Arnold School of Public Health

Epidemiology is where data, prevention, and public health action come together. In USC’s MPH in Epidemiology program in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, students learn to apply epidemiologic methods in practice settings, develop and evaluate surveillance programs, create culturally appropriate protocols for data collection, analyze data and present results. 

This program is built for students who want to use evidence to prevent disease, strengthen public health systems and improve population health through hands-on, practice-focused training. 

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What You’ll Study 

You’ll build the skills to identify public health problems, analyze population health data, and translate findings into action. Students learn to evaluate public health surveillance systems, determine appropriate study designs, formulate research questions, manage and analyze administrative, surveillance or electronic health data, develop research protocols and critically evaluate epidemiologic literature. 

 

Curriculum 

The MPH in Epidemiology is a 43-credit-hour program that includes a 16-credit-hour public health core, epidemiology and biostatistics coursework, major courses, electives, an applied practice experience and an integrated learning experience.  

View the full curriculum in the Graduate Academic Bulletin. 

 

Admissions 

Application requirements include a resume or CV, personal statement, official transcripts from all colleges or schools attended, at least three letters of recommendation and, when applicable, verified non-U.S. transcripts and English language proficiency scores. 

Learn about the complete admission requirements.: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Application Requirements

 

Where our Grads Work 

Graduates are prepared for positions as evaluators, coordinators, analysts and more in state and government health departments, private industry, clinical settings, university settings, nonprofit organizations and academic institutions. Our graduates work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Departments of Health and academic settings as research or program coordinators. 

 

Graduate Assistantships 

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• What is a graduate assistantship?

  A graduate assistantship is a part-time position that allows graduate students to work in a variety of roles, depending on the source of funding.  

• What types of work do graduate assistants do?

  Graduate assistants may be hired by a faculty member to support research on a grant-funded project or by a department to assist with clerical, administrative or other program-related duties.  

• Who is eligible for a graduate assistantship?

  Graduate assistants must be enrolled as full-time students. Assistantships are typically classified as quarter-time, which is 10 hours per week, or half-time, which is 20 hours per week. 

Tuition 

Tuition and fees are subject to change and vary based on enrollment status, residency and program format. Students are encouraged to explore financial aid options, scholarships and assistantships to help support their education. Learn more from the Office of Graduate Student Services.

Tuition and Fees

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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• Is the MPH a practice-focused degree?

  Yes. The MPH in Epidemiology prepares students to apply epidemiologic methods and skills in practice settings.

• How many credit hours are required?

  The program requires 43 credit hours. 

• Is the GRE required to apply?

  No. GRE scores are not required for the MPH in Epidemiology.

• Can the program be completed online?

  Yes. The MPH in Epidemiology is also offered as a 100% asynchronous online degree program. Learn more about the online program.

• How do I apply?

  Applicants apply through SOPHAS. 

• What will I learn?

  EPID Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will evaluate a public health surveillance system, identify salient gaps, and methods to address them.
  2. Students will interpret epidemiological data and methodological descriptions to identify the type of study design and calculate appropriate measures of association.
  3. Students will compare and contrast the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic study designs (randomized trials and observational studies), including biases and methods to minimize bias.
  4. Students will formulate a research question and manage and analyze data from public health administrative or surveillance data, or electronic health data repositories.
  5. Students will determine a study design, develop a research protocol, and design a questionnaire to address a public health issue.
  6. Students will critically evaluate epidemiologic scientific literature.

 

Ready to Get Started? 

Prepare for a career that uses data, evidence, and prevention strategies to improve health in communities. 

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Request More Information 

Learn more about USC's MPH in Epidemiology.

 

Contact Us 

Please contact Dr. Myriam Torres, Epidemiology MPH Program Director in theDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatisticsat 803-777-6852 or torresme@mailbox.sc.edu with questions about the MPH in Epidemiology program.