Master of Public Health in Biostatistics

The Rutgers School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (MPH) in Biostatistics degree provides students with a clear understanding of the roles of the core disciplines in public health with sufficient knowledge of the theory and terminology used by these disciplines to allow effective participation in interdisciplinary public health efforts.

Program Overview
Curriculum Details

About the Program

The courses give students foundational and in-depth knowledge of statistical methods applied to biomedical and public health areas. Underlying theory is also introduced enabling students to learn how statistical methods are developed and applied.

Students earning their MPH in Biostatistics degree will master a common set of measurable quantitative and analytic skills, as well as be able to develop and apply statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health; health care; and biomedical, clinical, and population-based research.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.

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Master of Science (MS) vs. Master of Public Health (MPH)?

The Rutgers School of Public Health offers MPH and MS in Biostatistics degrees.

The MPH degree focuses on core areas of public health and trains students in the biostatistical concepts, methods, and skills needed to pursue a career in interdisciplinary public health.

The MS degree focuses on training students for biostatistical and pharmaceutical research and serves as preparation for doctoral degree programs.

Program Format and Length

The MPH in Biostatistics degree is offered as both a full-time and part-time program for individuals dedicated to practicing public health in a professional setting. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

Students must complete 45 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Schedule-At-A-Glance for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.

If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters). Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

Dual Degree Options

MD/MPH with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School or Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
DMD/MPH with Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences/MPH with Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Rutgers Health Sciences at Newark Campus)

Competencies

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Biostatistics will be able to:

MPH-BIST1: Apply basic probability theory and standard statistical methods to problems relevant to biomedical, clinical, and public health research
MPH-BIST2: Use statistical computer packages to organize, analyze, and report collected data
MPH-BIST3: Review and critique statistical methods and interpretations presented in published research studies, presentations, or reports
MPH-BIST4: Integrate relevant scientific background to design experimental and observational studies in biomedical, clinical, and public health research
MPH-BIST5: Communicate the results of statistical analyses both in writing and orally to investigators and lay community members

Application Deadline and Requirements

Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)

Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)

A complete application includes:

Completion of the online application
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
- Interest in the program
- Preparedness for the program
- Goals and aspirations
Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
Resume or CV
GRE General Exam (optional)
TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country

Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.

Download MPH-Biostatistics Info. Sheet

Prerequisites

3 credits in college biology, human behavior, social or health science
3 credits in college calculus
Demonstration of computer competence

Core Courses (18 credits)

PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)*
PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health

*Note: Matriculated students enrolled in the MPH in Biostatistics degree program are waived from taking the Quantitative Skills Assessment.

Practicum (3 credits)

Note: Students should review the Practice Experience webpage for information about Practicum.

PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits) [Prerequisite: APE Learning Agreement and select PHCO and concentration courses]
PRAC 0716 - Practicum Capstone (3 credits) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]
Current students (enrolled prior to Summer 2022) who have not yet completed PRAC 0716 should complete PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718; if these students complete PRAC 0716 with special permission, they are still expected to complete their Practicum Capstone over two semesters, unless they have special permission.
PRAC 0717 - Practicum Capstone-Two Semester (1.5 credits; taken in first semester of two semester capstone) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]
PRAC 0718 - Practicum Capstone-Two Semester (1.5 credits; taken in second semester of two semester capstone) [Prerequisite: Passing (P) Grade in PRAC 0717 and BIST 0551 or BIST 0610]
Students who enrolled prior to Summer 2022 are encouraged to complete PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718; PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718 are required for students who enroll Summer 2022 and after.

Review the School’s Registration Calendar for important MPH Practice Experience Registration dates specific to PRAC 0715, PRAC 0716, PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718.

Concentration Courses (15 credits)

Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.

BIST 0535 - Biostatistical Computing (Fall/Spring)
BIST 0613 - Biostatistics Theory I (Fall) [or 16:960:592 within Department of Statistics, Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences]
BIST 0615 - Applied Categorical Data Analysis (Fall)

-also-

Choose one of the following two:

BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies (Fall/Spring)
BIST 0610 - Advanced Regression Methods for Public Health Studies (Spring)

-also-

Choose one of the following two:

BIST 0627 - Applied Survival Data Analysis (Spring)
BIST 0650 - Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis (Fall)

Other Requirements (0 credits)

PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education Experience (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training on Human Subject Research Protections (For Students Enrolled Fall 2024 and After)

Recommended Electives Courses (9 credits)

Electives may be chosen from the below list of recommended courses; from the above lists of selective courses students have not taken; from other courses offered across the School of Public Health, including the School’s global courses (INTL courses); or with approval of the academic advisor. An Independent Study may also be done for up to 3-credits, with approval of the academic advisor and an SPH faculty member. Students interested in taking a graduate course at another Rutgers school must consult with their academic advisor and complete appropriate cross-registration forms in advance of registration. When choosing electives, students should consider the prerequisite requirement(s) and the location or teaching modality of the course.

BIST 0614 - Biostatistics Theory II (Fall)
BIST 0630 - Sampling Methods
BIST 0660 - Clinical Trials: Design and Analysis of Medical Experiments (Spring)
BIST 0688 - Statistical Methods in Genetics
BIST 9619 - Design of Experiments
BIST 9655 - Nonparametric Statistics
BIST 9686 - Interpretation of Data I
BIST 9687 - Interpretation of Data II
ENOH 9627 - Advanced Multivariate Methods for Environmental Health Issues
EPID 0656 - Intermediate Epidemiologic Research Methods (Fall/Spring)
EPID 0657 - Applied Methods in Epidemiologic Research (Fall/Spring)
HBSP 0600 - Health Behavior and Policy Research Design & Methods (Fall/Spring/Summer)

Students thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree may want to consider taking additional quantitative data analysis and/or research methods courses as electives.