IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2022-2023

IUPUI Bulletins » Schools » Welcome to the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health! » Graduate » Degree Programs » Master of Public Health- Epidemiology

Degree Programs

Master of Public Health- Epidemiology

The Indiana University MPH Program is a unique program which can be completed on a part-time basis in three years, or on a full-time basis in two years. Most of the required MPH courses are offered in the evening to allow working professionals the opportunity to continue their education. Through case studies, group and individual projects, and internships, students will explore public health problems and issues, learn how to think critically and work in teams. Courses are taught by scholars and practitioners drawn from many disciplines and perspectives.

The MPH Program at IU School of Public Health is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

The Epidemiology concentration provides a balance of academic theory and real-world experience, ensuring students are prepared for a career in public health. The principles and methods of epidemiology constitute a foundation essential for policy development related to surveillance activities and prevention strategies. Students will learn how to design and conduct studies, analyze data, and present findings in a variety of formats and for diverse audiences, as well as how to integrate the social, biological, environmental, and analytic approaches to understanding determinants of health in populations. 

Epidemiology Concentration Competencies

• Apply advanced descriptive and analytical epidemiology to assess health status and the burden of disease in populations.
• Interpret and apply epidemiologic research methods and findings to the practice of public health.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and use existing key sources of epidemiologic data at the local, state, national, and international level.
• Integrate key components of disease surveillance and screening into public health programs.
• Develop presentations specifically on advanced epidemiologic analyses and interpretations for both population health professionals and lay audiences.
• Demonstrate basic data management and analysis skills using statistical software such as SAS by translating raw epidemiologic data into actionable public health information.
• Identify the principles and assess the strengths and limitations using advanced epidemiologic methods, including reliability and validity of tools to evaluate public health screening programs
• Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific and ethical discussion of health issues
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological research and reports.

Epidemiology Curriculum

The 45-credit curriculum for the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (in-person and online) has full-time and part-time options to meet your needs. To complete this degree, you will take a combination of public health core courses, epidemiology concentration courses, public health electives and a practical experience course.

Public Health Core Courses

Take all four courses for a total of 12 credits

• PBHL P510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
• PBHL P511 Comprehensive Methods and Applications in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 credits)
• PBHL P513 Planning, Evaluation & Management (3 credits)
• PBHL P512 Communication & Leadership (3 credits)

Epidemiology Concentration Courses

Take all six courses for a total of 18 credits

• B552 Fundamentals of Data Management (3 credits)
• B562 Biostatistics for Public Health II (3 credits)
• E601 Advanced Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E635 Foundations in Public Health Informatics (3 credits)
• E711 Applied Epidemiological Methods I (3 credits)
  Note: Students pursuing the online curriculum will complete E704 in lieu of E711. 
• E712 Applied Epidemiological Methods II (3 credits)
  Note: Students pursuing the online curriculum will complete E704 in lieu of E712. 

Epidemiology Elective Courses

For students who started fall 2018 or later, select four courses for a total of twelve credits.

• E562 Epidemiology of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus (3 credits)
• E609 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E610 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E618 Cancer Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E629 Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E645 Information Exchange for Population Health (3 credits)
• E651 Public Health Surveillance (3 credits)
• E653 Meta-Analysis (3 credits)
• E655 Historical Evolution of Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E675 Fundamentals of Injury Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E765 Nutritional Epidemiology (3 credits)
• E715 Design & Implementation of Observational Studies (3 credits)
• E780 Pharmacoepidemiology (3 credits)
• E795 Cardiovascular Epidemiology (3 credits)

Public Health Practical Experience

Take one course for a total of 3 credits

• E602 Internship in Epidemiology (3 credits) 

Certified in Public Health Exam

MPH students entering the program fall 2020 and beyond are required to pass the CPH exam prior to graduation. More information on this requirement can be found at https://fsph.iupui.edu/academics/certifications.html.

Admission Criteria

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
• Official GRE scores, if cumulative undergraduate GPA from all universities attended is below 3.0.
• Minimum of one year of undergraduate mathematics (e.g., algebra, statistics, or finite math).
• Competent written and oral communication skills.
• Students meeting these requirements are not guaranteed admission. Other admission factors include references, work experience, the personal statement, and personal interview (if applicable).

MPH applications and supplemental materials must be submitted to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). SOPHAS is meant to facilitate the collection of common application materials and general information. For more information and frequently asked questions please visit sophas.org. In addition to the SOPHAS application all applicants will be required to complete a short application to the IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) Online Graduate and Professional Admissions Application system at the link provided within the SOPHAS application.

Admission Requirements

1. Personal Statement
2. Resume
3. Transcripts
4. Recommendations
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) 

Applicants who have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of below a 3.0 are required to submit official scores from the GRE taken within the past 5 years. International applicants whose undergraduate work was completed at institutions outside of the U.S. or Canada are required to submit scores from the GRE regardless of cumulative GPA. The cumulative undergraduate GPA is calculated using all undergraduate grades earned from all colleges and universities attended. The GRE is not required of applicants who have a graduate or professional degree from a U.S. or Canadian college or university. The following exams can be substituted for the GRE: DAT, ECFMG, LSAT, OAT, GMAT, MCAT, or USMLE (steps one and two).

The 45-credit curriculum for the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (in-person and online) has full-time and part-time options to meet your needs. You can enroll from anywhere and make connections with professionals around the nation and world.

To complete this degree, you will take a combination of public health core courses, epidemiology concentration courses, public health electives and a practical experience course.