Frequently Asked Questions


Applying

Q: What are the general requirements and application processes for graduate admission to the University of Florida?
A: Information about general requirements and application processes for graduate admission to the University of Florida can be found at the following websites:
UF Graduate School
UF Admissions

Q: How do I submit my application materials?
A
:  Detailed application instructions can be found on the Ph.D Application Instructions, M.S. Application Instructions and Graduate Certificate Application Instructions pages.

Q:  Can I email my application materials directly to you?
A
:  No. For security reasons we do not accept any application materials by email.  Official test scores and transcripts should be sent directly to the main University of Florida Office of Admissions so they can be associated with your application. Please do not send them to the department.

Q:  Can I apply for spring semester admission?
A:  The entering classes for the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics programs begin in the fall term of each year. Due to course sequencing, we do not have entering classes that begin in the spring term.

Q:  Can I apply after the deadline?
A: The Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics will not deny any late applications, but rather this application will be considered for admission for the following fall term.


Admission Requirements

Q:  What are the minimum requirements for admission to the department’s graduate programs?
A
:  All applicants must meet the minimum requirements specified by the University of Florida graduate school.

We do not pre-review a candidate’s competitiveness for selection into our programs.

Q: Is it possible to complete the Graduate Certificate in Implementation Science or Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Informatics during undergraduate studies?
A
: The University of Florida Graduate School policy states that graduate certificates may only be pursued by students who have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution.


International Students

Q: As an international applicant, do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
A
: HOBI follows UF Admissions English proficiency guidelines.


Transferring Credit/Course Substitutions

Q: Can professional and/or graduate courses that I have already taken count towards required courses in the Ph.D., M.S. or graduate certificate program (transfer of credit)?
A
: Students seeking credit for coursework already completed must submit a request to the department’s Education Committee, which will review the request and make an approval/denial determination. Students admitted to the program will receive the necessary forms to initiate a transfer of credit from the Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics Academic Coordinator.

Q: Is it possible to replace some of the courses in the Ph.D., M.S., or certificate program with other courses that I am interested in out of the UF course catalog (course substitutions)?
A
: Any course substitutions must also meet the general UF requirements for course substitutions. Specific guidelines for substitutions related to graduate certificate programs can be found here. Students admitted to the program seeking to substitute other courses must first get the approval of their faculty mentor and then submit a course substitution request to the department’s Education Committee, which will review the request and make an approval/denial determination. The Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics Academic Coordinator will provide the necessary forms to request course substitutions.


Other Questions

Q: I’m a full-time UF employee. Can I use UF’s Employee Education Program (EEP) to enroll in Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics courses?
A: Yes. All of our on-campus courses are eligible for the EEP program, with the exception of thesis dissertation and individual study courses, per EEP guidelines. Make sure to let the Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics Academic Coordinator know you plan to enroll in the EEP program during the application process and prior to registration each semester.

Q: What are the costs of the on-campus graduate certificate, M.S. and Ph.D. programs?
A
: Average annual costs of attending the University of Florida can be found here: http://www.sfa.ufl.edu/basics/cost-of-attendance/.