A pragmatic and flexible program
Health systems, academic/research organizations, and biotech companies are actively recruiting biostatisticians who bring in-depth expertise to the statistical analysis of complex data. They look to biostatisticians to collaborate in study design, data organization and visualization – and then to apply appropriate analytical models to derive findings.
Our Master’s program in Biostatistics offers multiple tracks to let you tailor a course of study that resonates with your interests, while also giving you a well-rounded skill set. These tracks were developed based on extensive interviews with research and industry leaders, who were explicit about the training they expect of professionals on their teams.
- Biostatistics – Generalist track
- Genomics and Bioinformatics
- Health Care Analytics
- Social and Behavioral Science
Employers we interviewed in the development of these tracks are looking for team players to organize, visualize and analyze vast amounts of data available through electronic health records, clinical trials, and population-based incidence of disease surveys, among other sources.
Each specialty track includes non-statistics courses focused on the research methods unique to that area of application to ensure that our graduates have the well-rounded background needed to collaborate effectively.
A practical career step in a fast-growing field
Our students come from many disciplines including:
- Statistics/Math
- Biology/Biochemistry
- Genetics/Genomics
- Anthropology/Sociology/Psychology
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
Our graduates are well-prepared to join health systems, academic/research organizations, and biotech companies in solving pressing challenges in contemporary research and care. With the increased use of computing and informatics in clinical care, population health, and biomedical research, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 14 to 30 percent growth in employment in statistics or biostatistics over the next several years.
Students who are thinking of continuing to a PhD may want to consider the department’s PhD program in Epidemiology/Biostatistics.
Learn more about applying to the program:
Internship/Practicum Opportunities
Our MS in Biostatistics students complete as part of the program an internship or practicum (at least 160 hour long). We work with our students to identify opportunities that align with their interests and specialization with our faculty and community partners, such as the Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals. Students are also encouraged to pursue opportunities outside of Cleveland with other regional or national organizations. Our curriculum is designed to allow students to complete their internship/practicum anywhere in the world and still complete the program in as short as 11 months.
The internship / practicum experience is focused on providing students the chance to gain professional experience as a biostatistician by serving as either a consultant or collaborator on a project. The objectives of this mentored experience are: to learn the role of the consulting biostatistician and the accompanying responsibilities, experience the life cycle of a project, develop and apply the interpersonal and communications skills required for a biostatistician, strengthen skills learned in the program, and often to enhance the skill set of the student, as well as to gain insight into the life and career of a biostatistician This experience helps prepare our students for future job interviews and jobs, and may lead directly to a job. All students are required to produce a professionally written report in the format of a report to a client or a research paper at the end of the internship or practicum.
Watch our latest MS in Biostatistics Virtual Open House Session: