Master of Science in Applied Outcomes Research
Apply for Fall 2025: September 15, 2024 – July 1, 2025
Supplemental documents for Fall 2025 due July 15, 2025
Earn a Master of Science in Applied Outcomes Research and make an impact on the health and well-being of populations and individuals.
- Prepare to work in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings.
- Learn to apply health outcomes research to inform decision-making.
What is Applied Outcomes Research?
Applied outcomes research is used to:
- Develop patient-centered best practices and practice guidelines
- Generate cost-effective therapeutic and behavioral interventions
- Improve healthcare system performance
- Inform policy
It is not restricted to just medicine or health services but encompasses a broad range of health measurements and requires scientific knowledge and data-driven insights for informed decision-making.
Career Opportunities in Applied Outcomes Research
With growing worldwide chronic disease burden and the need for effective therapeutic interventions, the market for health outcomes research services is expected to exceed $1.7 billion in the next five years. However, research also suggests that there is a shortage of trained professionals in this field.
Outcomes researchers are employed as Clinical Outcomes Managers, Healthcare Administrators, Research Analysts and more in diverse settings including:
- Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
- Government organizations
- Health insurance companies
- Healthcare systems/Hospitals
- Non-profit policy and research institutions
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Regulatory agencies
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Applied Outcomes Research (MS-AOR) provides knowledge and understanding of evidence-based decision-making, including:
- Assessment of clinical and patient-reported outcomes and patient satisfaction
- Impact of non-clinical patient-level factors on patient health
- The role of economic evaluation methods in assessing the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- The intended and unintended consequences of health policy decisions
- The skills to conduct empiric AOR projects with real-world data
- Risk mitigation using pharmacovigilance practices
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS in Lifestyle Science preferred; minimum GPA 2.75) or professional student (i.e. PharmD students) without a conferred degree and overall GPA of 2.8 prior to enrollment in a professional degree program
- Prerequisites: At least 3 SCHs of Statistics or equivalent training
- Justification may be submitted for candidates who do not meet all admissions requirements.
- International Applicants
- A course-by-course WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) is required from any international institutions attended. WES will need your GradCAS ID in order to properly route your ICAP. If you ordered your WES ICAP before you had a GradCAS ID, click here to learn how to proceed (select “GradCAS” from the drop-down and scroll down to “Additional Information”).
- Language Exam Scores are required for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents unless you have completed a degree program from within the US. TOEFL accepted, send to GradCAS at #B886.
- The MS-AOR program does not sponsor F-1 visa for international students. International students can undertake all didactic courses online; you can participate in the on-site training (capstone project) either outside of the US or in the US under proper arrangements with a J-1 or B-1 visa.
How to Apply
Application via GradCAS requires the following:
- Required one-page personal statement of interest in the program (maximum 400 words)
- Required two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
- CV or resume
- Other optional supporting documents
- Submit official transcript(s) from all institutions attended.*
*Please note the following:- Transcripts must be official, sent directly to GradCAS from your institution(s).
- A course-by-course WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) is required from any international institutions attended. WES will need your GradCAS ID in order to properly route your ICAP. If you ordered your WES ICAP before you had a GradCAS ID, click here to learn how to proceed (select “GradCAS” from the drop-down and scroll down to “Additional Information”).
- $88 application processing fee required
Program Contacts
For questions about the admissions process, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@unthsc.edu
For questions about the program, contact: Rafia S. Rasu, PhD, Professor of Pharmacotherapy, UNTHSC College of Pharmacy at Rafia.Rasu@unthsc.edu.
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