School Information
Graduate programs in epidemiology can lead to a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy, which may be combined with a Medical Doctor credential. Programs in this field are available through 4-year universities and medical schools. Core courses found in an epidemiology program can include the study of biostatistics, human pathology, and scientific writing. Three of the best schools to offer education in this field include an Ivy League institution, a public university, and a private university, which are highlighted here. Each one was nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report for 2017.
The University of Pennsylvania
At the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics houses research that involves biostatisticians, clinicians, and non-clinicians epidemiologists and facilitates training in epidemiology. The Perelman School of Medicine offers an M.S. in Clinical Epidemiology program, which prepares students for careers in academic research. Once enrolled, graduate students take courses in biostatistics, epidemiology research methods, and genetic epidemiology. Through a 4-year M.D./Ph.D. program, aspiring clinical researchers study biostatistics and clinical epidemiology and complete a dissertation. The school was tied for #8 among national universities by U.S. News and World Report for 2017.
The University of Iowa
At the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa, the College of Public Health building is a state-of-the-art facility is home to offices of the faculty and administrative offices, while the other institutes are located on the health sciences campus. UI's College of Public Health offers an M.S. in Epidemiology, a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) with a sub-track in epidemiology. Course topics include biostatistics, human pathology, and the epidemiology of infectious diseases. A Ph.D. program is also available, in addition to graduate certificates and a joint-degree program as a B.A. in Biology/M.S. in Epidemiology. U.S. News and World Report ranked the university #33 on the list of best public schools for 2017.
George Washington University
At George Washington University in Washington, D.C., there are ten undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges. The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University offers a Master of Public Health, Master of Science, and Ph.D. in Epidemiology. Within the MPH program, students can choose to specialize in chronic disease, infectious disease, nutritional, environmental, reproductive/perinatal, or translational epidemiology. The program is primarily on campus, but students have the option of completing 15 of the 45 required hours online. For 2017, George Washington University was ranked #56 among all universities in the nation, per U.S. News and World Report.
Top Epidemiology Schools
Here are a few more of the best schools for epidemiology.
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | Department of Epidemiology offers a graduate certificate in epidemiology | East Lansing, MI |
| New York Medical College | School of Medicine offers a diverse range of clinical settings | Valhalla, NY |
| University of Arizona | Research activities focus on communities in the Southwest United States | Tucson, AZ |
| University of Michigan | Epidemiology Department offers five programs of study | Ann Arbor, MI |
For students who want to pursue coursework and research in epidemiology, there are master's level and doctoral programs available at well-regarded institutions around the country.
