The UW Health Systems and Population Health Master of Science (HSPop M.S.) program is an in-residence, two-year graduate degree program for full-time students that offers analytical and practical knowledge and skills in health services research.
HSPop M.S. at a Glance
| Duration | 2 years, full time (6 quarters) |
| Format | In-person classroom (day) |
| Location | UW Seattle |
| Course Credits | 63 course credits minimum |
Our Strengths
The Health Systems and Population Health M.S. program is part of the UW School of Public Health, which consistently ranks among the best in the nation. Our curriculum is exceptional in the strength of our required and elective courses in program evaluation, biostatistics, epidemiology, and health economics.
The HSPop M.S. program offers a combination of advanced methods training and the flexibility to customize elective courses to the student’s interest area. Students have the option to pursue electives across other departments and schools at the University of Washington.
Master of Science vs Master of Public Health
Compared to the Health Systems and Population Health Master of Public Health (MPH) program, the HSPop M.S. program allows for more time to pursue advanced research courses because there are fewer public health course requirements and no public health practicum requirement.
Rigorous and Comprehensive Curriculum
Our curriculum is exceptional in the strength of our required and elective courses in program evaluation, biostatistics, epidemiology, and health economics. We provide a combination of advanced methods training and the flexibility to customize elective courses to the student’s interest area. Students have the option to pursue electives across other departments and schools at the University of Washington. The Health Systems and Population Health M.S. program also offers an optional clinical pathway to students in certain fellowship programs.
There are two options for students in the program, either a general M.S. degree with a focus on research methods or a concentration in clinical and translational research (CTR). Students electing to pursue the clinical and translational research concentration must complete the required courses, as well as additional requirements specific to the concentration.
Contribute to Advancing Health Services Research
All HSPop M.S. students must complete a thesis. The thesis is original research that generates new knowledge using rigorous methods appropriate to the research questions, while also applying concepts and methods from one or more branches of science relevant to public health.
Excellent Faculty Mentoring and Flexible Study
HSPop M.S. faculty members are distinguished faculty committed to working with students. They are skilled in interdisciplinary research and practice and are able to mentor students with varied educational backgrounds and training interests.
Health Systems and Population Health M.S. program faculty include many of the UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) faculty, along with faculty from other university departments and research centers.
Strong Partner and Alumni Connections
We have strong and productive relationships with local research centers and medical institutions. We also have a strong record of alumni placement. Our alumni are leaders in academia, government agencies, and the private sector. Several alumni have pursued our Health Services Ph.D. program or advanced study in a related field.
Our program, the UW School of Public Health, and the University of Washington provide careers services to support the success of HSPop M.S. graduates.
Join Our Success
The HSPop M.S. is part of the UW School of Public Health, which is highly ranked by the U.S. News & World Report. UW also ranks highly among public universities in research funding and provides health leadership across the Pacific Northwest.