MS in Epidemiology

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field A major in the biological, physical, or social sciences is preferred.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00.
  • Tests Required GRE General. For GRE General Tests, the combined verbal and quantitative scores must be at least 300.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required.
  • Personal Statement Required; the statement should address the applicant’s intended research, career goals, and reason for pursuing the MS degree in the chosen area.
  • Other Requirements Applicants may submit their master's thesis as evidence of their ability to plan and complete significant health-related research. 

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required: 50
  • Coursework: At least 32 semester hours must be in courses other than IPHS 598 and at least 9 semester hours must be at the 500 level. No more than 4 hours of IPHS 596 may be applied to the degree.

School-Wide Requirements 

School of Public Health Core Requirements
Biostatistics I
Introduction to Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
Foundations of Public Health
Required Non-Credit Training
Human Subjects Training
Title IX Training
SPH Academic Integrity Tutorial

Divisional Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements and the School of Public Health core requirements, students must complete the following divisional requirements to reach 50 semester hours.

Epidemiology Divisional Core Requirements
Biostatistics II
Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis
Design of Clinical Trials
Sampling and Estimation Methods Applied to Public Health
Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods
Epidemiologic Computing
Current Epidemiologic Literature
Epidemiology Research Seminar
Electives
Students may use their electives to pursue a course of study in one of the following optional concentrations; or may customize their program of study by selecting from a broad range of course work to meet their career goals and interests. All students must complete sufficient elective hours to bring their total program of study to a minimum of 50 semester hours.

Optional Concentrations in Epidemiology

MS in Epidemiology, Concentration in Cancer Epidemiology

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students electing the Cancer Epidemiology concentration must complete the School of Public Health core requirements. Students in the Cancer Epidemiology concentration are NOT required to take the Epidemiology Divisional Core requirements.

Cancer Epidemiology Concentration Requirements
Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis
Cancer Epidemiology
Select two of the following:
Special Topics in Human Nutrition
Advanced Cancer Epidemiology
Genetics in Epidemiology
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
Advanced Special Topics in Epidemiology (Social Epidemiology)
Advanced Special Topics in Epidemiology (Surveillance Epidemiology)

MS in Epidemiology, Concentration in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, MS students concentrating in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology  must complete the School of Public Health core requirements, and the Epidemiology Divisional Core Requirements. In addition, students must take the following courses for a total of 55 semester hours for the MS and concentration.

Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Concentration Requirements
Biostatistics II
Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods
Epidemiologic Computing
Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
Occupational Health and Safety Practice
Environmental/Occupational Health Seminar
Applied Methods for the Analysis of Epidemiologic Data
Exposure Assessment Strategies
Environment, Toxicology, and Disease
Current Topics in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
Applied Methods in Environmental Epidemiology
Research in Public Health Sciences - M.S.

Other Requirements

  • Comprehensive Examination: None
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Students are required to complete 8 master's thesis hours.