PhD in Epidemiology and Clinical Research
Admissions
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the Stanford Graduate Admissions portal.
Application Deadline
- Deadline: December 2, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
- All supporting documents, including recommendation letters, must be received by the deadline.
Required Supporting Documents
Please submit the following materials in the Stanford Graduate Admissions application:
Statement of Purpose (including area(s) of interest)
Three letters of recommendation
Official GRE General Test scores (optional)
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
Unofficial transcripts for all college/university degrees
Curriculum Vitae (CV) with relevant work and research experience
Transcript Guidance
- Upload an unofficial transcript from each institution attended.
- Official transcripts (direct from the institution) are no longer required at the time of application. If admitted, you must provide official transcripts to Stanford Graduate Admissions for review and verification. Any offer of admission is contingent upon the authentication of official transcripts submitted directly to Graduate Admissions. (Instructions provided to admitted students.)
See Graduate Admissions transcript requirements for full guidance.
Test Score Submission
- GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores must be sent directly from ETS to Stanford.
- University code: 4704 (department code not required).
- You may self-report scores or indicate the date of a future test in your application. Self-reported scores are not official until verified by ETS.
GRE: Optional but encouraged.
TOEFL/IELTS: Required for some international applicants. See additional guidance for international applicants.
English Proficiency Requirements
To be eligible for graduate study at Stanford, you must demonstrate sufficient proficiency to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English. You are not required to submit English proficiency test scores if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- First language is English
- Degree from a university where all instruction is in English (U.S. or international equivalent)
- Two or more consecutive years of full-time professional or educational experience in English (within the past 10 years)
If you do not meet any of the criteria listed above, then at the time of application, you are required to submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) or the International English Language Testing System Academic Test (IELTS Academic) that meets the university’s minimum score for admission consideration. See Stanford Graduate Admissions English Proficiency for details and waiver information.
Application Review and Status
Applicants may check their application status at any time on the status page. Department staff will update checklists as materials are received.
Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of each application, including academic record, letters of recommendation, GRE scores (if submitted), statement of purpose, and prior achievements.
Admission decisions will be communicated by mid-April of each admissions cycle.
PhD Training Programs
Training grants are available to support potential PhD students with interests in cancer etiology, prevention, and treatment, as well as data science and population health research. PhD students are not required to participate in a training grant program.
T32 Cancer Training Grant Program
Develops the next generation of cross-disciplinary cancer genetic epidemiologists prepared to excel in multidisciplinary research teams. Learn more.
Behavioral and Social Science Research (BSSR) in Data Science and Population Health Program
Bridges data science and population health to prevent heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. Learn more.
Joint and Special Application Pathways
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
Students interested in programs within the School of Medicine Department of Epidemiology & Population Health may apply through the Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) MD-PhD application process. To apply for PhD Epidemiology and Clinical Research, please indicate MD-PhD in your Stanford supplementary application and the research essays you would like to be considered for this program. Applications for these fields will be specifically reviewed by faculty within the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, in addition to MSTP faculty. For questions and notifications regarding the application process, please contact the MSTP office. Applications are reviewed by faculty in both the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health and MSTP.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Join an exceptional group of Stanford Medicine students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). Knight-Hennessy Scholars participate in up to three years of KHS's leadership program and receive full funding for up to three years of PhD studies at Stanford.
Eligibility:
Candidates of any country may apply. Applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years and must apply separately to both KHS and a Stanford graduate program.
Current PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.
Application Deadline: October 8, 2025
Learn more about KHS admission
Transitioning to Stanford
The Department of Epidemiology and Population Health sponsors a Student Ambassador Program to help current and prospective students transition to Stanford.
EPH Ambassadors are current MS and PhD students who volunteer to answer questions about the program, department, and student life. They do not review or assist with individual applications but serve as a supportive resource for incoming students.