Master of Science in Epidemiology
Learn more about the Epidemiology program
The epidemiology program addresses health disparities as a crosscutting theme at the local, national, and global levels via didactic training, practicums, and applied ‘hands-on’ research leading to the written thesis. All students take a sequence of core courses in epidemiology, health disparities research, and introduction to the concentrations. Then the students choose one of the three areas of concentrations offered for their electives and thesis focus.
Program Description
Our curriculum provides an opportunity for students:
- to develop an understanding of the principles of social justice and health equity, and to recognize the biological, social, and economic determinants of health disparities nationally and globally; through scientifically grounded training in theory, policy and, research in epidemiology
- to study and apply epidemiological methods to the investigation of health disparities, and to understand role of community-based and community-engaged research in the amelioration of health disparities
- to recognize existing disparities across common health conditions and specific methods to eliminate such disparities
Curriculum
A descriptive listing of the core courses and elective courses can be viewed on our Course Descriptions page.
Application Deadlines- Fall 2024
Priority: January 15
Application fee is waived for priority applicants. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration for admission and scholarship aid.
All Applicants: April 1
Final application deadline for entrance to Fall 2023.
Please be sure to review the Graduate School Admissions page and the Admissions Requirements Checklist before beginning the online application.
Sample Course Schedule
| FALL I | Credits | SPRING I | Credits |
| Epidemiology I – EPID 5001 | 3 | Epidemiology II – EPID 5002 | 3 |
| Biostatistics I – EPID 5003 | 3 | Biostatistics II – EPID 5005 | 3 |
| Research Ethics & Professional Development Seminar – EPID 5010 | 1 | Computer Software Lab II – EPID 5006 | 1 |
| Research Ethics & Professional Development Seminar – EPID 5011 | 1 | ||
| Core Concentration I – Introduction To Social And Behavioral Health & Health Disparities Research – EPID 5007 | 3 | Core Concentration II –Introduction to Cancer Epidemiology – EPID 5008 | 1.5 |
| Core Concentration III –Introduction to Infectious Disease Epidemiology – EPID 5009 | 1.5 | ||
| Total | (10) | Total | (11) |
| FALL II | Credits | SPRING II | Credits |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Research Ethics & Professional Development Seminar – EPID 5012 | 1 | Research Ethics & Professional Development Seminar – EPID 5013 | 1 |
| Thesis Research – EPID 9999 03* | 0 | Thesis Research – EPID 9999 01# | 0 |
| Total | (7) | Total | (6) |
Program Requirements
The M.S. in Epidemiology program is a 4-semester program requiring each student to complete 34 credit hours. These 34 credit hours are comprised of: 23 credits of core courses, and at least 11 credits in concentration-specific courses, inclusive of a thesis. All students take a sequence of core courses in epidemiology, health disparities research, and an introduction to the program’s concentrations. Students then choose one of the three areas of concentrations offered for their electives and thesis focus.
Areas of Concentration
The Master of Science in Epidemiology program offers three concentration areas:
- Cancer Epidemiology (CE)
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IDE)
- Social and Behavioral Epidemiology (SBE)
Experiential Learning
Professional Development Seminar
Students participate in a monthly seminar series focused on hot topics in epidemiology and research ethics. Learning from working professionals helps students to network, as well as articulate their knowledge and skills relevant to the workplace.
Master’s Thesis
All master’s students must identify a faculty member who will serve as the mentor for the Thesis. In addition a faculty member will be assigned to serve as the ‘reader’ for the Thesis. This process is expected to be a culminating project based on interest, exposure and experience of students and mentors. The mentors will facilitate and oversee research thesis projects for the students. Each master’s student must write a thesis and follow the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences policies and procedures. The students will be required to present his/her thesis as a poster at the established annual research symposium day for the Epidemiology Program. The poster session will be in lieu of a formal thesis defense. The Thesis mentor and reader must sign off on the Master’s Thesis Reviewers Report once the thesis has been successfully completed.
Part-time Enrollment
The program is designed to be completed full-time or part-time. To accommodate our students needs, we offer coursework throughout the day and the evenings.