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Biostatistics Graduate Certificate

Advance your knowledge in biostatistics and epidemiology for public health

Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate equips you with the background in epidemiologic study designs, biostatistics, and statistical computing required for public health data analysis in the public and private sectors.

• Understand statistical methods and techniques such as survival analysis
• Assess and improve study designs commonly used in public health research
• Interpret standard regression models using industry-standard statistical software

Why choose Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate?

The online graduate certificate program in biostatistics offers a rigorous curriculum tailored to applications in population health. You will gain practical hands-on experience by using a wide array of statistical tools such as R, Stata, and SAS to analyze public health data. This will equip you with skills that are highly sought after in job postings for roles like management analysts, medical scientists, statisticians, and epidemiologists.

"There have been days at work when I think to myself, ‘I just learned about that last night’. It’s really exciting when you can actually see that come to be a part of your work day."

"Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program."

"I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me."

Frequently asked questions, is the program 100% online are any campus visits required.

This program can be completed 100% online with no campus visits required.

How flexible are online classes? What is my expected time commitment?

Online programs are Ohio State are designed for working professionals. The amount of credits you schedule will help determine how long it will take to complete your program. Your expected time commitment will vary based on your course load, but for every credit hour you are enrolled in, expect to complete three hours of work outside of class for studying or projects.

What does an online classroom look like?

Online courses at Ohio State are different from on-campus courses. We have designed online courses to take advantage of the benefits of the virtual experience, including connecting to outside people and ideas, presenting information, and engaging in discussions with your classmates and faculty.

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Academic Calendar

Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for online students in non-degree programs, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Biostatistics Graduate Certificate.

Spring 2025

Application Deadline December 9, 2024

Term Start Date January 6, 2025

Summer 2025

Application Deadline April 28, 2025

Term Start Date May 6, 2025

Autumn 2025

Application Deadline July 30, 2025

Term Start Date August 26, 2025

Admission Criteria

To enroll in the online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution, with a B- or higher in all course work. Learn more about non-degree admission requirements from The Ohio State University’s Graduate and Professional Admissions.

Current Ohio State graduate students

If you’re a current Ohio State graduate student, you can pursue the online biostatistics program as a graduate certificate or a minor. Students pursuing a graduate degree in the College of Public Health, such as the online Master of Public Health – Program for Experienced Professionals or online MPH in Biostatistics , may overlap no more than six credits with their graduate degree and the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, also known as  SARA , establishes uniform standards for distance education for all participating states and institutions. Ohio State joined SARA in 2015, which means Ohio State can offer most online and on-ground courses and programs in  SARA member states, districts and territories without seeking authorization in each state.

Career Outlook

Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate offers essential skills for today’s statisticians, epidemiologists, environmental health scientists and specialists, management analysts and medical scientists.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.

The curriculum for the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate is delivered 100% online. Classes are asynchronous, so you can complete coursework each week on your own schedule. Coursework is focused in the areas of biostatistics and epidemiology, understanding of statistical methods such as survival analysis and introduction to a range statistical computing packages.

PUBHEPI 6410 – Principles of Epidemiology

Introduction to the nature and scope of epidemiology; survey of basic epidemiological methods and their application to selected acute and chronic health problems.

PUBHBIO 6250 – Regression Methods for the Health Sciences

Multivariate regression methods on four problems – including logistic regression, count data regression, time‐to‐event analysis, and repeated measures data. Focused on model interpretation, hypothesis testing, confidence interval, confounding, interaction, and model selection. Illustrated with real data sets and analysis assignments.

STA 5730 – Introduction to R for Data Science

Introduces underlying concepts of the R programming language and R package ecosystem for manipulation, visualization, and modeling of data, and for communicating the results of and enabling replication of their analyses.

Understanding Online Course Types

As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.

Program Faculty

In the online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate program, you’ll learn from the same expert College of Public Health faculty that teach The Ohio State University’s on-campus courses.

Patrick Schnell

Fernanda Schumacher

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Find out how online learning has helped Ohio State students succeed.

“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”

“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”

“being able to apply everything i was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”, get started.

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About the PhD in Biostatistics Program

The PhD in Biostatistics provides training in the theory of probability and statistics in biostatistical methodology. The program is unique in its emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and data science. Students complete rigorous training in real analysis-based probability and statistics, equivalent to what is provided in most departments of mathematical statistics and in advanced data science.

PhD candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination covering coursework completed at the end of their first year. Research leading to a thesis may involve development of new theory and methodology, or it may be concerned with applications of statistics and probability to problems in public health, medicine or biology.

Application Fee Waivers: We are able to offer a limited number of application fee waivers. Learn about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a waiver .

PhD in Biostatistics Program Highlights

Conduct and publish original research.

on the theory and methodology of biostatistics

Apply innovative theory and methods

to the solution of public health problems

Serve as an expert biostatistician

on collaborative teams of investigators addressing key public health questions

Teach biostatistics effectively

to health professionals and scientists as well as to graduate students in biostatistics

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biostatistics?

Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries. We have over 750 global alumni working in academia, government, and industry.

Sample Careers and Next Steps

• Tenure Track Faculty (e.g. Assistant Professor)
• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Data Scientist
• Statistician
• Biostatistician
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Mathematical Statistician
• Principal Investigator

Curriculum for the PhD in Biostatistics

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Coursework

Calculus and linear algebra; accepted applicants are also strongly encouraged to take real analysis before matriculating

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application ,VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2024. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2024 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants

Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. 

Academic Administrator Mary Joy Argo 410-614-4454 [email protected]

• Current Students

Biostatistics PhD

Many issues in the health, medical and biological sciences are addressed by collecting and exploring relevant data. The development and application of techniques to better understand such data is a fundamental concern of our program.

This program offers training in the theory of statistics and biostatistics, computer implementation of analytic methods and opportunities to use this knowledge in areas of biological/medical research. The resources of Berkeley Public Health and the UC Berkeley Department of Statistics, together with those of other university departments, offer a broad set of opportunities to satisfy the needs of individual students. Furthermore, the involvement of UCSF faculty from the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology also enriches instructional and research activities.

A PhD degree in Biostatistics requires a program of courses selected from biostatistics, statistics, and at least one other subject area (such as environmental health, epidemiology, or genomics), an oral qualifying examination, and a dissertation. Courses cover traditional topics as well as recent advances in biostatistics and statistics. Those completing the PhD will have acquired a deep knowledge and understanding of the MA subject areas. Since graduates with doctorates often assume academic research and teaching careers, a high degree of mastery in research design, theory, methodology, and execution is expected, as well as the ability to communicate and present concepts in a clear, understandable manner.

The PhD degree program requires 4–6 semesters of coursework, the completion of the qualifying examination and dissertation (in total, a minimum of four semesters of registration is required). Biostatistics PhD students are required to take the following classes:

• PBHLTH W200 Foundations of Public Health Practice (Required for students who do not have a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited School of Public Health)
• STAT 210A Theoretical Statistics or STAT 210B Theoretical Statistics
• PBHLTH C240A Introduction to Modern Biostatistics Theory and Practice or PBHLTH C240B Biostatistical Methods: Survival Analysis and Causality
• PBHLTH 252D Introduction to Causal Inference or PBHLTH W252A Introduction to Causal Inference for Public Health Professionals or PBHLTH 252E Advanced Topics in Causal Inference
• PBHLTH 293 Biostatistics Doctoral Seminar

Qualifications

A Master’s degree in Biostatistics or a related field is recommended but not required for admission to the PhD program. Strongly recommended prerequisite courses include calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Applicants admitted without a Master’s degree may be required to go through the Biostatistics MA curriculum; students can concurrently earn that degree with no additional cost. Applicants without a Master’s degree are expected to have extensive related research and/or professional experience. Normative time to degree is 5 years.

Students entering with a relevant master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics must have a faculty advisor who is a member of the Biostatistics Graduate Group committing funding and mentorship support.

GRE Exemption Criteria

GRE General Test scores are required for admission to the Biostatistics PhD program however applicants are exempted from the requirement if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Completed two semesters of calculus for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Completed one semester of linear algebra for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Completed one semester of statistics for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Overall quantitative/math GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• For students with a Master’s in Biostatistics or a related field, graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• For international students: TOEFL score of 100 or higher OR IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.

Berkeley Public Health also exempts applicants who already hold a doctoral level degree from the GRE requirement.You can find more information on the application instructions page . There is a program page in the Berkeley Graduate Application where you can indicate you meet the criteria for GRE exemption. Applicants who are exempted from the GRE are not at a disadvantage in the application review process.

Many doctoral graduates accept faculty positions in schools of public health, medicine, and statistics and/or math departments at colleges and universities, both in the United States and abroad. Some graduates take research positions, including with pharmaceutical companies, hospital research units, non-profits, and within the tech sector.

Funding and Fee Remission

Prospective students who are US citizens or permanent residents can find more information about applying for an application fee waiver for the Berkeley Graduate Application. Fees will be waived based on financial need or participation in selected programs described on the linked website. International applicants (non-US citizens or Permanent Residents) are not eligible for application fee waivers.

All PhD students are fully funded (including tuition and fees and a stipend or salary) with the exception of Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) for the second year, if applicable. NRST is typically waived after the first year of study for PhD students when they advance to candidacy. Information on applying to GSI positions for biostatistics students can be found in the Biostatistics Division student handbook .

Tuition and fees change each academic year. To view the current tuition and fees, see the fee schedule on the Office of the Registrar website (in the Graduate: Academic section).

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about funding opportunities for the biostatistics programs.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Division of Biostatistics is committed to challenging systemic inequities in the areas of health, medical, and biological sciences, and to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in Biostatistics and related fields.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Biostatistics

Admissions Statistics

Emeritus faculty, faculty associated in biostatistics graduate group.

• Peter Bickel PhD Statistics
• David R. Brillinger PhD Statistics
• Perry de Valpine PhD Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
• Haiyan Huang PhD Statistics
• Michael J. Klass PhD Statistics
• Priya Moorjani PhD Molecular & Cell Biology
• Rasmus Nielsen PhD Integrative Biology and Statistics
• Elizabeth Purdom PhD Statistics
• Sophia Rabe-Hesketh PhD Education
• John Rice PhD Statistics
• Yun S. Song PhD Statistics; Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
• Bin Yu PhD Statistics

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Biostatistics

Program details.

Minimum Credit Hours 47

Designation The PhD in Biostatistics is a STEM-designated degree under the approved categories from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (CIP Code 26.1102).

Application Deadline December 3, 2024

Expected Duration 4-6 Years

Learning Environment Residential

Admissions Information

Who Should Apply Students with strong quantitative abilities and an interest in applications of math, statistics, and computer programming to health-related issues.

Prior Degree Required An acceptable bachelor’s degree with mathematics training at least including advanced calculus (real analysis) and linear algebra.

Letters of Recommendation Required 3 (academic and/or professional; academic preferred)

Interviews Not Required

Visit Opportunities Learn about opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and current students virtually and in person.

How To Apply

I. Complete UNC Graduate School application The Graduate School Application is a common application system for UNC Chapel Hill programs.

More Information

1. Application Fee Information on UNC Graduate School Fee Waiver Requests .

2. Faculty Interest(s)/mentor(s)

We do not require that you list faculty who support your application. Such information is not considered in the admissions process. You are asked to list faculty with whom you’d like to work; this information can be helpful to the admissions committee.

3. Applicant information,  including North Carolina residency information.

4. Area(s) of interest

Select all applicable areas of interest from the dropdown.

5. Educational history

Please upload a copy of your most recent transcript(s), including your current term grades, if applicable. (If grades are not yet available, send them to the UNC Gillings program contact as soon as they become available.) Be sure the transcript reflects the name of the institution and any degrees you received.

We advise that you order two copies of your transcript(s) to be sent to you. If you are admitted and choose to enroll, UNC will require official transcript(s) showing degree(s) awarded.

6. Community standards

You will be asked about honor code, crime, academic sanction, military discharge, etc.

7. Upload your personal statement.

Statement of purpose that should include why and or how you became interested in Biostatistics. It would also be helpful to discuss research and work experience relevant to your proposed plan of study.

8. Upload your resume or CV.

9. Enter names of recommenders. UNC will then send them an email with instructions for submitting a letter on your behalf.

3 Letters of Recommendations are required. We encourage references from professors or teachers (or teaching assistants) or work/research supervisors who have worked directly and closely with you and who can speak about you with specificity.

10. Report test scores, if applicable.

GRE scores are neither required nor typically recommended for applicants.

International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores. Code 5816 routes to UNC. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be no more than two years old.

11. Document submission (check legibility of uploads)

Applicants should preview all documents uploaded into the application system to ensure that all documents are legible for committee review.

12. Track your progress.

You will be able to track status through the Graduate School application. Once a decision is made, you will receive an email instructing login to the Graduate School application portal to see the decision letter.

II. Application Review Process

1. Department reviews application and recommends a decision.

Time-to-decision varies. Departments make recommendations to the UNC Graduate School for admitting and denying applicants. Final decisions are rendered by the UNC Graduate School.

2. UNC Graduate School reviews department recommendation and renders a final decision:

The UNC Graduate School reviews all admissions recommendations made by programs. Once final decisions have been made, the UNC Graduate School will send the applicant an email instructing them to login to their application portal to see the decision letter.

III. Costs and Funding

When estimating costs, please visit the UNC Cashier’s Office and use the Graduate and Professional Program Tuition and Fees link. Please note that the tuition and fees of graduate programs at Gillings vary from other graduate programs at UNC.

Gillings departments and concentrations consider both domestic and international applicants for funding. Please see below for helpful tips and resources:

1. Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility for UNC Graduate School scholarships and fellowships. Departments and concentrations will decide which applicants to nominate. No additional application is required.

2. Please refer to our School’s Costs and Funding page and/or UNC-Chapel Hill’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) website.

3. Apply for FEDERAL financial aid by March 1 (please verify this date via FAFSA ). If you have been admitted and completed the FAFSA form by their deadline, the UNC Office of Scholarship and Student Aid will create a financial aid package for you.

4. Funding offers through the department, such as research assistantships, are possible but not guaranteed.

5. Students positions at Gillings are posted here . The UNC Graduate School also provides resources for funding, including a listserv for incoming and current students, here .

During and After The Program

For more information on our curriculum and graduate school/career outcomes, please see our Student Handbook .

Gillings Admissions [email protected]

Melissa C. Hobgood Academic Coordinator [email protected]

Fei Zou Director of Graduate Admissions [email protected]

In its 50-year history, the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center has coordinated activities for over 40 large, multi-site clinical trials and epidemiology studies. These studies have involved hundreds of clinical or field centers and hundreds of thousands of research subjects and produced over 2,000 research publications.

Building on the research strength of biostatistics faculty who are highly engaged in various areas of methodological and applied research in clinical trials, the LICT has become a global leader in research development in the design and conduct of clinical trials.

The Biometric Consulting Laboratory provides collaborative biostatistical consultation for study design and data analysis for investigators within the Health Affairs Division of UNC and beyond.

Gillings faculty member and alum named Fulbright Scholars

Information for:.

View the latest COVID-19 operational updates | Learn more

School of Public Health

A nationally top-ranked institution that offers a superior array of advanced degrees and is home to world-renowned research and training centers.

• Degrees & Programs
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Biostatistics PhD

SPH does not require the GRE for its master’s and doctoral degree programs. Learn more about our decision regarding the GRE .

Admissions Requirements

View admissions requirements .

Program-Specific Prerequisites

Prospective applicants should have taken at least:

• Three semesters of calculus (including multivariable calculus)
• One semester of linear algebra

A year (two semesters) of coursework in undergraduate-level probability and mathematical statistics is strongly recommended. Real analysis or an equivalent proof-based course is recommended. Experience with a programming language (e.g., R, Java, C, Python) and exposure to applied statistics is helpful, but not required.

If your goal is to obtain a PhD in biostatistics, we encourage you to apply directly to the PhD program, even if you don’t already hold a master’s degree. If you are not admitted to the PhD and do not hold a previous master’s degree in statistics or biostatistics, you will be considered for admission to the master’s program if you indicate your interest on your SOPHAS application.

Students are admitted to start in the fall semester only.

Standardized Tests

International students must demonstrate English proficiency. This is typically accomplished by taking the TOEFL; a minimum score of 100 is required to be considered for admission. More information on English proficiency for international applicants is available here .

Admissions Process

The admissions committee reviews applicants on their record of academic achievement, demonstrated academic potential, letters of recommendation, background and experience, and other factors. Most PhD admissions decisions are made in December and January, and students who are admitted may be invited to attend an in-person recruiting event in mid-February.

Strong candidates who are not admitted initially may be placed on our admissions waitlist. The Division abides by the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants so that the deadline for accepting financial aid offers is April 15. The Division of Biostatistics & Health Data Science does not conduct interviews with applicants as part of the review process.

Admitted Student Profile

In a typical year, the Division admits 25 to 30 students (20 percent of the total PhD applications received) to achieve an incoming PhD class of eight to 12 students.

Application Deadlines

Priority Funding Deadline: December 1 Final Deadline: February 1

• Prospective Students
• Current Students

Contact 420 Delaware St. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-3500 [email protected]

• Degrees Offered

PhD in Biostatistics

Description.

The doctoral program in Biostatistics trains future leaders, highly qualified as independent investigators and teachers, and who are well-trained practitioners of biostatistics. The program includes coursework in biostatistics, statistics, and one or more public health or biomedical fields. In addition, successful candidates are required to pass PhD applied and theory exams and write a dissertation that reports the results of new biostatistical research undertaken by the candidate.

Likely Careers

Clinical medicine, epidemiologic studies, biological laboratory and field research, genetics, environmental health, health services, ecology, fisheries and wildlife biology, agriculture, and forestry.

Applicants usually have a degree in mathematics, statistics, or a biological field. All applicants should have the equivalent of 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics, including linear algebra, probability theory, and approximately 2 years of calculus.

Concurrent Option:    PhD/MD

Application Deadline:   Dec 1 - Autumn Quarter Entry

Competencies

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Biostatistics, graduates will be able to:

• Meet the  learning objectives of the MS program in Biostatistics ;
• Recommend and defend appropriate choices of methods to analyze independent outcome data; 
• Implement non-standard statistical methods accurately and efficiently; 
• Provide rigorous proofs characterizing the properties of standard statistical methods;
• Consult effectively with other scientists, addressing statistical issues in the design and analysis of public health or biomedical studies; and
• Design and carry out biostatistical research that will propose a new statistical method or will provide new information about the properties of existing methods.

Learning objectives for the PhD program in Biostatistics in the Generic Pathway:  Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD program in Biostatistics in the Generic Pathway, graduates will be able to:

• Recommend and defend appropriate choices of methods to analyze longitudinal, clustered and other non-independent outcome data; 
• Develop expertise in an area of biostatistical methodology; explain the strengths and weakness of different statistical methods in that area; and
• Explain both orally and in writing how advanced statistical methods work, assessing their strengths and limitations, and the place of particular methods in the larger statistical literature.

PhD in Biostatistics

The PhD program in biostatistics (BIOS) is offered through Emory’s  Laney Graduate School . The program is designed for people with strong quantitative skills and a background or interest in the biological, medical, or health sciences. The program is ideal for students seeking to deepen their knowledge of biostatistics through advanced course work, research, analysis, and collaboration. To the extent possible, the curriculum can be tailored to each student’s individual background and interests.

View a list of BIOS graduate faculty and their research interests.

View a list of current  BIOS PhD students .

For data and demographics of the Biostatistics PhD program, please click here . 

Emory Biostatistics PhD Interest Session

The department will host an interest session on October 20 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Join us to learn about the program from current students faculty and staff.  Register in advance  to receive the Zoom link.

Application Deadline

Apply early through laney graduate school.

Applications are accepted each fall  starting  in September with a December 1 deadline. Admissions are offered for the following fall only.

BIOS PhD Admission Requirements

How to Apply  

The following items are required for a successful and complete application submission:

• Degree: A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Multivariate calculus (typically Calculus III) 
• Linear algebra
• GRE scores taken within the last five years.
• Scores in the 50 th  percentile or higher are recommended
• Official TOEFL Scores for international students. Select the Emory Laney Graduate School code 5187. More information below.
• Application  + $75 application fee
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 are required. 
• Statement of Purpose: in 500 to 1500 words, tell us about your research or professional experience leading you to apply to this program. You are encouraged to share your research interest and how obtaining this degree will assist with your long-term goals.
• For applicants with a post-secondary degree from a non-US institution, a course by course educational credential evaluation is highly recommended. This will assist faculty with comparing the education of an international institution to a similar education at a U.S. institution.
• Acceptable credential evaluations from any evaluator affiliated with NACES, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .  The most common ones are  World Education Services , Educational Credential Evaluators , and  Educational Perspectives .
• Optional diversity statement

View the full list of the Laney Graduate School admission requirements here . You can also review Biostatistics admissions data on the school’s website.

*GRE scores can be waived if the applicant has a doctoral degree from a U.S. institution in a relevant field

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant , please review additional requirements to support the application through the Laney Graduate School. Biostatistics requires international applicants to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

TOEFL scores should be at least 96 on the Internet-based test, 243 on the computer-based test, and 590 on the paper-based test. Students who earned a degree from an institution within the United States may be eligible to waive the TOEFL requirement.

GRE and TOEFL Scores

The Graduate School code for both test is 5187. Please note: do not use the code for the Rollins School of Public Health. Visit the  Educational Testing Service  site for additional information.

Finalist Interviews

A small number of finalist are required to interview with faculty. We anticipate notifying finalist mid- January for interviews via Zoom beginning late January and early February.

Admissions Applications Guidance

You are encouraged to begin your application process early especially if you’re submitting credential evaluations. The Biostatics Doctoral program receives more than 200 applicants for an incoming class of eight. To ensure your application advances for review, you must apply in a timely manner that ensures a complete application is received by December 1.

A complete application is defined as all required documents including required test scores and letters of recommendation. Follow up with your recommenders well in advance of December 1 to ensure they have the opportunity to provide information prior to the deadline.

  If your application is incomplete as of December 1, your application will not advance for review.

The program will host an information session annually in October. Please join us on October 20, 2023, at 9:00 am. Registration is required Please click here for the QR code. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Could you provide more information regarding the applicant pool and admitted students?

The Laney Graduate School maintains data for the program.   Biostatistics admissions data   can be found by clicking on the hyperlink.

Question: Is the GRE required?

The Biostatistics doctoral program requires GRE scores. Scores valid from the previous 5 years through December 1 are acceptable.

Question: What is your policy regarding transcripts?

You may upload a copy of your transcript(s) issued by a registrar’s office. Ensure we are able to open the document without a password. Printed information from an institution's student information system, including advisement reports are not acceptable.

Applicants with transcripts in a language other than English: Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an official notarized translated document. You must upload the original and translated document as one file.

If you decide to submit a credential evaluation, ensure the evaluation service provides a copy of the transcript that was evaluated.

Official transcripts are required if offered admissions and at a designated time specified by the Laney Graduate Schools.

Question: I am an international student; do I need to submit TOEFL scores? Do you accept IELTS?

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL, scores for which are valid two years from the date of the exam. We must receive an official score from ETS by the application deadline.

TOEFL is waiver for applicants whose native language is not English but who have or will obtain a degree from a U.S. institution prior to beginning the program. In addition, students from countries where English is the official language (except Quebec, Canada) and language of instruction.

We only accept TOEFL.

Question : I am currently taking linear algebra or multivariant calculus. Will my application be considered?

If you are currently enrolled in either or both of the prerequisite courses, provide documentation verifying enrollment. You may be contacted to provide an unofficial transcript.

Question: Does Biostatistics accept transfer students?

Students who are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program at another institution may apply following the normal application process. Students enrolled in a Ph.D. program are required to follow the process as stated by the Laney Graduate School.

Question: Do you accept courses from Coursera to fulfill prerequisites?

No, not at this time.

Question: Can I receive an extension to the application deadline?

The application deadline of December 1st is firm.  The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications immediately. As mentioned previously, you are encouraged to begin the application early to ensure all required aspects of the application are met prior to December 1. The application remains open for five days after the December 1st deadline. 

Paying for your PhD

All full-time Emory PhD students receive a generous financial support package from the Laney Graduate School consisting of a tuition scholarship and stipend. Additionally, a 100% student health insurance subsidy is provided.

This support is for the first five years of the program, conditional upon being in good academic standing. Exceptionally qualified applicants will be considered for special admissions fellowships, which offers additional financial support up to five years contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

Special Admissions Fellowships

In addition to the tuition scholarship, stipend and health insurance subsidy, Laney Graduate School offers special fellowships designed to address specific admission priorities. Please review these opportunities in the LGS Admissions financial support overview .

Degree Requirements

The appropriate class schedule is determined on a case-by-case basis through a review and a discussion of the student's academic record, academic interests, and previous experience in the biological and health sciences.

Students are required to enroll for a minimum of 9 credit hours each semester and term. It typically takes students two-to-three years to complete PhD coursework, depending on the number of 500-level courses needed, and two years to complete their dissertation. Students who have a master's degree in biostatistics or statistics are exempt from 500-level courses.

BIOS PhD Competencies

BIOS PhD Curriculum

BIOS Courses

RSPH Course Schedules

Please review the Biostatistics PhD and the Laney Graduate School Handbooks for additional information regarding degree requirements.

PhD Curriculum

The curriculum for each student is personalized according to a student’s educational background and research interest.

All PhD students must participate in the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities (TATTO) program. This includes a three-day summer teacher training workshop (normally taken in the summer before the second year in the PhD program), serving as a teaching assistant during the second and third years in the program and practical experience in statistical consulting. Click here for more information.

All students are required to complete 12 credits of elective courses in biostatistics; at least 6 of these credits must be in 700-level courses.  Enrollment in the invited speakers seminar series (BIOS 790R) is required for the first two years of coursework in which only 2 credit hours will count toward elective hours. In addition, students are required to complete 6 credits of elective courses (at the 300-level or above) outside of biostatistics; at least 2 of these credit hours must be in epidemiology for students who lack prior training in epidemiology. Students must maintain an average GPA of at least B- and a minimum of 51 credits must be taken as graded.

PUBH 701 and PUBH 700

All students are required to have training in public health. The primary means of obtaining this knowledge is through BIOS 701: Translational Public Health Research (1 credit hour) which is taken the fall semester of your second year.

Dissertation

All PhD students are required to complete and defend a dissertation. Students are encouraged to begin exploring potential research topics as soon as they enter the program by meeting with faculty advisors. 

The doctoral dissertation must meet the requirements of both the department and Laney Graduate School. In particular, the dissertation must make a new contribution to the student’s field of study, or present a unique new interpretation on existing knowledge. Students are required to pass an oral defense of the dissertation proposal. 

Past Dissertations

Bayesian Analysis for Repeated Compositional Data and Approaches for Correcting Measurement Errors in General Multivariate Linear Model

New Statistical Techniques for High-dimensional Neuroimaging Data

Likelihood Methods for Logistic Regression with Missing Data

View more>>

The Bioinformatics Interest Group (BIG) is open to PhD students across Emory University. The main purpose of the group is to promote collaboration, share research ideas, and invoke interest from students within the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, as well as across Emory University. Learn more >>

Pharmacy Standing Order for Narcan Distribution Linked to Reduction in Overdose Deaths

Paid Parental Leave and Infectious Disease Risk Among Infants

Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics .

The PhD in Biostatistics trains students in cutting edge data analysis techniques, statistical theory, and effective collaborative skills for biomedical and public health research. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Biostatistics at the School of Public Health in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Our graduates are prepared for a career as a professional, academic, or industrial biostatistician in biomedical or epidemiologic sciences.

Our students work in research teams committed to performing innovative and impactful research in areas such as statistical genetics and genomics, clinical trials, big data analytics, machine learning and AI with applications in areas such as health equity, substance use disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, infectious diseases, and cancer.

Our students enjoy a student-focused supportive training environment based in a highly productive and collaborative research environment. We are committed to engaging in research to improve health equity and support underserved communities. We are embedded in Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital in New England and a part of the Boston University School of Public Health with a commitment to improving the health of all.

Program Directors:

• Kathryn Lunetta
• Laura White

Program Elements

Students entering with a bachelor's degree must complete a total of 64 credits (16 classes). Students entering with a master's degree must complete at least 32 credits (8 classes).

It is expected that students take courses from both the Biostatistics Department in the School of Public Health and the Mathematics & Statistics Department in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Qualifying Exams

Upon completion of coursework, each student must pass two Qualifying Examinations . One is focused on applied material and the other is focused on more theoretical topics.

Teaching Opportunities

All students are required to TA at least once during their time as a PhD student. Opportunities to teach outside of this are available to our PhD students.

Dissertation

The dissertation work must address a relevant question in statistical methodology and pose a new approach, extend an existing approach, or provide novel application of an existing method. When the dissertation is completed, the candidate defends his or her work before the dissertation committee. More information about the dissertation requirements is available in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Bulletin .

Students admitted to the PhD program (post-master or post-bachelor) in Biostatistics at Boston University as a full-time student will receive five years of financial-aid in the form of fellowship or assistantship support. The financial-aid package will consist of a stipend as well as a scholarship to cover tuition, mandatory fees, and individual basic health insurance. A student will typically be appointed as a Doctoral Research Assistant (RA).

Doctoral Research Assistantship

Eligibility (RA): All eligibility requirements for admission must be met. All qualified PhD applicants (international as well as domestic students) who intend to pursue their education as a full-time student are eligible to receive financial aid through Doctoral Research Assistantship .

How to apply (RA): Eligible individuals who are interested in being considered for Doctoral Research Assistantship must complete the standard online application for the PhD program in Biostatistics by December 1. No separate application for financial aid is required.

Click here to view the Research Assistantship Handbook.

Interdisciplinary Training Program For Biostatisticians

We support multiple students each year through an NIH-funded training grant. This program allows students to perform research rotations during the first two years of the program and receive additional mentoring and training. For more information on eligibility and requirement for the Training Grant program, click here . 

Financial Aid Opportunities

For more information, please visit GRS’s financial aid page for fellowships and scholarships and BUSPH’s financing your education page for additional internal and external funding opportunities.

All requests or questions related to admissions and financial aid should be sent to [email protected] . Applicants should not directly contact faculty members regarding admissions or funding opportunities.

Seminars, Professional Development

Our students participate in a wide range of seminars and other professional development activities . The department holds a monthly seminar series with invited speakers presenting on research from a wide range of areas in biostatistics. There are also topic specific meetings in Statistical Genetics and Genomics , Clinical Trials, Causal Inference, and Infectious Disease modeling.

The department also hosts a monthly career development workshop which covers topics related to finding internships, developing an individual development plan, alumni panels, and other topics pertinent to being a successful student and professional.

Additionally, PhD student dissertation presentations are held regularly throughout the academic year. They are open to the public and all students and faculty are encouraged to attend.

For complete information on the PhD in Biostatistics program of study, please review the PhD Handbook 2024-2025 and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Bulletin .

Alumni Careers

Our graduates are highly sought after and work in a wide variety of careers upon graduating. Below is information on our graduates' first jobs after graduation.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

All applications are due by December 1 each year for consideration for admission the following fall semester. We do not offer spring admission or part time enrollment.

Admissions Requirements

Prior academic preparation.

• At least the equivalent of a bachelor of arts degree, no specific undergraduate major is required
• One year of calculus, including multivariate calculus
• One full semester of linear algebra

*Online courses can be used to fulfill prerequisite courses if they: 1) are taken from an accredited university or college, 2) are letter-graded, and 3) carry the same credits as in-person courses at the institution.

English language requirements

Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants by submitting official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This requirement is waived only if you have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in any of the following countries prior to enrollment in GRS: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland.

Visit http://www.bu.edu/cas/prospective-students/graduate-admissions/international-students/ for additional information.

When you are ordering your score reports from ETS, please use institution code 3087 for Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

  Minimum English language proficiency scores are :

IELTS band score of 7.0 or higher.

TOEFL paper-based test: 550

TOEFL internet-based test (no exceptions will be made to the minimum requirements in each section)

• Reading– 21
• Listening– 21
• Speaking– 21
• Writing– 21

Other requirements

GRE is not required for admission.

Some research experience is preferred for PhD admission, though not required.

Application Components

Letters of recommendation.

Three letters of recommendation are required. These should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s potential as a PhD candidate and biostatistician. There are no strict requirements about who should write letters, but we strongly encourage letters from individuals who know the applicant well and a collection of letters that can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and preparation, potential to perform research, and maturity.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges are universities are required. All transcripts must be in English and WES evaluations not required for foreign transcripts .

Personal Statement

A personal statement is very important to admissions decisions. It can take many forms, but should provide insight into your motivations for pursuing graduate school and your background. Some helpful topics to discuss may include:

• Your motivation for pursuing graduate education.
• Research areas that interest you.
• Your goals and long-term interests.
• Anything in your background that you would like to highlight.
• A description of a time when you were able to overcome academic or personal challenges.
• Anything in your academic record that might require special explanation. 
• An indication of your interest in the Interdisciplinary Training Grant in Biostatistics (please see the link here for more information on the program and eligibility requirements).

Be concise! We recommend a single spaced, 11-12 point font, and one-inch margins. Do not exceed two pages.

Curriculum Vitae

Please include a current CV. This should detail your past educational and work experiences, as well as publications, research experiences and any programming or other skills you have acquired . There are many excellent guides online on how to create a CV.

Statement on Holistic Admissions

The admissions committee will consider the entire application in their evaluation including transcript, cumulative GPA, recommendations, personal statements, and research experience. GRE scores are not required and will not be considered by the admissions committee. We encourage applicants to include special circumstances as well as achievements that may not be apparent in their personal statements. This policy has been adopted to ensure that applicants are not differentially evaluated by admissions committees due to the varied impact of COVID-19 on individuals and/or due to the specific grading policies of their colleges/universities.

Additional Information

Graduate programs are jointly administered by the SPH Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Program degrees are the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Students can visit the fee waiver application to find out more information about their eligibility.

Webinar Information

Attend a live webinar via Zoom to speak with the Program Directors and learn more about the program. Fill out the Biostatistics Virtual Session Form to RSVP. The 2024 - 2025 webinar dates are as follows:

• Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 9am EDT
• Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 12pm EDT
• Thursday, November 14, 2024 @ 9am EST
• Thursday, January 16, 2025 @ 9am EST
• Wednesday, February 12, 2025 @ 9am EST

Attend a Webinar: Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 14, Jan 16, & Feb 12

For more information about the program, please email [email protected] .

Admission Requirements

Admission to our programs is competitive, especially to our PhD program. Applicants are evaluated based on the entire application package. Every year we receive approximately 340 MS applications and 230 PhD applications and offer admission to approximately 60 MS applicants and 15 PhD applicants. Below are minimum prerequisites for admission and criteria to be considered a competitive applicant.

On this page:

Minimum math requirements, uw graduate school minimum requirements, pursuing concurrent degrees.

• Proof of English language proficiency for international students

Letters of Recommendation

Math and statistics prerequisites.

Our program is mathematically rigorous  and a strong quantitative background is essential to succeed in our program.

All applicants to the MS and PhD program should have the equivalent of approximately 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics, which must include:

• Approximately three semesters or four quarters of calculus, which must include multivariate calculus
• One course in linear algebra
• One course in probability theory (calculus based)
• A probability-based course in mathematical statistics is highly encouraged, though not required.

UW course equivalents that meet these requirements

University of Washington courses which are approximate equivalents to these requirements are:

• First-year calculus; MATH 124-125-126
• Advanced multivariable calculus: MATH 224
• Linear algebra: MATH 208
• Probability: MATH/STAT 394 and/or 395

The UW Department of Math course catalog gives descriptions of these courses. This information may help you determine whether your background is sufficient to meet our prerequisites. For additional information, please contact our staff at [email protected] . 

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Requirements for Specific Degree Programs

Applicants to the MS and PhD program should have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Most students enter with a major in mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics, or computational biology; however, we also accept applicants with backgrounds in other fields if necessary math and statistics prerequisites below are fulfilled. We often have applicants from engineering, psychology, or financial/business backgrounds. Strong applicants will have solid quantitative skills. 

Important: When you apply to a UW Biostatistics graduate program, you are also formally applying to the University of Washington Graduate School. Although all acceptance decisions are made within the Biostatistics department, the UW Graduate School also has minimum admission requirements for all UW graduate programs.

If you are a UW student interested in pursuing a second/concurrent degree, please consult with your current degree program to determine the feasibility, division and sharing of credits, and timeline for pursuing a concurrent degree. See the UW Graduate School's policy on concurrent degrees.

Test Scores and GPA

• Quantitative score in the 90th percentile
• Analytic score above the 50th percentile
• Verbal score above the 70th percentile
• Test scores are valid for five years. If you choose to submit a GRE score, the score must be valid on the date you submit your application. 

Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants

English language proficiency for international applicants must be demonstrated with one of the tests accepted by The Graduate School as outlined in Policy 3.2 , unless :

You have a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom; OR from an institution from another country that can provide verification that all instruction is in English.

You are currently working on such a degree and will earn it prior to enrolling in our program.

See details about English proficiency requirements . Questions regarding this requirement may be directed to the UW Graduate School.

While our department does not have minimum score requirements, most competitive applicants will have:

• TOEFL total score ≥ 100
• TOEFL speaking score ≥ 23

Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted.

While our department does not have minimum GPA requirements besides the 3.0 GPA required by the graduate school , competitive applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.5, with mostly as in Math/Statistics coursework.

Each applicant must submit three letters of recommendation as a part of their application materials. All three letters must be submitted before an application will be considered complete for review.

More detailed information is available below, in the Department of Biostatistics Student Handbook , and in the School of Public Health's Policies and Procedures Memorandum on the PhD degree .

Program Overview | Entrance Requirements | Student Evaluations | Research and Teaching Assistantships | Seminars | Scientific Minor | Recommended Curriculum | School of Public Health's Policies and Procedures Memorandum on the PhD degree |  School of Public Health Course Search Engine | Academic Ethics

Incoming students without a strong background in basic biology are strongly encouraged to register for the course Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (260.600), held in advance of the first term each year during the latter part of August. (Click here to search for course times and descriptions.)

Students in the Bloomberg School of Public Health are expected to abide by the highest levels of academic and research integrity.   The Johns Hopkins Academic Ethics Code can be found at:  https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/PoliciesProcedures/ppm/PolicyProcedureMemoranda/Students_01_Academic_Ethics.pdf

All students must complete an online module to familiarize themselves with this code. (See http://apps2.jhsph.edu/academicethics/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/academicethics/WelcomeLoggedIn.aspx ).

As stated in the Academic Ethics Code, "violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: cheating; plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information to any agent of the University for inclusion in the academic record; violation of the rights and welfare of animal or human subjects in research; and misconduct as a member of either School or University committees or recognized groups or organizations."

For a Biostatistics student, abiding by the Academic Ethics code includes:

• School of Public Health and Health Professions
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Fill out our  academic information form  to request information about programs.

Apply Online

Apply online to the PhD program through the graduate school website. The online application is fast, easy and secure. A $50 non-refundable fee is required. 

Apply by April 15 for fall semester admission; the deadline for applying for fellowships and assistantships is Jan. 15 .

Requirements

• A master’s degree in statistics or biostatistics from an accredited college or university. For exceptional cases, applicants with a bachelor's can be considered for PhD admission. Please contact the department.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• GRE scores are not required and will not be considered.

Supplemental Materials

Before you submit your online application, ensure that you have all of the supplemental materials ready.

With your online application, you will be able to upload transcripts, your resume and personal statement. Three letters of reference will be requested through the email addresses of the recommenders.

Send materials to:

Noreen McGuire Academic Program Coordinator Department of Biostatistics 704 Kimball Tower 3435 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14214-3079

Questions? Contact Us

Contact Noreen McGuire, academic program coordinator, at  [email protected]  or (716) 829-6142.

The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and activities. The entire notice of non-discrimination can be viewed at  buffalo.edu/equity

Our Students

Lorin Miller Biostatistics PhD student

Darryl George, MA

Mary K. Scheda, BS, MS

Chong Wang, MA

Sindhuja Sridharan, MS

Andre Rei Weeks, MPH

Joseph Consiglio, MA, PhD

Yali Zhang, MPH

Yang Yang, PhD

Josh Barback Statistics Minor

Huiru Chang, MA

Carmen Tekwe, PhD

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Doctoral Programs

Biostatistics.

Biostatistics applies statistical and probability theory to human health and disease. The PhD program in biostatistics prepares individuals to develop or adapt statistical methods for solving problems in the health field. Students enjoy extensive library and computer facilities, as well as myriad opportunities for involvement in numerous research activities in the biomedical sciences and clinical research, which often lead to dissertation topics.

The department awards a number of fellowships to recognize academic achievement and support future scholarly success. As teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the program, these fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.

Admissions Requirements

While many of the applicants admitted to Columbia’s PhD program in biostatistics have already completed (or are completing) master’s degrees in biostatistics, statistics, or a related field, admission is open to well qualified students holding (or completing) bachelor’s degrees. Those admitted with a bachelor’s degree are typically strong students from programs that emphasize a rigorous background in mathematics and/or statistics.

Depending on prior training and background, students may be required to take additional master’s level course work in the Mailman School of Public Health as part of their PhD training.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all applicants must submit an official transcript from each prior institution, a statement of academic purpose, and three letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

• Deadline for Fall Admission: December 1
• Deadline for Spring Admission: No spring admission
• Resume/CV: Yes
• Writing Sample: No
• GRE General: Optional
• GRE Subject: No

View competencies, course requirements, sample schedules, and more in our Academics section.

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Statistics PhD Program

Frequently asked questions - phd statistics.

This page will help answer many of your questions specific to the University of Rochester Statistics PhD program . A separate list of frequently asked questions applies to all doctoral programs in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. If you have a question that is not answered on either of these pages, please contact the Statistics Graduate Program Administrator Karin Gasaway . We look forward to receiving your application!

Statistics PhD Application/Admissions Questions

• Should I contact faculty before applying to see if they are accepting students?
• Is prior research required for admission?
• Do I need a Master’s degree before applying to the PhD program?
• Can I transfer credits if I already have a Master’s degree?
• What is the acceptance rate?
• Where can I find the average GPA for students admitted into the program?
• If I send you my GPA or other materials, can you tell me my chances for admission?
• I want to take advantage of the automatic application fee waiver, but my final grades/letters of recommendation/test scores will not be available until after November 15. What can I do?
• Can the English test requirement be waived for international students?
• Can I send you copies of my awards or research papers?
• May I request an application fee waiver?
• When is the latest I can apply to the PhD program to be considered for full funding?
• When will my application be reviewed?

Statistics PhD General Program Questions

• What are the main differences between the traditional Statistics program and the concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB)?
• Is it possible to switch between the traditional Statistics program and the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) concentration after being admitted?
• Will I enter the program as a Master’s or PhD student?
• Who will be my academic advisor?
• What is the process for selecting my dissertation advisor?
• How does the funding package work?
• What do students do during the summer?
• How long does it take to earn the degree?
• What percentage of students successfully complete the degree? How often do people fail or drop out?
• What type of tutoring or academic support is available?
• What is the format of the comprehensive examinations during Years 1 and 2?
• How many courses are required for the degree?
• Can I take courses that are offered outside of the department?
• What is the average class size for department courses?
• What are the teaching responsibilities for students? How many courses will I need to TA?
• Will I ever work with faculty outside of the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology?
• What are the consulting responsibilities?
• Are internships required?
• Is this a STEM program?

1. Should I contact faculty before applying to see if they are accepting students?

Students are admitted to the PhD program as a whole, rather than to directly work with individual professors. Admissions decisions are made by the program’s Admissions Committee. Students are encouraged to take reading courses (BST 591) with more than one faculty member to explore potential research topics and advisors. Faculty and students typically make mutual decisions on a mentor/mentee relationship in Years 2-3 in the program.  

2. Is prior research required for admission?

While having some research experience is certainly helpful, it is not required for admission to the program.  

3. Do I need a Master’s degree before applying to the PhD program?

No, only the equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college, university, or technical school of acceptable standing is required. Students in their final year of undergraduate study are admitted on the condition that their Bachelor's degrees are awarded before they matriculate.  

4. Can I transfer credits if I already have a Master’s degree?

Transfer of credits is at the discretion of the PhD Program Director, requires the approval of the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education, and must be in accordance with University policy. Upon entering the PhD program, for each course contemplated for transfer credit, the student should provide a course description, course syllabus, and official transcript for review. A maximum of 30 credits of graduate work can be transferred into the PhD program.  

5. What is the acceptance rate?

Our program is relatively small and allows students to interact closely with faculty. The incoming PhD class size is generally 5 students per year. While the number of applications and offers can vary year to year, the acceptance rate has been approximately 10%. International applicants are given full consideration along with U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

6. Where can I find the average GPA for students admitted into the program?

Unlike some departments, we do not track GPA on a program level. Rather than using strict criteria with respect to course grades and standardized test scores (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo English), we consider each student's application as a whole and try to judge their suitability for the program. The most important criteria considered by the Admissions Committee include (1) mathematical preparation, (2) statistical preparation, (3) letters of reference, and (4) statement of purpose. Other factors, such as research experience, are also considered.  

7. If I send you my GPA or other materials, can you tell me my chances for admission?

No. The Admissions Committee needs to review your entire application and also consider the qualifications and backgrounds of other applicants. It is a competitive process, and scores alone do not determine admission.  

8. I want to take advantage of the automatic application fee waiver, but my final grades/letters of recommendation/test scores will not be available until after November 15. What can I do?

The fee waiver is based on the date the applicant submits their portion of the application. Score reports and letters of recommendation can arrive after November 15 and the fee waiver will still apply. Updated transcripts that include fall grades can be manually added to the application until January 1. Please email your updated transcript to [email protected] and include your full name and applicant reference number.  

9. Can the English test requirement be waived for international students?

Most international applicants will need to provide TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo English test scores unless they have earned or will earn an undergraduate baccalaureate degree from a U.S. educational institution (for automatic waiver) or from a country where English is an official language and all instruction is provided in English (manual waiver review). A minimum of six full semesters of academic coursework in good standing is required to qualify for a waiver regardless of whether your study is in the U.S. or a foreign country.

For consideration of any other waiver requests, including other graduate study in the United States, please email a copy of your most recent unofficial score report (even if expired) to Karin Gasaway .

For applicants who have multiple score reports or are considering retaking an English proficiency test, please note that we do not require official score reports until late in the admissions process. In most circumstances, the Admissions Committee will consider self-reported scores. Please upload a copy of your unofficial score report(s) to the “Other Documents” section of the application.  

10. Can I send you copies of my awards or research papers?

You may upload any additional documents that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in the “Other Documents” section of the application.  

11. May I request an application fee waiver?

The application fee is automatically waived for all PhD applications submitted by November 15. Please allow 90 minutes for the waiver to process. If you are applying after November 15 and the $60 application fee would create an undue hardship, please email Karin Gasaway for a manual fee waiver. We cannot refund application fees.  

12. When is the latest I can apply to the PhD program to be considered for full funding?

Applicants must submit their portion of the application by December 15. Please make every effort to ensure that your application is fully complete by December 15, but we will not penalize an applicant if a letter of recommendation arrives shortly after December 15.  

13. When will my application be reviewed?

The Admissions Committee will review applications in December and January. Interview requests are emailed in batches, typically from mid-January through February. In-person invitations requiring travel arrangements are generally released earlier than Zoom invitations. Most interviews take place in February, although applicants on the waiting list may be contacted to schedule interviews somewhat later. Decision letters are emailed through the online application system. Applicants are encouraged to check their spam folders. The earliest admissions decisions are usually released around the end of February. Applicants are welcome to contact us for an update after March 10.

1. What are the main differences between the traditional Statistics program and the concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB)?

Students in the BCB concentration are required to take three courses related to bioinformatics and computational biology during their time in the PhD program, while those courses are optional for students in the traditional Statistics program. BCB concentration students are also required to answer certain questions related to one of these courses on the Advanced Examination (held in August after Year 2). Other course and examination requirements are essentially the same for the traditional Statistics program and the BCB concentration.  

2. Is it possible to switch between the traditional Statistics program and the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) concentration after being admitted?

Students are free to switch between the BCB concentration and the traditional Statistics program, except that the BCB concentration has slightly different requirements for the Advanced Examination.  One can switch from the BCB concentration to the traditional Statistics program at any time, but students in the traditional Statistics program can only switch to the BCB concentration prior to the Advanced Examination.  

3. Will I enter the program as a Master’s or PhD student?

Students who apply for and are accepted into the PhD program begin as PhD students. They earn the MA degree during their time in the PhD program after successfully completing 32 credits of coursework and passing the comprehensive written Basic Examination (held in August after Year 1).  

4. Who will be my academic advisor?

The PhD Program Director (Dr. Matthew McCall) and Associate Chair (Dr. Michael McDermott) serve as academic advisors for all students in the PhD program. They meet with each student individually at least once every semester and again during the summer to provide guidance on course selection and overall progress towards the degree. The academic advisor’s role is separate from a student’s research (dissertation) advisor.  

5. What is the process for selecting my dissertation advisor?

Students typically select a dissertation advisor near the start of their third year of study. All tenure-track faculty in the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology are eligible to serve in the dissertation advisor role. Co-advisors are also allowed.

The department strongly encourages students to take reading courses (BST 591) with more than one faculty member. The reading courses and the Seminar in Statistical Literature course (BST 487) are designed to expose you to the research interests of the faculty, and to give you the opportunity to explore potential research topics and to see how well you work with a particular faculty member. The standard Statistics PhD funding package is offered regardless of a student’s choice of dissertation advisor, i.e., the dissertation advisor is not necessarily responsible for funding the student.  

6. How does the funding package work?

All admitted PhD Statistics students receive a generous funding package that includes a full tuition scholarship, health insurance for single individual coverage, and a competitive 10-month stipend. The stipend is reviewed for possible increase annually, but is not guaranteed beyond the end of the 6 th year of study.

No special application is required for the standard funding award. Funding is offered to every PhD student who is accepted into the program, regardless of the applicant’s citizenship status or background.  

The fellowship award comes from the Dean for the first two years (excluding summers). Starting in Year 3, the department (as opposed to the Dean) assumes responsibility for funding, supporting students as research assistants on collaborative medical research grants (e.g., supporting data analyses), our NIEHS-funded training grant (T32) in Environmental Health Biostatistics, and grants supporting the development of statistical methodology (often linked to the student's dissertation research). We attempt to match each student with a project based on the mutual interests of the student and supervising faculty member.  

7. What do students do during the summer?

Some students explore research opportunities with faculty and/or gain experience on research and consulting projects over the summer. Students in the first two years may focus on preparing for the comprehensive examinations, while more advanced students may explore summer internships in government or industry. While not guaranteed, students may, upon request, receive summer support (July-August) depending on funding availability.  

8. How long does it take to earn the degree?

The PhD program requires 4-6 years of study, with the vast majority of students completing degree requirements in their 5 th year of study. Time-to-degree for students who enter with a Master's degree varies by individual, depending on many factors such as the number of transfer credits that are accepted, how quickly a research advisor and topic can be identified, and how quickly the research progresses.  

9. What percentage of students successfully complete the degree? How often do people fail or drop out?

Students are accepted into the program with the expectation that they will graduate with a PhD. As a program, we are committed to providing individualized support and are proud of our high degree completion rate of 92% for students entering the program between 2004-2016.  

10. What type of tutoring or academic support is available?

The department strongly encourages collaboration. Students commonly form their own study groups and work on homework together. Faculty offices are within steps of the PhD student cubicles and most professors have an open door policy (rather than strict office hours). Teaching assistants, generally a 2 nd or 3 rd year PhD student who completed the course in the past, are also available for some courses.

Requests for formal arrangements or accommodations, including reduced course loads, private tutoring, and access services (e.g., alternative testing procedures, extended test time), can be made through the school. Students are encouraged to meet with the PhD Program Director to discuss any academic or personal concerns.  

11. What is the format of the comprehensive examinations during Years 1 and 2?

There are two written comprehensive examinations required in the PhD program. The first examination is the 4-hour closed-book Basic Examination that takes place shortly before students start their second Fall term. This examination covers material included in most of the first-year courses. PhD students receive the MA degree after passing the Basic Examination. The second examination, the Advanced Examination, has two parts: a closed-book section (maximum 4 hours) and an open-book section (maximum 24 hours). The Advanced Examination takes place shortly before students start their third Fall term and covers material included in most of the first- and second-year courses. Each examination typically consists of 6-7 questions, with students asked to choose 4 questions to answer. Copies of past examinations are available for students to review.  

12. How many courses are required for the degree?

A program of study will be worked out individually with the PhD Program Director. Students are required to complete 16 formal courses (see List of Statistics PhD Required and Recommended Courses ). Additional courses can be taken for audit or credit. Students will have one-on-one advising sessions every semester before registering for courses.  

13. Can I take courses that are offered outside of the department?

Yes, elective courses can be taken in other UR departments (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics) as long as they are related to the student’s program of study.  

14. What is the average class size for department courses?

Most of our department classes are small (typically less than 10 students) and are held in the Saunders Research Building. All BST courses in the program are taught by faculty from the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology. First year core courses in the program generally have a roughly equal mixture of PhD and Master’s students.  

15. What are the teaching responsibilities for students? How many courses will I need to TA?

The teaching requirement is fulfilled by serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for at least one semester; students in our program typically serve as TAs for two semesters. The duties of a TA include, but are not limited to, holding office hours, conducting problem solving sessions, and grading homework assignments and examinations. Students receive academic credit through BST 590 Supervised Teaching. Courses regularly assigned TAs are graduate-level and relatively small (e.g., BST 430, BST 461, BST 462, BST 463, BST 467).

Senior students may volunteer to be TAs for advanced courses in the program without reducing their standard research assistant duties. This opportunity may allow students to practice giving guest lectures and/or to increase their knowledge of the material.  

16. Will I ever work with faculty outside of the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology?

Yes. Nearly all faculty in the department have long-standing collaborative relationships with faculty in clinical and basic science departments throughout the Medical Center. This collaborative activity is a major source of the scientific problems that motivate the development of novel statistical methodology, i.e., the dissertation research of our students. The student’s dissertation committee is required to include at least one faculty member from outside of the department. It is also typical, starting in Year 3, for students to serve as research assistants for projects, supervised by one of our faculty members. Most of these projects involve faculty from other departments. Students will also participate in the department’s walk-in consulting service, again supervised by one of our faculty members. Student access to this collaborative activity is one of the major strengths of our learning environment.  

17. What are the consulting responsibilities?

Students begin participating in the department’s walk-in consulting service beginning in Year 3. Students assist with consulting requests (almost exclusively from the Medical Center) on a rotating schedule by attending consulting meetings with the department faculty member on-call and completing work requested by faculty for the research project. These on-call rotations (typically 3-4 weeks per year) continue until degree completion.  

18. Are internships required?

Internships are not required for degree completion. Many of our students choose to complete external paid summer internships to get a sense of what the working environment is like in various government agencies and industries.  

19. Is this a STEM program?

Yes, our PhD and Master’s degrees are classified as STEM programs under CIP code 27.

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PhD in Biostatistics

Biostatistics involves the development and application of sound statistical and mathematical principles to research in the health sciences. Because original theoretical research in biostatistics flows from medical research, the foundations of methodological development must be firmly grounded in sound principles of statistical inference and a thorough knowledge of the substantive area that provides the source of the medical questions being addressed. Thus, the Department of Biostatistics encourages excellent methodological work that is motivated by sound science that includes but is not limited to active collaborations with other investigators.

Students will be able to choose either the Standard Biostatistics Pathway or the newly created Implementation and Prevention Science Methods Pathway , directed by Professor Donna Spiegelman, director of the Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science . The rigorous training in the theory of and methods of biostatistics, with a specialization in implementation and prevention science methods promotes the adoption and integration of evidence-based practices, interventions and policies into routine health care and public health settings to improve the impact on population health.

Research collaborations for biostatisticians take place both within and across departments in the School of Public Health, as well as with other departments in the School of Medicine and the University at large. Areas of current research include the development of general methods that have wide applicability across different areas of health research, as well as more specific techniques for dealing with the underlying processes that give rise to the data of interest. A broad range of health topics addressed by students in this department includes chronic diseases such as cancer, genetic epidemiology, clinical research, and mathematical models for infectious diseases.

Graduates of the doctoral program in Biostatistics are employed in universities throughout the country, as well as in such dedicated research institutions such as the National Institutes of Health. In addition, graduates have pursued careers in the pharmaceutical industry, in which they are actively involved in the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies.

This program requires General GRE test scores. Please send them to institution code 3987 (there is no department code).

More on Implementation and Prevention Science Methods Pathway

Yale’s new pathway is the first degree program to provide rigorous training in implementation and prevention science methods , including training in the development of new methods to advance the field. Other programs, importantly but quite differently, focus on the practice of implementation science and are targeted to those with subject matter expertise (e.g., in mental health or cancer prevention). Yale’s new program, by contrast, targets those wishing to develop scholarly methodological expertise.

If you plan to attend Yale, you will be able to choose this pathway or the Standard Biostatistics Pathway . You will have until the beginning of the spring term to decide which pathway you wish to follow.

2023 Biostatistics Information Session for the MPH, MS and PhD programs

Biostatistics Information Session for the MPH, MS and PhD programs.

November 16, 2023

• Shuangge (Steven) Ma -Department Chair and Professor of Biostatistics
• Mary Keefe - Director of Admissions
• Lisa Calvocoressi - Research Scientist in Biostatistics
• Michael Kane - Assistant Professor of Biostatistics
• Donna Spiegelman - Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Biostatistics and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
• Kei-Hoi Cheung - Professor of Biomedical Informatics & Data Science; Professor of Biostatistics
• Katie Doucet - Assistant Director, Student Affairs

Learn more about the Department of Biostatistics

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Biostatistics Graduate Programs

PhD in Biostatistics

The Biostatistics PhD program emphasizes both didactic and experiential learning. Program years 1 and 2 will include theoretical and applied classroom work in the core mathematical statistics and biostatistics courses, with additional electives in mathematics and/or computer science, and in the life sciences. The core courses incorporate classroom projects in theory and data analysis, and introduce literate programming and reproducible research practices. Year 2 requires a set of Biostatistics Rotations under the tutorship of a faculty mentor, using data drawn from collaborative projects in biomedical or public health sciences, with required oral and written presentations. The student will select, by the end of year 2, a primary advisor from among participating program faculty. Additional training in the biomedical area of application will occur in years 3 and 4. Throughout, the student will participate in presentations and discussions in a seminar series and journal club. The PhD thesis, completed in years 3-4 and potentially 5, will contain an original contribution of quality that would be acceptable for publication in the biostatistics literature, which extends the theory or methodology of biostatistics, or extends biostatistical methods to solve a critical problem in applied disciplines.

Degree requirements include 64 units of coursework from Mathematical Statistics (24 units), Biostatistics (29 units), Life Sciences (8 units) and Electives (3 units), and training in Human Subjects Research and Ethics. 

• PhD Milestones & Sample Program of Study
• PhD Course Requirements
• PhD Qualifying Exams & Dissertation Requirements
• PhD Milestones
• PhD Qualifying Exams & Dissertation

Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

The PhD in Biostatistics trains biostatisticians to understand and confidently solve difficult scientific data analysis problems in the health sciences from problem conception, through data collection, to choosing the appropriate data analyses, and reporting of results. Rigorous courses are taught by world leaders in their specialties and train students in mathematical statistics, advanced biostatistical methods, big data, machine learning, data science, and statistical computing. The PhD trains statisticians who can develop and apply appropriate statistical methods to solve novel problems in the health field and who can conduct statistical methodological research.

Mathematics preparation for the program should include at least two years of calculus, as well as some linear algebra:

• Mathematics 31A, B - Calculus and Analytic Geometry
• Mathematics 32A, B - Calculus of Several Variables
• Mathematics 33A, B - Matrices, Differential Equations, Infinite Series
• Mathematics 115A - Linear Algebra

More math is always better, particularly for the PhD program, where real analysis (UCLA Math 131A, 131B), and linear algebra (UCLA Math 115A, 115B) are desirable.

The program requires the completion of the following elements:

1. Course Requirements

Unless previously taken, students are required to take the following courses:

• Biostatistics 200 A, B, C: Method in Biostatistics
• Biostatistics 202 A, B: Mathematical Statistics
• Biostatistics 216: Mathematical Methods for Biostatistics
• Biostatistics 250 A, B: Linear Models
• Biostatistics 250 C: Multivariate Biostatistics
• Biostatistics 257: Computational Methods for Biostatistical Research
• Biostatistics 245 & 246: Doctoral Seminar
• Biostatistics 409: Biostatistics Consulting
• Mathematics 131 A: Real Analysis (must be taken in year 1 by students with limited or no prior experience to Real Analysis)
• One 4-unit course in the Department of Epidemiology (either EPI 100 or 200A)
• One 4-unit course in board public health (PH 150/C201 or HPM M242)
• Minimum of 6 4-unit Biostatistics special topics courses from Biostatistics 202C, 210 and above.

2.  Written Examinations

Students must pass 2 written examinations, the PhD preliminary exam and the PhD written advanced qualifying exam.

Failure to secure a passing grade in a maximum of two attempts of the PhD preliminary exam and the PhD written advanced qualifying exam will result in the department recommending the student to the graduate division for academic disqualification.

PhD Preliminary Exam

This exam is offered in September just before fall classes begin. Students typically take this exam at the beginning of their second year of study after completing the related coursework and are expected to pass at a level that predicts successful completion of the PhD program. The exam covers material in the following courses: Biostatistics 200 A, B, and C, and Biostatistics 202 A and B.

• Students must pass the exam at a level expected of doctoral students
• Students have a maximum of two attempts to pass the exam

PhD Written Qualifying Exam

This exam is offered in September just before fall classes begin.The scope of the exam includes material from the following courses: Biostatistics 250 A, B, and C. Students typically take the exam after completing the necessary coursework in the beginning of their third or fourth year of graduate study.

3. Oral Qualifying Exam

The oral qualifying exam evaluates a student’s understanding of statistical theory and ability to apply the theory, and reviews the proposed dissertation topic. The student should prepare a written dissertation proposal that includes background, preliminary work, and a research plan for completing the work. While there are no absolute page requirements, proposals are generally between 15 to 50 pages, with additional pages for figures and references. The proposal should be distributed to members of the dissertation committee in advance of the exam. The proposal is expected to be delivered to committee members at least two weeks before the scheduled oral exam. If the student expects the proposal to be delivered less than two weeks before the exam, the student should obtain advance approval from each committee member. During the oral exam, the student will present and defend the proposed work. The student can expect the majority of the questions to pertain to the proposal, however additional questions may be asked to assess general understanding of biostatistical principles. The overall objective of the exam is to evaluate whether the student has the ability and adequate plans for conducting PhD dissertation research.

4. PhD Dissertation and Oral Defense

The PhD dissertation is original research that advances the field of biostatistics. The dissertation is completed under the guidance of a Department of Biostatistics faculty member who serves as the adviser. Examples of dissertations from previous graduates are available in the Biostatistics Library. After successfully completing a dissertation, an oral examination defending the dissertation is conducted by the dissertation committee. A failed examination may be repeated once on the recommendation of the committee.

The PhD in biostatistics is typically a four-year program following the MS, although some students may complete the program in less time.

The sequence of classes taken during the first year of study depends on the student’s background. Doctoral students establish a sequence of courses in consultation with their academic adviser to best prepare them for the comprehensive exams. 

Graduates from UCLA Fielding's Department of Biostatistics obtain employment as faculty members at universities and as leaders in government research organizations, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies locally within California, throughout the United States and across the globe. 

Examples of positions held by graduates include: 

• Tenure-Track Faculty
• Biostatistician
• Statistician
• Research Scientist
• Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Biostatistician
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist

View a list of faculty in the Department of Biostatistics.

For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the  registrar's office .

Please see the cost and aid section of our website for information on awards, scholarships, training opportunities, employment, summer internship funding, and need-based aid. Please note that opportunities listed under 'Summer Internship Funding' are only applicable to MPH students.

Desired Qualifications

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements , competitive applicants are expected to possess strong quantitative skills that can be demonstrated through their coursework and GRE quantitative score. Ideally, successful candidates should have completed at least 30 quarter credits in mathematics and statistics, including multivariate calculus, linear algebra, and calculus-based probability theory.

Admissions Process

Visit the application guide to learn about our admissions process.

Please note:

This information is intended as an overview, and should be used as a guide only. Requirements, course offerings and other elements may change, and this overview may not list all details of the program. 

Admission requirements listed are departmental requirements, and are in addition to the University's minimum requirements. Many programs receive more applicants than can be admitted, so meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not ensure admission. Every effort is made to ensure minimum admissions requirements are up to date - for the most up-to-date information on the University's minimum requirements, please visit the  UCLA Graduate Division .

Fees are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the  registrar's office.

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Biostatistics

Turn data into action.

Graduate programs in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health are among the best in the world. Currently, we are ranked as the No. 4 biostatistics department by US News and World Report. 

Alongside our world-renowned faculty, you’ll learn how to develop statistical designs and computational tools for analysis of large scale complex data in medical and health sciences, and work to apply statistical methods to discover groundbreaking scientific findings.

2023 Biostatistics Prospective Student Day

Explore Michigan Biostatistics in-depth at our annual Prospective Student Day on Sunday, October 29. From meeting the department’s students, faculty, and staff; to diving deeper into many of the topics and questions on the minds of prospective students; to sitting in on research presentations from a Biostatistics faculty member and a current Biostatistics student – attendees will get a full picture of what the department is all about. Lunch is provided for all attendees.

2023 Biostatistics PROSPECTIVE Student DAY

Apply to Michigan Biostatistics

Applications for Fall 2024 are open! Please consider applying to one of our two masters degrees (MS in Biostatistics or MS in Health Data Science) or our PhD program in Biostatistics. Applications close on December 1.

JOIN OUR INTEREST LIST

Master of Science Degree (MS)

Twenty-month, 48-credit-hour degree for students who plan to go on to pursue a PhD or scientific research and academic careers, including jobs in biostatistics and data science.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)

High-level research track with original research as part of a doctoral dissertation. We offer two programs of study: one for students with a relevant master's degree and one for students without a relevant master's degree.

Student Spotlight

We are driven by our collective mission to help people and our resolute passion for problem solving. We are innovators and collaborators; we are thinkers and we are doers.

Career Outcomes

With more than $50M in funded research annually, Biostatistics faculty and students are conducting cutting-edge biostatistical research. They are involved in a wide range of collaborative research activities with faculty across the University of Michigan campus. Among our research areas:

• Computational biology and big data
• Statistical genetics and bioinformatics
• Cancer biostatistics
• Longitudinal data and survival analysis
• Clinical trials
• Biomedical imaging
• Bayesian statistics 

Meet our Faculty

Ready to apply.

Learn more about our application requirements and deadlines and start your application today. If you’re not ready to apply yet, but would like to receive more information about Michigan Public Health and the program(s) you’re interested in, join our prospective student interest list.

For more information about the admissions process, email our Recruitment and Admissions team at [email protected] or schedule an appointment to talk with a member of our Graduate Admissions team.

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PhD in Biostatistics

The PhD in Biostatistics develops biomedical informaticians who will advance research and practice in contemporary information and knowledge management.

Why Study Biostatistics?

Biostatistics is a special branch of applied statistics that focuses on statistical application in life sciences. Students trained in biostatistics at the PhD level are in high demand at all levels of government; industry (pharma, business, biotechnology, and IT); academia; research institutes; and healthcare (academic, public, and private).

On average, there are 5,200 job openings for PhD biostatisticians per year; median income across all experience levels is $142,465 for PhD holders. The US Department of Labor projects a 33% increase data science positions between 2020 and 2030. Data Science ranked as the #2 out of 50 Best Jobs by Forbes Magazine in 2021 and Biostatistics ranked as the #3 Best Business Job, #7 Best STEM Job, and #8 Best Job according to US News and World Reports.

Why Study Biostatistics at UNMC?

The UNMC Biostatistics curriculum provides quality training for PhD biostatisticians in fundamental theory, computing, data analysis, clinical trial/study design, and health data sciences that makes them attractive to potential employers. The faculty in the Department of Biostatistics engage and support graduate students in funded scientific research projects. In addition, students will gain real world work experience by collaborating with researchers through the Department of Biostatistics Center for Collaboration on Research Design and Analysis (CCORDA); assignment as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA); and through the Biostatistics Consulting Course.

Program Snapshot

Program highlights.

• All PhD students will work with a faculty mentor to gain real-world collaborative experience through the Biostatistical Consulting Course and Graduate Research Assistantship or CCORDA.
• Travel funds are available to PhD students to present their research work at national conference (e.g., JSM or ENAR).
• The PhD is an in-residence only program and all full-time PhD students are supported either through GTA or GRA.

Careers & Outcomes

PhD graduates typically start as senior biostatistician or senior analyst in industry and as Assistant Professors in academia. To date, all our PhD graduates have received job offers prior to graduating. Recent positions include:

• Senior Biostatistician & Team Lead at Johnson & Johnson
• Senior Biostatistician at Eli Lilly
• Senior Data Scientist at First National Bank
• Biostatistician at Streck, Inc
• Analytical Team Lead at the Cure Huntington’s Disease Initiative (CHDI) Foundation

Facilities / Centers

Holland Center High-Capacity Computing boasts the fastest resources in the state of Nebraska at two locations: the Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) at Omaha and the Schorr Center at UNL. Personnel based in each location assist users, engage students and researchers, and maintain systems. Crane checks in at 121 TeraFLOPS and is a Top500 Supercomputer. Red , serving the CMS project, stores over seven petabytes of data. Rhino provides 256 GB of RAM per node for shared memory computing. The Center for Collaboration on Research Design and Analysis (CCORDA) seeks to advance clinical, basic, and translational research and public health research at UNMC and in the community and region.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology Research Design Core provides critical research design, epidemiological, and biostatistical expertise for collaborative research, education, and training in the advancement of clinical and translational research within the Great Plains IDeA-CTR network.

Related Programs

Students interested in this program may wish to explore:

Take the first step to earning your PhD or Master’s Degree and join the community of scholars and leaders at Harvard’s Department of Biostatistics.

Doctoral program.

Applications will go through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office. The deadline for applications is December 1.

For more information:

• Review the  Doctoral Program section of our website for eligibility requirements
• Download our PhD Student Handbook for detailed information on the program’s requirements, procedures, coursework and more
• Visit the  GSAS Admissions Office  to review general requirements for admission

Master’s Programs

Applications will go through SOPHAS through the SPH Admissions Office. The deadline for applications is December 1.

• Review the  Master’s Programs  section of our website for eligibility requirements
• Download our  BIO SM Student Handbook  for detailed information on the Biostatistics SM programs’ requirements, procedures, coursework and more
• Download our  CBQG SM Student Handbook  for detailed information on the Computational Biology and Quantitative Genetics program’s requirements, procedures, coursework and more
• Download our  HDS SM Student Handbook  for detailed information on Health Data Science program’s requirements, procedures, coursework and more
• Visit the  SPH Admissions Office  for general requirements of admission

For further information on any of our programs, please contact:

Jelena Follweiler, Senior Manager of Academic Services [email protected] (617) 432-1087

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Biostatistics PhD

Many issues in the health, medical, and biological sciences are addressed by collecting and exploring relevant data. The development and application of techniques to better understand such data is the fundamental concern of the Group in Biostatistics. The program offers training in theory of statistics and biostatistics, the computer implementation of analytic methods, and opportunities to use this knowledge in areas of biological/medical research. The curriculum is taught principally by members of the Division of Biostatistics (School of Public Health) and the Department of Statistics (College of Letters & Science) and provides a wide range of ideas and approaches to the analysis of data.

Established in 1955, the Graduate Group in Biostatistics curriculum offers instruction in statistical theory and computing, as well as opportunities to rigorously apply this knowledge in biological and medical research. The degree programs offered (listed below) are appropriate for students who have either a strong mathematical and statistical background with a focus in the biomedical sciences, or degrees in the biological sciences with a focus in mathematics and statistics. (The MA degree can be obtained under Plan I or Plan II. The PhD dissertation is administered according to Plan B.)

Master of Arts (MA)

The Masters of Arts Degree in Biostatistics is completed in 4 semesters. Candidates for this degree are expected to earn 48 units with courses in biostatistics, statistics, public health, and biology. Students pursuing the MA degree in Biostatistics will be expected, upon completion of the program, to be well-versed in the following areas:

Understand the foundations of statistical inference, e.g., maximum likelihood estimation, regression.

Have grounding in theoretical framework and ability to apply existing estimators in following categories:

Computational statistics

Multivariate analysis

Categorical data analysis

Survival analysis

Longitudinal data analysis

Causal inference

Clinical trials

Statistical genomics

Statistical computing

Have fluency in statistical programming languages for both analysis using classic methods and implementation of novel methods.

Identify and apply sound and pertinent methods to address statistical inference questions in biological, public health, and medical research.

Effectively communicate research findings, orally and in writing.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

All Biostatistics PhD students are required to hold a master's degree in Biostatistics or a related field. The PhD degree requires 4-6 semesters of course work in biostatistics, statistics, and at least one other subject area (e.g., biology, environmental health, epidemiology). There are no unit or course requirements for the PhD, so a program of courses appropriate to a student's background and interests may be developed. Courses cover traditional topics as well as recent advances in biostatistics and in statistics. Those completing the PhD will have acquired a deep knowledge and understanding of these subject areas. Since graduates with doctorates often assume academic careers in research and teaching, a high degree of mastery in research design, theory, methodology, and execution is expected as well as the ability to communicate and present research findings and area of expertise in a clear, understandable manner.

Many doctoral graduates accept faculty positions in schools of public health, medicine, and statistics and/or math departments at colleges and universities, both in the United States and abroad. Some graduates take research positions, including with pharmaceutical companies, hospital research units, non-profits, and within the tech sector.

Biostatistics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with Designated Emphasis (DE)

Students enrolled in the UC Berkeley Biostatistics doctoral (PhD) program are eligible to apply for interdisciplinary study in a Designated Emphasis (DE), which we refer to as the Associated Programs. At UC Berkeley, acquiring a DE is like earning a "minor" with a PhD degree. Applications for Designated Emphasis are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, students must apply prior to taking the qualifying exam and are strongly encouraged to begin the application process early in the third semester of graduate study. To be accepted to a Designated Emphasis, you must be a PhD candidate in one of the Associated Programs (e.g., Biostatistics). The two DE programs offered in biostatistics are:

• Designated Emphasis in Computational and Genomic Biology (DE-CGB)
• Designated Emphasis in Computational Science and Data Science and Engineering (DE-CSDE)

The goal of the DE-CGB program is to train a new generation of computational biology researchers by enhancing and facilitating interactions between faculty, postdoctoral scholars and students in the Associated Programs through a flexible and integrated research and teaching environment which transcends traditional departmental boundaries. Upon successful completion of all requirements and dissertation, your transcript and diploma will read, "PhD in Biostatistics with a Designated Emphasis in Computational & Genomic Biology."

The DE in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) promises to bring a new paradigm to interdisciplinary research and education. The team-oriented approach provides our students with a solid foundation in the different facets of genomic research and ensuing competitive edge for the most desirable jobs in academia and industry, which increasingly require interdisciplinary training by combining high-performance computing, mathematical modeling, scientific and engineering theory, and analysis of large scale databases of observations. Upon successful completion of all requirements and dissertation, your transcript and diploma will read, "PhD in Biostatistics with a Designated Emphasis in Computational Science and Engineering."

Contact Info

[email protected]

2121 Berkeley Way West, 5th floor

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Biophysics Graduate Group

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 3, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Yes, with exemption option

PhD in Biostatistics

Lead the future of biological data analysis with our doctorate in biostatistics..

Bayesian methods. Biomarker discovery. Machine learning. Experiment with these and other areas of research to examine causes and effects of disease as you harness your quantitative aptitude and sense of curiosity to pursue UMass Amherst’s PhD in biostatistics.

Designed to prepare you for research and teaching positions in academic institutions as well as leadership roles in health-related agencies, our program offers both major and minor areas of concentration. Core courses include graduate work in generalized linear models, Bayesian inference, survival analysis, as well as statistical theory. Every student is encouraged to select, in consultation with their academic advisor, the elective courses to take, based on their training, background, and interests.

Completion of a doctorate in biostatistics requires self-direction, independence, perseverance, and, naturally, quantitative aptitude. Evidence of these qualities plays an important role in our admissions decisions.

Related offerings

Students interested in our PhD in Biostatistics may also be interested in these other offerings.

• 4+1 Accelerated MS in Biostatistics
• MS in Biostatistics

Benefits list

Funding Your Education

Many PhD students are supported with research assistant (RA) positions funded by faculty grants. Doctoral students are also provided financial support via teaching assistant (TA) positions. All full-time PhD students are currently fully funded.

Partner With Research Centers and Institutes

You’ll find a wealth of opportunities in our campus research centers, including state-of-the-art research hubs like the  Institute for Applied Life Sciences , and international collaborations with researchers in the  Institute for Global Health , to support a wider breadth of research inquiries.

CEPH Accreditation

Every program in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences is fully accredited by the  Council of Education for Public Health , a key benefit of attending UMass.

Featured class

The goal of this course is to introduce statistical modeling approaches that are widely used in medical and public health research, including novel approaches developed in the past few years.

Featured faculty

Nicholas reich.

Focus on forecasting, machine learning, time series, infectious disease modeling, cluster-randomized trials.

Leontine Alkema

Focus on Bayesian inference; statistical demography; global child, maternal, and reproductive health.

Raji Balasubramanian

Metabolomic studies, pediatric HIV studies, measurement error in self-reported outcomes, study design, high-dimensional data and analysis of biological networks

Ken Kleinman

Focus on cluster-randomized trials, missing data, statistical software, electronic medical records

In the spotlight

"Biostatistics as a field has helped me find that niche of working collaboratively with other people who are trying to make the world a better place, and you're putting your math and data science skills to work in a way that feels important."

Application information & deadlines

Prospective students must apply first through the SOPHAS site and then the UMass Graduate School Supplemental Application, which will be emailed to you upon completion of the SOPHAS application.

Priority Deadline

December 1, 2024.

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit the application by Dec. 1.

Application Deadline

February 1, 2025.

The application deadline is Feb. 1.

Biostatistics

Advancing public health, medicine, and biology through statistics

• Graduate Admissions in Biostatistics
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• SPHHS Graduate Student Handbook
• Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology

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