Offered On Campus in Tucson
The Master of Science in Epidemiology is offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The Master of Science degree in Epidemiology is designed for individuals who are interested in epidemiological research questions. Recent graduates have examined questions such as “What determines stunting, wasting, and underweight in children from the Democratic Republic of Congo?”, “Does distrust of the healthcare system increase individuals use of antibiotics without a prescription?”, “How does stress influence fatigue following COVID-19 infection?”. MS Epidemiology graduates occupy positions as research administrators, program managers, analysts, general epidemiologists, and evaluators in universities, health departments, corporations, governmental agencies, and similar organizations.
Students have the option of focusing on one of four tracks; Clinical Research, Infectious Diseases, Field Methods, Lifecourse/ Chronic Disease Epidemiology. All MS students will take a core set of methodological courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and will then take 9 units of courses within their specialty area. This allows students to deepen their skill set in a defined area that fits with their future career goals. All students will develop core quantitative skill sets that can be broadly applied in many contexts.
The course of study for the MS degree should be developed by the student and the Faculty Advisor and approved by the student's Graduate Committee and the Epidemiology Program Director. On average, the MS program requires approximately two years for completion. The first year is usually devoted to core coursework and development of the thesis proposal. The second year is focused on remaining coursework and completion of the master's thesis research.
Consult the UA catalog for further details on the current course schedule and specific course requirements.
Admission Criteria Application Deadlines How to Apply
Curriculum
MS in Epidemiology Competencies
Required Major Courses (23 units)
- EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3 units)
- EPID 573B Epidemiologic Methods (3 units)
- EPID 573C Advanced Epidemiology (3 units)
- BIOS 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3 units)
- BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research (3 units)
- EPID 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers (3 units)
- EPID 696A Epidemiology Seminar (1 unit - 2 times), (or equivalent, approved by Faculty Advisor) (Clinical Track students will take 1 unit EPID 696a and 1 unit EPID 696T)
- Biostatistics course beyond BIOS 576B (3 units)
Nine Unit Track Options
Select from the following specialized tracks:
Clinical Research Track
Select 9 units from the following:
- BIOS 675 Clinical Trials & Intervention Studies (3 units)
- BIOS 511 Data Science for Healthcare (3 units)
- CTS 501 Principles of Clinical Research I (4 units)
- CTS 502 Principles of Clinical Research II (4 units)
- EPID 670 Chronic Disease Epi (3 units)
- EPID 677 Principles of Genetic Association Studies (3 units)
Infectious Diseases Track
- Select EPID 660 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 units)
- Plus 6 units from the following:
- EPID 679 One Health (3 units)
- EPID 596D SAFER (3 units)
- ACBS 549 Diseases of Wildlife (3 units)
- ECOL 557 Medical Veterinary Entomology (3 units)
- ACBS 519 General Immunological Concepts (3 units)
Field Method Track
Select 9 units from the following:
- EPID 646 Measurement Issues in Epidemiology (fall - even years) (3 units)
- EPID 673 Mixed Methods Research (3 units)
- EPID 676 Spatial Epidemiology (spring odd years) (3 units)
- EPID 596D SAFER (3 units)
Lifecourse Chronic Epi Track
Select 9 units from the following
- EPID 670 Chronic Disease Epi (3 units)
- EPID 677 Principles of Genetic Association Studies (3 units)
- EPID 615A Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (fall - odd years) (3 units)
- EPID 630 Maternal & Child Health Epidemiology (fall) (3 units)
Required Master's Thesis, EPID 910 (minimum 4 units)
Total Minimum Credit Requirements = 36 units
Milestones
Typical time to completion: 2 years full-time students, 3-4 years part-time students.
Average time to completion: 3.2
Program Steps to Completion (Full-time student timeline):
- Attend mandatory new student orientation
- First year is devoted to course work
- Each Spring, complete an Annual Progress Report with Faculty Advisor
- Second semester, identify Thesis Chair
- Second year is devoted to course work and thesis research/development
- If necessary, begin process for human subjects approval for thesis
- Third semester, form thesis committee
- Begin research/thesis development
- Fourth semester, successfully defend thesis and finalize revisions
