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Program Details

Graduate Program: Epidemiology (MS)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Epidemiology (MS)  
Program Description

The Master of Science in Epidemiology is offered by the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The Master of Science degree in Epidemiology is designed for individuals who wish to pursue training in epidemiological research. It is anticipated that graduates will occupy positions as research administrators, program managers, analysts, and evaluators in universities, health departments, governmental agencies, and similar organizations.

Students have the option of either a general MS degree in Epidemiology or a specialization in clinical epidemiology. The requirements for these two tracks vary slightly. Students who are interested in clinical epidemiology should contact the Epidemiology Section Chair for additional information.

The overall course of study for the MS degree will be developed by the student and the Faculty Advisor and approved by the student's Graduate Committee and Chair of the Epidemiology Section. On average, the MS program requires approximately two years for completion. The first year is usually devoted to core coursework and completion of the qualifying exam. The second year is focused on remaining coursework and development of the master's thesis research.

View more about the program and the curriculum at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/academics/masters/ms/epi

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

College of Public Health

Arizona's first and only accredited college of public health, the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is uniquely situated in the culturally rich and diverse Southwest. Distinguished for our outstanding community-based research and for our focus on eliminating health disparities among populations of the Southwest and globally, the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers tremendous opportunities to its students for education, research and community involvement.

The College of Public Health's interdisciplinary activities are enhanced by being part of the Arizona Health Sciences Center with campuses in Tucson and Phoenix. The College consistently ranks among the top five in American Indian and Hispanic graduates and students enrolled among accredited schools of public health, according to recent data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. In addition, the University of Arizona is one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities that have developed exceptionally strong overall research and academic programs. 

 
College

College of Public Health

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Ryan Matthew Maldonado
520-621-8768
Graduate Program Coordinator
Michael J Tearne
520-626-2112
Director of Graduate Studies
Kacey C Ernst
520-626-7374
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Tammy Tran
520-621-0119
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • At least one year of biological sciences
  • At least one year of college level mathematics (algebra and above)
  • Calculus and statistics are highly recommended, although not required
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of Purpose and Objectives
  • Mission and Values Statement
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants

View more detailed admissions criteria at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/ms-phd-epi-admissions-criteria

Applications should be submitted through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for schools and programs of public health, at www.sophas.org.  

 
Standardized Tests

Optional Test 
GRE - Send scores to the University of Arizona College of Public Health/SOPHAS, code 4253

International Students - Tests of English Proficiency
International applicants are required by the UA Graduate College to submit a TOEFL score of 90 on the iBT (web-based) test. For students who take the IELTS examination, an overall score of 7 is required, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual band or module.  TOEFL and IELTS test scores must be dated within two years of the year of enrollment. Students may be requested to enter the Center for English as a Second Language to improve their verbal skills.

SOPHAS TOEFL Scores - Code 5688
SOPHAS IELTS Scores - Code SOPHAS

 
Funding Opportunities

A variety of funding is available in the form of scholarships/fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.  More information regarding tuition and financial assistance is available at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/tuition-financial-assistance

Federal Financial Aid  https://financialaid.arizona.edu/apply-for-aid/graduate-professional

 
Admissions Deadlines

Fall Deadline: December 1

Note:  Students who apply by the priority deadline will be given the highest priority for admissions and consideration for scholarships and assistantships.

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0616

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

Required Major Courses (23 units)

  • EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
  • EPID 573B Epidemiologic Methods (3)
  • EPID 573C Advanced Epidemiology (3)
  • EPID 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3)
  • EPID 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
  • EPID 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers (3)
  • EPID 696A Epidemiology Seminar (1 unit - 2 times), (or equivalent (1 unit must be 696T for those in Clinical Track) or as approved by Faculty Advisor)
  • EPID XXX Biostatistics course beyond EPID 576b (3)

9 Unit Track Options – Students will select an area of specialization that aligns with their research program. Choose from the following tracks:

Clinical Research Track – Select 9 units from the following

  • BIOS 675 Clinical Trials & Intervention Studies (3)
  • BIOS 511 – Data science for healthcare (3 units)
  • CTS 502-Principles of Clinical Research I (4 units)
  • CTS 502: Principles of Clinical Research II (4 units)
  • EPID 670 Chronic Disease Epi (3 units)
  • EPID 677 - Principles of genetic association studies (3 units)

Infectious Diseases Track

  • Select EPID 660 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3units)
  • Plus 6 units from the following:
    • EPID 679 - One Health (3 units)
    • EPID 596D SAFER (3 units)
    • ACBS 549 Diseases of Wildlife (3 units)
    • ECOL 557 Medical Veterinary Entomology (3 units)
    • ACBS 519 General Immunological Concepts (3 units)


Field Method Track – Select 9 units from the following

  • EPID 646 Measurement Issues in Epidemiology (fall - even years) (3 units)
  • EPID 673 Mixed Methods Research (3 units)
  • EPID 676 Spatial Epidemiology (springevenyears) (3 units)
  • EPID 596D SAFER (3 units) Lifecourse/ Chronic Epi Track – Select 9 units from the following
  • EPID 670 Chronic Disease Epi (3 units)
  • EPID 677 - Principles of genetic association studies (3 units)
  • EPID 615A - Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (fall - odd years) (3 units)
  • EPID 630 Maternal & Child

Lifecourse/ Chronic Epi Track – Select 9 units from the following

  • EPID 670 Chronic Disease Epi (3 units)
  • EPID 677 - Principles of genetic association studies (3 units)
  • EPID 615A - Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (fall - odd years) (3 units)
  • EPID 630 Maternal & Child Health
  • Epidemiology (fall) (3 units)

Required Master's Thesis, EPID 910 (minimum 4 units)

Total Minimum Credit Requirements for Master of Science in Epidemiology = 36 units

 
Elective Coursework

There are no required electives beyond those listed in the tracks above.

 
Additional Requirements

Oral Defense of Thesis Research

The MS student is required to complete a formal defense of the thesis research in a public seminar, followed by an oral examination by the candidate's Thesis Committee.

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 53.33%
Med. Time-to-degree (years) 2.00
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 30%
Enrollment Percent Female 70%
Enrollment Percent International 10%
Enrollment Percent URM 50%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2020.
  • Median Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2015-2019) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program. This measure uses the methodology established in the 2011 Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs by the National Research Council.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/EPIMS
Last revised 29 Mar 2022
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