Earning your epidemiology master’s degree online can help you prepare for advanced work in the world of infectious diseases. Below, we discuss popular courses, accreditation, financial aid, admissions requirements, and potential careers for epidemiology majors.
Author: Kari Scare
Expertise: EditorialGraduate EducationOnline LearningEditor: Kristin Marino
- Which Student Are You?
How to Choose the Right Epidemiology Program for You
Read more - Program Spotlights
Online MPH in Epidemiology Programs: A Closer Look
Read more - Degree Benefits
Key Benefits of Earning Your Master's in Epidemiology Online
Read more - What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn in an MPH in Epidemiology Program
Read more - Accreditation
Accreditation for Online Epidemiology MPH Programs
Read more - Salary/Pay
Epidemiology Salary Outlook with an MPH
Read more - Top Schools
Best Online MPH in Epidemiology Programs
Read more
How to Choose the Right Epidemiology Program for You
An epidemiology concentration within an MPH can lean toward infectious disease surveillance, chronic disease research, or a biostatistics-heavy track suited for data roles at a health department or pharmaceutical company. Which one you need depends on the job you’re aiming for, not the subject name on the diploma. See which epidemiology persona below fits the data work you want.
What Kind of Epidemiology Student Are You?
The Career Starter
You’ve recently graduated with a background in biology, statistics, or public health and want a direct path into applied epidemiology work.
CEPH accreditation is the credibility marker health departments and federal agencies look for in epidemiology hires. An applied practicum — often with a local or state health department — gives you the hands-on disease surveillance experience employers expect, while a hybrid format keeps you connected to faculty as you build that foundation.
The Career Changer
You’re coming from nursing, lab science, or another data- or health-adjacent field and want to move into epidemiology without a prior epi background.
Look for a program that builds biostatistics and epidemiologic methods from the ground up, since epi relies on statistical reasoning that a clinical or lab background alone won’t have given you. A fully online format lets you complete that foundational coursework while still working in your current role.
The Promotion Seeker
You’re already working as a public health data analyst or epidemiologist and want the advanced training to move into a senior or supervisory epidemiology role.
Advanced biostatistics and epidemiologic methods coursework builds directly on the surveillance or analyst work you’re already doing, deepening the statistical skills senior roles require. Part-time, hybrid study lets you keep working — and applying new methods on the job — while you complete the degree.
The Working Balancer
You’re holding down a full-time job, often in healthcare or public health, while managing family responsibilities, and need an epidemiology program that fits around your life.
A fully online, asynchronous format means you’re not tied to fixed class times, so you can work through statistics-heavy coursework on your own schedule. Rolling admissions also mean you don’t have to wait for a single annual start date to begin.
The Infectious Disease Analyst
You want hands-on, field-based work investigating disease outbreaks — the kind of role the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service and state health departments hire for.
A concentration in infectious disease and surveillance methods prepares you for the field-based case investigation and contact tracing work that outbreak response actually involves, which a general epidemiology curriculum may only cover briefly. An in-person format matters here too, since this track is built around hands-on field training rather than classroom theory.
The Disease Research Scholar
You’re aiming toward a research or doctoral career — designing studies and analyzing data on chronic disease, environmental exposures, or population health — rather than frontline outbreak response.
A thesis or research-track option gives you the independent research experience that a doctoral program or research-heavy role will expect, unlike the practice-focused applied track. Training in statistical programming languages like R, SAS, or Stata is also non-negotiable for this path, since research epidemiology runs on complex data analysis rather than field investigation.
Online MPH in Epidemiology Programs: A Closer Look
Our college rankings represent the very best online MPH in epidemiology programs, but they’re not the only ones you should add to your shortlist. We’ve spotlighted three additional quality programs below.
All three are accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) and excel in learning flexibility and education quality. See if one has what you’re looking for.
Drexel University
An online MPH in epidemiology from Drexel University prepares you for tackling pressing urban, global, and public health issues. It combines biostatistics, a public health foundation, and practical experience to develop expert researchers and public health workers who can investigate complex health challenges and develop preventative strategies.
The MPH program at Drexel requires 120 hours of hands-on, practical experience that can be obtained through your current employer or another organization and either online or in person. A 3-credit integrative learning experience (ILE) is also required during your final quarter. This ILE involves writing a high-quality paper illustrating mastery of core public health and epidemiology competencies.
Drexel’s MPH in epidemiology online program involves 56 quarter credits and can be completed in as few as 12 months for full-time students who won’t be working outside the program. Longer and more flexible time frame options are also available. The program is completely online and does not require a GRE for admittance.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Harvard University
The Master of Public Health in epidemiology program at Harvard University combines online, in-person, and field learning and takes two years to complete. It provides the advanced research and epidemiological skills needed for pursuing senior positions in a variety of settings.
Two intensive on-campus sessions are required, one at the beginning and one in the middle of the program, and about two-thirds of credits are earned online. The program culminates with a year-long practicum that involves an integrative learning project and presentation.
Harvard’s MPH in epidemiology program is designed for those who want specialization in advanced quantitative methods of epidemiology and want to apply what they learn to clinical and population health research, policy, and programs. It also provides a public health framework for current epidemiologists.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a related field.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida designs its MPH with a concentration in epidemiology for those wanting a broad understanding of public health alongside an emphasis on epidemiologic principles and methods. This program gives you the knowledge and skills to evaluate the health status of communities, consider related research, and develop strategies for health-related interventions and preventions.
USF’s online MPH with a concentration in epidemiology requires a minimum of 42 credits. Applied practical experience and an integrated learning experience are also required in addition to core and concentration courses.
Epidemiology concentration courses depend upon your concentration focus. Concentration options are epidemiology, epidemiology and global communicable disease, epidemiology and global health, epidemiology, and maternal and child health. Students must also pass a comprehensive exam to graduate.
Ideally, applicants possess an undergraduate degree in science, math, or a health-related field. The ability to communicate well and think abstractly are also important.
Key Benefits of Earning Your Master’s in Epidemiology Online
Epidemiology is a high-demand career, and earning an MPH in epidemiology online can set you apart from others and make you more marketable because it shows you are serious about the field. The benefits of earning an online master’s in public health concentrated in epidemiology also include flexibility and convenience.
- Marketability
By pursuing an online MPH in epidemiology, you can potentially secure higher-paying roles with increased authority. This degree signifies your dedication to enhancing your expertise and making a substantial impact in the field. Additionally, it opens doors to positions that specifically demand a master’s degree. - Flexibility
Most online MPH programs recognize the need for flexibility, particularly for students who must work full time while earning their degrees. Many reputable MPH programs offer a range of flexible timelines that cater to your needs and preferences. These flexible options include high-accelerated and flexible timelines to suit your lifestyle and academic pursuits. Additionally, many MPH programs offer field experience requirements that are adaptable and can be completed either on-campus or online. - Convenience
The many high-quality MPH in epidemiology programs available means you can find one that is most convenient for you. Whether you need to work full-time and take classes or want to finish as quickly as possible, a program exists to fit your unique needs. You can also find programs that are 100% online and ones with in-person practicums.
What You’ll Learn in an MPH in Epidemiology Program
An MPH in epidemiology online program develops skills in research, analysis, and big-picture thinking. This degree teaches you to analyze health conditions and develop strategies for preventing and managing disease spread.
All online epidemiology master’s programs teach essential skills in public health, but each program provides a unique approach to epidemiology. One program might emphasize understanding the role epidemiology plays within the broad context of public health, while another is intended for public health professionals interested in developing quantitative and analytical skills in epidemiology and biostatistics. Several popular courses in online MPH epidemiology programs are profiled below to give you a general sense of what you may study.
Popular Courses
Practicum
A practicum, also known as applied practical experience, is a capstone course that involves field training with a public health agency like a health department or community-based organization. This hands-on course is designed for students to apply the competencies learned in their MPH in epidemiology programs in a real-world setting.
By getting real-world experience in a fast-paced agency, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the challenges faced today by public health professionals. Some programs allow students to complete practicums with their current employers.
Environmental Health
Many MPH in epidemiology programs have multiple courses focused on different areas of environmental health. Overview courses look at fundamental topics like air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and ethics. They identify issues in assessing the effects of exposure and look at interventions for reducing adverse health risks.
Data Analysis
Though found within many MPH in epidemiology courses, most programs also have one course focused only on data analysis. Data analysis courses cover the computer packages and the statistical tools used in biomedical research and teach fitting data with linear and nonlinear regression models. Emphasis is on problems arising in epidemiology, public health, and medicine.
Biostatistics
Biostatistics courses teach simple and multiple linear regression, ANOVA (analysis of variance), and ANCOVA (analysis of covariance). They also emphasize basic statistical theory, parametric statistics, and other quantitative methods.
Biostatistical courses also often use hands-on experience in statistical analysis and interpretation of data. Public health professionals use biostatistics to analyze large amounts of data related to health outcomes, disease prevalence, and risk factors. This helps them identify patterns, trends, and potential causes of health issues, allowing for evidence-based decision-making and effective public health interventions.
Infectious Disease
Infectious disease courses survey the history of infectious disease and discuss disease control and outbreak investigation. They look at infectious disease from a global perspective, consider its dynamics within different transmission routes, and analyze modeling approaches. They also use case studies to discuss theory and emphasize practical application.
Accreditation for Online Epidemiology MPH Programs
Any quality MPH in epidemiology online program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs outside of public health.
CEPH accreditation is important because some employers only want to hire graduates of CEPH-accredited programs, and some fellowships are only available to those attending CEPH-accredited schools and programs. Attending a CEPH-accredited program tells employers your degree program has been subject to a multi-level review and meets nationally-agreed-upon standards developed by public health academics and practitioners.
Schools should also have regional accreditation through one of seven agencies. A searchable listing of regional accreditations can be found at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Epidemiology Salary Outlook with an MPH
An MPH with an epidemiology concentration prepares you to investigate patterns of disease, identify risk factors, and inform public health policy through rigorous research methods. Graduates work as epidemiologists, surveillance analysts, public health researchers, and health data scientists — serving CDC, state health departments, academic institutions, hospitals, and international health organizations. The degree is the foundation for careers that use data to protect and improve population health.
Epidemiologists and public health researchers are well-compensated, particularly in federal agencies and academic medical centers where research funding and specialized expertise command premium salaries. Compensation grows with the depth of your methodological expertise.
Browse the salary table below to see what survey and public health researchers earn across states, and benchmark epidemiology career pay in your area.
Survey Researchers
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $69,460 | $99,760 | $130,860 |
| Alaska | $70,560 | $76,880 | $89,230 |
| Arizona | $59,210 | $65,240 | $142,980 |
| California | $83,520 | $119,090 | $171,640 |
| Colorado | $89,870 | $103,400 | $145,040 |
| Connecticut | $88,320 | $124,070 | $129,980 |
| District of Columbia | $102,390 | $137,040 | $217,080 |
| Georgia | $51,590 | $67,000 | $92,800 |
| Illinois | $54,080 | $104,420 | $135,730 |
| Iowa | $83,170 | $88,680 | $93,950 |
| Kansas | $57,700 | $69,100 | $79,080 |
| Maine | $47,330 | $65,860 | $77,880 |
| Maryland | $84,030 | $113,040 | $135,520 |
| Massachusetts | $74,890 | $81,240 | $90,780 |
| Michigan | $101,550 | $125,610 | $155,830 |
| Minnesota | $104,220 | $113,260 | $124,140 |
| Missouri | $66,460 | $79,760 | $97,990 |
| Nebraska | $64,530 | $77,430 | $83,540 |
| New Jersey | $95,580 | $108,840 | $190,360 |
| New Mexico | $61,380 | $71,820 | $80,450 |
| New York | $86,890 | $106,440 | $127,820 |
| North Carolina | $96,560 | $127,320 | $171,270 |
| Ohio | $57,630 | $99,760 | $112,490 |
| Oklahoma | $57,200 | $65,000 | $84,640 |
| Oregon | $64,660 | $79,500 | $107,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 | $74,030 | $82,930 |
| Tennessee | $66,900 | $82,100 | $97,380 |
| Texas | $47,330 | $51,180 | $82,060 |
| Utah | $79,090 | $141,340 | $175,100 |
| Washington | $69,590 | $90,720 | $97,150 |
| Wisconsin | $92,660 | $118,170 | $125,410 |
| Wyoming | $84,360 | $84,360 | $108,300 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/survey-researchers.htm
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Costs and Financial Aid for Online MPH Programs in Epidemiology
It’s crucial to understand the total financial commitment of earning your MPH in epidemiology online before you enroll in any program. By knowing exactly what’s expected of you financially ahead of time, you’ll be able to develop a plan to pay for your degree and look at all possible financial aid sources.
Financial aid options include grants, scholarships, assistantships, associateships, and federal student aid. In addition to financial aid offered through a university’s graduate school, some individual schools of public health offer additional opportunities. Most schools also provide detailed funding tips, like those offered by the University of Arizona, that include internal and external financial aid opportunities. You can also find information on our financial aid page.
What Your Online MPH in Epidemiology Could Cost
The following table gives an idea of the cost of obtaining an online MPH in epidemiology. These top schools show how cost varies significantly. It’s also important to keep in mind that by the time you factor in all of the financial aid you don’t have to pay back, your program could cost considerably less that the school’s published price.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M | 45 | See estimated total cost, which includes all fees. | $17,727 (resident) $38,069 (non-resident) |
| The University of Arizona | 42 | $950 (changes based on # of credits enrolled) | $39,900 |
| University of Southern California | 42 | $2,467 | $103,614 |
FAQs About Earning Your Master’s in Epidemiology Online
Best Online MPH in Epidemiology Programs
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
Georgia Southern University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
Liberty University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
East Carolina University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
East Texas A&M University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
Goodwin University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
Regis College
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
Jackson State University
Best for: research-track epidemiologists
