PhD Biostatistics at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The PhD in Biostatistics prepares students for research and teaching positions in academic institutions and leadership roles in health-related agencies, with major and minor areas of concentration. Research areas include Bayesian methods, biomarker discovery and machine learning.

Faculty: School of Public Health and Health Sciences | Department: Biostatistics and Epidemiology | Intake: Fall (priority deadline December 1, 2026; final February 1, 2027) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

Core courses in generalized linear models, Bayesian inference, survival analysis and statistical theory, plus electives chosen with an advisor (for example Biostats 750 Applied Statistical Learning).

Career pathways

Research and teaching positions in academia and leadership roles in health-related agencies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Biostatistics graduate programs: two-step process (SOPHAS application, deadline February 1; PhD priority deadline December 1, then UMass supplemental application, deadline March 1; Fall admission only). US bachelor's degree or international equivalent by the start of the program; successful applicants typically have at least a 3.0/4.0 GPA; both multivariate calculus and linear algebra required for the PhD; preference for applicants with a relevant graduate degree or professional qualification and/or at least 2 years of public health work experience; short essay responses; minimum of three letters of recommendation; resume/CV. GRE scores are not required and are not considered. International applicants typically have a TOEFL score of 5 (100 for tests taken before January 2026) or higher, or equivalent on other approved tests, and need a NACES course-by-course credential evaluation of international transcripts.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall (priority deadline December 1, 2026; final February 1, 2027)

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