IPPHL Admissions

Please be prepared to complete the following steps in the application to apply: 

• Complete the online application form 
  • 3 short-answer questions limited to 1500 characters each on the following topics (please refer to application for full questions and expectations): 
    • How you have used leadership and management skills in the past to affect change 
    • A critical challenge you’re facing in your work and how IPPHL will help you address it 
    • Your career goals and how IPPHL might further your career aspirations 
  • Upload your resume or CV in PDF form. 
  • Upload a Statement of Release or Support from your supervisor in PDF form. This statement should come from an individual or department with the authority to release you for time spent online in sessions during the program, some of which may occur during work hours.
  • Upload a Letter of Recommendation from your employer or supervisor PDF form. Your Letter of Recommendation should include: 
    • Why IPPHL is a good opportunity for you 
    • How your participation in the program will benefit the larger team and organization 
    • A statement of willingness to participate in elements of the program that require survey input from your organization 

To access the application, you will be prompted to sign in to a Google account. If you do not already have an account, you will be directed to create a free account before continuing to the application.   

Program Questions

Will there be any travel or in-person programming in 2022?

No. Due to ongoing COVID-19 uncertainty around global travel and vaccine restrictions and inequity, the 2022 program will be conducted entirely virtual. The full cohort, faculty, and our communities will safely participate in a well-developed, immersive online experience.

What type of degree is awarded at the end of IPPHL? 

The International Program in Public Health Leadership is a non-degree, non-credit program offering participants a signed certificate of completion from the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington. 

What is the cost? 

There is no tuition or program fee. Participants are required to cover the cost of whatever equipment or internet is needed for the online sessions. However, IPPHL will provide a limited financial supplement during the program, and it is up to the participant to decide how best to use those funds to support their participation. 

Eligibility Questions:  

Am I eligible to apply if I work for a for-profit organization (including WHO, USAID…) in a developing country?  

Our primary objective is to train individuals who work in the country’s government health system. Individuals working for international NGOs or for-profit organizations do not fit the typical candidate profile and may not be a competitive applicant.  

I am originally from Africa but now live in the USA (or other non-African country). Can I still apply for the program? 

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be currently living and working in an African country.  

Is the program only meant for employed individuals?  

A large portion of the program relies on surveys and feedback from the participant’s workplace, as well as the ability to pull from current work situations, so we do require candidates to be employed and provide a letter of support from their organization.   

I do not have a public health degree, am I eligible to apply?  

Our target candidates for the program are individuals with a medical background or an advanced degree related to public health, development or policy. Candidates are not required to have a direct public health credential; however, they should be currently managing public health programs in their country.  

I’m a University lecturer/PhD student, am I eligible?   

Our target candidates for the program are individuals who are currently working in their ministries of health and responsible for managing public health program(s) with supervisory responsibilities. While university lecturers and professors are welcome to apply, these individuals do not fit our typical profile and may not be competitive applicants. Full-time PhD students are not eligible.   

Is there an English language test we need to submit scores for? 

There is no official English language test, but participants will be required to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English during the application process. 

Application Questions:  

Technical difficulties: the “Next” button not working 

Please try accessing the application on a different browser. Chrome is the best, but you can also try Firefox or Safari. If that doesn’t work, please email us at ipphl@uw.edu with what type of device and browser you’re using and we will help troubleshoot.

Technical difficulties: I can’t upload my letter of recommendation, statement of support, or CV/resume

• Please try accessing the application on a different browser. Chrome is the best, but you can also try Firefox or Safari. 

• Make sure you are uploading your documents as PDFs. 

Can I start the application and return to it later?  

Our application does not allow you to save and return later to a started application. Therefore, we encourage you to save your answers to questions in a word document for your own reference and prepare your material before starting the application. 

Can I make changes to my submitted application or edit the documents? 

Unfortunately, we don’t have a way to update already submitted applications or documents. However, you can submit a new application and we’ll make sure to send the most up to date version to our admissions committee. To make it easier for us to recognize the new version, please use the same email as the original application. Thank you for your understanding. 

If admitted, participants must have access to a reliable device such as a desktop computer or laptop. Live course sessions, which are roughly three hours per week during the Discovery, 9 hours over an Immersion or Evolve weekend, and one hour during the Implement sessions, require stable internet, a webcam, speakers, and microphone. We understand the quality and availability of internet is not always certain and that this may affect participation in some sessions.