Thesis Project Preparation, Selection, and Evaluation

The doctoral thesis must be prepared under the supervision of the advisor until the final draft stage.

It should represent original research, demonstrate the candidate’s scientific maturity, and contribute new knowledge to the field.

To obtain approval for the thesis project, the postgraduate candidate must submit it to the Scientific Committee (CC) of the Heart Institute (InCor/HCFMUSP), regardless of whether the research is conducted fully or partially at the institution or involves human subjects (patients) outside the HC‑FMUSP complex. For information, contact the Scientific Committee: InCor Scientific Committee.

The Scientific Committee will forward the project to the Strictu Sensu Graduate Coordination for evaluation.

The project will then be reviewed by a statistician for data analysis and interpretation, followed by review from a member of the Program Coordinating Committee. After their approval, the project will be returned to the Scientific Committee and submitted to the Research Ethics Committee (CAPPesq) of HCFMUSP.

Research projects requiring corrections or modifications suggested by the Program Coordination Committee during the thesis evaluation will have 30 days to implement revisions. If this deadline is not met, the project will be sent back to the Scientific Committee, restarting the review process.

After initial approval, if methodological changes to the thesis project are needed, the student must re-submit the modified project to the InCor/HCFMUSP Scientific Committee. Modification requests may be submitted up to 12 months before the Qualifying Exam registration deadline. Upon CAPPesq approval, a copy must be submitted to the Program Office.

Candidates must update their curriculum vitae on the LATTES platform: Lattes CV Update.

Program Application and Enrollment

Please read carefully the 2025 Application Notice.

Applications are accepted continuously during the academic year (for dates specified in the current year’s notice) via: Graduate Student Application

****IMPORTANT: Documents submitted by email or in person will not be accepted****

Required Documents for Application

  • Application and enrollment forms (leave date blank).

  • Clear photocopy of ID (for foreign applicants: RNE – National Foreigners Registry). Note: Although registration with the Regional Medical Council is legally equivalent to an RG, the USP-wide Janus system does not accommodate this field.

  • Copy of CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID).

  • One recent 3×4 photograph.

  • Proof of COVID‑19 vaccination.

  • Copy of Undergraduate Diploma with MEC registration (both front and back). If unavailable, a recent statement from the granting institution stating the graduation date is acceptable. Statements indicating graduation after application will not be accepted.

  • English Proficiency Test result, valid for 5 years:

    • Reading Test in English for Postgraduate Candidates from Cultura Inglesa – Pinheiros branch, exclusive to the USP School of Medicine; minimum doctoral score: 60 points.

    • TOEFL iBT: minimum 61 points.

    • TOEFL CBT: minimum 173 points.

    • TOEFL PBT: minimum 500 points.

    • Institutional TOEFL is not accepted.

    • APT(A) Alumni Proficiency Test (Oral and Translation) by Associação Alumni – minimum 70 points.

    • TEAP (Tese Prime English Assessment Program) [https://teseprime.org/] – 60% for Master’s and 70% for Doctoral applicants.

  • Approval of the research project via Plataforma Brasil or CEUA by the Scientific Committee of InCor/HCFMUSP, regardless of where or whom the research involves.

  • Proof of payment of the application fee (boleto generated after document review).

Notes:

  1. Applicants with a Master’s degree earned outside USP must obtain official recognition of their title.

  2. New Enrollment (Article 50 of USP Graduate Regulations) is mandatory at initial enrollment.

Course Registration for Regular Students

Enrollment periods are semester-based and mandatory, announced via USP email.

If missed, enrollment must be completed up to 5 days before the course begins, via the Janus system authorization form.

Enrollment for regular students consists of three consecutive stages:

  1. Pre-enrollment by the Student – students select and pre-enroll in or monitor courses. Confirmation emails serve as proof.

  2. Advisor Approval – advisors review and approve the selections. If not reviewed in time, selections are automatically accepted.

  3. Instructor Approval – course instructors finalize the enrollments. If no response, pre-enrollments are automatically confirmed.

🛈 IMPORTANT: If the student chooses not to take any course during the semester, they must still register for monitoring enrollment via Janus. No advisor approval is required for monitoring.

Enrollment as a Special Student

Special students are those who wish to take USP graduate courses but are not enrolled in a formal postgraduate program, such as students from other institutions.

Information about special student enrollment is found here:
Special Student Enrollment Procedures

Credits earned as a special student are valid for up to 3 years and must be formally transferred via Janus once fully enrolled.

💡 Reminder: Contact the program office before classes start to confirm date, time, and location.

VPN Access

The VPN provides access to the USP network from any internet-connected computer.

For setup instructions, visit: VPN – USP Graduate Page or VPN – USP Library Connections