Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Admission Requirements
- Prior Degree Bachelor's degree in any field.
- Grade Point Average Admitted students typically have at least a combined undergraduate/graduate grade point average of 3.00/4.00. However, all applicants are given a holistic evaluation of their application. Applicants with less than a 3.00 are encouraged to apply if they believe that their application is strong in other areas.
- Tests GRE not required.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required, uploaded via the SOPHAS application.
- Resume or CV Required, uploaded via the SOPHAS application.
- Personal Statement Applicants will upload a 500-800 word statement focused on their interests/experiences in public health and the program they are applying to specifically, goals with the degree, and why they would be successful in the program. For students applying to research focused programs, the personal statement should also address potential research interests.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score for International Applicants
- 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.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum Semester Hours Required
- MPH, Concentration in Biostatistics: 46
- MPH, Concentration in Epidemiology: Comprehensive Program, 53; Professional Enhancement Program, 42
- MPH, Concentration in Concentration in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, 56
- Coursework Students in the MPH program at UIC School of Public Health are required to complete 22 hours of school-wide core requirements, three non-credit trainings, and concentration-specific requirements.
School-Wide Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Foundations and Determinants of Public Health | ||
| Public Health Policy, Systems and Advocacy a | ||
| Public Health Planning, Practice, and Evaluation | ||
| Public Health Management and Leadership | ||
| Quantitative Methods and Analysis I | ||
| Quantitative Methods and Analysis II b | ||
| Introduction to Research Design for Public Health | ||
| Applied Practice Experience (3 hours) | ||
| Integrative Learning Experience | ||
- a
Students enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health concentration and Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology concentration will take CHSC 543 in lieu of IPHS 451 as more specialized training is required. These courses are part of their concentration core curricula, not the overall MPH core curriculum.
- b
Students in the Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology concentrations will take EPID 406 during their first semester, concurrent with IPHS 454, in lieu of IPHS 455. Students in other MPH concentrations may waive out of IPHS 455 and take EPID 406 upon approval of the student’s home division, the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and the SPH Office of Academic Affairs.
Non-Credit Training Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Training | ||
Human Subjects Research | ||
Title IX Training - Sexual Harassment | ||
SPH Academic Integrity Tutorial | ||
Concentration Requirements
In addition to School-Wide Core requirements and Non-Credit Training requirements, students complete the following divisional core and concentration requirements for their chosen concentration.
MPH with a Concentration in Biostatistics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Divisional Core Requirements (22 Hours) | ||
| Biostatistics II | ||
| Introduction to Data Analysis w/ R | ||
| Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis | ||
| Design of Clinical Trials | ||
| Longitudinal Data Analysis | ||
| Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods | ||
| Epidemiologic Computing | ||
| Electives | ||
| Students may select any graduate-level course to complete the minimum required 46 semester hours. Students are encouraged to choose additional methodology courses in areas such as survey planning and sampling, health data science, or geographical information systems (GIS). | ||
| Total Hours | 0 | |
Other Requirements
- Students in Biostatistics are allowed only one grade of C in required courses. A student who receives two Cs in required courses will not be allowed to graduate from the program. A student may retake a course one time and attempt to replace the C with a higher grade.
- Students who plan to conduct research involving human subjects must undergo training and obtain approval of their protocol by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning the research.
MPH with a Concentration in Epidemiology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (20 Hours) | ||
| Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods | ||
| Epidemiologic Computing | ||
| Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases | ||
| Applied Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods | ||
| Current Epidemiologic Literature | ||
| Biostatistics II | ||
| Electives | ||
Students in the Comprehensive Program complete 14 semester hours of electives to bring total program hours to a minimum of 53 semester hours. | ||
Students in the Professional Enhancement Program complete 3 semester hours of electives to bring total program hours to a minimum of 42 semester hours. | ||
Students may use their electives to pursue a course of study in a divisional concentration; or may customize their program of study by selecting from a broad range of coursework to meet their career goals and interests. Chosen electives must create a coherent program of study which adds depth to the student’s training in Epidemiology and furthers the student’s attainment of the program competencies. | ||
MPH with a Concentration in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Concentration Courses | ||
| Biostatistics II | ||
| Community Health 1: Assessing, Promoting and Improving Community Health | ||
| Community Health 2: Evidence-Informed Community Health Interventions | ||
| MCH Inequities and Responses I | ||
| Maternal and Child Health Inequities and Responses Part II | ||
| Translating Evidence for MCH Practice | ||
| MCH Policy and Advocacy | ||
| Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods | ||
| Epidemiologic Computing | ||
Select one of the following courses: | ||
| The Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS | ||
| Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases | ||
Select one of the following courses: | ||
| The Epidemiology of Pediatric Diseases | ||
| Reproductive and Perinatal Health | ||
| Electives | ||
| Students must also complete the number of MCH electives necessary to earn a minimum of 56 semester hours. Suggested electives can be found on the School of Public Health website. | ||
Professional Development Requirements
- MPH students are required to engage in four professional development opportunities, either by participating in career services workshops, attending leadership coaching meetings, or engaging in alternative activities that are approved by the Assistant Director of the Center of Excellence in MCH.
- MCH Alumni Mentorship Program: All MCHEPI MPH students will be matched in the second year of their MPH program with an MCH alumni mentor based on long-term career goals and public health interests. MCH students will be required to meet with their MCH alumni mentors on a regular basis and to participate in CoE professional and career development workshops.