MPH vs MS Biostatistics

[iceman9]

Hi guys,

I've been reading all the posts on this website regarding whether or not to pursue an MPH vs MS in Biostats. I know that most people think that the MS is a better and more marketable route because the courses are more rigorous and math intensive than the MPH and it has better job prospects. However, what happens when the MPH program is more rigorous than the MS program?

I'll be attending Yale this fall for my MPH in Biostats. I compared the curriculum between the MS and the MPH, and I noticed that the MS degree requires 14 course units (includes theory and methods) while the MPH has the exact same requirements as the MS in addition to 6 more course units (that includes the core public health classes and 2-3 electives). So would it matter to a potential employer that I received an MPH degree even though my training is just as rigorous if not more rigorous than an MS?

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[abcabc1]

Hi guys,

I've been reading all the posts on this website regarding whether or not to pursue an MPH vs MS in Biostats. I know that most people think that the MS is a better and more marketable route because the courses are more rigorous and math intensive than the MPH and it has better job prospects. However, what happens when the MPH program is more rigorous than the MS program?

I'll be attending Yale this fall for my MPH in Biostats. I compared the curriculum between the MS and the MPH, and I noticed that the MS degree requires 14 course units (includes theory and methods) while the MPH has the exact same requirements as the MS in addition to 6 more course units (that includes the core public health classes and 2-3 electives). So would it matter to a potential employer that I received an MPH degree even though my training is just as rigorous if not more rigorous than an MS?

You're definitely right that the MS is better than the MPH in general.

That said, some schools have very good MPH programs in Biostatistics. The Yale MPH in BIOS seems to be quite good. I'd choose the MS b/c it has less general coursework but, in terms of your employment prospects, I don't think you'll be at a disadvantage by having an MPH instead of an MS. That said, many advertisements will specify needing an MS so you're going to have to inform potential employers that your program has the rigor of an MS in BIOS. That's one reason I'd recommend just going for the MS.

 

[abcabc1]

Hi guys,

I've been reading all the posts on this website regarding whether or not to pursue an MPH vs MS in Biostats. I know that most people think that the MS is a better and more marketable route because the courses are more rigorous and math intensive than the MPH and it has better job prospects. However, what happens when the MPH program is more rigorous than the MS program?

I'll be attending Yale this fall for my MPH in Biostats. I compared the curriculum between the MS and the MPH, and I noticed that the MS degree requires 14 course units (includes theory and methods) while the MPH has the exact same requirements as the MS in addition to 6 more course units (that includes the core public health classes and 2-3 electives). So would it matter to a potential employer that I received an MPH degree even though my training is just as rigorous if not more rigorous than an MS?

Wouldn't the MS require less courses (i.e. less cash) than the MPH as well? That's another factor. I don't think that, in the case of Yale, the MPH is a bad choice, but the MS would be preferred. Be prepared, though... the MS programs in BIOS are tough!.

 

[Stories]

I'll be attending Yale this fall for my MPH in Biostats. I compared the curriculum between the MS and the MPH, and I noticed that the MS degree requires 14 course units (includes theory and methods) while the MPH has the exact same requirements as the MS in addition to 6 more course units (that includes the core public health classes and 2-3 electives). So would it matter to a potential employer that I received an MPH degree even though my training is just as rigorous if not more rigorous than an MS?

The thesis of a MS degree is far more rigorous than the MPH degree's thesis. This accounts for the primary difference in course load. And if you're going to be working in statistical analysis, why bother with the other MPH stuff?

As for the Yale difference: MS requires 10 Biostats/Stats courses, the MPH requires 9 Biostats/Stats courses. You have electives for both degrees.

However, the MS is still more recognized universally by all employers. Yes, someone in the know will understand all that the MPH in biostatistics is probably as solid as the MS, but not everyone will.

 

[iceman9]

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning to work in the pharmaceutical industry in clinical trials and so I thought having an MPH and taking classes like epidemiology, health policy, and toxicology would make me a well-rounded candidate.

Yale's MPH program requires all their students to take a two semester course in introductory biostats; however I talked to someone from the biostats department and he said I can be placed out of those classes since I have a pretty solid stats foundation as an undergrad. So I'm planning to take more biostats/epidemiology courses instead. I don't think Yale has it where you pay tuition by the number of credits taken; full time students all pay the same amount. So it's cost effective to take more classes for the same amount of tuition.

I don't really know the details regarding the thesis for the MS and MPH program at Yale. I'm guessing the MS thesis will probably be more theory-based while the MPH is more applications? Since I want to work in a more applied setting, wouldn't it be advantageous to research/ write my thesis on something that I'll find useful once I enter the workforce? But you guys are right that most people will initially consider an MS over an MPH, so I need to make sure and explain that my program is as intensive as an MS.

 

[Stories]

I don't really know the details regarding the thesis for the MS and MPH program at Yale. I'm guessing the MS thesis will probably be more theory-based while the MPH is more applications? Since I want to work in a more applied setting, wouldn't it be advantageous to research/ write my thesis on something that I'll find useful once I enter the workforce? But you guys are right that most people will initially consider an MS over an MPH, so I need to make sure and explain that my program is as intensive as an MS.

You have freedom to choose the kind of project you want to do. Again, the expectations for a MS thesis are more rigorous and generally is much closer to publishable quality. Often, the MS students analyze real datasets, whereas MPH students often work on projects they did for their internships (which often aren't of publishable quality). This comes down to MS which focuses on the quantitative skills and academic research (ie. publish) versus the professional, well-rounded MPH.

All that said, we're nitpicking here: either degree is perfectly suitable for your career objectives.

 

[Kevin36]

Two things:

1. We are talking about Yale. It's a great school and I doubt too many people would question a degree from there whether it's an MPH or MS.

2. If you want to do clinical trials why go through the MPH core. Also, if the M.S. is the standard degree for this, why put yourself in a position to have to answer that question.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning to work in the pharmaceutical industry in clinical trials and so I thought having an MPH and taking classes like epidemiology, health policy, and toxicology would make me a well-rounded candidate.

Yale's MPH program requires all their students to take a two semester course in introductory biostats; however I talked to someone from the biostats department and he said I can be placed out of those classes since I have a pretty solid stats foundation as an undergrad. So I'm planning to take more biostats/epidemiology courses instead. I don't think Yale has it where you pay tuition by the number of credits taken; full time students all pay the same amount. So it's cost effective to take more classes for the same amount of tuition.

I don't really know the details regarding the thesis for the MS and MPH program at Yale. I'm guessing the MS thesis will probably be more theory-based while the MPH is more applications? Since I want to work in a more applied setting, wouldn't it be advantageous to research/ write my thesis on something that I'll find useful once I enter the workforce? But you guys are right that most people will initially consider an MS over an MPH, so I need to make sure and explain that my program is as intensive as an MS.