Master of Public Health - Biostatistics

Internship

Students complete a 180-hour field placement in an appropriate public health setting. Sites include, but are not limited to, hospitals, not-for-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and worksite/for-profit companies. The site is chosen based on student interest and competencies that students need to achieve.

Each site must have a mentor who is credentialed or who has experience in public health. The site must have a major project that addresses the educational needs of the student, and the amount of work available for the student must fill at least 180 contact hours. If affiliation agreements are needed, students must work with the MPH program manager to execute agreements.

Capstone

All students will participate in a culminating experience which is required for graduation from the program. The capstone project is completed in the final semester of the program. It will reflect the student’s assimilation of theories and skills from didactic and experiential learning courses. Under the supervision of a faculty capstone advisor, the student will execute a research plan and produce a final document for the project, as well as participate in the MPH Capstone Symposium by presenting their research in a public poster session.

Prerequisites

All applicants should have completed college-level mathematics and statistics courses.

Successful completion of Probability and Statistics is considered favorably, but not required.

Frequently Approved Prerequisites

Before applying, it's essential to ensure that any prior coursework meets the admissions requirements. MUSC provides a helpful reference list of frequently approved prerequisite courses to guide you in understanding which classes may satisfy your program's requirements.

 

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

1. Complete the MUSC application.
2. Once the application and all supplemental materials have been received, the application will be reviewed.
3. Selected applicants may be contacted by the admissions committee.

While the GRE is not currently required to apply for the program, submitting your GRE score is strongly encouraged. GRE scores taken within the past five years will be reviewed by the MPH Admissions Committee.

Application Requirements

1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.
2. Supplemental Materials: Applicants will need to submit the following supplemental materials.
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
   • Letters of recommendation: All applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors who have had close contact with them during their undergraduate, graduate, clinical, or research training. Recommendations are requested and submitted through the MUSC online application.
   • Personal statement: All applicants must submit a personal statement, not to exceed 1,000 words, that (1) describes their motivation for pursuing an MPH degree and, in particular, their motivation for pursuing their chosen concentration, (2) describes their background and how their interests and experiences make them ideally suited for participation in the MPH degree program within their chosen concentration, (3) outlines their main achievements or successes in their professional or academic development and highlights any special experiences or training in their chosen MPH concentration, and (4) describes their career plans and long-term goals in the field of public health and how obtaining an MPH degree within their chosen concentration will help them meet their long-term plans and goals and answering the question, “Why do you feel that MUSC is a good fit for you personally and academically?”

All information above must be received by the deadline to be considered for admission to the program. Without all materials, applications will be incomplete. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the progress of their application to ensure that all application materials have been submitted.

International Applicants

International applicants may apply. For more information on the DPHS admissions process overviewing applications, visas, and fees, please view our DPHS International Student Admissions handout.

MUSC welcomes international applicants and offers tailored guidance to support you throughout the admission process.  

 

Cost of Attendance

Item	Year 1	Year 2	Est. Total*
Direct Costs
Tuition - In-state/Out-of-state	$18,934 / $29,371	$6,752 / $10,538	$25,686 / $39,909
Health Insurance	$3,780	$1,596	$5,376
Fees - In-state/Out-of-state	$1,310 / $2,060	$660 / $910	$1,970 / $2,970
Direct Costs Subtotal	$24,024 / $35,211	$9,008 / $13,044	$33,032 / $48,255
Indirect Costs
Housing/Food	$24,882	$9,048	$33,930
Personal	$2,640	$960	$3,600
Transportation	$2,970	$1,080	$4,050
Books/Required Expenses	$4,010	$680	$4,690
Indirect Costs Subtotal	$34,502 / $34,502	$11,768 / $11,768	$46,270 / $46,270
Total Estimated Cost
Total - In-state/Out-of-state	$58,526 / $69,713	$20,776 / $24,812	$79,302 / $94,525

*All figures are estimated and subject to change.

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.