Online MPH in Epidemiology: Finding the Master's Program for You
Whether you’re already a working professional or new to the field, there is a multitude of things you can do with a public health degree such as an MPH in epidemiology. Keep reading to learn about the various opportunities for earning your MPH in epidemiology online and the top online programs.
Expertise: Criminal JusticePublic HealthCareersUniversity of Massachusetts — Lowell
The Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) — Lowell offers a program experience to distance learners that matches the quality and accreditation of that of their on-campus cohorts. This degree program is designed to open career opportunities for graduates across a wide range of public health management and research roles.
In this program, you will be trained to track and investigate disease outbreaks in communities, monitor systems data, and design public health interventions. This 14-course online MPH is ideal for those with bachelor’s degrees in public health, psychology, biology, clinical laboratory sciences, and nutrition and physical therapy who wish to understand and advance into the field of epidemiology.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost: $695 per credit
Curriculum:
- Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
- Public Health Policy
- Environmental Health
- Leadership and Management in Public Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Integrated Practical Learning
- Biostatistical Programming
- Biostatistics for Health Data
- Applied Epidemiology Methods
- Quantitative Models for Public Health
- Advanced Regression Modeling
Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s Master’s in Epidemiology Online program focuses on disease patterns and the factors influencing health outcomes. This 45-credit program is for professionals wanting to enhance their skills in public health research and practice. Foundational courses provide the base knowledge needed to break into the industry, while specialty courses help current epidemiology professionals advance in the field.
Graduates of this MPH serve in high-impact areas like medical research, public health emergencies, and more. Those entering this program come from a variety of backgrounds, from nursing and healthcare administration to data scientists and environmental science and engineering.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost: $393.93 per credit (residency dependent)
Curriculum:
- Health Behavior
- Health Policy Management
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Data Management & Computing
- Applied Practice Experience
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Integrative Learning Experience
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Get Answers: Online Epidemiology MPH FAQs
How long does it take to complete an MPH in epidemiology online?
Degree completion varies based on the pace and flexibility of a program. Most online epidemiology programs last one to four years and require 42 to 80 credits.
As a full-time student, you can typically earn your MPH in epidemiology degree in about two years. Part-time students can expect up to four years. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or flexible pacing options, which impact degree timelines.
How much do online epidemiology MPH degrees cost?
Most schools offering online MPH programs have similar financial aid offerings, although whether a school is public or private will impact the cost. All said, expect to pay $10,000 to $25,000 at a public university and $40,000 or more at a private university. If you need additional help in funding your online MPH degree, be sure to research the scholarships for public health students available from a variety of organizations, as well as other support services.
Most schools provide resources and assistance for obtaining financial help. Temple University, for example, offers scholarships specifically for public health students and details external graduate funding on its scholarship and financial aid page. It also gives information on federal financial aid programs.
What are the admissions requirements for online epidemiology MPH degrees?
Each program has its own admissions requirements, but most expect the same core elements. Those include an online application, official transcripts, and a resume or curriculum vitae. Understanding the college admission process and preparing these documents ahead of time can help you prepare a competitive application.
Other common admission requirements are letters of recommendation and an essay in which applicants discuss their interest in public health and epidemiology. Some programs also require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Standardized test scores are often optional, however, or are only required if students have not taken certain coursework like high-level math.
How important is finding an accredited MPH program?
Accreditation, a process whereby an independent organization verifies that a school or academic program meets the required educational standards, is crucial to confirm for an online MPH program prior to applying. Accreditation can apply at both the institutional and programmatic levels.
Epidemiology master’s programs are accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH). A program’s website should indicate this accreditation. You can also check CEPH’s list of accredited schools and programs.
Will I learn the same skills in an online epidemiology MPH program as in an on-campus program?
Yes, MPH epidemiology online programs cover the same topics and teach the same skills as traditional, on-campus programs. By requiring a practicum, online programs also have the same in-person requirements as on-campus programs. Fortunately, these in-person requirements can often be met near where a student works and lives.
Online MPH students should hone the same public health student skills they will need to succeed in their programs and graduate. Along with classwork, online students will often watch virtual lectures and engage in discussions on digital forums. Usually, online programs also make sure students get the same access to faculty as on-campus students.
Getting to Know the Online Epidemiology MPH Curriculum
Most MPH in epidemiology programs have two types of courses. The first category includes core classes in public health topics. The second type is specific to epidemiology and, in some cases, to a specialization in the field. The five course descriptions below can give you an idea of what to expect to study as an online MPH in epidemiology student.
Foundations in Public Health
A Foundations of Public Health course introduces the basic tenets of public health and the U.S. healthcare system. Students learn about principles — including social justice, human rights, racism, and public health programs throughout history — affecting how public health is run. This base of knowledge is important for fostering a proactive approach to preventing disease.
Introduction to Biostatistics
Critical data analysis is key for anyone wanting a career in public health and epidemiology. This class introduces the fundamentals of statistical methods and interpretation and covers descriptive statistics, regression, and correlation. The knowledge gained in this course is crucial for making accurate, data-driven decisions that improve lives through medical intervention and policy.
Qualitative Data and Mixed Methods Analysis
Qualitative data is collected through direct observation and sampling methods like questionnaires and interviews. This course is designed to introduce students to the process of analyzing qualitative data and managing it alongside quantitative data in a mixed-method analysis. Acquiring and applying this skill gives a big-picture understanding of how people live, their perceptions, and their motivations.
Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Human Research
Performing research on humans and human behavior helps healthcare professionals gain an understanding of the common biological processes and health problems people encounter. This class explains the ethical and regulatory considerations when designing and conducting research involving individuals. It protects participants and fosters public trust while adapting to challenges and providing a global perspective.
Practicum
To gain a better understanding of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, students complete a practicum in which they apply concepts to issues in public health. Practical experience also allows students to exercise their problem-solving and communication skills. This real-world experience develops students professionally while additionally preparing them for epidemiology careers.
The Career Outlook for Epidemiology MPH Grads
Epidemiologist
Through research, education, and policies, professional epidemiologists improve the overall health of the general public. They find ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases or reduce the lethality of chronic diseases.
This in-demand career is expected to grow 19%, which is much faster than the national average, and has a median pay of $87,220 per year. Someone with solid communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills along with being detail-oriented and good at math is likely to excel as an epidemiologist.
Health Services Manager
These specialized administrators strategize and coordinate the distribution of healthcare services to patients and the general public. Health services managers are often found managing entire hospital facilities but may also focus on a single department.
Essential qualities of health service managers include analytical skills, communication skills, attention to detail, leadership skills, and technical skills. The average salary for health service managers is $123,860 per year, and the field is expected to grow by 24% through 2035.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Medical research is pivotal to studying and understanding human diseases. To help make this research possible, clinical research coordinators plan and help operate research programs. They also help interpret the data collected during research.
Skills required to be a clinical research coordinator include technical skills with analytical and scientific software, databases, and spreadsheets, in addition to solid communication skills. The median wage for clinical research coordinators is $167,220, and positions should grow up to 4% by 2035.
Clinical Data Manager
Clinical data managers extract information from healthcare management systems and databases and analyze it to identify valuable insights. By analyzing trends and patterns in the data, they can provide useful information to inform decision-making processes for governments and healthcare systems when developing strategies and allocating resources to tackle health challenges.
The earnings for clinical data managers are, on average, $120,230 annually. These professionals are critical thinkers and skilled communicators. They also excel at deductive reasoning and information ordering.
Top Online Master of Public Health (MPH) Programs in Epidemiology
Schools eligible for this ranking of top online MPH programs in epidemiology are accredited, have at least one MPH program offered partially or fully online, and offer career placement and academic counseling services. Schools are first weighted based on online learning offerings, including the number of online programs and graduate students enrolled.
Other considerations of this ranking are affordability, student aid and tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, and more. To learn more about this process and what to look for in your personal program search, review the “About the Rankings” section below and check out these top programs.