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Program overview

Biomedical and Health Informatics is an interdisciplinary field that merges health, biomedicine, computer science and information technology to leverage data for enhancing human health. The goal of this program is to train researchers to contribute to the translation of basic science findings into patient care and ultimately into community standards and policy. Given the diversity of specialties that are included in the field of biomedical and health informatics, individual training will vary depending on the student’s career goals.

Admissions and course requirements

Program Details

Program requirements

Students must complete 48 credit hours, including:

  • At least 21 credit hours of coursework in the Biomedical and Health Informatics primary discipline
  • At least 9-12 credit hours outside the primary disicipline 
  • At least 6 credit hours of electives
  • 12 hours of dissertation research

Complete course listing on Academic Catalog

Program benchmarks

  • Comprehensive exams
  • Dissertation research proposal
  • Dissertation defense

Costs, aid and funding opportunities

Cost is a major consideration when deciding whether to continue your education. Please contact the program coordinator about assistantships that may be available.

We also encourage you to learn more about costs and financial aid and external funding opportunities that can make earning your degree more affordable.

Estimated costs  International student costs  Financial aid  Funding opportunities

Application Details

Application procedures and requirements

1. Prepare required documentation, including:

  • Resume/CV (PDF format)
  • A personal statement (PDF format)
    • The statement should address your specific research interests and motivation to join the program.
  • Three letters of recommendation (PDF format)
    • You will provide referee contact information on the application site. The referee receives an email invitation to upload the reference letter to the site.
  • Official college/university transcripts
    • U.S. citizens or permanent residents may send official transcripts to:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Office of Admissions Processing
5115 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64112
    • International applicants should submit transcripts to:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
International Student Affairs Office-Student Success Center
5000 Holmes Road, G-04
Kansas City, MO 64110 
  • Official GRE scores
    • GRE scores should be submitted electronically by identifying UMKC as a score recipient. The UMKC GRE code is 6872.
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS scores 
    • Only for international applicants whose native language is not English (Duolingo not accepted)
    • TOEFL scores: a minimum score of 550 (paper-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam) or 79 (internet-based exam) is required. UMKC TOEFL electronic code: 6872
    • IELTS scores: A minimum score of 6.0 is required for graduate level study at UMKC.
      • Send IELTS scores to:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
International Student Affairs Office-Student Success Center
5000 Holmes Road, G-04
Kansas City, MO 64110
2. Complete the online application. Please be sure to pay applicable domestic or international program fees.

3. Make sure you meet other discipline-specific requirements, which are listed in the Academic Catalog.

Application deadlines

  • The application window for this program is from Jan. 1-April 1. 
  • All application materials and supporting documents should be submitted no later than April 1. If April 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline will move to the next business day.
  • The deadline is the same for domestic applicants (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) and international applicants.

Still Have Questions?

Email our program coordinator for more information.
Profile photo of An-Lin Cheng

An-Lin Cheng, Ph.D.

Biomedical and Health Informatics Program Coordinator
 Email: chenga@umkc.edu