Online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology is a graduate degree program that focuses on the study of specific public health issues in various populations, with the objective of discovering their causes as well as how and why they spread to others. With this knowledge, epidemiologists then create and implement new policies to address public health issues to either reduce or eliminate them in a specific community or population.

A classic example of epidemiology in action involves the case of the Guinea worm disease (Dracunculiasis). In 1986, approximately 3.5 million people in 21 countries in Asia and Africa were believed to be inflicted with the painful disease. After studying the disease, it was determined that it was transmitted when people either bathed in or drank from the water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae. By educating people in those countries to filter their water before drinking it, the disease has now been almost entirely eradicated. In 2014, only 126 cases of the disease were reported.

The work that epidemiologists do is critical in the field of preventive medicine. They make substantial contributions to the well-being of millions of people around the world every single year. MPH Degrees earned online are viewed very favorably by employers, and they allow students to earn their degree without putting their life on hold.

Pursuing Online MPH Epidemiology

An online MPH in Epidemiology will prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of public health, although the intent is to train new epidemiologists. Graduates will be able to prepare, conduct, and analyze the results of research to identify the causes of public health issues in a community, and to recommend strategies to address those issues.

Online MPH in Epidemiology degree programs require the completion of an average of 45 credit hours to graduate and are designed to be completed in two years. Students considering enrolling should have a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or better. In addition to submitting an application, GRE scores and letters of recommendation, applicants may also be required to submit a statement of purpose and resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

Online MPH in Epidemiology programs require the completion of core courses that are common to all MPH programs such as Biostatistics, Principles of Health Policy and Management, Environmental and Occupational Health, and Social and Behavioral Health Sciences. Also, courses specific to epidemiology will be required such as Psychiatric Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Cancer Epidemiology, and others.

Potential Online MPH in Epidemiology Career Path

The primary career path for those pursuing an online MPH in epidemiology is that of a public health epidemiologist. These public health professionals typically work in hospitals, universities, and also on location in various places around the world.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for an epidemiologist is $65,270 per year with a range of $42,620 to $108,320. The job outlook for this career is positive.

Sources:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/online-mph-epidemiology/
http://ph.ucla.edu/academics/departments/epidemiology/mph-epidemiology
http://online.mph.ufl.edu/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/Epidemiologists.htm