Admissions Information for the 4+1 Program in Biostatistics

With a focus on modern challenges in statistical computing and big data as related to public health, the biostatistics MS program at UMass Amherst trains students in data management, data analysis, and statistical theory. By pursuing an accelerated MS degree option, talented undergraduate students can speed up their path to finding a niche in this attractive and fast-growing job market.

Students who are interested need to start planning for the accelerated MS track by the beginning of their junior year. Admitted students begin graduate coursework in their senior undergraduate year, and then complete their MS degree with one additional year of full-time graduate study.

Who is eligible to apply:

• This program is open to all UMass Amherst students, AND to students from the Five College Consortium.
• Students from any major can apply.

Credits needed to apply:

• For the 4+1 MS Program in Biostatistics, graduate courses may NOT count towards the 120 credits required to complete the undergraduate degree. Therefore, students interested in this 4+1 program should have earned a minimum of 96 credits going into their senior year.

GPA needed to apply:

• Students should have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Timing of graduate coursework:

• The accelerated MS Program in Biostatistics requires that students take between 9-15 graduate credits while still an undergraduate student. Some of these credits may be counted towards your undergraduate major. The remaining credits are taken after completing the undergraduate degree and apply towards the MS degree.
• Students typically will need to take 18 credits per semester in both their junior and senior years; this usually includes two graduate courses for each semester of senior year. Students are advised to complete a minimum of 96 credits by the end of their junior year to ensure they have room in their schedule for this required graduate coursework.
• The remaining graduate credits are completed during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year following completion of the undergraduate degree.

Application information:

• Applications are due by February 1 during the student’s junior year; students should have earned at least 75 credits prior to applying to be on-track to enroll in the program.
• To apply, students are required to submit a completed application, unofficial transcript, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from faculty or an internship/work supervisor. Letters from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities (i.e., faculty members with whom you took a class) are preferred.
• Junior-year admission to the 4+1 MS program does not entitle students to enter the MS program directly. In their senior year, 4+1 students formally apply to the Graduate School and must meet admissions requirements to continue in the MS program.

Link to application portal:

• Apply now! 

Questions?

• If you have questions, contact the Accelerated Biostatistics Degree Program Coordinator at biostats4plus1 [at] umass [dot] edu (biostats4plus1[at]umass[dot]edu).

Learn more at the video below!