Precision Health

Specialize in one of three industry-aligned concentrations:

Bioinformatics: Prepare for computational and analytical roles in precision health through training in bioinformatics, genomics, and health data science.

Clinical research and translation: Prepare for operational and translational roles that move precision health innovations from research through regulatory approval to implementation. Specialize in coordinating research, navigating compliance, and supporting biomedical commercialization.

Public health innovation: Focus on designing and implementing targeted health interventions for specific populations by integrating precision health approaches with community health practice. Learn to address health equity and improve outcomes at the community and systems level.

• Earn an innovative degree in one of the only programs of its kind in the U.S.
• Engage in a STEM-designated curriculum co-designed with stakeholders across biotech, clinical research, medical devices, diagnostics, and public health—bringing you the skills top employers demand.
• Specialize your degree with one of three industry-aligned concentrations.
• Complete a capstone project—demonstrating your proficiency across the program’s domains.
• Gain experience through an optional co-op at organizations building precision health capabilities.
• Connect with faculty from multiple Northeastern colleges—providing interdisciplinary depth.
• Study in one of the top precision health markets. Boston hosts a concentration of biotech, pharma, diagnostics, and health technology employers.

• Approximately one-third of FDA-approved new molecular entities in 2023 were precision medicines (KPMG, Valuations in a Precision Medicine World, 2024).
• Pharmaceutical and technology companies are investing billions to build integrated precision medicine platforms (Bain, Global Healthcare Private Equity Report, 2025).
• The projected growth for data scientists through 2034 is 34% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026).
• The projected growth for medical and health services managers through 2034 is 23% (BLS, 2026).
• Boston is a national leader in biotech funding and related jobs.

• Application

• Application fee

• Two letters of recommendation

• Personal statement

• Resumé

• Transcripts from all institutions attended*

  • Bioinformatics concentration: Students should have coursework that demonstrates proficiency in programming and/or introductory computer science

• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English

  • TOEFL – A 1–6 banded score scale will be introduced in January 2026 for the iBT TOEFL test. Please see the score breakdowns below for test takers before and after the updated score scale takes effect on January 21, 2026:

    • For exams taken before January 21, 2026: We prefer a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100

    • For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We prefer a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 5

*Transcripts from outside of the U.S. will require a course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE, SpanTran, or Scholaro.