MS in Population Health Sciences Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Population Health Sciences is a quantitatively and methodologically rigorous program; students will take courses that rely on a basic knowledge of statistics and mathematics. While the program does not mandate specific prerequisite classes, successful students will likely have completed at least one course in introductory statistics (or possess equivalent work experience) and at least one college-level math course (calculus or higher, e.g. linear algebra).

The MS in Population Health Sciences requires 40 graded credits of coursework. The course sequence of the full MS curriculum is shown in the table below.

Year 1

Fall (11 credits)

Spring (11 credits)

Year 2

Fall (9 Credits)

Spring (9 Credits)

Students have four elective courses built-in to the typical schedule. Students should work actively with their advisors to identify the courses that will best support their training needs. At least TWO of these electives must be DPHS courses. All other electives are subject to the Graduate School requirement that only courses 500-level or higher can be counted towards the degree.

Course registration at Duke is done via DukeHub. Get step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes.

Substitutions for required DPHS courses are rarely approved and require compelling justification demonstrating that the proposed alternative course meets equivalent learning objectives. All requests must be approved by the Graduate Programs Director. Please contact the Assistant Director for Educational Programs for more information.

Under the Interinstitutional Registration Agreement in which Duke participates, students may take courses at other institutions for degree credit. These courses require approval from multiple parties, including the DPHS DGS. It is the student’s responsibility to seek and receive all necessary approvals, as well as complete the required registration procedures. Students may take no more than two courses for degree credit in any fall or spring, and the remainder of the course load balance must be at Duke. Students may not audit courses under the interinstitutional registration agreement.

Full-time enrolled graduate students may request enrollment in courses intended for undergraduates, with the approval of their Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Courses below the 500 level, do not count toward the credits required for a post-baccalaureate degree and will not be included in a student’s GPA calculation.

After completion of at least one graduate semester in good academic standing, a student may request approval of their director of graduate studies (DGS) and the associate dean for academic affairs, to enroll in more than 15.0 graded credits in a semester.

The student should meet with their advisor to discuss his/her program of study and academic history to determine if a course overload is advisable.

The student must work with the Assistant Director to obtain the signature of the DGS and submit the request form no later than two business days before the conclusion of the drop/add period.

All students enrolled in the Duke University Graduate School must participate in a four-hour RCR orientation during Orientation Week. Entering students will be contacted over the summer with instructions to register for the appropriate RCR orientation. Credit will be posted on your official Duke transcript. All students are also required to complete additional, ongoing two-hour forums before graduation. Registration, when available, will be in the event descriptions.

For more information on RCR Requirements please visit The Graduate School webpage. Additionally, students should track their RCR credits – instructions are available here.