A Master of Public Health in Biostatistics offers exceptional opportunities to contribute to transforming public health by solving real-world problems like disease outbreaks and environmental and industrial hazards, using skills that few people have. This professional degree program, a natural direction for individuals with strengths in applied mathematics, includes course work focused on biostatistical methods and programming and data management in the context of public health, as well as a core of courses spanning multiple disciplines of public health. The program also includes field training and a comprehensive examination. The MPH is typically a two-year program, but can be completed in less time by well-prepared students.
Mathematics preparation for the program should include at least one year of calculus:
The program requires the completion of 62 quarter-credit units.
MPH students are required to take three core biostatistics methods courses in year one. Typically MPH students in Biostatistics meet this requirement by completing Biostatistics 200A, 100B and 406.
On occasion MPH students in biostatistics may take Biostatistics 200B and 200C to meet the core biostatistics methods requirement. Students may take Biostatistics 200B in place of Biostatistics 100B only if they have previously taken Biostatistics 200A. Students may take Biostatistics 200C in place of 406 only if they have taken 200B. The difference between the biostatistics methods sequences (200A, 100B, 406 vs. 200A, 200B, 200C) is that the 200 sequence has more technical and mathematical detail while the 100B/406 sequence focuses on more practical applications. The 200 sequence is taken by MS students in the Department of Biostatistics while the 100B/406 sequence is often taken by MPH students in other departments in the School of Public Health. The decision of whether the Biostatistics 200 sequence is an appropriate fit should be made in consultation with the student’s academic advisor, career goals and prior mathematical background. In order to register for the Biostatistics 200 sequence students will need a PTE (permission to enroll) number. To obtain a PTE number students should contact Roxy Naranjo and the 200 course instructor.
In addition to the 3 methods courses above, students are required to take:
Students must pass an oral comprehensive examination. The aim of the examination, as a culminating experience, is to assess the student's ability to select theories, methods, and techniques from across the content matter of a field, integrate and synthesize knowledge, and apply it to the solution of public health problems. Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, before taking the comprehensive examination.
Field training in an approved public health program of up to ten weeks is required of MPH candidates. A minimum of four units, but no more than eight units is required.
The MPH in Biostatistics is typically a two year program (6 academic quarters), but can be completed in less time by well-prepared students.
To view a typical sequence of classes for the MPH in Biostatistics, please consult the MPH in Biostatistics Sequence of Classes document.
In addition to the University’s Minimum Requirements, most applicants for the MPH in Biostatistics have a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, or in a Physical, Biological or Social Science. We also recommend some programming experience, some experience in Statistics or Biostatistics and some experience with a Statistics computer package.
Applicants are only admitted in the Fall. Applicants who wish to be considered for all financial aid considerations, including special fellowships such as the Chancellor's fellowships, should have their applications, letters, transcripts and official GRE scores here at the School of Public Health by December 1 of the year preceding the desired entrance year.
The department will accept late applications, but we encourage you to apply as early as possible. After June 1 you should probably consider applying for the following year's admission cycle. Late applicants are less likely to be considered for financial aid.
The application process has three steps. You must:
For complete application instructions and the list of required materials, review the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Admission Application Check List and Submission Instructions.
As we receive many more qualified applicants for the program than there are available spaces, meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not ensure admission to the program.
For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the registrar's office.
Please see FSPH Financial Opportunities page 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.
Biostatisticians have the potential to have enormous scientific impact in medicine, public health, life sciences, survey research, and computer science. There is tremendous variety in possible fields of application, including AIDS, cancer, genetics, imaging, bioinformatics, immunology and public policy. Graduates of the program work in a variety of policy and management healthcare settings. Examples of positions include consulting, project management, financial analysis in healthcare organizations, research positions and administration.
For a list of faculty in this department, please click here.
To search all School of Public Health faculty members by name, department or area of expertise, click here.
For more information or for questions on the program, please contact Roxy Naranjo at rlnaranjo@ph.ucla.edu or 310.267.2186.
*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. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the registrar’s office.
* 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.
