To become a professional, students must earn an MPH with a specialty in epidemiology. Masters in Epidemiology Online (MPH Epidemiology Online) degrees are designed for students with active jobs and commitments to their families. This guide provides an overview of the master’s in epidemiology online, the university admission requirements, and financial aid opportunities.
1. Masters in
Epidemiology Online
Epidemiology is a specialty offered in Master
in Public Health (MPH) degree programs.
Epidemiologists, sometimes called disease
detectives, research sectors of a target
population to examine the causes of illness.
They assist public health organizations to
prevent the spread of disease and create
strategies for identifying the at-risk population.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
projects a nine percent increase in
professional epidemiologists, 2016 to 2026.
The average annual salary epidemiologists is
$84,048. To become a professional, students
must earn an MPH with a specialty in
epidemiology. Masters in Epidemiology Online
(MPH Epidemiology Online) degrees are
designed for students with active jobs and
commitments to their families. This guide
provides an overview of the master’s in
epidemiology online, the university admission
requirements, and 몭nancial aid opportunities.
Public Health Programs Epidemiology Programs
Introduction Best Programs Program Details
2. Featured Online
Programs
SouthernNew
HampshireUniversity
PROGRAM: Online
Masters Degrees in
Public Health
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3. Best Online MPH
Epidemiology
Programs
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See Schools
Many factors go
into determining the
Best Online MPH
Programs. Some of
these factors are –
credits are required
for graduation,
program
admissions
requirements, the
timeline for
graduation, 몭nancial
aid, concentrations,
graduation rates,
tuition fees,
program quality &
reputation, etc. We
have considered all
those factors and
created a list of the
Best Online MPH
Programs:
Link to this Page
4. College Name & Address
#1
University Of California, Berkeley
200 California Hall, Berkeley, California
94720
Tuition
$11,442
Graduation Rate
93%
College Name & Address
#2
Columbia University
West 116 St and Broadway, New York,
New York 10027
Tuition
$47,600
Graduation Rate
95%
College Name & Address
#3
Texas A&M University
KW Administration Building, Suite 200,
College Station, Texas 77843
Tuition
$6,677
Graduation Rate
5. 82%
College Name & Address
#4
Harvard University
Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02138
Tuition
$48,008
Graduation Rate
97%
College Name & Address
#5
University of Southern California
University Park, Los Angeles, California
90089
Tuition
$46,272
Graduation Rate
92%
College Name & Address
#6
Boston University
One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts
02215
Tuition
$54,720
6. Graduation Rate
88%
College Name & Address
#7
George Washington University
1918 F Street, NW, Washington, District
of Columbia 20052
Tuition
$31,770
Graduation Rate
82%
College Name & Address
#8
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida
33620
Tuition
$8,350
Graduation Rate
75%
College Name & Address
#9
Loyola University, Chicago
1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, Illinois
60660
Tuition
7. Tuition
$18,594
Graduation Rate
74%
College Name & Address
#10
University of Nebraska Medical Center
42nd & Dewey Ave, Omaha, Nebraska
68198
Tuition
$8,964
Graduation Rate
NA
College Name & Address
#11
University of Arizona
1401 E University, Tucson, Arizona
85721
Tuition
$11,938
Graduation Rate
65%
College Name & Address
#12
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia,
8. 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19104
Tuition
$35,181
Graduation Rate
69%
College Name & Address
#13
University of Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee 38163
Tuition
$13,099
Graduation Rate
NA
College Name & Address
#14
Eastern Virginia Medical School
700w. Olney, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
Tuition
$20,575
Graduation Rate
NA
College Name & Address
#15
9. #15
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Administration Bldg Suite 1070,
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Tuition
$8,100
Graduation Rate
63%
College Name & Address
#16
Kent State University
Executive O몭ce, 2nd Floor Library, Kent,
Ohio 44242
Tuition
$11,766
Graduation Rate
62%
College Name & Address
#17
South Dakota State University
1015 Campanile Avenue, Brookings,
South Dakota 57007
Tuition
$8,083
Graduation Rate
56%
10. College Name & Address
#18
University of Memphis
Southern Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee
38152
Tuition
$9,216
Graduation Rate
53%
College Name & Address
#19
East Tennnessee State University
1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City,
Tennessee 37614
Tuition
$8,640
Graduation Rate
50%
College Name & Address
#20
Ferris State University
1201 S State St, Big Rapids, Michigan
49307
Tuition
$7,608
11. Graduation Rate
47%
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data
System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program
speci몭c rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Understanding
Masters in
Epidemiology
Online Programs
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 몭nish 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
12. 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
13. 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
con몭dent 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 몭rst 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:
14. 1. Begin the SOPHAS application at least
three months prior to the school’s
deadline
2. Request for o몭cial 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.
Important Note: The fees paid for
the SOPHAS application are for
the submission of your application
materials. Students should
contact each prospective program
to 몭nd out if there are additional
fees. Some offer tuition waivers
based on need.
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 몭elds 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 몭rst 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.
15. 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.
MPH
Epidemiology
Online No GRE
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:
University of Arizona
George Washington University
East Tennessee State University
Drexel University
Careers for
Masters in
16. Masters in
Epidemiology
Online Graduates
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 scienti몭c
research 몭rms. Some pursue federal
employment with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to
their work as disease detective,
epidemiologists 몭nd 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 몭eld
support of emergency responders and
investigators. Some 몭nd 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.
Master’s Seminar Internships –
Internships require the physical
attendance of online students and
may be arranged at locations
convenient to students.
Depending on the institution,
internships at a public health or
related agency may require a
minimum of 200 hours, or 20
hours per week for 10 weeks.
They are usually allowed for MPH
students who have completed
their 몭rst year of graduate school.
Internships are often at
universities and college research
centers, healthcare organizations,
17. state and federal disease control
agencies, pharmaceutical 몭rms, or
biogenetical research
organizations. Open internships
are posted at your university’s
career services o몭ce or at the
university MPH department. You
can also 몭nd listings of current
internship openings at Indeed,
Glassdoor and Internships.com.
How to Pay for
Masters in
Epidemiology
Online Programs
The 몭rst step in applying for grants and
scholarships is to complete the online Free
Application for Financial Student Aid (
FAFSA ). The application is used to evaluate
몭nancial need and the analysis is sent to the
universities of your choice. The federal aid
programs include:
Direct Stafford Loans (not based on
need)
Direct Graduate PLUS Loans (up to
$20,000, more for selected public
health programs)
Students employed by non-pro몭t
organizations or governmental agencies can
apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
In addition to federal aid, students should
contact each state’s department of
education to investigate loan, grant or
scholarship programs. The U.S. Department
of Education has a search tool that identi몭es
the contacts for each state. There are also
18. scholarships available by health
organizations, MPH-related organizations
and more. These are pegged to 몭nancial
need or scholarly achievement.
Epidemiology master’s students can search
for more than 8,000 scholarships at the
Department of Education. The ASPPH also
list and extensive selection of graduate
scholarships for MPH candidates. In
addition, grants, tuition reductions and
scholarships are available from universities
or the master’s in epidemiology online
program. Finally, there are private
educational loans to help students who need
more loan funds beyond federal aid. These
loans may be considerably more expensive
than federal loans. They are not backed by
the Department of Education and carry with
higher interest rates.
It is also important to note that some
employers may query about students’ SAS
programming skills, how they respond to
stress and deadlines, and about their
internship or practical experience.
Fellowships for MPH Epidemiology
Students
There are many paid fellowships for grads,
including the CSTE Applied Epidemiology
Fellowship in coordination with the Centers
for Disease Control. You may want to explore
the ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship
Program.
Read more about how to pay for Online
Masters on the Best Finance Guide.
Certi몭cations and
Licensing for
19. Licensing for
Masters in
Epidemiology
Students
Getting certi몭cations for Epidemiology is not
mandatory. But most professionals 몭nd that
getting certi몭cations helps a lot in enhancing
careers. Also, some employers prefer to hire
job applicants with certi몭cations. The
credentials attest to the level and quality of
MPH training and your commitment to
continuing education. There are several
certi몭cations that MPH professionals get.
Some of them are the National Practitioner
Databank, The National Board of Public
Health Examiners, etc. But the most
important certi몭cation for Epidemiology
professionals is The Certi몭cation Board of
Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC)
certi몭cation.
Resources for
MPH
Epidemiology
Online Students
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
20. 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
Graduate Program – Public Health (MPH),
Applied Epidemiology: University of Arizona
Master’s in Public Health-Concentration in