Population Health Sciences (MS)

Program Code: G-PHS-MS
Degree Designation: Master of Science
Department: Population Health Sciences
Website: populationhealth.duke.edu

Program Summary

The Department of Population Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Population Health Sciences, which provides a solid methodological and analytical foundation across broad population health sciences concepts, including basic study design, determinants of health, health disparities, implementation and evaluation, and policies and systems. The program consists of coursework, collaborative research projects, and hands-on experience. Students take advanced classes in applied analytics methods, foundational courses in population health sciences, research methods, and study design along with four electives. Real-world experience comes from a year-long capstone project during which students complete an internship and write a master’s paper. The program requires professional development seminars on topics including leadership and professional adaptability, networking, and communication techniques, having a professional presence, and US employer expectations. Broadly, it is expected that students entering the MS Program in Population Health Sciences should have a background or strong interest in the social sciences, quantitative sciences, and health care.

Academic Requirements

Coursework includes 40 units over four semesters, including required Graduate School training in Academic Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research (AIRCR) and 12 electives credits, a minimum of 6 of which must be taken in DPHS.

• Year 1

  • Fall 11 credits

    • POPHS 701: Applied Analytic Methods I (3 credits)

    • POPHS 703: Statistical Programming for Population Health Sciences I (1 credit)

    • POPHS 705: Topics in Population Health Sciences I (3 credits)

    • POPHS 707: Research Methods & Study Design I (3 credits)

    • POPHS 709: Professional Development (1 credit)

  • Spring 11 credits

    • POPHS 702: Applied Analytic Methods II (3 credits)

    • POPHS 704: Statistical Programming for Population Health Sciences II (1 credit)

    • POPHS 706: Topics in Population Health Sciences II (3 credits)

    • POPHS 708: Research Methods & Study Design II (3 credits)

    • POPHS 710: Professional Development (1 credit)

• Year 2

  • Fall 9 credits

    • Elective (3 credits)

    • Elective (3 credits)

    • POPHS 751: Capstone Project (3 credits)

  • Spring 9 credits

    • Elective (3 credits)

    • Elective (3 credits)

    • POPHS 752: Capstone Project (3 credits)