Masters in Epidemiology Online

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

MPH epidemiology online programs allow students to complete up to 80 percent of their didactic coursework at their location of choice. The remaining 20 percent of the program includes one on-campus course per year. University programs permit online epidemiology master’s students up to four years to complete their degree; however, most students finish their degree in 26 months. Graduation requirements can vary by program from 45 to 60 credits.

MPH/epidemiology coursework focuses on research strategies, biostatistics, public health policy and management, infectious disease, and public health data analysis. Students also complete an on-site internship with a public health organization. Online courses are offered in two required modalities: asynchronous and synchronous. The asynchronous component allows students to complete their degree at their own pace while synchronous online courses must be attended on schedule to provide live lectures and class sections with their peers. The online courses use multimedia, virtual chat, discussion threads, instructional podcasts, Skype, and email. Students may work with a faculty adviser via chat or by phone.

Curriculum in MPH Epidemiology Online Programs

Curriculum requirements for the epidemiology program include satisfactory completion of a supervised internship lasting for one or two semesters. Coursework focuses on survey design, causal analysis, statistical methods, medical informatics, biomedical research, regression, and healthcare systems. Programs may also require the completion of a research project and scholarly paper or a comprehensive exam. Here is a sampling of typical courses offered in a master’s in epidemiology online program:

• Principles and Methodology
• Epidemiology of Communicable Disease
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Community Outreach and Education
• Epidemiologic Method
• Pharmacoepidemiology
• Outbreak Investigations
• Biostatistics for Research
• Intro to Multivariate Stats
• SAS Data Management
• Epidemiology of HIV/STDs
• Field Epidemiology
• Epidemiologic Surveillance
• Health Budgeting & Financial Management
• Computer Analysis in Public Health
• Participatory Action Research
• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Sociocultural & Behavioral Aspects of Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology

Accreditation for MPH Epidemiology Online Programs

It is important to check for Accreditation before students apply for Masters in Epidemiology Online degrees. Online university programs with an epidemiology specialization must be accredited by The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Some employers, particularly the U.S. Public Health Service and state and local agencies – hire only graduates of CEPH-accredited MPH programs. As long as the program that students applying to, is accredited by CEPH, students can be confident about the value of the degree.

Admission requirements for MPH Epidemiology Online Programs

According to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), there are 60,000 students attending the nation’s MPH degree programs. Most online institutions use the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). It allows prospective students to apply to multiple universities at the same time. Approximately 13,000 students were accepted into programs via SOPHAS in 2017.

The first step is to register for a SOPHAS account. The initial university application by SOPHAS costs $135 and $50 per additional school. Here is the SOPHAS suggested schedule for applying to schools offering an epidemiology degree online:

1. Begin the SOPHAS application at least three months prior to the school’s deadline
2. Request for official college transcripts be sent to SOPHAS at least eight weeks prior to the school’s deadline
3. Submit transcripts, graduate test scores, entry essays, and letters of recommendation to SOPHAS at least four weeks prior to school deadlines
4. Complete and submit your online SOPHAS application at least three weeks prior to deadlines.

Individual universities establish their own requirements for accepting students into the program. These may include two or three letters of recommendation, the submission of an essay on your education and career goals. They usually favor an undergraduate degree in the fields of mathematics, health, or sciences, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Prerequisites may include college undergraduate credits in anatomy, algebra, physiology, microbiology, and biology. Students who do not meet the prerequisites can complete them in summer session preceding or during their first graduate semester. Check with your prospective programs. Some master’s in epidemiology online schools require no prerequisites beyond completion of a baccalaureate degree and submission of transcripts and test scores.

Timeline for graduation in Masters in Epidemiology Online

Timelines for graduation depends on many factors like part time/full time, the format of the program, university, bow many credits per semesters, etc. But like most online masters programs, Masters in Epidemiology Online programs take about 2-3 years by most students.

The admission requirements at most universities that offer MPH Epidemiology Online degrees include a GRE test score. However, many universities offer MPH Epidemiology Online No GRE programs. These universities put emphasis on the program quality and do not want students’ time and efforts into the GRE test but rather want the students to spend time in the program and become epidemiology professionals. Here are some universities that offer MPH Epidemiology Online No GRE programs:

• George Washington University
• East Tennessee State University
• Drexel University

According to the BLS, most epidemiologists take jobs working for state government organizations. The second largest sector of employers are state, local, and private hospitals, followed in order by public and private colleges, universities and scientific research firms.  Some pursue federal employment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  In addition to their work as disease detective, epidemiologists find roles in disease control, occupational health, bioterrorism, substance abuse, adult and child health.  In addition to service in clinical settings, epidemiologists work as government researchers and in field support of emergency responders and investigators. Some find employment in overseas health organizations. The BLS also reports that the states with the highest employment of epidemiologists are California, Texas, Georgia, Maryland and Washington.

Getting certifications for Epidemiology is not mandatory. But most professionals find that getting certifications helps a lot in enhancing careers. Also, some employers prefer to hire job applicants with certifications. The credentials attest to the level and quality of MPH training and your commitment to continuing education. There are several certifications that MPH professionals get. Some of them are the National Practitioner Databank, The National Board of Public Health Examiners, etc. But the most important certification for Epidemiology professionals is The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) certification.

The following sites provide online epidemiology master’s students access to statistical information, professional news, case studies, and other resources to assist in their research:

• American Public Health Association
• TED Talks on the topic of Epidemiology
• CDC National Center for Health Statistics
• International Epidemiological Association
• Epidemiology News and Research, News-Medical.Net
• Epidemiologic Case Studies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Solve the Outbreak App for Apple and Androids
• The American College of Epidemiology
• American Statistical Association
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• NIH: Finding and Using Health Statistics
• BLS: Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry

Important Journals for Masters in Epidemiology Students

• The American Journal of Epidemiology
• Epidemiology
• Annals of Epidemiology Journal
• The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
• International Journal of Epidemiology

Sources

• Admissions – University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
• Epidemiology – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Epidemiologists – Indeed.com
• Epidemiologist Interview Questions – Glassdoor
• Financing Your Degree – Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
• Master’s in Public Health-Concentration in Epidemiology – Colorado School of Public Health
• Occupational Employment and Wages, Epidemiologists – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• State Contacts – U.S. Department of Education
• Welcome to SOPHAS – SOPHAS
• What is CEPH Accreditation? – The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health