Master of Science

Gain the essential skills and depth of knowledge you need for a high-impact career in academia, industry, or policy analysis to improve the health of people everywhere.

The Harvard Chan School master of science program will prepare you to make a real difference in the laboratory, in the field, or in the policy arena. You will address critical scientific and health challenges that affect the lives of individuals and entire populations, building expertise in an area of specialization while gaining the perspective of multiple public health disciplines. You will also learn a powerful set of analytical, technical, and quantitative skills that can be applied flexibly in wide range of career paths.

The Format: Choices to Match Your Interests, Experience, and Goals

The Harvard Chan School master of science degree is available in several different lengths and areas of specialization:

SM 80-credits

SM 60-credits

SM 42.5-credits

A 42.5-credit, summer-only master of science in epidemiology program is available to clinicians who aspire to clinical research careers. Candidates must be physicians or professionals with master’s-level backgrounds in related disciplines.

Eligibility requirements vary by topic area and length of program.

The Curriculum

As a Harvard Chan School master of science student, you will learn to contribute to the scientific understanding of public health through original laboratory and/or field research, to critically evaluate scientific literature, and to apply scientific knowledge in real-world settings. You will hone your skills in presenting and persuading through active interchange with peers from diverse backgrounds, with faculty members who lead their fields, and with other researchers outside the School.

Who Should Apply?

The 80-credit master of science requires a prior bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent. Some departments prefer relevant work experience as well. The 60-credit master of science, which is offered only through the Biostatistics Department, requires a prior bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent in one of the mathematical sciences or an allied field (for example, biology, psychology, or economics). The 42.5-credit master of science requires a master’s or doctoral degree and some departments prefer relevant work experience as well.

Graduate Outcomes

Harvard Chan master of science graduates play leading roles in top academic and research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, health care organizations, national and international government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other public and private sector enterprises.

Our Community: Committed, Accomplished, Collaborative

The Harvard Chan School master of science program attracts highly talented students from around the world and from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. You will work together in a collaborative classroom environment, taking advantage of the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and Boston’s Longwood Medical Area—home to Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many world-class hospitals. You will meet global leaders and work with world-renowned faculty members. And when you graduate, you will benefit from Harvard’s unparalleled global network of alumni leaders.