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Requirements

Admission

An applicant must meet the UWM Graduate School requirements as well as the following to be considered for admission to the program:

  • Master's degree in Biomedical and Health Informatics or a related area such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences, Business Administration, Nursing, or an MD degree. Exceptionally strong candidates with only a Bachelor's degree in a related area will also be considered for admission.
  • At least two letters of recommendation that attest to academic and/or professional qualifications.
  • Scores from either the GRE (general), GMAT, or MCAT, taken within the last five years.

For international applicants from countries whose first language is not English, a score of at least 250 on the computer-based (or 600 on the paper-based.) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. A score of 6.5 on the international English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) examination will be required in lieu of the TOEFL.

The application for admission should be filed directly with the Graduate School, along with the statement of professional interest. This statement should articulate why the applicant is interested in the program, and how the applicant's prior academic/professional background makes him/her a suitable candidate for admission. The applicant should also indicate the preferred area of concentration.

Letters of recommendation should be sent to:
Co Director
Biomedical and Health Informatics Program
College of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
3200 N Cramer St.
Milwaukee, WI 53201

Program of Study

Before a student completes 18 credits, a student must submit a completed program of study indicating their preferred track and how they intend to meet the course requirements of the track. Up to 24 credits may be transferred from prior graduate study.

Qualifying Examination

Before a student completes 24 credits, the student must pass a qualifying examination, based on the content material of the core courses (add links to core and description of the qualifying exam:

Examination

  • The examination is a closed-book, written examination. Total time allowed is 4 hours.
  • The examination will cover four core areas: medical informatics, databases, pathophysiology and ethics. Multiple questions may cover each of the areas.
  • The examination is offered twice a year; once in January and again in early September.

Evaluation

  • All questions will be evaluated on a scale of 0 to10. A passing grade is 7 or higher.
  • Students must successfully pass all four areas. Students may repeat a failed examination once.
  • The examination committee will submit their recommendations and scores to Biomedical and Health Informatics Doctoral Program Steering Committee, which will make the final decision.

Doctoral Preliminary Examination

After a student completes all course work, the student must present a proposal for a doctoral dissertation to a thesis committee and pass a preliminary examination before advancing to dissertator status. The preliminary examination may cover both graduate course material and the dissertation proposal. The preliminary examination must be successfully completed within five years of initial enrollment.

Dissertation

The candidate must complete a dissertation presenting independent original research that adds to the existing body of knowledge in Biomedical and Health Informatics. It should be of such caliber that warrants publication in respected journals.

Dissertation Defense

The final oral examination will be an oral defense of the Dissertation but may also cover the general field of the primary area of study. The examination may not be taken until all other degree requirements are satisfied. A majority of the examination committee members must approve the dissertation in order for the student to pass. The Committee shall consist of members from both Health Care and Information Technology fields. The final oral examination must be taken within five years after passing the preliminary examination. Candidates who exceed this time limit may be required to retake the preliminary examination and be admitted to candidacy a second time.

Time Limit

All components of the Ph.D. program must be completed within 10 years of matriculation.

Residence

The student must meet Graduate School residence requirements, prior to reaching dissertator status.