Master of Science

The MS program provides students with a strong foundation in statistical analysis and its application to the field of health sciences. Our MS program provides students with the tools and expertise to work on critical research projects, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies. Graduates of our MS program have excellent job prospects in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, government agencies, and research institutions. Graduates are in high demand as they play a pivotal role in implementing valid statistical tools in the analysis of complex health data, contributing to better decision-making, improved patient outcomes, and advancements in public health practices.

  • Degree Requirements
    • Earn 30 didactic credits
      • 8 core courses and associated labs, if any
      • 4 or more elective courses and associated labs, if any
    • Enroll in BIOS 7999 (Master’s Thesis Research), typically for 0 hours
    • Fulfill the responsible conduct of research (RCR) requirement
      • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training
      • BIOS 6004 (Ethical Principles and Practices for Biostatisticians) or IGP 8004 (Responsible Conduct in Research)
    • Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better
    • Earn ≥ B- in core courses
    • Attend 80% of department seminars
    • Submit an MS thesis and present it to thesis committee (closed forum)
    • Submit publication plan

    See the program handbook for more information

  • Typical Schedule

    Year 1

    FallSpring
    BIOS 6311 and BIOS 6311LBIOS 6312 and BIOS 6312L
    BIOS 6341 and BIOS 6341LBIOS 6342 and BIOS 6342L
    EPID 8311BIOS 6321 or elective
    BIOS 8004IGP 8004 if BIOS 6004 not taken
     Series 1 comprehensive examinations

    Year 2

    FallSpring
    BIOS 7351BIOS 7352
    ElectivesElectives
    BIOS 7999BIOS 7999
     Thesis presentation

    See the course descriptions page for more information.

    This page is for information only and subject to change without notice. Official degree requirements are listed in the Graduate School catalog.

I was attracted to the biostatistics graduate program by its size and location. My two years as an MS student gave me a great foundation in statistical methods and collaboration skills that are valuable to employers in many different fields.

Headshot of white woman with straight shoulder-length brown hair, patterned shirt, and dark blazer Elizabeth McNeer, MS 2018
Principal Biostatistician, Vanderbilt University Medical Center