Health services research is the intersection of many disciplines, including biostatistics, operations research or management science, medical informatics, epidemiology, program evaluations, statistical quality control, and market research.

The health services research program at Texas State University-San Marcos prepares students to be vital contributors to clinical research, quality improvement, or policy development in the health sciences. The program offers students experience in the practical application of computer-based qualitative, quantitative and analytical methods of problem solving and decision-making in both clinical and administrative settings. This master’s program is available in both fulltime and part-time schedules, and all courses are offered in the evenings.

Graduates work in public health, biotechnology or other careers related to health services administration where their quantitative and computer skills are strong assets. The program is designed for students with diverse academic preparations, including both health and non-health professionals.

Course Work

The 42- to 45-semester-hour program yields a master of science with a major in health services research (HSR). The program varies depending on student career goals and courses of study but usually includes a core, electives, a cognate in health services, and a thesis or field experience. The student’s career objective influences the choice of electives and should be discussed with the School of Health Administration (SOHA) graduate advisor.

Admission Policy

Course prerequisites for HSR students include statistics. This prerequisite may be accepted from other universities and must be taken prior to entering the graduate program.

Applicants must meet the Graduate College’s minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 for the last 60 hours of letter-grade course work leading to the bachelor’s degree as well as for any graduate or professional work. They must also earn a minimum score of 575 on an admission index calculated by multiplying GPA for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work by 100 then adding it to the applicant's new GRE score (verbal & quantitative).

To apply, each applicant must submit the following to the Graduate College at Texas State:

• An official Texas State Graduate College application form;
• A non-refundable application fee of $40.00 (check or money order payable to Texas State University in U.S. currency);
• Non-Texas State graduates must submit one official transcript from each senior level, post-secondary institution attended. These transcripts must be mailed directly from the institutions to the Office of the Graduate College;
• Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative portions combined (scores must be on file prior to acceptance);
• Three letters of reference from professionals competent to assess the applicant's interest in pursuing a career in their chosen field of study*; and
• Applicant's written statement of purpose indicating ability and interest in completing the degree program*.

* Your references and statement of purpose can be uploaded to the Graduate College via their website at www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/rqmt.html.

Once these materials are received, the SOHA graduate advisor will schedule an interview to confirm the applicant’s ability and interest in not only pursuing, but completing, the program.  For the interview, you are required to bring a current resumé.

Visit www.gradcollege.txstate.edu for access to an online application and additional details. Applications are due June 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. The Graduate College will continue to process applications received after these deadlines, but such applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees of admission.

Financial Assistance

For information about scholarships, financial aid and application deadlines, visit the Graduate College Web site at www.gradcollege.txstate.edu and click on Financing Your Graduate Education.

Contact

Graduate Advisor
School of Health Administration
Texas State University-San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
Phone: 512.245.3494
Fax: 512.245.8712
E-mail: sohagradadvisor@txstate.edu