NEW – MPH Epidemiology Focus Area

UNE is pleased to announce a new MPH Epidemiology Focus Area option for the 100% online, CEPH-Accredited Master of Public Health program.

This exciting development is intended to help interested students bundle their elective courses and specialize their MPH degree in epidemiology, preparing them for a well-paying and rewarding career as an epidemiologist.

About the MPH Epidemiology Focus Area

The Master of Public Health Epidemiology Focus Area is centered on investigating causes and patterns of disease and injury. Like the MPH Generalist Track option, the Epidemiology Area is a 46-credit-hour MPH degree program that takes most students a little over two years to complete.

The Epidemiology Focus Area attracts those interested in disease detection, data collection methods, data analysis, biostatistical analysis, statistical basis for policymaking, health interventions, health education, and more.

MPH students that choose the Epidemiology Focus Area will complete the program equipped with the knowledge and skills to:

• Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
• Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate.
• Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice.
• Develop strategies for qualitative and quantitative data management.

Learn from top-ranked scholar-practitioners

Each epidemiology course offered is developed under the supervision of an expert epidemiologist currently working in the field, and taught by an epidemiologist currently working in the field.

At UNE we call this the scholar-practitioner model. This model is key to ensuring that students choosing to focus their MPH on epidemiology are equipped with real-life knowledge and are prepared to succeed in the field of epidemiology upon graduation.

Epidemiologist job outlook and earning potential

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical role of epidemiologists in keeping communities informed and healthy – and the demand is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that from 2019 to 2029 the profession will grow by 5%, putting it ahead of the national average.

In May of 2020, the median annual wage for epidemiologists across all industries was $74,560. The May 2020 median annual wages for epidemiologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Scientific research and development services — $99,020
• Hospitals; state, local and private — $84,420
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals — $70,470
• State government, excluding education and hospitals — $68,500
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local and private — $67,700

The information above was collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website:
Epidemiologist, Summary | accessed July 2021
Epidemiologists, Pay | accessed July 2021

MPH Epidemiology Focus Area curriculum details

9 Master of Public Health Core Courses | 27 Credits

The 9 core courses that all MPH students are required to complete provide a strong foundational knowledge for you to build upon as you progress through the program and your career in public health. Click here for a list of the Master of Public Health core courses.

Applied Practice Experience (APE) | 3 Credits

The APE is an opportunity to acquire ‘real world’ public health experience, apply concepts learned in class to actual projects, and explore different public health settings. Learn more about the Applied Practice Experience here.

Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) | 4 Credits

The ILE consists of a 1-credit planning course and a 3-credit project course. Students have three project course options to choose from; GPH 751 Advanced Policy Analysis, GPH 752 Advanced Research Methods, or GPH 753 Advanced Program Evaluation. The student will create a high-quality written document that synthesizes public health concepts reflecting competencies established by the program and The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

3 Epidemiology Electives + 1 General Elective | 12 Credits

In lieu of selecting a general elective, students can choose to take a fourth epidemiology elective. Click here for Epidemiology Focus Area electives.

Click here for a complete list of MPH courses with descriptions.

If you are looking to make a difference in your community, advance your career, and increase your earning potential, consider getting your Master in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology.

If you have any questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to an enrollment counselor via email at publichealth@une.edu or by phone by calling 1 (855) 325-0895. You can also:

Start your journey with our free UNE Online MPH Program Guide