Admissions
The Master of Health Care Innovation was designed for people working across health care to learn together from top Penn faculty in order to navigate change and lead transformation. Improving health care is hard work. Changing the health care system requires collaboration, experimentation, and persistence. Each year we carefully select a diverse cohort of established and emerging leaders. We intentionally crafted opportunities to apply what you learn while building a strong community. We invite you to consider what you might contribute and how you might apply an MHCI degree to help improve health care.
"MHCI graduates will be the change agents for a better future."
–Kevin Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer, University of Pennsylvania Health System
The Master of Health Care Innovation degree is designed for experienced, emerging, and aspiring leaders who are passionate about improving health care. Students either are in positions that allow for innovative thinking and leadership or are on a trajectory to shape policy, behavior, operations, and strategy in future roles.
Master of Health Care Innovation students are working professionals with diverse backgrounds in health care and related fields. Students are problem-solvers who learn from each other, grow together as a cohort, and create a network of innovators.
Examples of professionals who would benefit from this degree include, but are not limited to:
- Clinician-leaders—including physicians, nurses, and other providers—who want to play a transformational role within their practice or their health system.
- Non-clinician professionals—including executives, directors, or managers—in health care delivery organizations.
- Executives, directors, and managers in the biotech, medical device, insurance, and pharma industries.
- Government employees and contractors working in federal, state, and local health agencies and insurance departments.
- Analysts and specialists in business development, clinical pharmacy, health policy, medical economics, product performance, operations, and related areas.
- Health care consultants, technologists, and entrepreneurs.
- Researchers in health-related fields.
- Health care industry sales professionals who seek to expand their understanding of the complex world of health care delivery.
- Lawyers practicing in health-related fields.
- Health care venture capitalists.
Applicants looking to transition into health care with relevant experience are encouraged to contact program staff MEHPonline@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to discuss potential alignment and gaps among your experience, the MHCI curriculum requirements, and your goals.
International applicants are welcome to apply.
Admissions are not rolling and applications will be reviewed immediately following each deadline.
To be considered, all application materials—including completed application form, official transcripts, and recommendations—must be received by the application deadline.
The application for Fall 2025 is now open. Contact the MHCI Program Manager with any questions: MEHPonline@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
| APPLICATION DEADLINES | GET YOUR DECISION | MATRICULATION BEGINS |
|---|---|---|
|
Early Access Deadline: FEB 17, 2025 |
3–4 weeks after the deadline | August 2025 |
| Standard Deadline: APR 7, 2025 | 3-4 weeks after the deadline | August 2025 |
| Final Deadline: JUN 2, 2025 | 3 weeks after the deadline | August 2025 |
The following components are required:
-
A completed online application form.
- A current résumé/CV, uploaded to the online application form.
- Personal statement (2 to 3 pages), uploaded to the online application form, that explains why you are interested in pursuing the Master of Health Care Innovation degree. See Tips below for more details.
- NOTE: Applicants with significant work experience outside health care who are looking to transition into a health care setting must also include:
- how your experience positions you to influence health care
- how you will contribute to a cohort largely comprising current health care professionals.
- NOTE: Applicants with significant work experience outside health care who are looking to transition into a health care setting must also include:
- An official transcript from each university or professional school at which you have completed coursework towards a degree. Transcripts should be sent directly from the granting institution to the Program Manager via secure email at MEHPonline@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
- NOTE: Applicants whose transcripts are in a language other than English must use WES ICAP service to submit transcripts translated into English.
- 2 recommendation forms. Recommendations should come from professional supervisors, mentors, or academic instructors who can reflect on how you will benefit from the MHCI program and your capacity to apply what you learn to lead innovation in health care.
- NOTE: You will be asked to enter your recommenders' contact information in the online application form. Recommenders will automatically receive an email with a link asking them to respond to questions in a recommendation form. No letters are required.
The Admissions Committee looks for the following in MHCI applications to help them determine the likelihood of someone’s success in the program.
- What specific area(s) or problems in health care you are passionate about innovating.
- Your ability to successfully complete the coursework, master the skills presented, and satisfy the requirements of the program.
- Your potential to become a leader in health care innovation, with the capacity to influence your current or future workplace, whether at a team level or across an entire health care system. Show us that you are in—or are on your way toward—an environment that will allow you to put those skills to work.
- Your specific career goals and why this is the right program for you.
- How your experience and perspective will contribute to both the cohort and the program’s mission: to forge a diverse network of innovative thinkers and leaders passionate about improving health care.
Please note that students in the Master of Health Care Innovation are not eligible for an F-1 student visa. International students should allow time to arrange for a B-1 visitor visa. Penn's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) could assist you with obtaining the visa.
Disclosure for non-US prospectives and students: The MHCI degree program is offered by the University of Pennsylvania, an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees and certificates conferring academic credit under applicable laws of the United States. Students who are interested in participating in the program from countries other than the United States are advised that each jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations governing online educational programs, and some jurisdictions may not recognize course credit or an online degree awarded by the University as satisfying local requirements for professional licensure, employment qualification, or other purposes. Before enrolling in this program, prospective students should investigate their jurisdiction’s treatment of foreign online programs to ensure that participation in this program will meet their objectives.
For questions about applying, please contact program staff MEHPonline@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Throughout the year, the MHCI team holds virtual information sessions. During the hour-long session:
- the Program Manager describes the program details and requirements;
- students share their experiences and the career impact of the program; and
- attendees ask questions of the presenters.
The sessions are valuable for those just beginning their degree research and those with applications in process.
View the student perspective highlights from October 2024, March 2024, January 2024, or the full session video from October 2024.
