Master's programs in Biostatistics and Public Health Data Science at Keck School of Medicine of USC

Welcome to an exciting journey into the world of Biostatistics and Public Health Data Science at the Keck School of Medicine of USC! I'm Trevor Pickering, the program director, and I'm thrilled to share what makes our master's programs unique and how they can shape your future.

About the Programs

The Keck School of Medicine offers two master's degree programs:

Master of Science in Biostatistics
Master of Science in Public Health Data Science

These programs are designed to equip you with essential skills that are highly valued in both academia and industry.

Master of Science in Biostatistics

The Master's of Biostatistics is a two-year immersive experience focusing on analytical skills and statistical methods:

Learn critical programming languages: SAS, STATA, and R
Deep dive into statistical theory and research design
Conduct independent research for your master’s thesis with guidance from a faculty mentor

We recommend that applicants have a background in:

College-level Calculus
Linear Algebra

Master of Science in Public Health Data Science

If you have some programming experience (in R or Python) and a grasp of basic statistics, the Public Health Data Science program might be more suited to you:

Hands-on experience with regression analysis and machine learning
Classes at the Viterbi School of Engineering for additional computer science training
Capstone project practicum with an external stakeholder

This degree integrates four key pillars:

Pillar	Description
Math and Statistics	Gain a strong foundation in quantitative methods through our Division of Biostatistics.
Computer Science	Understand databases, cloud technologies, and programming languages.
Domain Knowledge	Apply data science principles in public health contexts.
Communication	Effectively share complex concepts with less technical audiences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our programs have a plethora of career options, including:

Applied roles in industry, such as healthcare and tech companies
Research positions at USC or other research institutions

The sky is truly the limit with a degree in Biostatistics, Data Science, or Epidemiology. It's all about what you want to achieve!

Support and Guidance

As you embark on this academic journey, don't hesitate to reach out to our faculty — we are here to support you!

In the Master's thesis, you'll collaborate with a faculty chair advisor and two committee members who will guide your research. Similarly, during the practicum in the Public Health Data Science program, you will be under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

If a faculty member's research aligns with your interests, reach out for opportunities to engage in directed research alongside your coursework.

Thank you for discovering our programs today! We hope to welcome you to USC soon. Fight on!