Curriculum
The M.S. in Epidemiology program centers on health disparities as a unifying theme across local, national and global communities.
Our curriculum combines core courses, focused concentrations and an experiential component. Through comprehensive training, hands-on practicums and applied research, you’ll build the expertise and real-world experience needed to lead efforts addressing today’s most urgent health challenges. Offering both full- and part-time options, you can advance your career while managing your other commitments.
Program goals
Through the Epidemiology curriculum, you will:
- Explore the principles of social justice and health equity, developing a deeper understanding of the biological, social and economic factors driving health disparities, both in the U.S. and around the world. You’ll gain this knowledge through rigorous, science-based training in epidemiology theory, policy and research.
- Learn and apply epidemiological methods to investigate health disparities, discovering the critical role of community-based and community-engaged research in addressing these challenges.
- Identify existing disparities across common health conditions and master practical methods to help eliminate them.
Degree requirements
To earn the M.S. in Epidemiology degree, you will complete 34 credit hours. Our core courses emphasize epidemiology and health disparities research and include introductions to the three concentration options. Your remaining 11 credits and your thesis or capstone will center on the concentration you choose so that you can deepen your expertise in your area of interest.
Choose your concentration
After completing your core requirements, you will choose one of the three concentrations in the program to complete your 11 remaining credits.
Experiential learning
Professional Development Seminar
You’ll take part in a weekly seminar series exploring timely topics in epidemiology and research ethics. Learning directly from experienced professionals will help you build your network and confidently share your knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Past topics
- Cancer Trends and the Role of Viral Etiology in Cancer Development
- How Courts Shape Health Policy
- Research and clinical practice with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness
- AI Tools in Research and Ethical Use
- Intersection of Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse, and Cancer Disparities
Master’s thesis
At the conclusion of the program, you’ll have the option to complete a thesis project that brings together your interests, experiences and knowledge. Guided by a faculty mentor, you’ll conduct original research and present your findings as a poster at our annual research symposium, showcasing the skills you’ve developed throughout your time in the program.
Capstone
The optional capstone project is an opportunity to apply the practical skills you developed throughout the program. Over the course of one semester, you’ll collaborate with a faculty advisor on a project inspired by your interests, experiences, and exposure within your concentration. You will produce a final paper and then share your findings through an oral presentation or a poster session.
Degree options
Along with our M.S. in Epidemiology degree, which can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, we also offer accelerated B.S. or B.A./M.S. and dual degree options.
Request more information
The world needs professionals like you to solve the public health challenges we face. Learn more about how a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Georgetown will help you succeed.
Thank you for your interest in this program. Please complete this form and we will contact you with more information.
