PhD, Biostatistics at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

An academic degree for students with a background in mathematics and a strong interest in biology and public health. It emphasizes statistical theory and methods so graduates can act as effective statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies, lead the design and execution of studies and develop biostatistics methodology. Students interested in statistical genetics can pursue it within the biostatistics PhD by taking genetics electives.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Department: Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science | Duration: 72 credits | Intake: Fall only; PhD application deadline December 15 (applications via SOPHAS) | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

72 credits including coursework in the fundamentals of statistical theory and applications, a statistical consulting practicum, coursework in epidemiology and public health, and advanced dissertation research in an area of specialization. Competencies include advanced parametric and nonparametric methods, linear and mixed models, generalized linear and non-linear regression for cross-sectional, clustered and longitudinal data, and survival models for time-to-event data.

Career pathways

Recent graduates hold positions such as data scientist at Google, senior research statistician at AbbVie, biostatistics manager at Amgen, senior biostatistician at Boehringer Ingelheim, biostatistician at Duke Clinical Research Institute, mathematical statistician at the US FDA, and assistant professor at Northwestern Feinberg, University of Florida and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Department requirements (PhD): prior degree; completed SOPHAS application; three letters of recommendation; calculus (6 credits, usually Calculus I and II); GRE recommended; no social science prerequisite. A master's degree is not required and applicants can apply directly to the PhD. A biology background is not required but encouraged. School-wide: US graduate or bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with sufficient mathematics, biological and social science preparation. International applicants (Pitt Public Health): official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score report and a course-by-course WES evaluation of non-US education. Department minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the new scale for tests from January 21, 2026), IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 140; the school-wide floor is TOEFL 80 (4.0 new scale, all subscores 4.0), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120. Waived for degrees from US regionally accredited institutions or from English-language institutions in English-official countries.

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 57,816 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Intake: Fall only; PhD application deadline December 15 (applications via SOPHAS)

Duration: 72 credits

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