The focus of the Texas State program is on the practical application of computer based quantitative and analytical methods of problem solving and decision making in both clinical and administrative settings. Graduates work in public health, biotechnology, or other careers related to health services administration where their quantitative and computer skills are a strong asset. The program is designed for entrance by students with diverse academic preparations, including both the health and non-health professional.

Degree Requirements: The time to degree may vary depending on student career goals and course of study for the 42 to 44 semester hour program, but generally will require between 27 and 34 semester hours in health services research, with additional courses in a minor or supporting area. The choice of supporting courses will be greatly influenced by the career objective of the student, and should be discussed with an advisor. Students may select from among several degree options, some of which include a minor in other graduate programs or a variety of cognates or supporting courses chosen to reinforce particular career paths. Programs from which students can select supporting courses include health administration, public administration, health education, biology, geography, technology, speech communication, mathematics, business, computer science, and many others. Supporting areas or cognates are typically three courses, but can be as few as two or as many as four courses.

Prerequisites: Course prerequisites for health services research majors include the following: statistics (HP 3302) and computer applications (HP 2351). It is important to note that these prerequisites may be accepted from other universities and must be taken prior to the graduate course for which they are required, but they need not necessarily be taken prior to admission to the program.

Minor or Cognate: Selected courses from health services research are available as a minor or cognate option to students from other programs who desire stronger preparation in quantitative skills such as statistics, epidemiology, forecasting, modeling, management science, or marketing research. The choice of courses and their sequence will be defined through consultation between the student and faculties from both programs. A minor of 15 semester hours or a cognate of nine semester hours may be taken in health services research. Undergraduate prerequisites for a full 15-hour minor include at least one course in statistics and one in computer applications. Prerequisites for split minors or cognates are negotiable depending on the selection of health research courses.