Public Health Sciences

Public Health Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for impactful careers in the promotion of community health and disease prevention. This program provides students with a solid foundation in the core concepts of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and community engagement, students develop the skills necessary to analyze complex health issues, design effective interventions, and evaluate public health programs. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication, enabling graduates to address diverse health challenges at local, state, national, and global levels. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and internship opportunities with public health agencies and organizations, fostering practical experience alongside academic learning. The program also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from medicine, sociology, environmental science, and policy studies to prepare students for the multifaceted nature of public health practice. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in public health policy, health education, epidemiology, health administration, and research. They are also prepared for advanced study in public health or related fields. The Pennsylvania State University’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive learning environment ensures that students from varied backgrounds are supported in their academic and professional development. With a faculty comprising experienced professionals and researchers dedicated to public health advancement, students benefit from mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge public health issues and innovations. Whether students aim to work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare systems, or research institutions, the Public Health Sciences program provides a robust educational foundation and practical opportunities to make meaningful contributions to community health improvement and disease prevention.

A total of 24 course credits and 6 thesis research credits are required to fulfill the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Public Health Sciences.

In addition to the core course areas of biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical research methods, clinical trials, outcomes measurement, health care economics and policy, and ethics of clinical research, additional courses are available in data management, translational research methods, and more specialized health services research methods.

Students who enter as master’s degree candidates may continue provided their first-year performance is satisfactory.

Thesis Requirement

A major component of the master’s degree curriculum is a student-chosen, mentored research thesis that is designed, conducted, analyzed, and summarized during the two-year program.

There are currently 90 established investigators who are available to participate as mentors and advisors for these projects.

Through choice of research topic, students can opt for a concentration in clinical research, clinical trials, or health services research, for example.

Year 1

Fall Semester

• * PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3 credits)
• * PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
• * PHS 529: Biostatistical Computing for Public Health (1 credit)
• * PHS 530: Principles of Health Services Research (2 credits)

Spring Semester

• * PHS 521: Applied Biostatistics (3 credits)
• * PHS 551: Advanced Epidemiological Methods (3 credits)
• * PHS 500: Research Ethics for Clinical Investigators (1 credit)

Summer Semester (Optional)

• PHS 511: Methods Used in Translational Research (1 credit)
• PHS 522: Multivariate Biostatistics (3 credits)

* - indicates required course

Year 2

Fall Semester

• PHS 570: Health Economics and Economic Evaluation (3 credits)
• * PHS 536: Health Survey Research Methods (3 credits)
• PHS 518: Scientific Communication (2 credits)
• ** PHS 600: Thesis Research (3 credits)

Spring Semester

• PHS 580: Clinical Trials (3 credits)
• PHS 540: Decision Analysis (1 credit)
• PHS 522: Multivariate Biostatistics (3 credits)
• PHS 535: Quality of Care Measurement (3 credits)
• ** PHS 600: Thesis Research (3 or 6 credits)

* - indicates required course

** - thesis research can be taken as 3 credits in each of two semesters, or as 6 credits in the final semester; a thesis mentor must be identified before scheduling the course

• Completed online application
• Resume or CV
• Statement of goals (PDF format is suggested)
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and must have completed at least college-level course in algebra, calculus or statistics
• Two letters of recommendation
• GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT scores. The requirements of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and satisfactory GRE scores may be relaxed if the student has professional experience, a post-baccalaureate degree in a related field, or other strong evidence suggesting likely success in the MS PHS program. Some applicants may be accepted on a provisional basis, pending performance at the B (3.0) level or higher in the first semester.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores 

Scholarships

Assistantships

The most common form of graduate support, teaching and research assistantships, include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. Recipients are assigned to a faculty adviser who supervises the experience. Graduate assistants support undergraduate instruction or undertake research projects. A specified time commitment of 10-30 hours per week is required depending on the unit (a half-time/20 hour per week commitment is typical). Appointments are available only to graduate students who are registered for courses and enrolled in degree programs.

Fellowships

Fellowships are highly prestigious financial support packages that typically include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. They derive from University or outside awards. Unlike assistantships, they do not have a required work commitment; they are duty-free. Recipients must be enrolled in degree programs and be registered full time. Fellowship recipients are not permitted to accept employment without obtaining approval from the unit and/or agency supporting the fellowship.

Traineeships

Training grants are derived from agencies outside the University and are intended to support specific student learning experiences in core curricular areas and research methods. Institutional awards, typically under the direction of a faculty principal investigator, afford funding to support selected students with stipends, tuition grants-in-aid, and often include a subsidy for medical insurance.

The Pennsylvania State University offers a comprehensive program in Public Health Sciences designed to prepare students for careers in health policy, community health, environmental health, epidemiology, and health education. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating biological, environmental, social, and behavioral sciences to address complex health issues facing populations today. Core coursework includes epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, environmental health, and social and behavioral sciences, providing students with a strong foundation in both theory and practical skills necessary for public health practice. Students have opportunities for hands-on experience through internships, research projects, and community engagement initiatives, fostering practical skills and professional networking. The program also offers specializations or tracks in areas such as global health, health policy, and community health, allowing students to tailor their education to their career interests. The faculty comprises experienced researchers and public health practitioners who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in public health agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare settings, or to pursue advanced degrees such as a master's in public health (MPH) or doctoral programs. The university's state-of-the-art facilities, active student organizations, and collaborations with health-related entities provide a supportive environment for academic and professional development in public health sciences.