Building on a tradition of outstanding informatics education and research at Missouri, the doctoral program is a joint program of 43 faculty from 14 different departments in seven schools/colleges, including the Departments of Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Family and Community Medicine, Geology, Health Management and Informatics, Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Information Science and Learning Technologies, Life Sciences, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Nursing, Pathology & Anatomical Sciences, and Physics who make up the Institute for Data Science and Informatics (MUIDSI). The Institute offers emphasis areas in bioinformatics and health informatics. Each emphasis area stresses skill sets and research appropriate to the subfield within the broad area of informatics. A core curriculum provides all students with a foundation of knowledge and tools in biology, computer sciences, health systems, and statistics, after which they complete further coursework in their chosen emphasis area. The integrated program assures broad exposure to the field and fosters new insights and innovative research concepts.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
The Informatics Institute offers a doctoral degree (PhD) in two tracks: bioinformatics and health informatics.
Students with areas of interests outside of informatics may also wish to pursue a collaborative degree program between MUII and other degree programs. The purpose of the collaborative degree program is to allow students the opportunity to obtain advanced degrees in fields that complement the study of informatics and expand the student’s knowledge and applicability.
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
| Fall | December 1* | March 1 |
- Preferred GPA: 3.3 out of 4.0
- Sufficient background and training to pursue advanced degree in informatics
Preferred GRE Scores
| Test Type | Verbal + Quantitative | Analytical |
| GRE | 307 | 3.5-4.0 |
OR
Preferred GMAT Score
| Test Type | Overall Score |
| GMAT | 570 |
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Informatics Program
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose, which should include a summary of why you are interested in pursuing an advanced informatics degree, a brief description of your previous research experiences, the specific area of informatics you are interested in pursuing, and your future career goals and plans in the informatics field.
- GRE/GMAT scores (optional)
- TOEFL/IELTS scores for international applicants, if required.
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors who can evaluate the applicant’s credentials and potential to become successful in the area of informatics.
- Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)
- A scanned copy of transcripts from each postsecondary institution.
- Optional documents: applicants are encouraged to submit representative publications in informatics, if available.