The MS in Health Science allows students to receive training in methods used in the health sciences field. They complete the MS with either a thesis or nonthesis option. Additionally students select one of two concentration paths, the Biostatistics and Epidemiology concentration or the Community Health Education concentration. This permits students to advance in the quantitative skills or education skills for positions in healthcare systems and across the public health sector. The program can be completed online. Each concentration has 12 credits from required specialization courses. Each concentration has 6 credits of electives that may be chosen from lists of acceptable courses.
38-39 credits
Major courses, 14-15 credits
There are 4 courses required to complete the major courses which are common to both tracks of this degree program. A data science course may be substituted for HSC 687. These courses provide training in research techniques, basic quantitative concepts in public health through basic instruction in epidemiology and biostatistics, essentials of program planning and evaluation, and research communication experience in a final seminar.
| HSC 670 | Health Science Research Techniques | 3 |
| HSC 671 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| HSC 683 | Principles of Epidemiology 1 | 3 |
| HSC 686 | Health Promotion Program Planning and Evaluation | 4 |
| HSC 687 | Statistical Theory and Methods in Health Science | 2 |
| or | |
| DSCI 602 | Statistical Methods for Data Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14-15 |
Thesis or Non Thesis Option, 6 credits
Students, working with an advisor will select either a thesis or nonthesis option. If the thesis option is selected, students will enroll in 3 credits of THES 698 for each of two semesters (6 credits in total). If the nonthesis option is selected, students, working with an advisor, will enroll in 3 credits of HSC 669 Health Science Practicum for each of two semesters (6 credits in total).
| THES 698 | Thesis | 1 TO 6 |
| or | |
| HSC 669 | Health Science Practicum | 3-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Students take 4 required courses, for a total of 12 credits, in the Biostatistics and Epidemiology concentration.
| HSC 685 | Principles of Epidemiology 2 | 3 |
| DSCI 610 | Data Analytics for Health Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 686 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 522 | Theory of Sampling and Surveys | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Electives for Biostatistics and Epidemiology concentration
Six credits of electives must be selected, one 3-credit course from the Health Issues list and one 3- credit course from the Methods list:
Health Issues List for Biostatistics and Epidemiology Concentration
Choose 3 credits from the list below:
| HSC 665 | Health and Aging | 3 |
| HSC 667 | Drug Dependence and Abuse | 3 |
| HSC 672 | Women and Health | 3 |
| HSC 681 | Stress Management | 3 |
| HSC 682 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| NUTR 660 | Advanced Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| NUR 662 | Health Care Business and Economics | 3 |
| SOCW 681 | Social Work Practice with Children and Families | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Methods List for the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Concentration
Choose 3 credits from the list below:
| MATH 528 | Regression and Time Series Models | 3 |
| MATH 529 | Analysis of Variance in Experimental Design Models | 3 |
| MATH 627 | Generalized Linear Models with Applications | 3 |
| MATH 629 | Introductory Survival Analysis | 3 |
| HSC 697 | Special Studies in Health Science | 1 TO 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Concentration in Community Health Education
Students take 3 required courses, for a total of 12 credits, in the Community Health Education concentration. The internship course, HSC 675, must be taken for 6 credits.
| HSC 668 | Consumer Health Issues | 3 |
| HSC 675 | Internship in Health Science | 3 TO 6 |
| COMM 630 | Health Communication | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Electives for Community Health Education concentration
Choose 6 credits from the list below:
| HSC 662 | Health Promotion in the Worksite | 3 |
| HSC 664 | Health Education in the Clinical Setting | 3 |
| HSC 665 | Health and Aging | 3 |
| HSC 667 | Drug Dependence and Abuse | 3 |
| HSC 672 | Women and Health | 3 |
| HSC 681 | Stress Management | 3 |
| HSC 682 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSC 698 | Workshop in Health Science | 1 TO 6 |
| NUTR 645 | Nutrition and Food Policy | 3 |
| NUTR 660 | Advanced Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| SOCW 602 | Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege | 3 |
| SOCW 631 | Macro Perspectives of Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| EDST 650 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDST 655 | Introduction to Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| POLS 648 | Policy Design and Advocacy | 3 |
| POLS 650 | Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |