Frequently Asked Questions

The master's and certificate programs can be completed 100% online. The doctor of philosophy in biomedical informatics is a full-time, in-house program.
 

https://sbmi.uth.edu/current-students/resources.htm
 

Students enrolled full-time usually complete the certificate in two semesters and the master’s in five semesters. Students enrolled part-time must complete the certificate in three years and the master’s in eight years. Normal time for completion of the Ph.D. program is four to five years.

Note that maximum program lengths vary depending on year and semester of program entry. Please refer to a specific catalog for more details.
 

Each May, SBMI hosts Connect to give prospective students a chance to learn more about our school, the research findings of our current students and the career possibilities available in the industry. For more information on Connect, click here: https://sbmi.uth.edu/connect

SBMI also holds several times a year to discuss the admissions process with prospective students. To see a list of upcoming webinar dates, click here: https://sbmi.uth.edu/prospective-students/admission-session.htm
 

The applied track is more of a hands-on approach and students use different information systems to advance patient care. The applied track curriculum educates students in the correct and safe utilization of information systems to promote better quality of care for patients.

The research track focuses more on an abstract approach to information systems used in the healthcare field. This can include natural language processing techniques used for building clinical decision support systems or formulating algorithms used for health care datamining.

In essence, students in the research track pilot processes and innovate new technologies that are then evaluated, implemented and utilized daily by students in the applied track.
 

There is no part-time Ph.D. program. The master's and certificate programs are all offered part-time.
 

Students enrolled at TAMIU or Texas A&M International University have the opportunity to complete the graduate certificate in biomedical informatics during their fourth year of undergraduate study.

The 4+1 allows for SBMI graduate courses to satisfy advanced program electives in the majors of biomedical science, applied technology, biology, psychology, mathematics, and computer science.

Upon graduation from TAMIU, these students have the opportunity to complete the remaining master’s in biomedical informatics program requirements at SBMI in one year.
 

Yes, all students must be covered by private health insurance or an insurance policy obtained under the Affordable Care Act. Student who do not have insurance can purchase a policy provided by the UT System by clicking HERE or online at HealthCare.gov during open enrollment.
 

Admission requirements vary for each program. Visit the admission requirements webpage to view the requirements for each program.
 

To monitor your application and the receipt of any outstanding documents, please log in to your self-service center
 

Application Deadlines
 

SBMI does not allow auditing of courses. You will need to apply to the program to take courses.
 

Yes, all courses taken in the certificate or non-degree programs are transferrable into the master’s or Ph.D. programs if you have received a grade of “B” or higher in your coursework.
 

Yes, all courses taken in the traditional research track master’s program are transferrable to the Ph.D. program if you have received a grade of “B” or higher in your coursework.
 

The minimum acceptable score for TOEFL is a 87 on the Internet-based test. The minimum acceptable score for IELTS is a seven (7).
 

GPA of 3.0 or greater out of 4.0 scale.
 

We recognize degrees obtained from universities accredited by

• the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC),
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NAS),
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC),
• and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

 

Previous educators, employers or someone who can speak to your utilization of informatics, your academic ability or your potential to be a good fit for informatics.

For current students of the School of Biomedical Informatics who are applying to another SBMI program, it is highly recommended that a reference letter from at least one SBMI faculty member be submitted.
 

We strongly recommend that you submit all of your applications materials by the application deadline.
 

Applicants to our master’s program that have earned a graduate or professional degree or who have relevant healthcare or computer science work experience may submit a request for a waiver of the GRE requirement for admission to the School of Biomedical Informatics. Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. To request a waiver, applicants must send a formal request to SBMIAdmissions@uth.tmc.edu with their reasoning/justification as to why they should be exempt from the requirement.

GRE waivers will not be reviewed until the applicant has a complete application on file (minus the GRE score). This includes the application, unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended, goal statement, CV/resume, letters of recommendation and any other additional documentation (e.g. WES or ECE course-by-course evaluations and TOEFL/IELTS scores).

Waivers of the GRE requirement are not taken into consideration for our Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Informatics program.

If you have previously taken another standardized test, contact the SBMIAdmissions@uth.tmc.edu, as this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

No, SBMI utilizes a holistic review process for all applicants. This enables us to give careful consideration to all the credentials presented by the applicant. This ensures that no single factor leads to either accepting or excluding the applicant from admission.

The majority of successful applicants have individual GRE scores (quantitative, verbal and analytical) in the 50th percentile for our doctoral program.
 

We do not accept MCAT or GMAT scores for admissions to our programs.
 

You must submit TWO applications – one to the School of Biomedical Informatics and one to the School of Public Health. The application for SBMI is to be completed using ApplyNow and the application for the master’s in public health is to be completed with SOPHAS.

You do not need to apply for both programs at the same time. However, you cannot have more than 21 hours in each college in order to be eligible for the dual program. You must notify each college of your intent to pursue a dual program so the appropriate degree plans can be completed.
 

A cost estimate breakdown for the School of Biomedical Informatics can be viewed on the Registrar's website.
 

For students seeking financial assistance, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services. Students interested in scholarships or job opportunities at SBMI can find additional information at our website, the UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics.
 

https://sbmi.uth.edu/current-students-new/financial-services/
 

Yes, our OPE ID is 00495100. You can find more information here: https://www.uth.edu/student/veterans/ or contact Winston Matranga, Veteran Affairs Coordinator at 713-500-3351 or Winston.Matranga@uth.tmc.edu.
 

For all new incoming master of biomedical informatics students, Dr. Amy Franklin will act as your stand-in advisor. For all new incoming master of applied biomedical informatics students, Dr. Susan Fenton will act as your stand-in advisor.

Faculty advisors are not assigned. Students are expected to develop relationships with faculty members who they can then approach about acting as their advisor. You can learn about our faculty through your classes, the SBMI website, publications, and other sources, as well as posted YouTube videos.

All master's students will need one faculty advisor and at least one other faculty committee member. Your advisor will help you select courses each semester in order to acquire the skills and knowledge required to complete your state of the science paper and your degree.
 

Yes, a request will need to be sent to the Office of Academic Affairs (SBMIAcademics@uth.tmc.edu) including a jpeg file of a head shot (ending at the shoulder) and the mailing address to where you would like the badge mailed.
 

This PDF will give you directions for clearing your health insurance hold.
 

Click this link to view a video tutorial: Course Registration
 

https:my.uth.tmc.edu/
 

The full list of courses (updated every semester) can be found on the course offerings page
 

You can obtain the schedule by clicking on the following link: Two-Year Course Rotation.
 

Students may drop courses through their MyUTH account before the 12th day of class in the fall and spring and prior to the fourth day of class in the summer. An Add-Drop/Withdrawal/Audit form must be used after the 12th class day in the fall and spring and after the fourth class day in the summer. A grade of “WP” or “WF” will be assigned by the instructor.
 

Yes, the maximum number of transferable semester credit hours is three for the certificate program, 12 for the master’s program, and 36 for the doctoral program.
 

An approval code is the key that allows you to register and enroll in the courses on MyUTH. Please note, approval codes are only required for the following courses: practicum, directed study, preceptorship, research in biomedical informatics, and dissertation. An email showing prior approval from the instructor must be forwarded to the Office of Academic Affairs SBMIAcademics@uth.tmc.edu) in order to issue the approval code.
 

This link will provide you information regarding Poster Sessions.
 

Submit an electronic copy of your approved state of the science paper in Microsoft Word format to SBMIAcademics@uth.tmc.edu. The signed cover sheet for your respective program can be found in the student handbook and must be original signatures either mailed or dropped off in person to the Office of Academic Affairs.
 

Everything required for graduation checkout can be found on the graduation webpage in the "For Our Graduates" section under "Graduation Checkout Procedures.”