Application Information

Deadlines

  • July 15 for Fall term matriculation
    • For Certificate and non-degree students matriculating in Fall term
    • For MCR students matriculating in Fall term after first year as certificate student
  • By opening date of registration for any other term based on the OHSU academic calendar (typically early November, February and May)
    • MCR students may also apply to matriculate in other terms after completing the first year as a certificate student
    • Non-degree admissions may be considered on revolving cycle when taking a course mid-year.  Note that all year-long courses being in Fall term

Applications for Fall term admissions are reviewed at one time and applicants will be notified of admission decision by mid-August. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered if space is available.

Contact hip@ohsu.edu  for any application questions.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have acquired an MD, MD/PhD, DO, DDS, DMD, DC, PharmD, OD, or an ND; have a PhD with clinical responsibilities or interest in patient-oriented research; or be a doctorally-trained nurse. Graduate students already enrolled in doctoral programs at OHSU (PhD, MD, DMD) may apply with approval from student's program director.
  • Applicants should be graduate students, faculty or staff at OHSU,  VA Portland Health Care System or at other health care facilities or institutions of higher education in Oregon or the Northwest that do not have similar training programs.
  • Applicants to the MCR* must be enrolled in the certificate program and have completed the first year curriculum successfully.  Graduates of the HIP certificate are still eligible to apply.

* Students, trainees and scholars in the Physician-Scientist Experience, OSLER TL1, OCTRI KL2 and other pre-approved training programs may apply directly to the MCR without starting in the certificate program. 

For applicants that are not affiliated with OHSU, there is a one-time background check fee and requirement for an ID badge if admitted to the program.  Students must use OHSU's background check vendor and are responsible for any fees associated with this background check.

Considerations

The HIP certificate and MCR program are different from many traditional graduate programs and are designed for enrollment concurrent with active participation in research.  This allows the education to be “just-in-time” such that students can use the training and skills as they are learned.  Three important things should be in place for students to fully engage in either degree program:

  • Active involvement in research and an active research study, or planning for research at matriculation and a research question for a study that can be developed 
  • An identified research mentor in the field who can advise you on the research study.  For new clinical fellows, this is somewhat flexible in the early weeks of the HIP program. 
  • Dedicated time to complete a degree. See here for more information about the time commitment.

Applying to the HIP Certificate

The following materials are required in the online application for the Certificate: 

1. A current curriculum vitae which includes education, residencies and fellowships.

2. Answers to the following supplemental questions:

  1. Please discuss your research focus for the next two years, including specific proposals you plan to submit or implement. (If you have a research mentor, please note this.)
  2. What are your career goals for the next 5-10 years and how will this program help you achieve these goals?
  3. What are your professional responsibilities for the next 2 years? (Specify clinical, administrative and research time.)
  4. List all research proposals or grants that you have submitted, including those that have not been funded.

3.  A letter of recommendation from your department chair or training director is required. In addition to requesting comments that will assist us in evaluating your application, we will also ask for a commitment of protected time to complete the program. The letter of reference waiver form (below) contains more guidance on what specifically should be included in the letter.

Please download the letter of reference waiver form and send to the person providing the letter of reference. The letter of recommendation will be requested directly from the recommender through the online application.

4.  Transcripts

Official transcripts from your highest degree-granting program (doctoral degree, master's, or bachelor's degree) are an admission requirement. There are two options for submitting official transcripts. 

1) Submit within the "Academic History" section of the online application. Note - ONLY transcripts from your highest degree-granting program are needed.

2) Arrange for your official transcripts to be submitted directly by:

  • email from the university or college to somgrad@ohsu.edu (preferred)
  • or mail to:
    OHSU SOM Graduate Admissions
    3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd L102GS
    Portland, OR 97239

Exceptions for transcript requirements:

  • Graduates from a doctoral degree program at OHSU do not need to submit a transcript.
  • Current HIP non-degree or certificate students submitting an application to the certificate or MCR do not need to submit a transcript if they have previously submitted one. 

OHSU COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

OHSU strongly recommends that all OHSU members, regardless of their work location or job function, remain “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccines, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the revised policy as of June 12, 2023, all students must be “fully vaccinated” or “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccinations OR they must submit a declination form via Enterprise Health and adhere to Student Health’s current requirements designed to minimize COVID-19 transmission. A step-by-step guide for declination is available here. New students wishing to submit a declination should do so when they receive their network login credentials (usually about 30 days before the start of your program).

Review OHSU Policy 03-30-150 and Policy 02-90-010, and remain in compliance for the duration of enrollment at OHSU.