HPE Admissions How to Apply - decorative

HPE Admissions

ELIGIBILITY

Active duty or civilian (Administratively Determined or GS employee) healthcare professionals who work at a Military or Federal Treatment Facility are eligible to apply for an HPE certificate or degree. HPE also admits learners through established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with various institutions. For example, HPE currently has an MOU with Veterans Affairs (VA) that allows national faculty to be admitted into the certificate program on a space-available basis.

Certificates: The IFHPE and the FHPE certificates are for individuals who wish to enhance their skills in leadership, research, and teaching. Both certificates are important stepping stones toward the masters and doctorate programs in HPE, which continue to be highly competitive with many well-qualified candidates.  

*Degrees: Individuals interested in a Master in Health Professions Education (MHPE), a Master of Education in HPE (MEd-HPE), or a PhD in HPE should apply starting Sept. 1, 2026, to be considered for the 2027-28 Academic Year that begins in May 2027. Eligible degree applicants who meet the Nov. 2, 2026, deadline by sending required materials will be considered for interviews in December. Following HPE Admissions Committee recommendations, the Graduate Education Office (GEO) will notify certificate and degree applicants by email in early to mid-February.

ADMISSIONS WINDOWS

The next HPE Admissions window will open on Sept. 1, 2026, for the cohort that will start the program at the beginning of the 2027-2028 Academic Year that starts in May 2027. This window is for both certificate and degree applicants.  Note that USU Medical Students are eligible to apply for HPE programs through a different process and timeline throughout the year.  Email HPE@usuhs.edu

for more information. 

First-time applicants to an HPE program should follow the application instructions outlined below.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW HPE APPLICANTS

*The online application link will be available Sept. 1, 2026, at Medschool, GEO, Admissions, Apply for Graduate Admission.  

Before starting your online application, please prepare the following, required information*:

Tip: Combine your documents into one, single PDF to upload with your application rather than uploading multiple files.

recommendation letters

In this section of the online application:

  • Recommender 1: Enter the name and email address of your director supervisor, who will provide a Letter of Support (LOS).* The LOS should be on letterhead with the supervisor’s email address and phone number, and state that they are your supervisor and that they approve your participation in the program for which you are applying.
  • Recommender 2 and Recommender 3: Enter the names and email addresses for two additional individuals to provide Letters of Recommendation (LORs).* 

Your letter writers should receive an automated email request; however, we recommend you contact them to confirm that they received the request.  

* If you encounter any issues uploading documents, email them directly to UniversityAdmissions@usuhs.edu and cc hpe-admission-ggg@usuhs.edu. You may also share this contact information letter writers to assist them in submitting letters by the application deadline. 

pREVIOUS EDUCATION (OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS)

In your application, please only list institutions where you received a degree and omit institutions where you may have only taken a few courses; once an institution is listed, an official transcript must be provided. This includes complete college transcripts and official transcripts of all previous graduate degrees (if applicable). Contact each institution and request that official transcripts be sent to UniversityAdmissions@usuhs.edu.  Transcripts sent directly by the applicant will not be accepted.  

Transcript Tips:

  • USU graduates will still need to submit that transcript by contacting registrar@usuhs.edu and requesting your USU transcript be added to your application.
  • Applicants who have a doctorate-level degree and currently hold a faculty appointment at USU, can provide 1) their USU Faculty Appointment letter and 2) a photo of their doctorate diploma, in place of transcripts. These materials should be sent via email to UniversityAdmissions@usuhs.edu with a cc to hpe-admission-ggg@usuhs.edu.
  • Physician (MD/DO only) applicants who hold a license to practice medicine and are board-certified in the USA can provide proof of the license and/or board certification, in place of transcripts.

Current and Returning Learners

If you are a current or returning HPE learner (have graduated from an HPE program three years or less before the start of the next academic year), you may reapply by completing an online application, and submitting a Personal Statement, CV, LOS (enter your supervisor name as Recommender 1), and, if applicable, any required documents if you are applying for a degree. You do not need to resubmit official transcripts or two LORs (enter your own name and information in the lines for Recommender 2 and Recommender 3 to bypass that section). 

Questions? Email HPE@usuhs.edu.