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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Master of Science in Health Services & Outcomes Research

Master's Curriculum and Schedule

The HSOR master’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for successful careers in academic medicine and other research organizations. Coursework emphasizes quantitative and qualitative research skills, grant writing and writing for peer-reviewed journals.

Master’s students are admitted each summer quarter. Degree coursework can be completed in either one or two years; detailed descriptions and timelines for the options are detailed below.

SEE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The core curriculum includes 10.5 course units: 9.5 required course units and one elective. In addition to coursework, all master’s students complete a Capstone Project.

Full-Time Schedule

In the full-time curriculum, students take all core courses offered (two to three courses each quarter) to complete the degree in one year. This option is suitable for students who have protected time for research and study. Students may continue work on the Capstone research project after other coursework is completed. Courses are offered once a year in the quarters listed below. Students attend both residency sessions and regular class sessions held in-in person. If a student needs to attend a course remotely, we encourage them to reach out to your instructor. 

Course Plan Schedule

Summer 2024

July - September

HSR 456: Applied Qualitative Methods & Analysis for Health Researchers (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 10 (W): 2:30-5:00pm
    • July 11 (TH): 9:00-11:00am
    • September 16 (M): 2:00-4:30pm
    • September 17 (T): 10:30am-1:00pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 10:00am-12:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
      • July: 17, 31
      • August: 14, 28
      • September: 11

HSR 302: Introduction to Biostatistics (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 10 (W) 8:30-10:30am
    • July 11 (TH) 2:30-4:30pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 8:30-10:30am on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:
      • July: 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
      • August: 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20
    • 8:30-10:30am on the following Wednesdays:
      • August: 21

HSR 461: Topics in HSR: Methods and Measurement (0.5)

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 10 (W): 11:00am-12:30pm
      July 12 (F): 9:00-11:30am
    • September 16 (M): 9:00-11:30am
    • September 18 (W): 8:30-11:00am
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1:00-3:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
      • July: 24
      • August: 7, 21
      • September: 4, 11

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • July 11 (Th): 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Class Session Dates: none

Fall 2024

September - December

HSR 425: Intro to Quantitative Methods in Health Services and Outcomes Research (1) 

  • Residency Dates:
    • September 17 (T): 8:30-10:00am
      September 19 (Th): 8:30-11:00am
    • January 8 (W): 8:30-10:30am
    • January 9 (Th): 8:30-10:30am
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 2:00-3:30pm on the following Mondays:
      • October: 7, 14, 28
      • November: 11, 18, 25

HSR 421: Intermediate Biostatistics (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • September 18 (W): 11:00am-12:30pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 2:00-5:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
      • September: 25
      • October: 2, 9, 16, 30
      • November: 6, 13, 20
      • December: 4

HSR 433: Health Economics and Healthcare Financing (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • September 17 (T): 2:00-5:00pm
    • September 18 (W): 2:00-5:00pm
    • September 19 (TH): 2:30-5:00pm
    • January 8 (W): 3:00-5:00pm
    • January 9 (TH): 2:00-5:00pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 4:00-5:30pm on the following Mondays:
      • September: 30
      • October: 7, 14, 28
      • November: 4, 18
      • December: 2, 9

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Will meet individually with Megan McHugh
  • Class Session Dates: none

Winter 2025

January - March

HSR 465: Intermediate Quantitative Methods in Health Services and Outcomes Research (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • January 9 (TH): 11:00am-1:00pm
      January 10 (F): 10:30am-12:30pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 3:30-5:00pm on the following Tuesdays:
      • January: 14, 21, 28
      • February: 4, 11, 18, 25
    • 3:30-6:30pm on the following Tuesdays:
      • March: 11

PUB_HLTH 445: Writing for Peer Review and Publication (1)*

  • Residency Dates:
    • None
  • Class Session Dates:
    • January 8th-March 19th

*this course is also offered in the Fall and Spring

HSR 460: Ethical Issues in Health Services Research (0.5)

  • Residency Dates:
    • January 8 (W): 10:30am-1:30pm
    • January 10 (F): 1:00-2:30pm
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1:30-3:00pm on the following Tuesdays:
      • January: 14, 21, 28
      • February: 4, 11, 18
      • March: 4

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Will meet individually with Megan McHugh
  • Class Session Dates: none

Spring 2025

March - June

HSR 462: Topics in HSR: Grant Writing (0.5)

  • Residency Dates:
    • April 21 (M): 8:30am-3:30pm
      April 23 (W): 12:30-3:30pm
  • Class Session Dates: none

HSR 470: Federal Policy Making and Healthcare Reform (1) [suggested elective]

  • Residency Dates:
    • April 22 (T): 8:30-11:30am
      April 23 (W): 8:30-11:30am
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1:00-4:00pm the following Tuesdays:
      • April 1, 8, 29
      • May 6, 13, 20, 27

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)*

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Will meet individually with Megan McHugh
  • Class Session Dates: none
*register for this during your final term

 

Please see the one-year full-time schedule of classes for quarterly offering.

Part-Time Schedule

Below is a recommended part-time course plan. Part-time students take about half the courses in the first year and complete the remainder in the second year or later. Customized course plans can be arranged with the program.

Download the part-time 2024-2026 course plan and schedule.

 

 

Schedule for Faculty and Staff using Tuition Benefits

For faculty and staff looking to maximize the Feinberg School of Medicine’s $12,000 annual tuition benefit, we recommend a three-year or four-year course plan. Download the recommended course plan.