Program Quick Facts
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a multi-disciplinary professional degree program for graduate level practical training. It provides grounding in foundational public health knowledge and core competencies, as well as depth of training in concentration areas of specialized public health practice. The MPH with a concentration in Biostatistics focuses on the application of statistical methods in studies related to public health, medicine, and biological sciences to test hypotheses and engage in quantitative analysis of population-based public health problems and interventions.
The MPH in Biostatistics prepares students to:
- Translate research questions or aims into testable hypotheses and propose appropriate statistical methods to test those hypotheses.
- Apply statistical methods that assure a study is adequately powered for achieving scientific aims or testing a specific research hypothesis.
- Evaluate and recommend study designs based on identified strengths and weaknesses and desired study goals. Analyze and interpret data using a variety of advanced analytical tools.
- Communicate commonly used statistical ideas and methods to collaborators in non-technical terms.
The program has several major academic components:
- The introductory Integrated MPH Core classes, along with students of all MPH concentrations, for exposure to foundational principles and methods in public health practice.
- Required and elective concentration coursework in biostatistics theory and methods.
- The potential for additional public health related elective course work.
Though the MPH is a non-thesis degree program, it includes culminating experiences:
- A practicum that provides an applied practical experience with a field-based preceptor, for students to demonstrate overall public health and concentration focused problem-solving skills.
- A capstone integrative learning experience for students to bring together and apply foundational and concentration competencies, including production of a high-quality written professional product.
An individual with a baccalaureate degree or a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States may apply for admission to the program. No coursework prerequisites exist for making a successful application to this degree program.
For degree curriculum, see the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.