Biostatistics Degree Programs

After careful consideration, we are pausing admissions for our epidemiology and biostatistics doctoral degree (PhD) programs for the upcoming Fall 2025/Spring 2026 academic year. We remain deeply committed to graduate education and will revisit our PhD admissions for future academic years.

Review of applications to our epidemiology and biostatistics Masters degree programs remains unchanged for the upcoming academic year (i.e., the Fall 2025 entry class). Please contact epi.grad@msu.edu if you have any questions. 

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GRADUATE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The department will host an open house for prospective students to learn more about our degree programs, hear from our admissions team about tips for navigating the application process, and connect with faculty, staff, students, and alumni.  LEARN MORE

 

PhD in BIOSTATISTICS

• About the PhD Program

  The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biostatistics provides students with the statistical and analytic skills needed for the development, evaluation, and application of novel methods for the analysis of modern biomedical data. Students that graduate from this program will be well-prepared to develop and evaluate novel methods for analysis of biomedical data, design experimental studies, and analyze data in several areas in the sphere of clinical and biomedical investigations.

  • Required courses concentrate on statistical inference, the principles of study design, and methods for analysis of biomedical data, including linear models, mixed effects models, and methods for analysis of categorical data for quantitative, categorical, and mixed data-types from clinical experiments and from observational studies.
  • Elective courses are offered in analytic methods for longitudinal data, genetic data, censored data, and machine learning methodology.

  Students will also receive training in epidemiology, psychology, human biology or any relevant areas to which biostatistical methods may apply to enhance effective collaboration with scientists in those areas.

   

MASTER'S in BIOSTATISTICS

• About the Masters Program

  The master’s degree program in biostatistics is designed to provide graduate students with essential quantitative training necessary for public health, biomedical research, and consultation service. Students completing the program will be well-prepared to design experimental studies and analyze data in several areas in the sphere of clinical and biomedical investigations. Required courses concentrate on the principles of study design, methods for analysis of biomedical data of the continuous, categorical and mixed types from clinical experiments and from observational studies. Elective courses are offered in analytic methods for longitudinal data, genomic and genetic data, and censored data.

   

CAREERS/GRADUATES/FACULTY