Biostatistics - M.P.H.

Full Description

The Master of Public Health degree in Biostatistics prepares students in the quantitative science of health data collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation. Graduates are equipped to use statistical methods to design and analyze health-related surveys and experiments for improving health. The college’s faculty research interests include applying biostatistical analysis to understand critical health problems.

Graduates in biostatistics are in demand at hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, state and local health departments, federal health agencies and biotechnology companies to analyze the effectiveness of new drugs and interventions, identify risk factors for disease and develop effective prevention strategies.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
• English Language Proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester​
  • Priority deadline: March 15 (international student)
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
  • Rolling admissions (domestic student)
• Spring Semester​
  • Priority deadline: August 15 (international student)
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
  • Rolling admissions (domestic student)
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions (domestic student)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.
4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.

Public Health and Health Care Systems

1. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
2. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.

Planning and Management to Promote Health

1. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
2. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
3. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
4. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management. Select methods to evaluate public health programs.

Policy in Public Health

1. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
2. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
3. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
4. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.

Leadership

1. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.
2. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.

Communication

1. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
2. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
3. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.

Interprofessional Practice

1. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams.

Systems Thinking

1. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students must consult with their advisor prior to registering for an online elective course.

²

It is expected that students enrolled in BST 60192 who do not complete the course in one term will continuously register for BST 60292 each semester, until all requirements have been met. Credit hours for BST 60292 do not apply to the minimum 46 credit hours for the degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Applied practice experience placement at an approved public health agency under the guidance of a qualified preceptor (150 or 300 contact hours).
• Final portfolio/report and a presentation integrating theory and practice.
• Participation in at least one approved interprofessional education event (IPE); IPE requires students to participate at a specific time/date to be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

• Delivery:
  • Mostly online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

The M.P.H. degree in Biostatistics is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).