MPH in Epidemiology online programs guide

MPH in Epidemiology vs. MS in Epidemiology

While a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (MPH) and a Master of Science in Epidemiology (MS) are similar, there are differences between the degrees.

• Master of Public Health in Epidemiology: A Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (MPH) is an integrated interdisciplinary degree, meaning the program covers foundational aspects of public health, along with detailed training in epidemiology and epidemiologic investigations. In this program, learners are taught the entire process of solving epidemiologic public health issues including diagnosing a problem, developing a hypothesis, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting and reporting the results of their studies to their team of other public health professionals.
• Master of Science in Epidemiology (MS): While an MPH includes foundational material and encompasses all aspects of epidemiologic investigations, the Master of Science in Epidemiology is a research-oriented degree. Learners are taught skills in measurement, statistical, and analytic methods, and complete coursework in biostatistics and data management. Upon graduation, learners should have a solid foundation in developing hypotheses, data collection, epidemiologic methods, and statistical analysis. Graduates of MS in Epidemiology programs might go on to careers in public health research, both in the public and private sector.

Top concentration areas for a master’s degree in epidemiology

Our directory contains several master’s in public health in epidemiology programs, but some have specific concentrations. The following are a sample of epidemiological concentrations:

• Epidemiological sciences
• Clinical research
• Biostatistics
• Disease control
• Maternal and child health
• Epidemiology of microbial diseases
• International health
• Occupational & environmental epidemiology

MPH in Epidemiology requirements

Typical requirements for application to an epidemiology MPH program

In order to apply to an online MPH in Epidemiology program, learners must complete the SOPHAS application, which is the centralized application service for Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited schools. Learners may use this application for all CEPH-accredited schools they are applying to, as it is a universal application. Depending on the program, the following items may also be required:

• Minimum GPA (varies by school)
• College transcripts
• GRE scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume

Typical requirements to graduate from an accredited MPH program

In order to graduate with an MPH in Epidemiology, learners are typically required to complete some combination of credit hours, practicum and a thesis.

• Curriculum – A traditional MPH in Epidemiology curriculum is four semesters long and includes courses covering topics such as:
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Genetics in epidemiology
• Social and economic determinants of population health
• Public health informatics
• Applied epidemiology
• Applied biostatistics
• Issues in global health
• Public health surveillance
• Data analysis
• Chronic disease epidemiology
• Practicum – Many programs require a practicum, which allows learners to acquire first-hand experience in the field of epidemiology. During their practicum, learners are able to practice skills and methods introduced in the classroom, applying them to real-world experiences. Typically, learners are able to choose their practicum based on their area of specialization. For example, a learner interested in environmental epidemiology might choose to base their project on a local waste management facility and spend time on-site exploring a certain topic.
• Thesis – The thesis is the culmination of an MPH in Epidemiology and is often a yearlong project, completed in the second year of the program. Learners work with an advisor to choose a topic associated with their specialization. It is a research paper that is generally significant in length.

Online MPH in Epidemiology programs (CEPH-accredited)

Online degree programs can be great opportunities for professionals with busy schedules or those who might not want to relocate to attend an on-campus program.

When choosing an online epidemiology MPH program, it’s important to remember to look for programs that are accredited by the CEPH, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredits schools of public health and public health programs to ensure that they are meeting the proper standards and quality of education.

Online MPH in Epidemiology sample courses to expect

Infectious disease epidemiology

Preventing and controlling disease is the cornerstone of epidemiology. In this course, learners could study foundational methods to identify, prevent, and control infectious diseases. Learners will use case studies to perform real-world investigations.

Genetics in epidemiology

In this course, learners might examine how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of disease in families and populations.

Social and economic determinants of population health

Obesity, disability, environment, and stress are just a few key social determinants of health in populations that learners will study in this course. They will examine methods and epidemiologic approaches that define population health, as well as how social determinants affect public health issues.

Career possibilities with a MPH in Epidemiology

While there are general opportunities to become an epidemiologist in the field, some graduates with an MPH in Epidemiology may work in a public health specialization. Some of these include environmental health, research, medicine and pharmaceuticals.

General epidemiology

• Also known as disease detectives, field epidemiologists are the first on the scene of disease outbreaks. They work on the ground to track, contain, and eliminate disease outbreaks before they become epidemics.
• It is the job of the field epidemiologist to communicate critical information quickly about the situation to public health officials. They often travel domestically and overseas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for epidemiologists was $83,980 in 2024, with the highest 10% earning more than $134,860 (up $11,430 from 2022).

Environmental health epidemiology

• The role of an environmental epidemiologist is to study how factors from the environment have an affect on the health of a population.
• Their research can involve work within populations that have been exposed to air pollution, hazardous waste, pesticides, asbestos, or radiation. They also might investigate the unknown causes of diseases such as cancer and how environmental factors may have had a role in their development.

Research epidemiology

• Clinical epidemiologists study the way diseases spread. Their jobs are research-oriented and often done in both laboratories and the field as opposed to one-on-one with patients.
• Some of the responsibilities of a clinical epidemiologist include gathering and analyzing data, developing and overseeing clinical studies and reporting research outcomes and disease prevention methods to public health departments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), epidemiologists working in research and development earned a median annual wage of $130,390 in 2024, up $26,740 from 2022.

Medical epidemiology

• Infection control epidemiologists specialize in stopping the spread of infectious diseases as well as ensuring the proper procedures are in place should an outbreak occur. They typically work in hospitals or other medical facilities, collecting data through blood samples, observation, and interviews.
• It is the job of the infection control epidemiologist to help enforce hygiene and cleanliness in hospitals and medical facilities in order to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Those who specialize in this field are particularly skilled in biology, physical science, math, and statistics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for epidemiologists working in general medical and surgical hospitals was $99,690 in 2024, up $4,450 from 2022.

Pharmaceutical epidemiology

• A pharmaceutical epidemiologist studies how pharmaceuticals affect the health of a population. Through clinical studies and research, they look at how certain diseases spread due to social trends and other factors within the community.
• The job of a pharmaceutical epidemiologist is research-heavy and they might spend the majority of their time in the lab, studying samples and how they react with certain chemicals and drugs. Those who specialize in this field are often particularly skilled in biology, chemistry, and statistics.

Last updated: May 2026