Learn more about the Master of Science in Epidemiology.
About the Program
This program is not open for direct admission. The Master of Science in Epidemiology is awarded to students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Epidemiology en route to completion of their doctoral degree. Students must successfully complete 36 credits of required coursework.
The conduct of epidemiological research involves the study of the distribution of disease and/or injury in human populations. The MS in Epidemiology degree is designed specifically for students interested in in-depth training and knowledge of the research techniques appropriate to conducting epidemiological studies in a particular concentration of health research. Master's-level epidemiologists work in applied settings conducting disease surveillance and outbreak investigations or in research settings developing and evaluating research hypotheses generated to understand the effects of behavioral, biological, environmental and social factors on human health. Since epidemiology is the principal science underlying disease prevention and control programs, this training is also a basic component for other degree and training programs in public health and preventative medicine.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The program is designed to accommodate both full- and part-time students. Full-time students can earn their degree within 2 years, while part-time students typically complete the degree in 3 years.
Interdisciplinary Study: Students are encouraged to develop programs of study that are interdisciplinary in nature, involving coursework across departments, schools and colleges. Research in affiliated units is encouraged.
Affiliation(s): Locally, the program has long-standing research affiliations with Fox Chase Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), Temple University Health System. The program also has numerous other health systems and community health agencies and organizations inside and outside of Philadelphia. These partnerships allow us to offer students a wide range of opportunities to translate skills learned in the classroom to actual practice in the community.
Study Abroad: Temple University has campuses in Tokyo and Rome where independent research can be pursued under advisement.
Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Areas of Specialization: Areas of specialization can be dictated through the area of concentration pursued by the student in their thesis research.
Job Prospects: Graduates of the MS in Epidemiology program are prepared to be researchers in colleges and universities or to hold research-related positions in a wide range of organizations. Graduates are employed in health systems, hospitals and clinics, public health departments, and public health and other healthcare and human service agencies. Some graduates are employed by schools at the local, state and federal levels. Graduates also work in pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit and for-profit corporations, foundations and consulting firms.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students are permitted to take up to 9 credits of coursework before matriculation. If a student is accepted into the program, those courses may be applied toward the degree requirements. Course selection should be made in consultation with an advisor, and students should be aware that completion of coursework does not ensure admission into the program.
Financing Opportunities: Limited Teaching and Research Assistantships may be available in the College of Public Health. The Graduate School website details the types of graduate student support. Assistantships are awarded on a term or annual basis. Students whose Fall applications are complete prior to or at the application deadline are reviewed for eligibility for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions. TAs can work 5 to 20 hours per week in any combination of teaching assignments made by the department and must meet the English Language Proficiency standards set by the University and the College. Students who hold Teaching or Research Assistantships are not permitted to hold other employment without the written prior approval of their advisor, the Director of Graduate Programs, and the Graduate School. To be considered for a Teaching or Research Assistantship, complete an application form that is sent to students upon admission to the MPH program. The completed application must be returned to cphta@temple.edu to be considered.
The College of Public Health has a limited number of scholarship opportunities available for MPH students, as shown at https://cph.temple.edu/student-life/scholarships. Students may also be eligible for financial support through the Office of Student Financial Services.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: March 1
All applicants to the MS in Epidemiology program must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/.
Applicants should check their application status on the SOPHAS portal often and inquire directly of SOPHAS about receipt of materials. For other questions, please contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation, which are completed electronically through the SOPHAS system, should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence and, if appropriate, research supervisors or mentors.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Proficiency in statistical programming and a minimum of 6 credits of undergraduate quantitative and/or analytical methods (statistics, research design, etc.) are required.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of an accredited baccalaureate degree. The minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA is 3.0.
A WES evaluation is required for applicants who completed their bachelor's degree outside of the United States. This can be requested at https://www.wes.org/ and submitted through SOPHAS.
Statement of Goals: Write a well-considered 500- to 1,000-word statement of purpose that articulates your interests in public health and our program in particular. Craft your statement to specifically address the following questions:
- Why are you pursuing this master's degree program, and what are your particular areas of interest in public health?
- How does the MS in Epidemiology best fit your public health interests?
- What are your career goals, and how will this degree help you to achieve those goals? What are your plans in the first few years after graduation?
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Required. While the program takes a portfolio approach to admissions, standardized tests provide important insight into quantitative and verbal abilities. Scores above the 75th percentile on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the test are desired. Official GRE scores should be sent to SOPHAS using code 0151.
Standardized tests considered in lieu of the GRE include DAT, GMAT, MCAT, OAT and PCAT.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 79 (send officially to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS-specific TOEFL code 5688)
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
- Duolingo: 110
Resume: Current resume or CV required.
Interview: An interview may be required.
Laptop: Laptops are integrated into the College of Public Health curricula, and all students are required to have a laptop for full participation in class activities; online class sessions; online exam proctoring; and the use of special software, which is used to reinforce the learning objectives and program student learning competencies in certain classes. A laptop that meets the minimum device specifications defined below IS REQUIRED for all undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Public Health.
Review the College of Public Health laptop requirement for additional information: https://cphapps.temple.edu/wiki/it/student/laptop
Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an accredited institution are considered for transfer into the MS in Epidemiology degree program. Such courses are reviewed by the MS Graduate Program Director to determine whether they are equivalent to coursework offered at Temple and fulfill any degree requirements. The grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer and have been earned within five years of applying to the program. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred into the MS program is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ENVH 5004 | Environmental Health | 1.5 |
| EPBI 5002 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| EPBI 5005 | Applied Analysis of Health | 1.5 |
| EPBI 5201 | Epidemiological Research Methods I | 3 |
| EPBI 8012 | Multivariable Biostatistics | 3 |
| EPBI 8202 | Epidemiological Research Methods II | 3 |
| HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 1 | 0 |
| Advanced Quantitative Methods Courses | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Spatial Analysis in Public Health | ||
| Structural Equation Modeling | ||
| Multilevel Modeling in Interdisciplinary Research | ||
| Behavioral Measurement | ||
| Systematic Reviews | ||
| Intermediate Concepts and Methods in Health Research | ||
| Applied Concepts and Methods in Health Research | ||
| Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems | ||
| Census Analysis with Geographical Information Systems | ||
| GIS for Health Data Analysis | ||
| Cognate Epidemiology Electives | ||
| Select three from the following: 2 | 9 | |
| Environmental Epidemiology | ||
| Mental Health Epidemiology | ||
| Seminar in Current Issues in Public Health 3 | ||
| Social Epidemiology | ||
| Infectious Disease Epidemiology | ||
or EPBI 8205 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | |
| Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology | ||
| Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS | ||
| Cancer Epidemiology | ||
| Clinical Research Methods in Public Health | ||
| Behavioral Epidemiology | ||
| Concepts and Methods in Health Research | ||
| Research Course | ||
| EPBI 9996 | Masters Res in Pub Hlth (2 terms) | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.
- 2
With approval, students may select alternate electives.
- 3
EPBI 5500 requires prior approval.
Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-
Culminating Event:
Thesis:
The master's thesis documents the student's independent research and demonstrates mastery of epidemiologic concepts and methods as well as their primary area of interest. Thesis research is conducted under the direct supervision of a faculty advisor. The specific topic for research should be of current interest in the professional community. After a research topic is selected, the student performs preliminary background research. A thesis proposal is then submitted to their thesis committee describing the plan for further steps toward completion of the proposed research. The student may continue the research only after the proposal is approved by the thesis committee. Presentation of methods and study results is performed upon completion of the thesis.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/epidemiology-ms-hp-epid-ms
Department Information:
Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Ritter Hall Annex, 9th Floor (004-09)
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6005
215-204-8726
Submission Address for Application Materials:
Department Contacts:
Graduate Program Director:
Aimee J. Palumbo, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor
215-204-4023