Master of Science in the Field of Biostatistics (STEM)

Program Director: Angelo Elmi

The master of science program in biostatistics trains future leaders and practitioners in the application of statistics to public health and biomedical research. Students develop the necessary practical skills for innovative and advanced methods for data analysis, enabling them to effectively communicate scientific findings in public health and biomedical research. The program takes advantage of the rich biostatistical and data science resources at GW and in the nation’s capital. Students are prepared to become independent biostatistical collaborators in interdisciplinary research settings, such as those found in private industry, pharmaceutical companies, government organizations, academic institutions, and other organizations that employ biostatisticians and/or health data scientists. The program also helps build a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in biostatistics, epidemiology, or other quantitative disciplines.

Visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health website for additional information about the school and its academic programs. Graduate admissions information, including application requirements and deadlines, can be found on the GWSPH Graduate Admissions website.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits, including 9 credits in core courses, 16 credits in biostatistics-specific courses, 7 credits in elective courses, 3 credits in advanced biostatistics selective courses, and 1 credit in a research or thesis course.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required
Core courses
PUBH 6080	Pathways to Public Health ^*
PUBH 6862	Applied Linear Regression Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 6864	Applied Survival Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 6865	Applied Categorical Data Analysis for Public Health Research
Biostatistics courses (16 credits)
PUBH 6866	Principles of Clinical Trials
PUBH 6867	Health Data Visualization
PUBH 6869	Principles of Biostatistical Consulting
PUBH 6883	Biostatistics Practicum
PUBH 6886	Statistical and Machine Learning for Public Health Research
PUBH 6887	Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 8870	Statistical Inference for Public Health Research I
Electives
7 credits in EXNS, HSML, and PUBH courses taken at the 6000 level and above. Course examples can be found in the program guide available from the School of Public Health.
Advanced biostatistics selectives
3 credits in courses selected from the list below. Additional courses taken from this list beyond the 3 credits required can be counted toward the elective requirement.
PUBH 6870	Advanced Survival Analysis Markov Multistate Models
PUBH 6871	Advanced Survival Analysis Recurrent Events
PUBH 6872	Advanced Survival Analysis Competing Risks
PUBH 6888	Neural Networks with Applications in Biomedical Research
PUBH 8871	Statistical Inference for Public Health Research II
PUBH 8875	Linear Models in Biostatistics
PUBH 8879	An Introduction to Causal Inference for Public Health Research
PUBH 8888	Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials
Final research project
One 1-credit course selected from the following:
PUBH 6897	Research in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
PUBH 6898	Master of Science Thesis (only for students who wish to complete a formal thesis)

^*Students without a prior degree from a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited school or program in public health must successfully complete the 0-credit course PUBH 6080 Pathways to Public Health within one year of matriculation. There is no fee for this course.

SPH MS graduation requirements

Graduate credit requirement: Successful completion of 36 graduate credits.
Curriculum: Successful completion of required courses.
Grade-point requirement: A minimum program grade-point average of 3.0 (B average).
Time limit requirement: The degree must be completed within five years.
Culminating experience: Successful completion of a culminating experience (e.g., thesis, final project, internship, and comprehensive exam).
CITI training requirement: All students are required to complete training regarding human subject protection regulation and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Integrity quiz and plagiarism requirement: All students are required to review the George Washington University Code of Academic Integrity and take the SPH Academic Integrity Quiz within their first semester of study.
Professional enhancement requirement: Students must participate in eight hours of public health-related lectures, seminars, and symposia, related to their field of study.