Applied Health Research & Evaluation, M.S.

The M.S. in applied health research and evaluation is designed for individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and career interests. The program is well suited for:

Research team members in healthcare settings

Professionals employed in local or state-level public health agencies

Non-profit organization staff who evaluate programs, policies and interventions

Recent baccalaureate graduates in a “gap year” before graduate or medical school

Outstanding undergraduate students who wish to complete a BS and MS degrees in five years

• Courses in health systems, research, evaluation, and epidemiology are excellent preparation for those who desire to go to graduate or medical school.
• Fundamental skills in research and evaluation design and data-driven methods can be immediately applied in your current work to improve the health of individuals and populations.
• The degree can be completed in one calendar year.
• Clemson is an internationally respected, Tier One Research Institution, and the Department of Public Health Sciences has trained professionals going into a variety of health settings for over 25 years.

The M.S. in applied health research and evaluation requires the completion of 30 credit hours, including 18 hours of core courses and 12 hours of cognate courses, and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Only courses which earn a “C” or higher may apply toward the degree.

Coursework (30 credit hours)

Core Courses (18 credit hours)

• HLTH 8030 – Theory and Determinants of Health
• HLTH 8090 – Epidemiological Research
• HLTH 8110 – Health Care Delivery Systems
• HLTH 8210 – Health Research I: Design and Measurement
• HLTH 8410 – Foundation of Evaluation in Health
• HLTH 8310 – Quantitative Analysis in Health Research (or other approved graduate statistics course)

Cognate Courses (12 credit hours)
Elective courses planned by the student and academic advisor and approved by the department

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Deadlines for consideration for each term are:

• November 1 for spring enrollment
• April 15 for summer enrollment
• July 1 for fall enrollment

Your application will require:

1. A personal statement addressing your purpose for undertaking graduate study, your research interests, your professional plans/experience and career goals, and why you are a good fit for this program. Describe your background, including your academic and/or experiential preparation for this field of study, a description of your current research experience, and any special circumstances applicable to your background and interest in pursuing an M.S. in applied health research and evaluation.  
   
   Please, include an acknowledgement that you understand that the core courses are online and require synchronous meetings and that the department of Public Health Sciences does not award graduate assistantships to M.S. students.  If there are any deficiencies in your GPA, please address them here.
   
   
2. A resume that includes the following:
   • Education background
   • Certifications
   • Work Experience
   • Professional Publications
   • Professional Presentations
   • Teaching Experience
   • Academic/Experiential preparation related to: Research, Math, Statistics, and Epidemiology
     
     
3. Unofficial transcripts
   
   
4. Two letters of recommendation, one of which is from an academic source
   
   
5. International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. English Language Proficiency Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE) must be submitted at the time of application.  Scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The GRE and/or MCAT scores are preferred, but not required.  Applicants who do not submit GRE scores are strongly encouraged to submit evidence of quantitative skills (e.g., undergraduate statistics, epidemiology, and/or research methodology courses; professional research experience, etc.).  This can be addressed in the personal statement and demonstrated in transcripts.

Please note: This is primarily an online program.  International students will not travel to the United States for study. The program requires the ability to attend regular, synchronous online meetings.  Students accepted to this program will not be eligible for graduate assistantships from this department.

Apply Now

For more information about the M.S. in Applied Health Research and Evaluation, please contact our program coordinator at phsgrad@clemson.edu.