Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics

Curriculum

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics curriculum consists of 180-315 credits and is designed to be completed in 21 semesters. Below is the standard plan of study outlining the structured progression of coursework as you advance through the program.

Year 1, Fall

Year 1, Spring

Year 1, Summer

Year 2, Fall

Year 2, Spring

Year 2, Summer

Year 3, Fall

Year 3, Spring

Year 3, Summer

Year 4, Fall

Year 4, Spring

Year 4, Summer

Year 5, Fall

Year 5, Spring

Year 5, Summer

Year 6, Fall

Year 6, Spring

Year 6, Summer

Year 7, Fall

Year 7, Spring

Year 7, Summer

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for biostatistics are single and multivariable college-level calculus. The epidemiology prerequisite is single variable college-level calculus. Under special circumstances, an applicant may be admitted to the program under the provision that all prerequisites are satisfied before beginning the program.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, but applicants are strongly encouraged to submit recent official scores on the quantitative and verbal portions of the GRE. Scores more than five years old will not be accepted.

Frequently Approved Prerequisites

Before applying, it's essential to ensure that any prior coursework meets the admissions requirements. MUSC provides a helpful reference list of frequently approved prerequisite courses to guide you in understanding which classes may satisfy your program's requirements. To explore the list, visit our Frequently Approved Prerequisites page.

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

• Submit the MUSC Application.
• The admissions process is rolling, and you are encouraged to submit all of your application materials by Dec. 15 for best consideration.
• Once an application is complete, it is sent for evaluation to the Graduate Admissions Committee. Selected applicants are invited to visit the campus, and the cost of the visit is partially defrayed by the College. The visit includes interviews with members of the Graduate Admissions Committee, campus tours, introductions to the graduate training programs, and discussions with faculty.
• After an applicant is interviewed, the Graduate Admissions Committee meets to decide on the qualifications of each applicant. Applicants are notified within one to two weeks of the interview of the committee’s decision.

Interview weekends take place in January, February, and March.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit an MUSC application, which includes:

• Letters of recommendation: All applicants must provide three academic or professional references from individuals who have had close contact with the applicant during their undergraduate, graduate, or research training and should address the applicant’s aptitude and capabilities for a research-oriented career. Preference is given to letters from academic advisors, research mentors, and instructors.
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement: All applicants must provide a personal statement, not to exceed 1,000 words, describing their reasons for wanting to enroll in the program, a discussion of their area(s) of interest, and future goals. Applicants should provide details on their scholastic and research achievements and why MUSC is an ideal setting for graduate studies (e.g., by citing departmental faculty with shared research interests).

International Applicants

MUSC welcomes international applicants and offers tailored guidance to support you throughout the admission process. View details at International Applicants. 

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance, or COA, estimates the total educational expenses for an enrollment period. The information below reflects the 2026-27 academic year. The COA includes direct costs, such as tuition and fees, billed by the university, as well as indirect costs you may need to plan for, including housing, food, transportation, books and other personal expenses.

For most admitted residential Ph.D. students, the COA does not reflect what you should expect to pay out of pocket. Tuition, health insurance and a stipend are generally provided as part of the student's funding package. Instead, the COA helps determine the maximum amount a student may borrow in an academic year and supports funding-related determinations, such as grants, scholarships, loans and others.

Your actual expenses may be lower than the COA, especially with careful budgeting. MUSC's Office of Student Financial Literacy can help you create a budget that supports your education, personal needs and long-term financial goals.

Scholarships & Aid

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

Annual Stipend

Students in the Ph.D. in Biostatistics program at MUSC receive a $38,000 annual stipend. The program also covers tuition, fees, and health insurance for these students.

Competencies

• Demonstrate mastery of biostatistical theory, methodology, and computation to independently design and conduct research.
• Integrate biostatistical principles with interdisciplinary knowledge to address emerging biomedical and public health challenges.
• Communicate complex statistical findings clearly to diverse audiences, including clinicians, policymakers, and the public.
• Uphold ethical and professional standards in the design, analysis, and dissemination of scientific research.
• Innovate new biostatistical methods and models that advance the understanding and application of health data across research domains.

Vision

To advance human health and scientific discovery through innovative statistical research that transforms data into actionable knowledge across biomedical and public health disciplines.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy and dignity.
• Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
• Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing new ideas, discoveries and practices.
• Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions and use of resources.
• Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.

Mission

To cultivate ethical biostatistical scientists who integrate theory, computation, and interdisciplinary inquiry to generate evidence that drives medical innovation, informs policy, and enhances population health outcomes.