Epidemiology, MPH

Epidemiology (48 SCH)

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program with a concentration in Epidemiology (48 credit hours) provides students with a foundation in the major concepts of public health and necessary tools to apply the core functions of epidemiology in practice including public health surveillance, field investigations, and analytic studies. During the program, students will apply the knowledge and skills obtained to work collaboratively with professionals in practice to solve real world, pressing issues, converting data into actions to improve the health of populations. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as epidemiologists in local, state, and national public health settings, non-profit organizations, and as infection prevention professionals in healthcare settings. The program’s comprehensive curriculum provides students the knowledge base for certification in public health and certification as an associate in infection prevention. 

Students in the MPH Epidemiology concentration are admitted once a year as a cohort. Full-time attendance is required and students are expected to complete 48 credit hours and graduate in five consecutive semesters. Students follow a weekly calendar of curricular and co-curricular activity that occupies 8-hour blocks of time, Monday through Friday.

Electives

Students will work with their advisor to select two 3 credit hour elective courses from the approved elective list.

MPH Practice Experience

All MPH students are required to complete a Public Health practice experience internship. This requirement is based upon the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation.

This course provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience addressing MPH foundation and concentration-specific competencies. Students are required to commit to a minimum of 600 cumulative hours total over three semesters and complete other assignments that promote the synthesis of MPH competencies. Students are required to complete a project that is specific and beneficial to the organization and are supervised by a Faculty member and an organizational site supervisor. Placements and practice activities are selected to complement the students’ academic and professional goals. Students must attend all required practice experience sessions and obtain approval of their placement before enrolling in the course. 

Prerequisite: Students must be in good academic standing with the university and have completed all required courses during the first year cohort program or have completed at least 21 SCH as an online student. 

For more information, please see the Public Health Practice Experience website.