Applying to the MCI Program

Program Description

The Master of Clinical Informatics (MCI) Program is a ten-course degree program intended for professionals working in a clinical setting.  While we expect most students to enroll as part-time students, they may complete the program full-time by taking 3-4 courses per term for 3 semesters (approximately 16 months).  International students are required to enroll full-time to maintain their visa status, and all students must complete the requirements for the degree within 4 years.

The program curriculum consists of core clinical informatics courses, electives, and a capstone project. All courses meet in-person on Penn's campus in Philadelphia. As most students are working full time while pursuing their degree, courses are scheduled in the early evenings to the extent possible. Students are encouraged, though not required, to draw upon their professional experience and goals when developing their capstone project.

The MCI curriculum is designed around the 2017 AMIA Core Competencies, which represent the current best practices in informatics education at the Masters level. Students who complete the program will become proficient in informatics methods and clinical applications and be prepared to serve as applied informaticians in a variety of healthcare settings.  

Who Should Apply

The Master of Clinical Informatics Program is designed to prepare students for informatics careers in a clinical setting. These can include:

  • Health informatics practitioner (such as Chief Research or Medical Informatics Officer, Chief Information Officer, or associated staff)
  • Healthcare administrator or leader
  • Clinical Knowledge Manager or similar role

To be successful in the program, students should have demonstrated experience (either through formal, didactic training or professional experience) with:

  • The history, goals, methods (including data and information use and production), and current challenges of the major health science fields;
  • Professional experience in a clinical or clinical research environment;
  • The U.S. healthcare system, including systems of recordkeeping, billing practices, and the roles of various healthcare professionals; and
  • Current healthcare challenges, including chronic disease incidence, prevalence, and management, emerging diseases, and acute clinical outcomes.

University Resources

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimiation Statement

Graduate Student Center

Eligibility Criteria

Our target students are clinicians interested in practical training and applied clinical informatics who are already familiar with the problems that BMI seeks to solve. While a professional degree is not required, students should have experience working in a clinical setting and knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system.

Application Process

Prospective students should apply via CollegeNet. Detailed instructions are in the next section. There is a $75 application fee. Applicants will be expected to submit:

  1. Unofficial transcripts from all past degrees (official, sealed, transcripts will be required for all matriculating students)  *International applicants:  All transcripts of academic work completed at institutions outside of the U.S. must be accompanied by a certified translation / evaluation by CertiFile or WES (World Education Service).  Include a course-by-course list with number of credits and marks received.
  2. CV or resume
  3. Personal statement: a one page description of your career goals that includes a description of how the MBMI degree meets your educational objectives
  4. Two letters of recommendation
  5. Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a prior degree from an English-speaking institution or at lease one year of professional experience in an English-speaking environment are required to provide proof of English proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) for admission.  To be valid for admission, test scores must be no more than two years old at the time the recommendation for admission is received.  For information on waiving this requirement based on the conditions above, contact Meg Tanjutco.  

The application deadline for Fall 2026 is April 1, 2026. (We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2025.  Applications for Fall 2026 will open in October.)

After the application deadline passes, the MBMI Admissions Committee will review the applications and determine who will receive an offer of admission. In some cases, the committee may contact the applicant for additional information. Notification of admission will be sent out via CollegeNet to the email address provided by the applicant.