Epidemiology

The University of Minnesota's Epidemiology program offers a comprehensive and rigorous education designed to prepare students for diverse careers in public health, research, and policy development related to the prevention and control of diseases. Rooted in a strong foundation of biomedical sciences, biostatistics, and social sciences, the program emphasizes the importance of understanding the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. Students will engage with advanced epidemiological methods, learn how to analyze complex datasets, and develop skills necessary for designing and conducting research studies that contribute to improving public health outcomes locally, nationally, and globally.

The curriculum combines core coursework in epidemiologic principles, causal inference, and study design with specialized topics such as infectious disease epidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, environmental health, and social determinants of health. Emphasis is placed on applying research findings to real-world health issues, fostering critical thinking, and developing effective communication skills for conveying scientific information to diverse audiences. The program also offers hands-on training through research practicum projects, seminars, and collaborative work with faculty members engaged in cutting-edge research.

Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories, data analysis tools, and a vibrant academic community committed to advancing public health knowledge. The faculty comprises experienced professionals and researchers renowned for their work in epidemiology and related fields. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in government agencies, academic research, healthcare organizations, and non-profit sectors, where they can contribute to disease surveillance, prevention strategies, health policy development, and scientific research.

The University of Minnesota's Epidemiology program promotes an interdisciplinary approach and encourages students to explore emerging areas such as genomic epidemiology, health disparities, and global health issues. With flexible degree options including master's and Ph.D. pathways, students can tailor their education to meet their career aspirations and research interests. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, analytical skills, and professional network necessary to excel in epidemiological practice and research, ultimately contributing to healthier communities through evidence-based interventions and policies.

37 credits are required in the major.
24 thesis credits are required. 

This program may be completed with a minor.

Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.

A minimum GPA of 3,25 is required for students to remain in good standing.

At least 2 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.

Students may select one of two formal tracks; both have an applied perspective that emphasizes study design, measurement, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation. Social/behavioral epidemiology focuses on origins and development of human behavior patterns and how they are influenced and formed by personality, family, culture, and environment. Clinical/biological epidemiology focuses on the biological causes of diseases, especially determinants of cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious diseases, and genetic epidemiology. The PhD program includes a minimum curriculum of 61 credits. Students must pass written and oral preliminary examinations, serve as a teaching assistant for one semester, write and defend a dissertation, and prepare a first-authored manuscript for publication.

Required Coursework

Take the following courses for a total of 13 credits:

• PUBH 7401 - Fundamentals of Biostatistical Inference (4.0 cr)
• PUBH 6348 - Writing Research Grants (2.0 cr)
• PUBH 6742 - Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy (1.0 cr)
• PUBH 8341 - Advanced Epidemiologic Methods: Concepts (3.0 cr)
• PUBH 8342 - Advanced Epidemiologic Methods: Applications (3.0 cr)

Take one of the following teaching courses for at least 1 credit:

• GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education (3.0 cr)
• or GRAD 8200 - Teaching and Learning Topics in Higher Education (1.0 cr)

Thesis Credits

Take at least 24 doctoral thesis credits.

• PUBH 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral (1.0-24.0 cr)

Requirements

The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3,00.

For the doctoral program, applicants must have completed or be about to complete a master's degree in a related field.

Special Application Requirements:

Because of the program's strong emphasis on methodology, quantitative aptitude is very important. This can be demonstrated by scoring at or above the 70th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE, along with satisfactory grades in college-level quantitative courses. At least three recommendations (form and separate letter) from faculty and/or work supervisors with knowledge of the applicant's scholastic and professional capabilities and potential, and a statement of goals and objectives (letter of intent) for seeking a career in epidemiology are also required. In addition to the above materials, applicants for the Ph.D. program must submit a separate essay (statement of research interests) beyond what is required for the SOPHAS application process that provides evidence of their potential to conduct original research in a specific epidemiologic area and, if possible, that indicates an interest in particular methodologies or study designs. Serious doctoral applicants are encouraged to contact the major coordinator at epichstu@umn.edu before applying. Students begin their studies in the fall semester. Applications must be completed by December 1 of the year prior to beginning the doctoral program for scholarship consideration; the final deadline is February 1.

Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:

• GRE
  • General Test - Analytical Writing: 4.0

International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL
  • Internet Based - Total Score: 100
  • Paper Based - Total Score: 600
• IELTS
  • Total Score: 7.0
• MELAB
  • Final score: 80

Scholarships

• Fellowships & Grants
• Research & Teaching Assistantships

The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus offers a comprehensive graduate program in Epidemiology designed to prepare students for careers in public health research, disease prevention, and health promotion. The program provides a rigorous curriculum that combines core epidemiologic principles with advanced training in biostatistics, research methods, and disease-specific knowledge areas. Students have opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary research projects, collaborating with faculty who are experts in infectious diseases, chronic diseases, environmental health, and other critical public health issues. The program emphasizes the development of analytical skills necessary to investigate the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. It prepares graduates for careers in academia, government agencies such as the CDC and NIH, non-profit organizations, and private sector health companies. The University offers multiple degree options, including Master of Public Health (MPH) with an Epidemiology concentration and PhD in Epidemiology, catering to students interested in practical application or academic research careers. The program incorporates coursework, research, and practical fieldwork, often involving internships and collaborative projects that foster real-world experience. Degree requirements typically include coursework in epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, and health disparities, along with a thesis or dissertation based on original research. Students benefit from the university’s extensive resources, including state-of-the-art laboratories, data analysis software, and access to a network of public health institutions. Faculty members are actively involved in research on emerging infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, epidemiologic methods, and health disparities, providing mentorship and guidance to students throughout their studies. The program also supports professional development through seminars, workshops, and conference participation, enabling students to build networks within the public health community. Graduates of the Epidemiology program at the University of Minnesota are well-equipped to contribute to improving population health both nationally and globally, with the skills to analyze complex health data, design studies, and influence health policy.