The PhD in Health Professions Education at the MGH Institute prepares students to become health professions educators, scholars, and leaders to make contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning. The PhD program incorporates and builds on the existing Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MS-HPEd) by providing additional part-time (or full-time) blended learning for the achievement of a research-based PhD degree.

Approvals
The PhD in Health Professions Education was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in June 2019. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) approved the PhD in Health Professions Education at its September 2019 meeting.

APPLY NOW

Application Deadline

Application and Fee

All applicants are asked to submit a completed online application form along with the non-refundable $100 application fee.

GRE

The general test is required for admission in some circumstances. Applicants who have previously earned the U.S. equivalent of a master’s degree or higher are automatically exempt from the GRE requirement. If you do not meet this criteria, a copy of your score report should be uploaded directly to your online application. The GRE must have been taken within 5 years of application.  Score reports can be obtained by contacting ETS (www.ets.org). The institution code for MGH Institute of Health Professions is 3513.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  If English is not your first language, or you have graduated from an undergraduate program in a non-English speaking country, or with instruction in a language other than English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency as part of your application to the Institute.  In some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required even if you are a citizen of a country whose primary language is English.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide test scores from either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. 

Minimum TOEFL (internet-based) requirement is 80 and the minimum IELTS requirement is 6.5.

TOEFL and IELTS test requirements are automatically waived for students for whom English is a first language from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec).

For TOEFL, score reports can be obtained by contacting Educational Testing Service (ETS). MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.

For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to the MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Essay/Goal Statement

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following:

In a 500-700 word statement, please discuss your academic objectives pertaining to your proposed plan of study, including contemplated research projects and professional career goals. Include evidence from your past educational, administrative, research, or teaching experiences that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the doctoral program . Applicants should include how their goals align with those of the HPEd program related to:

• Build skills in teaching and assessment of learners in the health professions 
• Generate scholarship to address gaps in current literature supporting health professions education
• Develop skills to assess and advance change in education across the health professions

Recommendation Letters

Applicants are required to provide two recommendation letters. All recommendations will be processed electronically through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within the online application.

Recommendation letters should come from individuals who are able to address your academic ability, character and integrity, as well as your potential for graduate professional study. At least one letter should come from an academic reference. One letter is preferred from an MGH Institute faculty member particularly if you are IHP alumni or have previously worked with one of our faculty.

No more than two recommendation letters will be reviewed as part of your application.

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.