Skip to Search, Skip to Main navigation, Skip to local navigation, Skip to Content
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Graduate Admissions

Requirements

Successful applicants to our graduate certificate, graduate degree and Ph.D. programs must have a strong background in computing and information technology. You should be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of the undergraduate Informatics degree, to the extent relevant to your desired program.

Promising applicants lacking competencies necessary for admission to any one of our programs may be allowed to take courses that will satisfy those requirements, as determined by School of Informatics faculty. Those courses, however, would not count towards degree or certificate completion.

Graduate Admission Requirements

(for all certificate, M.S. and Ph.D. programs)

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (with demonstrated technical skills)
  • Minimum Overall GPA: 3.0 (4.0 point scale)
  • Three letters of recommendation from academic instructors and/or employers. At least two letters should be from faculty with full-time academic standing from the institute of your most recent degree.
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores from within the past five years.
    • M.S. Program Applicants: You do not need to take or submit a GRE score unless seeking direct financial assistance (such as an assistantship or fellowship) from the School of Informatics. A GRE score is not required to submit your FAFSA or to seek other federal or private financial assistance opportunities.
    • Ph.D. Program Applicants: You MUST submit a valid GRE score.
  • A statement of purpose explaining your reason for applying and your intended career path
Additional Discipline-Specific Requirements

Bioinformatics
  • Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in the life sciences or related field from an accredited four-year college/university.
  • Successful coursework in programming (i.e., C, C++ or Java), databases, statistics, genetics and molecular/cellular biology.

Health Informatics
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, biology, biochemistry, nursing, mathematics, statistics, physics, health information administration, or other similar or health-related discipline.
  • Successful coursework (or equivalent) in programming (i.e. C, C++, Java or equivalent), databases, medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology.

Human-Computer Interaction (M.S. and Graduate Certificate)

Successful applicants will have a foundation of core knowledge and skills (from either past education or work experience) in one or more of the following proficiency areas:

  • Programming – Proficiency in programming/scripting, including:
    • One or more languages (e.g., HTML, JAVA, C++ and Visual Basic)
    • A basic understanding of programming methodologies, such as system design and architecture, problem and algorithm analysis
    • Other systems knowledge such as artificial intelligence and database analysis/database technology
  • Design – Proficiency with the principles and processes of visual communication, industrial design, new media or other disciplines that deal with design theory and practice, including:
    • Knowledge and application of 3D animation and/or modeling tools
    • Design methodologies for 2D and 3D product development
    • Conceptual modeling, prototyping and product delivery
    • Fundamental concepts of visual communication (e.g., page design/layout)
    • Design principles, typography and color theory
    • Knowledge and application of a range of digital (vector and raster) authoring tools for Web or interface design
  • Social Sciences – Coursework in the following key areas:
    • Psychology (general, cognitive and behavioral)
    • Sociology and anthropology (ethnography)
    • Cross-cultural psychology and communication
    • Information management and/or Information and library science

Media Arts and Science
  • Strong background in media arts and science, fine arts, graphic design, computer science, informatics, communication/media studies or film/cultural studies
  • Students with backgrounds in the sciences or the humanities are also encouraged to apply if your interest is in developing a multidisciplinary approach to media arts.
  • Applicants with background in more visual/graphic/media fields should provide a professional portfolio.
  • Applicants without a new media, art or graphic design background should provide samples of academic writing, published papers, software or programs, or any other evidence of scholarship.

Clinical Informatics
  • Must be credentialed as a physician, nurse or other healthcare professional.

Health Information Technology

Please view our page for the Health Information Technology graduate certificate programs for admissions requirements and procedures.