Program Requirements

Master of Science   The Master of Science in Health Evaluation Sciences is a 30-credit program designed to be completed in one year, although part-time options spanning two or more years are also available. Students choose one of five tracks (or focus areas): epidemiology, clinical investigation, health services research and outcomes evaluation, health care resource management, and health care informatics. Details concerning each track are available from the department. The program includes a core curriculum, a set of core electives, and courses specific to each track. Students take four or five courses each semester in addition to a project.

A thesis (which results in a publishable manuscript) or a project is required of all students to facilitate their gaining experience in work or research in the field. The project may take one of several forms: a grant proposal, a project linked to the student’s job (for those in mid-career), or a practicum with a local health organization or research team (for those without an existing career or who wish to change careers). Theses and projects are conducted under the direct supervision of a faculty advisor. Upon completion, an oral defense of the work before the HES faculty is required.

Departmental Core Courses
HES 700	Introduction to Biostatistics	4
HES 701	Fundamentals of Epidemiology	3
HES 703	Statistical Computing and Graphics	2
Core Electives
HES 707	Health Care Informatics	3
HES 709	Health Care Economics	3
HES 710	Health Care Policy and Management	3

Epidemiology Track
Objectives   Students in the Epidemiology Track learn the methods for studying the distribution and determinants of infectious and chronic disease in populations, and how to apply these methods to controlling health problems. Students in this track are required to complete a thesis (projects not permitted) to gain first-hand experience conducting a study, analyzing the data, and publishing the results.

Prerequisites   A bachelor’s degree in either the biological or social sciences or relevant experience.

Fall
	Departmental Core	9
	Core Electives	6
Spring
HES 702	Epidemiology of Disease	3
HES 704	Biostatistical Modeling	4
	Departmental elective	3
	Thesis	5

Clinical Investigation Track
Objectives   Students in the Clinical Investigation Track learn and are able to apply the basic sciences of clinical investigation including measurement, data analysis, computing; and clinical trials design as well as their execution and interpretation. Graduates of this program are qualified to direct and evaluate clinical research and become effective clinical scientists.

Prerequisites   A bachelor’s degree in either the biological or social sciences or relevant experience.

Fall
	Departmental Core	9
	Core Electives	6
Spring
HES 704	Biostatistical Modeling	4
HES 731	Clinical Trials Methodology	3
Departmental Electives:
	With Thesis	(3)
	With Project	(6)
Thesis or Project (choose one option):
	Thesis	5
	Project	2

Health Services Research and Outcomes Evaluation Track
Objectives   Students in the Health Services Research and Outcomes Evaluation Track master the description, analysis, and evaluation of the organization, financing, utilization, and delivery of health care. They also learn the methods of measuring, analyzing, and evaluating outcomes from the perspectives of the patient, the caregiver, the hospital, the third-party payer, and society. The track emphasizes methods for assuring cost-effective, quality care for populations and individuals.

Prerequisites   A bachelor’s degree in either the biological or social sciences or relevant experience.

Fall
	Departmental Core	9
	Core Electives	6
Spring
HES 704	Biostatistical Modeling	4
HES 711	Survey Research Methods	3
HES 712	Health Technology and Outcomes Evaluation	3
Departmental electives:
	with project option only	(3)
Thesis or Project (choose one option):
	Thesis	(5)
	Project	(2)

Health Care Resource Management Track
Objectives   Students in the Health Care Resource Management Track learn to accurately measure and comprehensively evaluate, manage, and improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality performance of a variety of health care institutions.

Prerequisites   A bachelor’s degree in either the biological, economic, or social sciences or relevant experience.

Fall
	Departmental Core	9
HES 707	Health Care Informatics	3
	Core Elective	3
Spring
HES 721	Quality Management Principles and Techniques	3
HES 741	Health Care Database Management	4
HES 742	Information Resources and the Organization	3
Departmental electives:
	with project option only	(3)
Thesis or Project (choose one option):
	Thesis	(5)
	Project	(2)

Health Care Informatics Track
Objectives   Students who choose the Health Care Informatics Track are prepared to design, implement, and use information systems and tools to assess the quality, effectiveness, and costs of health care.

Prerequisites   A bachelor’s degree in the biological, economic, computer, or social sciences or relevant experience.

Fall
	Departmental Core	9
HES 707	Health Care Informatics	3
	Core Elective	3
Spring
HES 741	Health Care Database Management	4
HES 742	Information Resources and the Organization	3
Departmental Electives:
	With Thesis Option	(3)
	With Project Option only	(6)
Thesis or Project (choose one option):
	Thesis	(5)
	Project	(2)

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