What Can I do with a Master's in Biostatistics?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for statisticians is expected to grow 30 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations (bls.gov). In addition, the annual median wage was $104,110 in May of 2023. Our master’s in biostatistics opens the door to this booming industry and prepares you to provide statistical insights for the healthcare industry—the third largest employer of statisticians.

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Online MSBST Application Deadlines

Summer admission is only for student seeking provisional admission to the MS with the requirement to complete our Math Tools sequence in remedial calculus.

Note: Any application completed after the deadline is considered for admission for the next admission term. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time. Summer admission is only for student seeking provisional admission to the MS with the requirement to complete our Math Tools sequence in remedial calculus.

How to Apply for the Online Master of Science in Biostatistics

1. Start your application for graduate admission
2. Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
3. Upload required materials*
4. Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292.
5. Create a financial plan

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Online Master of Science in Biostatistics Admissions Requirements and Materials

To be considered for admission, applicants must have:

• a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
• a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)

*Required application packet materials include:

• transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution in biostatistics, statistics, mathematics, or a related discipline with competency in college level calculus, up to and including multivariable calculus (partial differentiation and multiple integration)
• students lacking the necessary background in calculus (up to and including multivariable calculus with coverage of partial differentiation and multiple integration) may be conditionally admitted to the MS program under Provisional Probation status and required to complete remedial coursework in calculus, offered by the Department in the University of Louisville’s summer term Math Tools
• a statement of purpose describing the applicant’s background and interest in biostatistics
• two letters of recommendation

*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.

Online MSBST for International Students

The Master’s in Biostatistics program is open to international students. If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to review these additional requirements for international students.

• Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States will require a foreign credential evaluation. View the FAQs for more information.
• Students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency by attaining one of the following:
  • TOEFL examination score at or above 550 (paper based test and a 5.0 on the TWE test), 213 (computer based test), 79 (internet based test)
  • IELTS test score of 6.5 or higher
  • Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher
  • Demonstration of a degree award from an acceptable English language institution, as formally documented by an appropriate institutional official
• International students will not be issued a U.S. visa, since there are no campus attendance requirements. All courses in the program are taught 100% online, allowing you to attain the entire degree from the comfort of your home and at any time convenient for you, regardless of your current location, anywhere in the world.

For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.

Online MSBST Courses & Requirements

The M.S. in Biostatistics degree is a 33 credit hour program that requires 25 credit hours in core courses with 5 credit hours in electives, and 3 credit hours of public health education. The courses are asynchronous and delivered in standard term lengths.

Core Online Biostatisitics Courses

1. PHPH 523 fulfills the accreditation requirement that all graduates from the School of Public Health and Information Science receive foundational instruction in public health. The three (3) credit hours for PHPH 523 do not accrue toward the 30 credit hours required for MS degree completion. Students with a prior degree and/or courseworkfrom a CEPH accredited school or program of public health may be relieved of this requirement, per approval of theAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs.
2. Electives are chosen with the approval of a faculty advisor. Students are typically encouraged to select electives from among the following courses from among the following courses:
   • PHST 603 Biostatistics and the School of Public Health and Information Sciences.
   • PHST 640 Statistical Methods for Research Design in Health Sciences
   • PHMS 641 Data Mining I
   • PHST 675 Independent Study in Biostatistics
   • PHST 682 Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Students may also choose elective courses outside of the department in fields related to biostatistics, such as Mathematics, Epidemiology, and Computer Science (subject to approval from faculty advisor). Students are responsible for ensuring they have met the prerequisites for these courses.

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Course Descriptions

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Online Master of Science in Biostatistics FAQs

The set of questions and answers outlined below can help you learn more about our program, delivery method, application and admission process, financial aid options and how to succeed as an online student at UofL. 

• Is there a specific undergraduate degree required for admission into the Master of Science in Biostatistics?
  No. Admission to the program requires an exposure to statistics -- preferably via a course at a sophomore level or above -- and a background in differential and integral calculus including partial differentiation and multiple integration. Coursework in linear algebra could be required for some electives.
• Is the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) required for admission?
  No. However, if you have recently taken the GRE we encourage you to submit your scores to us. Also, if you feel as though your transcript doesn't adequately reflect your quantitative training and abilities, scores from the GRE quantitative test can be a helpful addition to an application.
• Is a foreign credential evaluation of transcripts from international institutions required?
  Yes, we require full credential evaluations for any degree earned outside of the USA. The University of Louisville recommends you have your credentials evaluated by World Education Service (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
• What are the English language proficiency requirements for admission?
  Students must achieve a minimum score on the TOEFL exam (550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL), a score of 6.5 or better on the IELTS examination, successful passing of an exit examination for the advanced level of an Intensive English as a Second Language Program, a Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher, or an Intensive demonstration of a degree awarded from an institution with instruction primarily in English, as formally documented by an appropriate institutional official.
• What type of information should be included in the statement of purpose?
  The statement of purpose should cover your background, experiences, and motivations and reason for undertaking graduate work in biostatistics. It is important that this statement describe both your strengths and weaknesses so that the admission committee can make an informed decision regarding admission.
• What are possible career outcomes?
  There is a very high demand for biostatistical training in many industrial sectors including the insurance, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, as well as at research institutions and various government agencies (NIH, FDA, Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics etc.). Job growth data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that there will be a 31% increase in the need for statisticians in the next 10 years (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/). Another study by McKinsey Global Institute predicts that the United States will need over 150,000 professionals with expertise in statistical methods by 2018 (www.mckinsey.com). Our graduates have secured employment at Humana, Google, UPS, NIH, Texas Children’s Hospital, and several other major employers in the United States.
• What are the advantages of an MS in Biostatistics over a Bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics?
  Graduates with Master’s degrees in Biostatistics tend to be more attractive to employers in the industrial market than graduates with Bachelor’s degrees are and generally better compensated, too. The 2020 Salary Association of Business, Industry, and Government Statisticians published by the American Statistical Association shows that the median salary for an entry-level employee in industry with a Master’s degree in statistics, biostatistics, or mathematical statistics was $37,000 higher for master’s graduates than bachelor’s graduates.
• Can the MS degree be completed part-time?
  Yes. Our advisors work with part-time students to develop course plans for completion of the degree.