Early Intervention Special Education

Elementary Class

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    45 for master's degree only, 64 for preliminary licensure + master's degree
    Start Term
    Summer
    Delivery Method
    Online
  • Certificate (Graduate) (GC)
    Total Credits
    21
    Start Term
    Summer
    Delivery Method
    Online
  • Licensure (Graduate)
    Total Credits
    55–64
    Start Term
    Summer
    Delivery Method
    Online
  • Endorsement/Specialization
    Total Credits
    21
    Start Term
    Summer
    Delivery Method
    Online

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College College of Education
Department Educator Licensure

Early Intervention Special Education Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate Overview

Prepare to support children with disabilities aged birth to five and their families through strengths-based services in home, community, and school settings. The program is designed both for new teachers seeking a preliminary teaching license with a Special Education: Early Intervention endorsement, and licensed teachers who want to add an early intervention endorsement or special education master’s degree.

Presented in a convenient online format, our early intervention special education program offers a high-touch, interpersonal approach that’s hard to find in an online program. You’ll enjoy the independence of distance learning, while belonging to a supportive community and getting plenty of personal attention from faculty based in Portland, Oregon.

 

Early Intervention Special Education Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate: Why PSU?

Portland State's online master's degree program in early intervention special education gives you the opportunity to:

  • Build supportive relationships. Portland State encourages supportive communities by using a cohort model and an easy-to-use online platform. You'll have frequent, ongoing contact with your classmates, developing the spirit of collaboration and support you'd normally expect from an in-person program.
  • Work closely with faculty. Our leading faculty designed the online master's program in early intervention special education and teach all the courses. You'll enjoy regular one-on-one interaction with faculty, and you won't have to fight for their attention.
  • Develop practical skills. In this hands-on program, you'll practice applied techniques that get proven results. You'll acquire new skills for helping children with special needs under the age of 6 to reach their maximum potential.
  • Get supervised field experience. Our online EISE program includes a field placement in an early childhood special ed setting. You'll gain experience in a classroom or home environment. In addition, our online early intervention special education program provides you with specialized training to work with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

What can I do with an online Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention Special Education?

Early intervention special educators work with infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. EISE professionals help to narrow a child's developmental gaps before they reach school age, so they’re better equipped to thrive once they enter the school population.

Here are some of the most common EISE career opportunities:

  • Home visitor. As the job title suggests, home visitors work with children and families in their own residences. “Many children respond best when they receive early intervention special education in a familiar environment,” says Hix. “It’s also a good setting for parents and siblings to participate and learn how to provide positive reinforcement.” You may be employed through a Head Start program, social service agency, or educational service district if you work as a home visitor.
  • Itinerant teacher. As an itinerant teacher, you’ll travel to preschools, early learning centers, and other sites to work with individual students outside their regular classroom setting. In addition to providing one-on-one instruction, you’ll coordinate EISE services with the child’s regular teacher, parents, other caregivers, and (in some cases) specialists such as speech therapists or occupational therapists.
  • Classroom teacher. EISE classroom teachers help children with special needs adjust to more formal school environments. “You need a wide range of skills in this role,” says Lori Kellogg, principal of the Tualatin Early Childhood Center. “There’s a lot of group supervision, but you’re also frequently working with children individually and in small groups. If you lead a classroom you’ll play a critical role in helping children learn to socialize, follow routines, and gain a sense of independence.
  • Evaluation specialist. Program evaluators measure outcomes and provide feedback to EISE teachers and administrators. In this role, you’ll conduct frequent testing to track children’s progress, while gathering additional data through observations and interviews. Evaluators spend a good bit of their time working on databases, procedures manuals, and paperwork.
  • Training instructor/researcher. As a relatively new field with a growing workforce, EISE offers broad opportunities for training and research. Most faculty of Portland State University’s online EISE master’s program engage in one or both of these pursuits, so you may find opportunities to sample these activities while you’re enrolled in the program.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

textural image

Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

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Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Professional Overview

Occupational Therapists are healthcare professionals who assist individuals with physical, developmental, or mental impairments to overcome challenges, independently perform tasks, and fully participate in their daily lives. Occupational Therapists must be able to recognize the psycho-social impact of dysfunction and treatment and provide support to patient and family.

Portland State offers a strong pre-occupational therapy program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to Master of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DPT) schools across the country.

Pre-occupational therapy is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-occupational therapy students include: Health Studies: Health Science and Psychology. Students can choose any major while also completing their pre-occupational therapy coursework. You can discuss with your pre-occupational therapy advisor how these two components fit together in your course plans. You must be accepted by a professional school, such as Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, to complete the professional phase. The School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University offers a three year entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program.

Prospective students interested in PSU can meet with a pre-occupational therapy advisor to learn about the pre-occupational therapy track.

Pre-Occupational Therapy is a pre-professional track, not a major. Students can select any major of their choice.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Professional Program: Why PSU?

PSU has dedicated pre-health advisors to help students plan their coursework, support them in gaining relevant healthcare experience, and guide them through the process of applying to occupational therapy schools.
There are a huge range of clinical and other volunteer opportunities available in the Portland area to help students better understand the role of occupational therapists and other healthcare providers, gain exposure to different clinical settings, and boost their application to occupational therapy programs in the future.

Beyond the pre-requisite courses needed to apply to occupational therapy programs, PSU offers many additional courses of interest to pre-occupational therapy students, including Applied Kinesiology (PHE 370), Communicable and Chronic Disease (PHE 363), Gender, Race, Class, & Health (PHE 452), Biomedical Ethics (PHL 446), Sociology for the Health Sciences (SOC 250), and many others.

Many of Portland State’s departments and schools offer student research opportunities, including Biology, Chemistry, and the School of Public Health.

PSU has the Ignite Scholarship program, developed in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and Portland Leadership Foundation, which emphasizes a culture of support and community for students in healthcare career pathways that can sometimes be complex and overwhelming. Students who receive the Ignite scholarship will be part of a program emphasizing leadership and mentorship (supported by a $5,000 scholarship), which includes serving as mentors for incoming pre-health students.

Incoming pre-health students seeking mentorship can apply to be matched with PSU's Ignite mentors. This is a one-year commitment (fall, winter and spring terms) for mentors and mentees.

Student organizations on campus help students to connect with peers pursuing pre-health tracks or science fields, as well as many different multicultural, social, and community involvement focused groups. Examples of student groups include the Health Promotion Student Organization, Portland State Women in STEM, Science Outreach Society, Biology Investigation and Outreach, and the Neuroscience Club at PSU.

What can I do after completing the Pre-Occupational Therapy Track?

Students in the Pre-Occupational Therapy track at PSU go on to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). Pacific University offers a three-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Hydrology

Ocean wave crashing

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Certificate (Graduate) (GC)
    Total Credits
    24
    Start Term
    Fall, Winter, Spring
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Hydrology Graduate Certificate Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Hydrology is designed to give students advanced training in hydrology, and leads to professional certification with the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH). Trained hydrologic professionals are necessary to solve problems concerning drinking water supplies, stream habitat and water supply requirements for important aquatic organisms, the variability of climate and its effect on water supplies and hazards, and the threat posed to all these resources by industrial, agricultural and domestic contamination and overuse.

Employment possibilities include federal, state and local governmental agencies; commercial and industrial corporations in the private sector; and private consulting firms knowledgeable in hydrogeologic regulations, wetland mitigations, environmental regulations, flood prediction, pollution abatement and bioremediation, environmental site audits, and regulatory compliance.

This Certificate program enhances professional development and can put students in a better position either to pursue a graduate degree and/or to pursue certification as a professional hydrologist with the AIH. A student earning a Graduate Certificate in Hydrology achieves a significant proportion of educational requirements and satisfies all primary hydrology coursework for qualification as a member of the AIH.

Hydrology Graduate Certificate: Why PSU?

You can complete our certificate in just six courses and be ready to apply your new knowledge on the job right away or transfer credit toward a master's degree.

Our program helps you build a foundation in surface hydrology, hydrogeology, and water quality, and gain the skills needed to solve quantitative and qualitative hydrologic problems.

What can I do with a graduate certificate in Hydrology?

PSU's hydrology certificate meets the primary hydrological education requirements to be certified by the American Institute of Hydrology.

Our graduates go on to work in federal, state, and local government agencies, commercial and industrial corporations in the private sector, and consulting firms that deal with hydrogeologic regulations, wetland mitigations, environmental regulations, flood prediction, pollution abatement, and bioremediation, environmental site audits, and regulatory compliance.

The Graduate Certificate of Hydrology is designed to give students advanced training in hydrology, and leads to professional certification with the American Institute of Hydrology (AIH).

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

dog drinking out of a benson bubbler

Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

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Pre-Veterinary Medicine Pre-Professional Program Overview

Veterinarians are licensed medical professionals dedicated to maintaining and promoting the health and well beings of animals. Veterinarians diagnose and treat sick and injured animals, prevent the transmission of diseases, and advise pet owners on the proper care of animals. Veterinary work is widely varied and may also include clinical practice with large and/or small animals, biomedical research, industry, zoological or exotic animal medicine, public health and food safety.

Admission to Veterinary programs is competitive and it’s recommended that students complete a bachelor’s degree and maintain a strong academic record prior to applying.

Portland State offers a strong pre-veterinary medicine program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) schools across the country.

Pre-veterinary medicine is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-veterinary students include: Science, Biology, and Chemistry. Students can choose any major while also completing their pre-veterinary coursework. You can discuss with your veterinary advisor how these two components fit together in your course plans.

Prospective students interested in PSU can meet with a pre-veterinary advisor to learn about the pre-veterinary track.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Pre-Professional Program: Why PSU?

PSU has dedicated pre-health advisors to help students plan their coursework, support them in gaining relevant experience, and guide them through the process of applying to veterinary schools.

There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities available in the Portland area to help students better understand the role of veterinarians in different settings and specialties, and boost their application to veterinary programs in the future.

Many of Portland State’s departments and schools offer student research opportunities, including Biology, and Chemistry.

Students are not required to hold a bachelor’s degree prior to entry into the DVM program at OSU, though the vast majority of students admitted to OSU’s veterinary medicine program have earned a bachelor’s degree. PSU students have the option of transferring back up to 48 credits of the first year’s work in the professional phase of the DVM program to complete the PSU requirements for a bachelor’s degree with a major in Biology or Science. Students choosing this option must already have all general education requirements met through PSU. Students also have the option to receive a bachelor’s degree through OSU by transferring DVM courses work towards a bachelor’s degree at OSU. In this case students must meet OSU’s general education requirements/ Baccalaureate Core Requirements.

PSU has the Ignite Scholarship program, developed in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and Portland Leadership Foundation, which emphasizes a culture of support and community for students in healthcare career pathways that can sometimes be complex and overwhelming. Students who receive the Ignite scholarship will be part of a program emphasizing leadership and mentorship (supported by a $5,000 scholarship), which includes serving as mentors for incoming pre-health students.

Incoming pre-health students seeking mentorship can apply to be matched with PSU's Ignite mentors. This is a one-year commitment (fall, winter, and spring terms) for mentors and mentees.

Student organizations on campus help students to connect with peers pursuing pre-health tracks or science fields, as well as many different multicultural, social, and community involvement focused groups. Examples of student groups include the Health Promotion Student Organization, Portland State Women in STEM, Science Outreach Society, Biology Investigation and Outreach, and the Neuroscience Club at PSU.

What can I do after completing the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track?

Students in PSU's pre-veterinary medicine program often go on to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at schools across the country.

Community, Urban Studies & Planning

A group of PSU Community Development students painting on wood outside.

Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
  • Minor
    Total Credits
    27
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Community, Urban Studies, and Planning Bachelor's Degree and Minor Overview

The first of its kind in the nation, our undergraduate program in Community, Urban Studies, and Planning prepares students for careers as leaders and change agents in addressing a myriad of social challenges.

The Community, Urban Studies, and Planning program empowers individuals and groups of people by giving them the skills they need to effect change within their communities. Our curriculum promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice. We want to see the changes that you make.

As a multi-disciplinary, social science program, students can customize their focus of study, drawing from the multitude of academic disciplines and departments within PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. In addition to coursework, the Community, Urban Studies, and Planning program takes a hands-on approach, incorporating significant field research in which students work with agencies and organizations throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

Community, Urban Studies, and Planning Bachelor's Degree or Minor: Why PSU?

One of the only Community, Urban Studies, and Planning programs in the country, we draw on the strengths of the city of Portland as a living laboratory for community development. Portland is a dynamic city with a strong tradition of urban planning, engaged residents, strong networks of diverse community organizations, and a history of struggles and innovations for justice and sustainability. In addition, you’ll learn from a dedicated, diverse faculty that values teaching, and who bring their experience, engaged research, and deep community partnerships into the classroom.

What can I do with a bachelor's degree or minor in Community, Urban Studies, and Planning?

Our graduates find meaningful opportunities to work for positive social change, advance social justice, and environmental sustainability, and support the development of diverse communities. Graduates often are employed by government, nonprofits, social services, educational institutions, and businesses, depending on their skills and experience. Our graduates have found work in organizations like:

  • City of Portland Bureau of Developmental Services
  • Home Forward
  • Columbia Sportswear
  • Mercy Corps
  • League of Oregon Cities
  • Oregon Food Bank
  • YWCA
  • Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization

Applied Statistics

textural image

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Certificate (Graduate) (GC)
    Total Credits
    24
    Start Term
    Fall, Winter, Spring
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Applied Statistics Graduate Certificate Overview

PSU Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Give yourself a competitive edge in today's job market with a graduate certificate in applied statistics from PSU. You'll hone your statistical, data analysis, and modeling skills to become a more effective problem-solver, whether you pursue a career in business, health, science, government, or technology. Our applied statistics certificate prepares you to perform sophisticated statistical analysis and modeling for problems within your discipline.

Gaining your graduate certificate is a great way to specialize your learning; all mathematics certificates can be added on to your undergraduate or graduate learning. Most of our students pair this certificate with their graduate studies in a variety of fields that benefit from the application of statistical methods, including psychology, civil and environmental engineering, economics, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, engineering and technology management, environmental science and management, mechanical engineering, political sciences, sociology, urban studies, and systems science. In a relatively short amount of time, your graduate certificate in applied statistics can burst ahead of other applicants in a competitive job market.

For program-specific information about degree details or admission requirements, please visit the department. 

About the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics is dedicated to excellence in research and teaching in mathematics, statistics, and mathematics education. Guided by the mission of Portland State University and by the principles of disciplinary excellence and cross-disciplinary engagement, we are particularly committed to building expertise and providing leadership in such areas as applied and computational mathematics and statistics and mathematics education.

Applied Statistics Graduate Certificate: Why PSU?

PSU's graduate certificate in Applied Statistics goes well beyond the requirements of most other programs.

As a student in our program, you'll develop a depth of understanding of methods and breadth of application across disciplines. You'll take a set of core courses to learn the fundamentals of applied statistics, followed by electives offered by a half-dozen departments, including environmental science and management, computer science, economics, mechanical engineering, public administration, psychology, sociology, and urban studies.

Our required community-based statistical consulting course gives you the opportunity to apply your skills to real data or statistical problems.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, you'll work with clients to provide statistical expertise on projects. Projects may involve quality control, experimental design, sampling methods, estimation, linear and non-linear regression methods, survival data analysis, and other biostatistics methods.

Our courses also you train on industry-standard software packages such as Minitab, R, and SAS.

What can I do with a graduate certificate in Applied Statistics?

PSU's graduate certificate in Applied Statistics equips you with the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to become valuable data analysts and problem-solvers for your organization.

Our alumni go on to jobs in a variety of fields, including business, government, and industry.

Speech & Hearing Sciences

PSU Speech and Hearing Graduate little boy with fingers to mouth making o sound

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    77
    Start Term
    Summer
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Speech and Hearing Sciences Master's Degree Overview

PSU’s master’s degree in speech-language pathology prepares you for a high-demand, satisfying career helping children and adults improve their lives with better communication. Join our community of caring professionals and launch your career as a speech-language pathologist.

In our two-year, 8-term program, you will learn how to prevent, assess and treat speech, language and swallowing disorders. Along with your graduate degree, you will gain the 400 hours of direct clinical experience you need for licensing and certification.

You will emerge from our graduate program prepared to make a difference for people with autism, brain injuries, stuttering, developmental disorders and neurologic conditions. Our job placement rate is nearly 100 percent, because employers know our graduates are ready for professional practice.

Starting in your first term, you will gain practical experience in a variety of settings, from our on-campus clinic and research labs to community placements in schools, hospitals and community clinics throughout the Portland area.

Our small classes and tight cohorts of 20 students each will ensure you have the support you need to succeed.

Speech and Hearing Sciences Master's Degree: Why PSU?

Challenge yourself to make a difference in the field and study at a top speech-language pathology graduate program in the center of the West Coast’s most livable city.

Our location gives you opportunities for intense clinical training that are unmatched in Oregon. We provide a range of clinical experiences on and off campus throughout your two years.

In your first year, you will work closely with faculty members in Portland’s only on-campus speech and language clinic and our partnering community clinics. In your second year, our externship coordinators will guide you in finding the community placement that will best meet your interests and career goals.

Our partners include Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Portland Public Schools, and dozens of other hospitals and school districts.

You also can work with our leading faculty researchers on topics such as aphasia (word-retrieval deficits), autism, bilingual language learners, children’s developmental disorders, brain injuries, stuttering, and swallowing and respiration problems.

We offer Oregon’s only bilingual concentration and advanced electives on serving people with medical issues, cleft palates, and multicultural backgrounds.

You will graduate ready to help your clients and your community.

What can I do with a Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences?

PSU’s graduate program meets the academic and clinical requirements to be certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and to be licensed as a speech-language pathologist in Oregon. Our graduates go on to clinical fellowships all over the country, in a range of settings, from schools to hospitals.

Our job placement rate is nearly 100 percent. Demand for speech-language pathologists is high and expected to increase in the next 10 years, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Accreditation

The Master of Science/Master of Arts (MS/MA) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Portland State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.

Environmental Systems & Human Health

A PSU student riding a bike through a bridge bike path next to the river.

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    60
    Start Term
    Fall
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Environmental Systems and Human Health Master's Degree Overview

Human health and the health of the planet are intertwined. Our MPH in Environmental Systems and Human Health prepares you to improve both.

The MPH in Environmental Systems and Human Health equips you to advance public health by working toward sustainable environments, both natural and built. You will work at the intersection of occupational, environmental, and planetary health, acquiring broad skills for assessing risks and designing responses that protect the public’s health.

The Environmental Systems and Human Health MPH reflect the track record of leadership and reform for which the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH) is well known. For example, OHSU-PSU SPH researchers have broken new ground in promoting worker health via innovative programs related to diet, work-family balance, peer support, flexible scheduling, post-military support, and other issues.

Our MPH in Environmental Systems and Human Health enables you to:

  • Examine public health questions from an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates environmental science, medicine, biostatistics, chemistry, biology, behavioral science, and other fields
  • Gain extensive field experience, working directly with community stakeholders and professionals in public health, environmental regulation, and occupational health
  • Build a framework that lets you analyze environmental issues at any level, from local to global
  • Learn from outstanding researchers who actively influence public opinion, policy debates, and community responses
  • Build strong relationships with faculty who are attentive, supportive, and proactive advocates for your academic success and professional growth
  • Draw on the resources and expertise of OHSU’s research faculty and facilities, and PSU’s strengths in public affairs, governance, environmental sciences, and business
  • Personalize the curriculum by choosing electives, field experiences, and other flexible components to fit your educational and career goals

Master of Public Health in Environmental Systems and Human Health

The MPH in Environmental Systems and Human Health qualifies you for a wide range of careers. You will be prepared for advanced positions in environmental regulation, industrial hygiene, occupational health, environmental remediation, food safety, nonprofit advocacy, and related fields.

In addition, our Environmental Systems and Human Health MPH positions you for next-generation industries that are emerging in response to the global climate crisis and other matters of planetary health. You may find ground-floor opportunities to apply public health principles in sectors such as renewable energy, biodiversity preservation, carbon sequestration, and more.

Environmental Systems and Human Health Master's Degree: Why OHSU-PSU?

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health reflects the spirit of innovation that is at the core of our two universities and the city we call home. Renowned for its collaborative outlook and embrace of new ideas, Portland is a hive of civic engagement, entrepreneurial energy, and creative vitality -- and our two universities, located in the heart of downtown, are an important part of that mix. Both universities are known for pioneering research and the public-spirited pursuit of knowledge. We are proud that the collaborative OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is built on the strengths of both campuses and a product of that innovative energy.

We at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health are training the next generation of public health leaders while working with communities to find enduring solutions to difficult public health problems. We are committed to social justice, health equity, and global sustainability. And, we are a proving ground for new ideas that offer transformative potential. We invite you to join us in this mission.

What can I do with a master's degree in Environmental Systems and Human Health?

Our alumni are qualified for a wide range of careers. With your MPH in Environmental Systems and Human Health, you will be prepared for advanced positions in environmental regulation, industrial hygiene, occupational health, environmental remediation, food safety, nonprofit advocacy, and related fields.

Accreditation

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Biostatistics

PSU streetcar going past the Roberts Life Sciences Building

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    54-60
    Start Term
    Fall
    Delivery Method
    In Person
  • Certificate (Graduate) (GC)
    Total Credits
    30
    Start Term
    Fall
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Biostatistics Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate Overview

Our Biostatistics graduate programs equip you with statistical knowledge and skills to apply to biomedical research and public health.

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health’s graduate programs in Biostatistics provide statistical training using real-world data from health-related fields.

With a unique structure that combines the resources of two pioneering research universities, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH) has helped Oregon gain national recognition for creative public health solutions. We are deeply engaged in collaborative research and have a strong commitment to interdisciplinary partnerships. You will enjoy rich opportunities to collaborate with clinical researchers, scientific investigators, educators, and public health professionals. Our biostatistics faculty have a wide range of expertise and research interests such as Bayesian statistics, big and high dimensional data, electronic health records data, machine learning, statistical computing, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, observational studies, clinical trials, and community intervention trials, with extensive applications to biomedical and public health research.

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health’s graduate programs in Biostatistics enable you to learn Biostatistics skills in a highly collaborative environment. They prepare you for a career in biomedical and public health research, industry, or doctoral programs, with skills directly applicable to practice.

We offer three Biostatistics graduate programs ― a Master of Science in Biostatistics, Master of Public Health in Biostatistics, and Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics ― to fit the needs of students with different educational goals.

Choose one of our Biostatistics graduate programs if you seek:

  • Broad application of Biostatistics to biomedical research, public health, bioinformatics, pharmaceuticals, and related subjects
  • Renowned faculty with diverse expertise, research interests, and collaborative experience
  • Personal attention from faculty and professional collaborators
  • Didactic sessions and hands-on experience focusing on both statistical methods and the interpretation and communication of results.
  • Internship opportunities from two Biostatistics shared resources: the Biostatistics & Design Program, one of the OHSU shared resource cores, and Knight Cancer Institute Biostatistics Shared Resources
  • Exceptional rates of job placement and graduate-school admissions
  • Opportunities to make an impact at the societal level

Master of Science in Biostatistics

The MS in Biostatistics equips you with knowledge in applied statistical methods and theory of biostatistics, as well as skills in traditional statistical methods and computational biology, statistical learning, data science programming, and computation for big data. The program prepares you to pursue a career as an intermediate-level biostatistician or for doctoral programs in Biostatistics. Our students come from very diverse backgrounds such as mathematics and statistics, chemistry, biology, medicine, economics, and psychology.

Our Biostatistics MS degree qualifies you for jobs in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Our graduates have been employed by local, state, and federal public health agencies, health and medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and research institutions. If you choose to continue to doctoral studies, our Biostatistics Masters degree provides you with first-rate preparation and a highly competitive CV.

Master of Public Health in Biostatistics

The MPH in Biostatistics program equips you with applied biostatistical skills to collect and analyze data in support of public health research, program assessment, and policy analysis, all in the context of public health foundational knowledge. The program also prepares you to be proficient in statistical programming commonly used in public health research and practice, population-based study design, and epidemiological methods. The practice experience required by the program enables you to get involved in the community and to work on a project addressing public health challenges in an applied setting.

The MPH in Biostatistics program suits students who are mainly interested in applied statistical methods. Graduates of our Biostatistics MPH program have a high rate of employment with health care systems, nonprofit organizations, government health agencies, research institutions, device companies, and other employers.

Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health’s Biostatistics Graduate Certificate prepares you with the basic and intermediate graduate-level biostatistics skills needed to perform data analysis and interpretation for various research projects. It suits researchers, students in other academic programs, and working professionals who seek to acquire additional skills in applied biostatistics methods to complement their primary field of expertise. Working professionals can complete the Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics part-time while maintaining a full-time work schedule. The program also prepares you for additional biostatistics training in the MS or MPH in Biostatistics programs.

Biostatistics Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate Programs: Why OHSU-PSU?

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health reflects the spirit of innovation that is at the core of our two universities and the city we call home. Renowned for its collaborative outlook and embrace of new ideas, Portland is a hive of civic engagement, entrepreneurial energy, and creative vitality -- and our two universities, located in the heart of downtown, are an important part of that mix. Both universities are known for pioneering research and the public-spirited pursuit of knowledge. We are proud that the collaborative OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is built on the strengths of both campuses and a product of that innovative energy.

We at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health are training the next generation of public health leaders while working with communities to find enduring solutions to difficult public health problems. We are committed to social justice, health equity, and global sustainability. And, we are a proving ground for new ideas that offer transformative potential. We invite you to join us in this mission.

What can I do with a Master's degree or graduate certificate in Biostatistics?

Our alumni are prepared for careers in biomedical and public health research, industry, or doctoral programs, with skills directly applicable to practice.

Graduates of the MS in Biostatistics program have been employed by local, state, and federal public health agencies, health and medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and research institutions.

Graduates of our Biostatistics MPH program have a high rate of employment with health care systems, nonprofit organizations, government health agencies, research institutions, device companies, and other employers.

The Biostatistics Graduate Certificate prepares you with the basic and intermediate graduate-level biostatistics skills needed to perform data analysis and interpretation for various research projects.

Accreditation

The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Water Resources

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Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

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Department Geography

Water Resources Minor Overview

The water resources minor offers broad training in spatial perspectives of sociopolitical and biophysical dimensions of water resources at local, regional, national, and international scales. As climate changes and the population grows in many parts of the world, water resource sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent issue for our sustainable future. This minor is designed to broaden and deepen your knowledge and experience in complex water resource issues.

Water Resources Minor: Why PSU?

Uniquely situated at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Willamette River, Portland provides an ideal laboratory to examine the biophysical and human dimensions of various water issues from mountains to oceans along a rural and urban gradient.

Internationally recognized faculty study various aspects of water resource issues from North America to Asia to Africa. You can obtain cross-comparative cultural perspectives over the use of water and why political and economic conflicts are sometimes intertwined with water issues.

What can I do with a minor in Water Resources?

With this degree, you can boost your employment opportunity in the public and private sectors that address challenging water issues and complement the work you’re completing in any major. The water resource minor provides you with the foundational skills to explore solve practical water resource problems related to drought, flooding, and water quality and understand weather, climate, and water phenomena, and interpret the effects of these phenomena on Earth's surface and society.