MS in Applied Biostatistics at Boston University

Programme overview

Prepares graduates to apply statistical methods used in biomedical research, design and interpret clinical trials, observational studies and genomic data studies, and give biostatistical advice on research teams.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Duration: 34 units; must be completed within five years; summer graduation | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

34 units including a 2-unit summer intensive, a 100-hour research mentorship and 400 hours of practical training (BS 910). Core courses include Accelerated Statistics Training, Statistical Programming, Statistical Learning in R, Bayesian Modeling, Applied Statistics in Clinical Trials, Generalized Linear Models, Analysis of Correlated Data and Statistical Genetics.

Career pathways

Biostatistician roles in biomedical research, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, government and federal agencies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme: at least one year of college calculus including multivariable calculus and a formal linear algebra course (at least 2 credits), minimum grade B; applicants lacking linear algebra or multivariable calculus may be provisionally accepted and must complete it before Accelerated Statistics Training. SPH MS applicants (scope: school MS programmes): GRE not accepted; three letters of recommendation via SOPHAS; statement of purpose; English proficiency for non-native speakers (TOEFL iBT 100 if taken before January 2026, 5.0 if taken from January 2026; IELTS Academic 7.0; Duolingo not accepted). Deadlines Fall 2027: priority January 15, 2027; international final April 1, 2027; domestic final June 15, 2027.

Requirements published at program group level.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

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