Master of Public Health, Concentration in Epidemiology Print
The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology provides training in the principles and methodology of epidemiological research and practice. Students in this program explore the theories and methodologies underlying the science, and learn how to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret research studies in such areas as cancer epidemiology, reproductive epidemiology, and infectious disease epidemiology. Graduates pursue advanced degrees or research or management careers in the public, private, or academic sectors.

Competencies

In addition to the cross-cutting competencies that all MPH graduates master, upon completing the requirements for the MPH in Epidemiology graduates are able to:

  • Design valid epidemiological studies;
  • Use statistical software to analyze and interpret health-related data; and
  • Critically evaluate published research with regard to internal and external validity as well as public health importance.

Summary of EP Concentration Requirements:

Course Credits Total Credits
Core Courses Biostatistics (BS704) 3 18-22
Epidemiology (EP713) 3
Enviromental Health (EH717 or EH765) 3 or 4
Health Law (LW719 or LW751)* 3 or 4
Health policy and Management (PM702 or IH704) 3 or 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB721 or IH720) 3 or 4
EP Required Courses Introduction to Statistical Computing (BS723) 4 16
Intermediate Epidemiology (EP813) 4
EP Approved Concentration Electives 8
SPH Electives Elective Courses from any department 0-16
Required Practicum Practicum varies varies
Culminating Experience Comprehensive Examination 0 0
Total Credits: 48

*EP Concentrators who are neither US citizens nor permanent residents are exempted from the Health Law requirement and may substitute IH720 for SB721 and IH704 for PM702

Emphasis Areas

Students who wish to delve deeper into a specific area of Epidemiology can use concentration and school-wide electives to focus their studies in one of 5 emphasis areas:

Students also often combine two emphasis areas such as non-infectious diseases and research methods. Your advisor can help you decide if an emphasis is right for you and suggest which courses to take within that emphasis. For detailed course listings visit the Epidemiology Concentrator’s Guide.

Prospective students should contact the Epidemiology staff at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for additional information

Clinical Trials Emphasis
The Clinical Trials Emphasis provides training in all aspects of experimental studies including special aspects of their design, such as randomization; their conduct including ethical considerations; and analysis.  

Infectious Diseases Emphasis
The Infectious Diseases Emphasis provides training in the epidemiology of common infectious diseases in populations, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and vaccine preventable diseases. The courses present the determinants of these diseases, their distributions within populations and their control. Implications for social policy and preventive approaches are discussed, and analyses of actual infectious disease outbreaks are included. 

Non-Infectious Diseases Emphasis
The Non-Infectious Diseases Emphasis provides training in the epidemiology of common non-infectious diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and adverse reproductive and pregnancy outcomes. Certain courses in this emphasis area focus on particular 'exposures' such as nutrition, the environment, and pharmaceuticals rather than particular diseases. Most courses give students practice in critically reviewing published articles and in designing their own study. 

Pharmaco-epidemiology Emphasis
The Pharmaco-epidemiology Emphasis provides training in the roles of the FDA, drug industry and academia in drug development and regulation; the study of intended and unintended effects of drugs; and postmarketing surveillance. The goal is for students to be able to evaluate the epidemiologic evidence related to drug safety using historical and recent examples like thalidomide, hormone replacement therapy, and Vioxx. 

Epidemiologic Research Methods Emphasis
The Epidemiologic Research Methods Emphasis offers more extensive training in the methodological aspects of epidemiologic research, including detailed courses in all of the major epidemiological study designs, survey methods, and analytic methods. Both theoretical aspects and hands-on experience are highlighted. This area of emphasis may be combined with either infectious disease or non-infectious disease epidemiology.