Admission Requirements

Applicants considered for admission to the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Health Services and Outcomes Research must meet certain requirements.   A professional degree in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Medicine (M.D.), or a Master's degree in pharmacy administration or a Master’s degree in public health, health economics, psychology, medical sociology, epidemiology, health care administration, or other health-related fields is preferred.

Outstanding students with a B.S. in the above areas are encouraged to apply and may be considered for direct admission into the Doctoral program.  

Online Application Submission

Application to the Health Services and Outcomes Research is completed electronically at Graduate Admissions

Application Contents

West Virginia University requires the following information for application through the WVU online application portal. Please note that all materials are submitted through the portal. Do not send materials to the School of Pharmacy unless instructed to do so by the Office of Student Services. 

  1. Online graduate application. The program code is 8980.
  2. Application fee.
  3. Official GRE scores (required for Fall 2025-2026). The GRE institutional code is 5904.
  4. Statement of personal goals describing your background, academic interests, and career objectives.
  5. A resume or curriculum vitae listing educational and employment history.
  6. Three letters of recommendation from persons who are in a position to evaluate your potential for graduate school. At least one recommendation must be from a person at the last school you attended for full-time study, unless you have been out of school for five years or longer.
  7. Original or certified copies of all degrees/diplomas/certificates received in the original language. 
  8. One copy of official transcripts (original or certified; minimum of a B average or a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended.
    • An online source for official transcripts (eScrip-Safe, National Clearinghouse, or Parchment) is preferred. For international Applicants, translation of an applicant’s foreign transcripts and diplomas/certificates may be sent directly to a foreign transcript service for evaluation. If using a foreign transcript service, please have the evaluated documents submitted to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions. 
    • Alternatively, sealed, untampered physical official transcripts can be sent to:
      • Domestic Applicants: WVU Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, PO Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506 OR WVU Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, 1 Waterfront Place, 2nd Floor, Morgantown, WV 26501.
        International Applicants: WVU International Admissions, PO Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506 OR WVU International Admissions, 1 Waterfront Place, 2nd Floor, Morgantown, WV 26501. 
      • International Applicants: Translation of an applicant’s foreign transcripts and diplomas/certificates may be sent directly to a foreign transcript service for evaluation. If using a foreign transcript service, please have the evaluated documents submitted to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions. 
  9. International applicants from non-English speaking countries:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or TOEFL waiver. TOEFL Code for Submissions 5904
    • International applicants must present the Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL (minimum of 550 on the paper-based exam, 79-80 on the Internet exam, or 213 on the computer-based exam) if they are from a non-English speaking country or the official language of the country is not English. Applicants are urged to arrange for one of these tests well in advance of the desired enrollment period.
    • International students who have completed a M.S. degree or any degree in the U.S. may request a waiver for submitting TOEFL results. They should contact the Office of International Students and Scholars for approval.
  10. International students should not plan to leave their country without a formal notification of admission from the Office of Admissions at WVU.

International Applicants

If you completed your bachelor’s degree in one of the following countries, then you do not have to submit a test score for English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and its territories, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Commonwealth Caribbean Countries (Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos).

The HSOR graduate program requires a score of:

Application Process

Deadline: February 1st every year, with those meeting the deadline given full consideration.

Application Review

It is important to start the application process early. Your application will be reviewed by mid-March by the admissions committee, which is composed of graduate faculty and a senior graduate student.  Applicants who pass an initial screening will be invited to participate in a video interview.  Applicants will be informed of acceptance or wait-listing no later than April 15, and of rejection by end of June. All students who apply for financial aid and admitted to the graduate program are provided graduate assistantships and tuition waiver. Students sponsored by their government or other entities (e.g., universities, employers) must provide a statement of financial support with their application. 

We value diversity and do not discriminate based on age, color, disability, ethnic origin, marital status, pregnancy, race, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

 
Students considered for admission will participate in an interview and will be notified of their candidacy in the spring prior to admission.