Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics is designed to equip students with data analysis and quantitative reasoning skills that are in high demand by employers in public health and related fields. Open to students from any major, the program is tailored to build on the introductory statistics and quantitative methods coursework included in many graduate programs across Georgia State University.

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics can be completed as a standalone certificate or embedded into other graduate coursework at GSU. Students can earn the certificate completely online. The program involves hands-on experience in data analysis using the statistical software R. Through practical exercises, students will learn to manipulate and analyze health-related data, applying advanced statistical techniques to derive actionable insights.

Career Opportunities

The need for data-driven decision makers is growing across a wide range of fields. The Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics complements degree programs focused on biomedical research, clinical research, and population health. Organizations that employ graduates with data analysis and quantitative reasoning skills include:

• Local, state, and federal agencies
• Health care organizations
• International non-profit organizations
• Universities
• Research Institutions
• Pharmaceutical companies

Program Details

• Admissions Requirements: Applicants must possess at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission. Applications will require a resume or CV, transcripts, and a statement of interest and personal intent.
• Curriculum: The Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics is a 15-credit hour program designed to offer a progression in applied biostatistics training beyond the initial statistics and/or quantitative methods courses offered within graduate programs across the university.
• Tuition: This program is eligible for residency neutral rates for online students.
  • $450 tuition per credit hour (same for all fully online students, regardless of geographic location)
  • $660 per semester online learning fee (if enrolled in 6 or more credit hours)

Required Courses

• Required Core Classes: 2 courses (six credit hours)
  • PHPH 8820 - Categorical Data and Generalized Linear Models [3 hours]
  • PHPH 8525 - Introduction to Programming in R for Public Health [3 hours]
• Pre-requisite coursework: An introductory graduate course or sequence covering fundamentals of probability, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and regression.
• Pre-approved Electives: Choose 3 courses (9 hours) from a list of available electives, including:
  • PHPH 8840 - Statistical Modeling with Latent Variables I: Structural Equation Modeling
  • PHPH 8850 - Statistical Modeling with Latent Variables II: Finite Mixture Modeling
  • PHPH 8860 - Multilevel Models in Public Health
  • PHPH 8870 - Bayesian Statistics
  • PHPH 8885 - Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
  • PHPH 8260 - Spatial Analysis: Applications for Epidemiology
  • PHPH 8920 - Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Student Learning Objectives

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics has six Student Learning Objectives (SLOs):

1. Apply advanced (multivariate) descriptive and inferential techniques used with public health data.
2. Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions.
3. Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
4. Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses for both public health professionals and educated lay audiences.
5. Apply basic informatics techniques (storage, access, management, organization, visualization, and evaluation of public health data) in public health research.
6. Conduct data analysis using statistical software.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: February 15 (priority deadline for scholarship consideration and international applicants), June 15 (regular deadline)
• Spring: October 1 (priority deadline), November 1 (regular deadline)