MPH with Epidemiology Emphasis/Concentration

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Iowa is designed for students who desire to learn the fundamental concepts and methods of epidemiology. The degree provides the methodologic skills and knowledge and the practical experience oriented to the public health setting. The focus of the degree is public health data and methods and on their utilization in assessment of disease burden in the community. Students will also learn to use evaluation methods to assess the need and outcome of programs and interventions in the community, preparing them for performance in public health departments and health care settings.

Graduates of the MPH in Epidemiology will be able to:

• Summarize the role of a public health laboratory in the health public health system

• Analyze epidemiologic data with descriptive analysis and regression models including linear and logistic regression

• Use population-based surveillance data to describe a community health issue

• Prepare an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application for human subjects research

• Use common software to build an electronic data collection tool

• Design an epidemiologic study that meets ethical standards, minimizes bias, and maximizes the potential for causal inference

• Critically appraise the scientific literature

Delivery Modes

The program is designed for full-time students and is typically completed on-campus. A sample plan of study is provided for full-time students starting in the Fall, with an expected completion time of two years.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH in Epidemiology requires a total of 44 semester hours (s.h.) for completion. Public Health Core Courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the MPH Practicum (CPH:7800). The curriculum structure includes:

• MPH Core: 18 s.h.

• Required courses: 20 s.h.

• EPI Elective: 3 s.h.

• Interprofessional Education & Practice: 0 s.h.

• MPH Practicum: 3 s.h.

Career & Practical Experience

The program prepares graduates for various careers in epidemiology. Examples of potential career paths include:

• Multi-site Director of Infection Prevention and Control

• Healthcare-Associated Infections Epidemiologist

• APHL/CDC Newborn Screening Bioinformatics Fellow

• Influenza Surveillance Coordinator/Epidemiologist

• Chronic Disease Prevention Epidemiologist

• Workplace Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator

A key component of the program is the MPH Practicum (CPH:7800), a 3 semester hour course that provides students with practical, real-world experience.