Degree Requirements

The expected completion time for full-time MS in Biostatistics students is two years (part-time students can expect to take up to four, but no more than five years). The program requires successful (i.e., maintain a 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale) completion of 36 credit hours via one of two options:

1. Non-thesis option completion of 24 credit hours of core course work, three credit hours of Introductory Public Health, and nine credit hours of electives
2. Thesis option – the same core and public health requirement as the non-thesis option with six credit hours of electives and three credit hours of thesis. The program is offered both on-campus and online with no residency requirements. Full-time students, whether on-campus or online, should finish the degree in two years.

At least 50% of the coursework for the MS degree must be completed at the University of Nebraska. No graduate credit will be accepted for transfer unless earned at an institution fully accredited to offer graduate work; nor should the student expect any graduate credit to be transferred unless the Graduate Committee evaluates the quality and suitability as equivalent to the offerings available at the University of Nebraska. A candidate must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all graduate courses completed for the MS degree. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA will result in suspension or termination from the MS program. Students must conform to all scholarship requirements specified in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Graduate Studies Bulletin. Students are expected to complete the courses listed below or their equivalent. These courses are subject to change, and other courses can be substituted at the discretion of the Advisor.

Advisor

At admission, students will be assigned an advisor by the Chairperson of the Biostatistics Department. Students opting for the Thesis option may continue to work with their original advisor, or select a new advisor based on their thesis topic. Students desiring the thesis option should make this decision by the Fall of their second year.

Program of Study

Each student shall complete a program of study that details the courses to be taken and expected graduation date. The program of study must be approved by the student’s advisor and submitted to Graduate Studies via Seguidor before the start of the student’s second semester. Programs of study may be amended as necessary with advisor approval and should be reported to Graduate Studies via Seguidor.

Curriculum

The MS program in Biostatistics is 36 credit hours to be completed in two years by full-time students taking 18 credit hours per year, and four years by part-time students. All courses listed are offered both on-campus and online.