Biostatistics Graduate Certificate
July 30, 2025
August 26, 2025
Advance your knowledge in biostatistics and epidemiology for public health
Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate equips you with the background in epidemiologic study designs, biostatistics, and statistical computing required for public health data analysis in the public and private sectors.
- Understand statistical methods and techniques such as survival analysis
- Assess and improve study designs commonly used in public health research
- Interpret standard regression models using industry-standard statistical software
Why choose Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate?
The online graduate certificate program in biostatistics offers a rigorous curriculum tailored to applications in population health. You will gain practical hands-on experience by using a wide array of statistical tools such as R, Stata, and SAS to analyze public health data. This will equip you with skills that are highly sought after in job postings for roles like management analysts, medical scientists, statisticians, and epidemiologists.
-
"I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me."
Tomitha Zimmerman Ohio State Online Grad -
"While going into the program, I was concerned that by Ohio State being one of the largest institutions, I would feel like one in 1,000 students. Instead, I felt a sense of close-knit, connected support from both classmates and faculty."
Stephanie Moore Ohio State Online Grad -
"Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program."
Derek Danek Ohio State Online Grad -
"I attribute my recent two promotions to educating myself at Ohio State. I really think that getting the coursework done helped me excel at my current position, and it was recognized."
Demi MacLennan Ohio State Online Grad -
"Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others."
Cara North Ohio State Online Grad -
"As an online student, there's so many connections you can make that will have a really meaningful impact on your education. The opportunities that exist at Ohio State feel limitless."
Audra Hanners Ohio State Online Grad
Frequently Asked Questions
The Biostatistics Graduate Certificate is 100% online, with no campus visits required.
Online programs at Ohio State are here to work on your schedule. You are welcome to schedule as many credit hours per semester as you feel that you can handle. The amount of credits you schedule will help determine how long it will take to complete your program. Your expected time commitment will vary based on your course load. For every credit hour you are enrolled in, expect to complete three hours of work outside of class, for studying or projects.
Yes, this online program is fully asynchronous, meaning you can log in to view instructional materials and complete your work whenever it is best for your schedule.
Related Content
Related Content
Graduate Certificate vs. Master’s Degree
What Are the Benefits of an Online Certificate Program?
Top 4 Things to Ask When Considering an Online Program
Academic Calendar
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for online students in non-degree programs, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Biostatistics Graduate Certificate.
Academic Calendar
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for online students in non-degree programs, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Biostatistics Graduate Certificate.
Admission Criteria
To enroll in the online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution, with a B- or higher in all course work. Learn more about non-degree admission requirements from The Ohio State University’s Graduate and Professional Admissions.
Current Ohio State graduate students
If you’re a current Ohio State graduate student, you can pursue the online biostatistics program as a graduate certificate or a minor. Students pursuing a graduate degree in the College of Public Health, such as the online Master of Public Health – Program for Experienced Professionals or online MPH in Biostatistics, may overlap no more than six credits with their graduate degree and the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
Ohio State’s online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate offers essential skills for today’s statisticians, epidemiologists, environmental health scientists and specialists, management analysts and medical scientists.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Work Activities
Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses. Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques. Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $60,390
- Mid Level: $103,300
- Senior Level: $170,700
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
11.8%
Related Careers
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Bioinformatics Technicians
- Clinical Data Managers
- Data Scientists
- Statisticians
Job Sectors
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Medicine and Dentistry
What They Do
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
Work Activities
Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public. Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement. Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $56,950
- Mid Level: $83,980
- Senior Level: $134,860
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
18.8%
Related Careers
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Geneticists
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
Job Sectors
- Mathematics
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Computers and Electronics
What They Do
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Work Activities
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings. Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control. Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $50,130
- Mid Level: $80,060
- Senior Level: $134,830
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
7.3%
Related Careers
- Conservation Scientists
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Industrial Ecologists
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
What They Do
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Work Activities
Gather and organize information on problems or procedures. Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures. Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $59,720
- Mid Level: $101,190
- Senior Level: $174,140
Job Outlook
Bright
Related Careers
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Training and Development Managers
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
What They Do
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Work Activities
Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination. Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels. Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $61,860
- Mid Level: $100,590
- Senior Level: $168,210
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
11.5%
Related Careers
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Epidemiologists
- Geneticists
- Microbiologists
- Physicians, Pathologists
Job Sectors
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate is delivered 100% online. Classes are asynchronous, so you can complete coursework each week on your own schedule. Coursework is focused in the areas of biostatistics and epidemiology, understanding of statistical methods such as survival analysis and introduction to a range statistical computing packages.
Introduction to the nature and scope of epidemiology; survey of basic epidemiological methods and their application to selected acute and chronic health problems.
Theory and application of basic statistical concepts for design of studies in health sciences, integrated with statistical software applications.
A second course in applied biostatistical methods with an emphasis on regression methods commonly used in the health sciences. The focus is on linear regression and ANOVA. Integrated with use of computer statistical packages.
The course will focus primarily on regression models for the different generic problems including methods for hypothesis testing, evaluating assumptions, confounding, and selection of predictors.
Selective Courses
Choose from one of the following courses (2 credit hours) to complete the Biostatistics Certificate.
Introduction to programming using SAS software to accomplish public health data management and analysis.
Introduces underlying concepts of the R programming language and R package ecosystem for manipulation, visualization, and modeling of data, and for communicating the results of and enabling replication of their analyses.
The basic statistical procedures covered will be illustrated using SAS. The intent of the course is to cover some of the SAS statistical methods that graduate students from outside the Statistics Department require for their own research.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
Learn More
Program Faculty
In the online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate program, you’ll learn from the same expert College of Public Health faculty that teach The Ohio State University’s on-campus courses.
Program Faculty
In the online Biostatistics Graduate Certificate program, you’ll learn from the same expert College of Public Health faculty that teach The Ohio State University’s on-campus courses.
Patrick Schnell
Assistant Professor
Fernanda Schumacher
Assistant Professor
Testimonials
Find out how online learning has helped Ohio State students succeed.
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program.
| Tuition Fees | Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) | Total Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $829.75 | $4,978.50 |
| General Fee | $32.63 | $195.78 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill.
Financial Aid Resource
Financial Aid Resource
Related Articles
Related Articles
How to ask your employer for tuition reimbursement
How to Pay for Your Online Program
Tips for Online Learning from Ohio State Students and Faculty
Get Started
Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.
