Degree Requirements
All students admitted to the Health Systems and Population Health MS program are required to earn a minimum of 63 credits.
- 63 credits (minimum)
- 30 credits must be graduate-level, in-classroom courses
- 18 credits must be in the UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health
- 9 thesis credits
- 30 credits must be graduate-level, in-classroom courses
Master of Science Concentrations
There are two concentration options in the program:
- HSPop MS – General concentration
- More flexible track. Students focus on research methods
- HSPop MS – Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) concentration
- Students complete the courses required for Generalist students, as well as additional requirements specific to this concentration.
Students electing to pursue the clinical and translational research concentration must complete the core courses, as well as additional concentration requirements.
Core Courses
All HSPop MS students are required to take the following courses.
Required Courses
All the following courses are required for HSPop MS students.
EPI 512: Epidemiologic Methods I
4 credits
EPI 513: Epidemiologic Methods II
4 credits
HSERV 511: Introduction to Health Services and Public Health
Take the 4-credit section which includes a discussion session
HSMGMT 514: Health Economics
3 credits
HSERV 592: Program Seminar (General Concentration) | HSERV 592: Clinical Fellows Program Seminar (CTR Concentration)
3 credits
HSERV 700: Thesis
9 credits
Additional Seminar Information
Clinical Fellows are required to take the seminar specifically designated for clinicians in the SPH master’s degree.
Clinical and translational research (CTR) concentration students should complete three quarters of the clinical fellow HSERV 592 seminar, instead of taking two quarters of the general MS concentration seminar. We highly recommend CTR concentration students take all three quarters of seminar.
Biostatistics Sequence Courses
All MS students must take one sequence of courses in Biostatistics.
BIOST 511: Medical Biometry I
4 credits
BIOST 512: Medical Biometry II
4 credits
BIOST 513: Medical Biometry III
4 credits
OR
BIOST 517: Applied Biostatistics I
4 credits
BIOST 518: Applied Biostatistics II
4 credits
Health Services Research Methods
All MS students must take at least two of the following courses.
HSERV 517: Qualitative Research Methods for Health Systems and Population Health
3 credits
HSERV 522: Program Evaluation
3/4 credits
HSERV 523: Advanced Health Services Research Methods I
4/5 credits
HSERV 524: Advanced Health Services Research Methods II
4/5 credits
HSERV 525: Advanced Health Services Research Methods III
4/5 credits
HSERV 527: Survey Research Methods
4 credits
HSERV 584: Assessing Outcomes in Health and Medicine
3 credits
Thesis
All MS students must write a thesis as their culminating experience.
Sample Course Schedule and Recommendations
The two required courses in health services research methods can be taken in any quarter. Remaining elective coursework should be planned in conjunction with your faculty or thesis advisor. The list below only includes the required series. Additional courses are taken to meet methods and elective requirements.
Minimum of 63 course credits to graduate.
Year One
Autumn Quarter
Winter Quarter
Spring Quarter
- BIOST 513 (4 credits) — if BIOST 511 and 512 are completed
- HSMGMT 514 (3 credits)
- HSERV 592 (3 credit)