Online MPH in Biostatistics and Informatics Degree Programs

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Biostatistics and Informatics is a graduate degree program that combines two complementary research fields into one program. It combines statistical sampling in the study of public health issues for biomedical research purposes (online biostatistics mph) with the study of computer information systems and the science of data processing, storage, and retrieval (online informatics mph). Biostatistics and Informatics are commonly used simultaneously in real-world applications as researchers gather information for studies. Researchers then use powerful computer systems to do statistical sampling to learn about the causes of various public health issues and to propose solutions.

Biostatistics (also known as biometry or biometrics) is commonly used to solve complex public health problems. MPH students studying biostatistics will learn how to design and implement public health experiments. They will learn how to collect, analyze, and summarize data from those experiments to solve public health problems in different communities.

Public Health Informatics is a field of study that involves the use of health information technology to improve the efficiency and the delivery of healthcare to those in need. The use of health information technology allows public health administrators to both lower the costs and increase the availability of healthcare. Those who pursue a focus in this field will study ways to implement various technologies, information systems, communication systems, and others in addressing various public health issues.

Public health researchers using biostatistics and informatics have made significant contributions in many important public health problems such as discovering environmental causes of cancer, factors behind the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and many others.

Pursuing an Online MPH in Biostatistics and Informatics

Online MPH in Biostatistics and Informatics programs have a research intensive focus. Typically, about one-third of the courses will be general courses that are common to all MPH degree programs. About one-third of the courses will be in statistics, and the remaining third will be courses in Informatics. Typical statistics courses in these programs include Introduction to Biostatistics, SAS Programming, Statistical Genomics, Advanced Data Analysis, and others. Typical informatics courses include such subjects as Public Health Informatics Systems, Public Health Systems Analysis and Development, Managing Electronic Health Information, and others.

Most online MPH programs in Biostatistics and Informatics require the completion of an average of 45 credit hours and are designed for completion in two years. Students considering enrolling in such a program should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Also, applicants should expect to submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and possibly a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

Students who take all of their MPH courses online can continue working full-time in their careers without having to quit their jobs to pursue their studies on campus.

Potential MPH in Biostatistics and Informatics Career Paths

There are a variety of possible career paths for those pursuing an MPH in Biostatistics and Informatics in the public health sector. One of the most common is that of health informatics specialist. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for a health informatics specialist is $61,149, with a pay range of $40,666 to $98,713.

Another potential career path for MPH in Biostatistics and Information graduates is that of research analyst. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for research analysts is $51,089, with a pay range of $36,991 to $77,979.

Sources:

http://biostatistics.oxfordjournals.org/
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/biostatistics/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hsrinfo/informatics.html
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Informatics_Specialist/Salary
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/biostatistics/
http://www.aspph.org/study/biostatistics/
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Research_Analyst/Salary