Master's Curriculum & 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 person. If a student needs to attend a course remotely, we encourage them to reach out to their instructor.

Course Plan Schedule

HSOR MS Curriculum and Schedule
Dates Courses

Summer 2026

July - September

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 8 (W): 2:30-5 p.m.
    • July 9 (Th): 9-11 a.m.
    • Sept. 14 (M): 2-4:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 15 (T): 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:
      • July: 15, 29
      • August: 12, 26
      • September: 9

HSR 302: Introduction to Biostatistics (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 8 (W) 8:30-10:30 a.m.
    • July 9 (Th) 2:30-4:30 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:
      • July: 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
      • August: 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • July 8 (W): 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
      July 10 (F): 9-11:30 a.m.
    • Sept. 14 (M): 9-11:30 a.m.
    • Sept. 15 (T): 8:30-10 a.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1-3 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:
      • July: 22
      • August: 5, 19
      • September: 2, 9

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Students meet individually with instructor
  • Class Session Dates: None

Fall 2026

September - December

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • Sept. 15 (T): 8:30-10 a.m.
    • Sept. 17 (Th): 8:30-10:30 a.m.
    • Jan. 6 (W): 8:30-10:30 a.m.
    • Jan. 7 (Th): 8:30-10:30 a.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 2-3:30 p.m. on the following Mondays:
      • October: 5, 12, 26
      • November: 2, 16, 30

HSR 421: Intermediate Biostatistics (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • Sept. 16 (W): 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 2-5 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:
      • September: 23
      • October: 7, 14, 21, 28
      • November: 4, 11, 18
      • December: 2

HSR 433: Health Economics and Healthcare Financing (1)

  • Residency Dates:
    • Sept. 15 (T): 2-5 p.m.
    • Sept. 16 (W): 2-5 p.m.
    • Sept. 17 (Th): 2:30-5 p.m.
    • Jan. 6 (W): 3-5 p.m.
    • Jan. 7 (Th): 2-5 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 4-5:30 p.m. on the following Mondays:
      • October: 5, 12, 19, 26
      • November: 2, 6, 30
      • December: 7

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Students meet individually with instructor
  • Class Session Dates: None

Winter 2027

January - March

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • Jan. 7 (Th): 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
      Jan. 8 (F): 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 3:30-5 p.m. on the following Tuesdays:
      • January: 12, 19, 26
      • February: 2, 9, 16, 23
    • 3:30-6:30 p.m. on the following Tuesdays:
      • March: 9

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • None
  • Class Session Dates:
    • Jan. 6 - March 17

*this course is also offered in the Fall and Spring

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • Jan. 6 (W): 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Jan. 8 (F): 1-2:30 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1:30-3 p.m. on the following Tuesdays:
      • January: 12, 19, 26
      • February: 2, 9, 16, 23

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Students meet individually with instructor
  • Class Session Dates: None

Spring 2027

March - June

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • April 19 (M): 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
      April 21 (W): 12:30-3:30 p.m.
  • Class Session Dates: None

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

  • Residency Dates:
    • April 20 (T): 8:30-11:30 a.m.
      April 21 (W): 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Class Session Dates:
    • 1-4 p.m. the following Tuesdays:
      • April 6, 13, 27
      • May 4, 11, 18, 25

HSR 500: Capstone Project (1)*

  • Residency Dates (Capstone WIP):
    • Students meet with instructor individually
  • Class Session Dates: None
*register for this during your final term

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

To view future course schedules beyond what is listed above, see this spreadsheet (Northwestern email required).

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 2026-2028 course plan and schedule.

Schedule for Faculty & Staff Using Tuition Benefits

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