Health Data Science - MS
The MS in Health Data Science is open to internal GW Transfers for the Fall 2025 semester and open to all applicants for the Spring 2026 semester. Applications for Spring 2026 matriculation and beyond will open this summer via the SOPHAS Common App (Apply above) after August 13, 2025.
The Master of Science program in Health Data Science, administered by the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics in the Milken Institute School of Public Health, develops leaders and practitioners in public health and medicine. Students in the program develop practical skills for innovative data analysis and will be trained in becoming excellent communicators of scientific findings in public health and biomedical research. The program takes advantage of the rich bioinformatics and biostatistical resources at GW and in the nation’s capital and is designed to prepare students to be independent practitioners and collaborators in interdisciplinary research.
Upon completion of the MS program in Health Data Science, students will possess the following competencies.
- Programming: Develop skills in programming, data structures, algorithms, machine learning, high-performance computing and apply these skills to create approaches that facilitate biological data analysis.
- Biology: Develop a basis of knowledge in biology and evaluate biological data generation technologies.
- Statistics: Apply statistical research methods in the context of molecular biology, genomics, medical, and population genetics research.
- Foundational Knowledge: Interpret and synthesize the various foundational concepts of bioinformatics, including genomics, algorithms, and other key tools used in bioinformatics.
- Conceptual Integration: Integrate concepts and data across fields of computer science, statistics, data science, biology, and health sciences through bioinformatics.
Program Director: Dr. Marcos Pérez Losada
All applicants to the MS in Health Data Science program must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and should have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, biology, bioengineering, and/or computer science. Applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses (assumed at the undergraduate level) to be considered for admission:
- One course in statistics
- One course in biology
- One course in computer science
- Core Courses
PUBH 6080 | Pathways to Public Health (0 credits)*
PUBH 6850 | Introduction to SAS for Public Health Research (1 credit)
PUBH 6851 | Introduction to R for Public Health Research (1 credit)
PUBH 6852 | Introduction to Python for Public Health Research (1 credit)
PUBH 6854 | Applied Computing (3 credits)
PUBH 6860 | Principles of Bioinformatics (3 credits)
PUBH 6868 | Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
PUBH 6884 | Bioinformatics Algorithms and Data Structures (3 credits)
PUBH 6886 | Statistical and Machine Learning for Public Health Research (3 credits)CORE TOTAL: 18 CREDITS
* See the Graduate Advising page for more information.
- Electives
Students may choose any graduate-level course (6000 level or higher) at SPH, in consultation with their advisor. Pre-approved options are listed on the program guide.
ELECTIVES: 16 CREDITS
- Research and Thesis
PUBH 6897 | Research in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (1 credit minimum)
PUBH 6898 | Master of Science Thesis (1 credit minimum)Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credits of research and Master's thesis work. Any additional research and thesis credits taken may count towards elective credits.
Students must successfully defend their Master's thesis or a presentation of a research report. This defense is in addition to PUBH 6898.
RESEARCH/THESIS TOTAL: 2 CREDITS
- Non-Academic Requirements
Ethics and Professional Skills
Students must participate in department-led ethics and professional skills training.
Professional Enhancement
Students must participate in eight hours of Professional Enhancement. These activities may be public health-related lectures, seminars, or symposia related to your field of study.
Professional Enhancement activities supplement the rigorous academic curriculum of the SPH degree programs and help prepare students to participate actively in the professional community. You can learn more about opportunities for Professional Enhancement via the Milken Institute School of Public Health Listserv, through departmental communications, or by speaking with your advisor.
Students must submit a completed Professional Enhancement Form to the student records department gwsphrecords
gwu [dot] edu (gwsphrecords[at]gwu[dot]edu).Complete Human Subjects Research Training Requirements
All students in the SPH are required to complete training regarding human subject protection regulation and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). To fulfill this requirement, a student must complete the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) Course in The Protection of Human Research Subjects. All SPH students are required to complete the CITI module Social and Behavioral Researchers or the Biomedical track which can be found under Human Subjects Research Training. CITI coursework must be completed before the end of their first semester/two modules. Students must complete the CITI course before they are approved to begin the Applied Practice Experience and/or Practicum (MPH students) or any other field or research-related activities. This course is available online. Students should print out the certificate of completion for the CITI course and keep a copy for their records. Students will need this documentation for any IRB submission package. Documentation of completion is also required for graduation clearance. Students will submit these documents to the Office of Student Records, gwsphrecords
gwu [dot] edu (gwsphrecords[at]gwu[dot]edu). Additional training requirements exist for students who plan to conduct some types of research (e.g., clinical research). Students are strongly encouraged to complete the Biomedical Investigators module.To get started:
- Go to www.citiprogram.org
- Click: Register for the CITI course
- Select Institution (GW is under All Others, a drop-down list)
- Create a new username and password
- Enter contact information
For a quick video tutorial on how to access CITI click here.
Academic Integrity Quiz
All Milken Institute School of Public Health students are required to review the University’s Code of Academic Integrity and complete the GW Academic Integrity Activity. This activity must be completed within 2 weeks of matriculation. Information on SPH Academic Integrity requirements can be found here.
Students pursuing a MS in Health Data Science have access to a world-class faculty with relevant expertise and diverse experience in all sectors of public health and medical research. Areas of interest and research experience for professors and lecturers in the program include: clinical trials, statistical modeling, machine learning, computing and software development, survival analysis, and finite population sampling, with applications in infectious diseases (including COVID-19, HIV, and bacterial superbug infections), mental health, diabetes, maternal-fetal medicine, and cardiovascular disease. Learn about the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics faculty here.