Master of Science (MSc)
Master of Science in Health Services Research
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Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology
The Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology is a program primarily for health care clinicians interested in research careers. Exceptional students with other backgrounds may be considered. The program places particular emphasis on the science of epidemiology, as applied to medical and public health research.
To fulfill the requirements for the MSc degree, students are expected to complete 32 credits (eight courses) with a minimum grade point average of B (3.0) and grades of at least a B in all required courses. Required courses include:
BS 703 Biostatistics
EP 712 Epidemiologic Methods
EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology
BS 723 Introduction to Statistical Computing
In addition, at least two of the following courses (8 credits) must be taken:
EP 721 Survey Methods in Public Health
BS 722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
EP 762 Clinical Epidemiology
BS 851 Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
BS 852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology
EP 854 Modern Epidemiology
PM 811 Health Services Research Methods
Students may request to have required courses waived on the basis of coursework performed elsewhere or through other avenues of learning. Waivers will not reduce the overall number of course credits to be taken.
The remaining credits will generally be taken from among the above list of required courses or other departmental courses but excluding EP 911 Directed Research in Epidemiology and EP 912 Directed Research in Epidemiology. The following courses may also be taken: PM 833 Health Economics, PM 837 Measuring and Evaluating Medical Care Processes and Outcomes, and SB 822 Qualitative Methods for Program Evaluation.
Students enrolled in the MSc degree program are also required to complete a thesis. The completed thesis must constitute the equivalent of one epidemiologic paper that meets the current standards of publication in refereed journals. Thesis research will involve processing and analyzing data. The student is encouraged but not required to conduct original data collection. Once the thesis is complete, it must be approved by the thesis committee and one outside reader. After approval, the student will give an oral presentation of the thesis research.
The maximum time permitted to complete all of the degree requirements is four years. Students are required to complete at least 24 credits of coursework as degree candidates in residence. Students who have completed their course requirements must register each subsequent Fall and Spring semester for EP 980 (2 credits plus student health insurance charge) until they have completed all requirements for the degree.
For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Ann Aschengrau (aaschen@bu.edu), Program Director.
Master of Science (MSc) in Health Services Research
The Master of Science (MSc) degree program equips graduates with an expansive breadth of knowledge and advanced technical skills. The MSc degree distinguishes an individual in both the professional world and academia, functioning as a distinct degree or serving as preparation for a doctoral program. Graduates pursue careers as health care consultants, project and research managers, and analysts for insurance entities or provider-based organizations.
The MSc in Health Services Research program consists of a minimum of 31 graduate credits of coursework (23–24 core and 8 elective) and a thesis. Students may complete the MSc degree in 18 months.
Core MSc Courses:
PM 814 Contemporary Theoretical and Empirical Issues in Health Services
EP 712 Epidemiological Methods or
EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology
BS 703 Biostatistics
PM 811 Health Services Research Methods
PM 821 Advanced Health Services Research Methods
PM 826 Health, Illness, and the Use of Health Services; or
PM 842 Health Economics for Health Services Research; or
PM 833 Health Economics
Students who have completed the MSc coursework must register for PM 980 Continuing Study, each Fall and Spring semester until the thesis is defended and accepted. PM 980, which certifies a student as full time, carries the equivalent of a 2-credit tuition charge plus the fee for student health insurance (unless waived).
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Boston, MA 02215
31 October 2008
Boston University
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