the admission requirements for the Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics? (PHI)
See the Master’s Degree Admissions page of our Web site for admission requirements.
What are the admission requirements for the Public Health Informatics (PHI) Certificate program?
See the Certificate Admissions page of our Web site for admission requirements.
When do I need to apply to the Master of Public Health in PHI?
See the Master’s Degree Admissions page of our Web site for application deadlines.
When do I need to apply to the Public Health Informatics Certificate program?
See the Certificate Admissions page of our Web site for application deadlines.
Do I need a background in computer science to apply for admission?
No. However, internet proficiency is necessary for meaningful participation in the courses. UIC does offer a dedicated staff to answer questions and provide technical support to online learners.
Is the GRE required for admission to the PHI Certificate?
The PHI Certificate program does not require a GRE score of applicants.
Is the GRE required for admission to the Master of Public Health in PHI? Are there any exceptions?
Yes, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all Master of Public Health applicants, EXCEPT:
- Applicants with a graduate or professional degree at the doctoral level, (e.g., PhD, ScD, MD, DDS, DO, DVM or JD) from an accredited U.S. or Canadian school;
- Applicants with the above-stated degrees from foreign schools whose applications are sponsored by an accepted referral service, such as AFGRAD or AMIDEAST;
- Physicians who are licensed to practice in the United States.
- NOTE: Other standardized graduate exams may often be used in lieu of the GRE (e.g., GMAT, MCAT, DAT, PCAT, and LSAT).
- NOTE: The USMLE and ECFMG will NOT be considered in lieu of the GRE.
In exceptional cases, the division director may waive the GRE requirement. If you wish to be considered for such a waiver then you submit a cover letter with the basis for your request. You plan to submit your cover letter and application in sufficient time to take the GRE and have the scores sent to the school by the application deadline, in the event that your request is denied.
Is the TOEFL required for admission any of the UIC Public Health Informatics programs?
International applicants must present evidence of English competency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within two years of application . Minimum scores required: paper-based TOEFL = 550, computer based TOEFL = 213, IBT total score = 80. The USMLE and ECFMG will not be considered in lieu of the TOEFL or as evidence of English competency.
In exceptional cases the division director may waive the TOEFL requirement. If you wish to be considered for such a waiver then you must state in a cover letter the basis for your request. You must submit your application in sufficient time to take the TOEFL and have the scores sent to the school by the application deadline in the event that your request is denied.
Tuition, Scholarships and Grants
What is the tuition for the Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics?
Online programs are assessed UIC's e-Tuition, which is a single-rate, per credit hour tuition. See the Master’s Degree Admissions page of our Web site for current tuition information.
NOTE: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice any time prior to the first day of instruction.
What is the tuition for the Public Health Informatics Certificate program?
Online programs are assessed UIC's e-Tuition, which is a single-rate, per credit hour tuition. See the Certificate Admissions page of our Web site for current tuition information.
NOTE: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice any time prior to the first day of instruction.
Am I eligible for scholarships or grants?
As a UIC student, you are eligible for all scholarships and grants available to traditional campus-based students. Please call the UIC Office of Student Financial Aid at (312) 996-3126 for further information.
Can I apply Federal or State Veteran’s benefits to the UIC Public Health programs?
A number of PHI students have successfully applied these benefits to all or part of their tuition costs. Please call the UIC Office of Student Financial Aid at (312) 996-3126 for further information.
Individual Courses and Credits
I’m not interested in getting an additional degree, but I do want to learn more about a specific topic in Public Health Informatics. Can I take a single course?
Absolutely. Professionals interested in taking only one or two specific classes can easily do so on a Credit Non-Degree (CND) basis. For information, please e-mail phi@uic.edu.
I’m not sure about e-learning in general or if I really want a degree public health informatics. Can I try out the program?
Yes. Individuals may enroll in a trial course via the Credit Non-Degree (CND) for the purpose of evaluating the content, relevance and presentation of either the MPH or Certificate Program. If you are interested in taking a single course, please e-mail phi@uic.edu.
Can I transfer PHI course credits to other programs in the School of Public Health?
Up to twelve semester hours of course credits and letter grades may be transferred toward a degree program:
- Upon the student's acceptance as a degree candidate, and
- With the consent of the academic division to which the student has been admitted.
Admission as a Credit Non-Degree (CND) student does not guarantee admission to any of the degree granting programs of UIC.
The application deadline has passed, but I can’t wait to get started. Can I begin taking classes now?
(Please e-mail phi@uic.edu to learn more about which classes might be appropriate and to enroll as a Credit Non-Degree (CND) student.) Upon acceptance into a PHI degree program, semester hours may be credited toward a degree. Successful completion of a course, however, does not guarantee admission to the not the PHI certificate or MPH program.
Can I transfer from the PHI Certificate program to the Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics?
Students who have successfully completed the PHI certificate program may apply for admission to the Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics program. Successful completion of the PHI Certificate program does not guarantee admission to the MPH PHI program.
Miscellaneous
Is your program accredited?
In compliance with the highest academic standards, the UIC School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and is a member of the Association of Schools of Public Health.
Who are your students?
Our student body is comprised of a variety of professionals. See the Why UIC PHI? page of our Web site to learn more about our diverse student body.
Where do your graduates work?
Career positions and employers of MPH PHI graduates include: public health agency analysts, health surveillance systems consultants, program outcome analysts, medical colleges and universities, physicians offices, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and international health agency specialists. In addition, graduates move on to pursue careers in such fields as banking, insurance and technology. Agencies where our graduates work include The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State Departments of Public Health, Food & Drug Administration, US Public Health Service, and the US Armed Forces.
Where do the public health informatics students reside?
UIC’s MPH PHI and PHI Certificate programs include students from all over the world. See the Why UIC PHI? page of our Web site to learn more about our growing global community.
