Almost every field of knowledge relies on data to study important questions, so statisticians and data scientists are in high demand. In fact, statisticians currently rank #2 in best business jobs and #5 in best STEM jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The 4+1 BA/MS in Biostatistics allows students to earn both a bachelor of arts from NYU Gallatin and a master of science from NYU GPH in less time than it would take to complete both programs separately. The program is designed for academically strong students in almost every field of science, social science and the humanities, including mathematics, economics, psychology, sociology, biology, chemistry, physics and English, among many others. In addition, for students who want a flexible skill set applicable to a variety of fields to bolster their strong commitment to public health, the MS in biostatistics will allow you to supplement your Gallatin BA with expertise in data analysis and statistical computing.
How It Works
In their sophomore year, students who are interested in the 4 + 1 in Biostatistics should speak with an adviser and complete the application for the program by the end of the year. Students admitted to the 4+1 BA/MS will accelerate their progress to the MPH degree by earning 15 MPH credits during their undergraduate program. These will come from general electives and will be double counted -- representing a savings of 15 credits and allowing you to complete the MS portion of the 4 + 1 in just one additional year for a total of 159 credits – 128 credits for the BA and an additional 31 credits for the MS (taken separately, the Gallatin BA requires 128 credits and the MS requires 46 credits, for a total of 174 credits taken over six years.)
4 + 1 Biostatistics Program Sequence
When planning out the courses, students should be aware that there are several selective options as outlined below. While you must take one course in either selective category, you may take the other as an elective.
Choose one of the following (3 credits)
GPH-GU 2286 Introduction to Data Management and Statistical Computing (3)
GPH-GU 2182 Statistical Programming in R (3)
Choose one of the following (3 credits):
GPH-GU 2225 Psychometric Measurement & Analysis in Public Health Research & Practice (3)
GPH-GU 2387 Survey Design, Analysis, and Reporting (3)
Choose one of the following (3 credits):
GPH-GU 2480 Longitudinal Analysis of Public Health Data (3)
GPH-GU 2368 Applied Survival Analysis (3)
Choose one of the following (3 credits):
GPH-GU 2930 Epidemiology Design & Methods (3)
GPH-GU 3225 Statistical Inference (3)
APSTA-GE-2012 Causal Inference (3)
Students who are beginning their MPH coursework in Fall 2024 or later should follow the sequence below: (students who began their MS coursework PRIOR to Fall 2024 should follow this sequence).
| Fall 1 (16 credits) | Spring 1 (16 credits) |
| Gallatin coursework | Gallatin coursework |
| Fall 2 (19 credits) | Spring 2 (18 credits) |
| Gallatin coursework | Gallatin coursework |
| Fall 3 (18 credits) | Spring 3 (19 credits) |
| GPH-GU 2106 Epidemiology (3) GPH-GU 2995 Biostatistics for Public Health (3) Gallatin coursework (12 credits) | GPH-GU 2353 Regression I: Linear Regression and Modeling (3) Gallatin coursework (13 credits) |
| Fall 4 (18 credits) | Spring 4 (19 credits) |
| GPH-GU 2286 Intro to Data Management and Statistical Computing (3) - OR - GPH-GU 2182 Statistical Programming in R (3) GPH-GU 5170 Introduction to Public Health (0) Gallatin coursework (15 credits) | GPH-GU 2450 Intermediate Epidemiology (3) Gallatin coursework (16 credits) |
| Summer - While an internship is not a requirement of the MS, students are strongly encouraged to work on projects that involve data during the summer. Additionally, students are also encouraged to take up to 6 credits of coursework during this time. | |
| Fall 5 - MPH year (14 credits) | Spring 5 - MPH year (14 credits) |
| GPH-GU 2686 Thesis I: Practice and Integrative Learning Experiences (2) GPH-GU 2354 Regression II: Categorical Data Analysis (3) GPH-GU 2930 Epidemiology Design & Methods (3) - OR - GPH-GU 3225 Statistical Inference (3) - OR - APSTA-GE 2021 Causal Inference (3) - OR - GPH-GU 2363 Causal Inference: Design and Analysis (3) GPH-GU 2225 Psychometric Measurement & Analysis in Public Health Research & Practice (3) - OR - GPH-GU 2387 Survey Design, Analysis, and Reporting (3) Elective (3) Elective (3) | GPH-GU 2687 Thesis II: Practice and Integrative Learning Experiences (2) GPH-GU 2361 Research Methods in Public Health (3) GPH-GU 2480 Longitudinal Analysis of Public Health Data (3) - OR - GPH-GU 2368 Applied Survival Analysis (3) Elective (3) Elective (3) |
* students in the Biostatistics concentration take 12 credits, 9 of which are required to be in an approved, thematic area (e.g., clinical trials, machine learning and modeling, data science) and must have statistical content. A list of possible electives may be found on the bottom half of this page.
How to Apply
Admission to this program is open to Gallatin undergraduate students who have completed 64 units toward their BA degree, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have completed the equivalent of a college level precalculus course.
Interested students should contact Cameron Williams, Gallatin Sophomore Class Adviser and their faculty adviser to investigate the specifics of the program and to make sure this is the correct program for them. In the second semester of the sophomore year, students should complete the Gallatin-GPH BA-MS in Biostatistics Dual Degree Application, which includes a one-page Statement of Purpose, and which also requires the faculty adviser's approval.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must have completed a minimum of 44 credits toward the BA prior to applying.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 with no outstanding incomplete grades.
- Prior to applying for the dual degree, students must have completed a pre-calculus course (or equivalent) with a grade of "B" or better.
- Prior to applying for the dual degree, students must meet with an adviser in the School of Global Public health.
- Must have a grade of "C" or better in any School of Global Public Health MS core courses already completed.
- Must write a one-page (single-spaced) Statement of Purpose, describing your interest in the BA-MS in Biostatistics dual degree and how you see this program fitting with your overall academic and career goals.
Still have questions?
Email Cameron Williams, Gallatin Sophomore Class Adviser at cw1375@nyu.edu OR Miguel Silva, Assistant Director of Student Affairs at School of Global Public Health at mcs617@nyu.edu.