Students entering the master's program are assumed to have the necessary background, including:

• One semester of multivariate calculus
• One semester of linear algebra
• One semester of probability using calculus
• Experience with numerical computing and two to three semesters of calculus are recommended

Applicants to this School of Public Health program should apply through SOPHAS, a centralized application service for accredited schools and programs in public health. The application opens in mid-August each year. 

If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.

A.M. (5th Year)

Eight courses for the Masters of Arts (A.M.) degree in Biostatistics. It is required that Fifth-Year Master’s students take two courses counting toward the Master’s degree prior to matriculating into the program. Students must apply for the Fifth-Year program through SOPHAS Express for applicants to the Biostatistics program before they complete their undergraduate studies.

It is strongly suggested that undergraduate students considering this program consult with the Master’s Graduate Program Director before their senior year of undergraduate study. Admission must be approved by the Biostatistics Department Graduate Program and by the Graduate School. While a student must be enrolled as an active undergraduate student at the time of application, admission to the graduate program can be deferred for up to two years with approval from the Biostatistics Graduate Program.

A.M. (Open Graduate Education)

Eight courses for the Masters of Arts (A.M.) degree in Biostatistics. The Open Graduate Education Program allows Brown doctoral students to pursue a master’s degree in a secondary field. Interested doctoral students from graduate programs outside the Department of Biostatistics should apply through the UFunds online system.

Sc.M. 

Ten courses for the Masters of Science (Sc.M.) plus completing a thesis or a project. Up to one course from another institution can be transferred.

Graduate Tuition & Fees

Please visit the Office of Student Financial Services for up-to-date tuition rates.

Financial aid for master’s students varies, though most students are self-supported through a combination of scholarships, loans, outside funding, and/or Research and Teaching assistantships. You can find Master’s funding opportunities on the School of Public Health website. NextGen Scholars Program Master’s Funding Opportunities

Brown’s master’s in biostatistics combines advanced training in data analysis, health data and statistical computing with practical applications across public health, clinical medicine, biological sciences, biomedicine and biotechnology. Students build expertise in statistical inference, modeling and computer programming, preparing them for careers working with complex data, including roles as statisticians as well as further study in biostatistics.

A master’s in biostatistics can prepare you for careers as a statistician or data analyst in a variety of industries with applications across public health, clinical medicine, biological sciences, biomedicine and biotechnology. The degree can also support doctoral study in biostatistics or advanced research roles.

You’ll develop skills in statistical inference and modeling, data analysis, data science tools and computer programming. The program also builds communication and collaboration skills for applying statistical methods to health data and medical research.

Statistics is the broader field of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data across many areas. Biostatistics applies statistical methods specifically to questions involving health data, public health, clinical medicine, biological sciences, biomedicine and biotechnology.

Look for a program that builds the skills aligned with your goals, including data analysis, health data and statistical computing. Brown’s master’s in biostatistics provides training in statistical inference, modeling and computer programming, preparing students for careers as statisticians and data analysts in industry, government or academia.

Brown’s master of science in biostatistics requires 10 courses plus a thesis or project. The master‘s of art in biostatistics requires eight courses and is available to current Brown undergraduates through the fifth-year master’s program. Brown also offers the A.M. through its Open Graduate Education Program for Brown doctoral students pursuing a master’s in a secondary field.