The UW Health Systems and Population Health Master of Science (HSPop M.S.) program is an in-residence, two-year graduate degree program for students that offers analytical and practical knowledge and skills.
Degree Requirements
All students admitted to the Health Systems and Population Health M.S. program are required to earn a minimum of 63 credits.
- 63 credits (minimum)
- 30 credits must be graduate-level, in-classroom courses
- 18 credits must be in the UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health
- 9 thesis credits
- 30 credits must be graduate-level, in-classroom courses
Degree Options
There are two options for students in the program, either a general M.S. degree with a focus on research methods or a concentration in clinical and translational research. Students electing to pursue the clinical and translational research concentration must complete the required courses, as well as additional requirements specific to the concentration.
- General Health Services M.S. (focus on research methods)
- Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) Concentration
Students electing to pursue the clinical and translational research concentration must complete the core courses, as well as additional concentration requirements.
Core Courses
All HSPop M.S. students are required to take the following courses.
Required Courses
All the following courses are required for HSPop M.S. students.
EPI 512: Epidemiologic Methods I
EPI 513: Epidemiologic Methods II
HSERV 511: Introduction to Health Services and Public Health
Note: Take the 4-credit section which includes a discussion session.
HSERV 592: Program Seminar (General M.S.) | HSERV 592: Seminar (CTR Concentration)
Note: 2 quarters required for general M.S.; 3 recommended; offered autumn through spring.
HSERV 700: Thesis
Note: 9 credits required
Additional Seminar Information
Clinical Fellows are required to take the seminar specifically designated for clinicians in the SPH master’s degree.
Clinical and translational research (CTR) concentration students should complete three quarters of the clinical fellow HSERV 592 seminar, instead of taking two quarters of the general M.S. concentration seminar. We highly recommend M.S. concentration students take all three quarters of seminar.
Biostatistics Sequence Courses
All M.S. students must take one sequence of courses in Biostatistics.
Health Services Research Methods
All M.S. students must take at least two of the following courses.
HSERV 590/517: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
HSERV 523: Advanced Health Services Research Methods I
HSERV 524: Advanced Health Services Research Methods II
HSERV 525: Advanced Health Services Research Methods III
HSERV 527: Survey Research Methods
HSERV 583: Economic Evaluation in Health and Medicine
HSERV 584: Assessing Outcomes in Health and Medicine
HSERV 586: Medical Geography
Thesis
All M.S. students must write a thesis as their culminating experience.
Sample Course Schedule and Recommendations
The two required courses in health services research methods can be taken in any quarter. Remaining elective coursework should be planned in conjunction with your faculty or thesis advisor. The list below only includes the required series. Additional courses are taken to meet methods and elective requirements.
Minimum of 63 course credits to graduate.
Year One
Autumn Quarter
Winter Quarter
Spring Quarter
- BIOST 513 (4 credits) — if BIOST 511 and 512 are completed
- HSMGMT 514 (3 credits)
- HSERV 592 (1 credit)