Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

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Students will develop skills in designing and conducting epidemiologic surveys, analyzing complex public health data, and applying advanced epidemiologic methods to public health practice and research in chronic diseases, cancer and infectious diseases.

Program Flyer SOPHAS Express

Taking LOCAL Impact to GLOBAL Change

Epidemiology and biostatistics are the foundation of public health practices. The MPH program prepares students to apply advanced epidemiological and biostatistical knowledge to understand the patterns, causes, and prevention measures of disease conditions in the population, analyze complex health and clinical data with precision, and foster effective public health practices and policies for improving human health and well-being.

This program is suitable for students who have a science background with basic quantitative training. This program also strengthens public health professionals for advancing their careers, policy makers for creating, implementing, and evaluating health policies, and healthcare professionals for understanding the epidemiological and biostatistical aspects of health and diseases.

Through didactic, hands-on and experiential learning, MPH students will develop skills in designing and conducting epidemiological surveys, analyzing complex quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate biostatistical methods and tools, communicating results scientifically in public health. Students can choose either Epidemiology track to focus more on disease specific epidemiology, or Biostatistics track to master advanced biostatistical skills. Along with this MPH program, students can also enrich their skills through Graduate Certificates such as Health Analytics, Population Health Informatics, Applied Artificial Intelligence in Population Health Outcomes, and Health Systems Leadership.

This program is open to all health professionals from Tennessee, United States and beyond. Students will work in teams with professionals from government agencies, community organizations, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance, and other healthcare industries.

Credit Hours: 42

Core courses – 15 credit hours

PUBH 7180 | Foundations of Public Health (0 credit hours)
HADM 7105 | Health Policy and Organization of Health Services
PUBH 7120 | Environmental Health
PUBH 7150 | Introduction to Biostatistics
PUBH 7160 | Social and Behavioral Sciences Principles
PUBH 7170 | Principles of Epidemiology

Concentration courses - 15 credit hours

PUBH 7141 | Epidemiologic Survey Method
PUBH 7152 | Biostatistical Modelling and Applications
PUBH 7172 | Epidemiological Methods and Applications
PUBH 7311 | Applied Categorical Data Analysis
PUBH 7401 | Applied Epidemiology

Elective courses - 9 credit hours

In consultation with faculty and/or academic advisors

Applied practice experience - 1 credit hour

PUBH 7985 | Fieldwork
Culminating experience- 2 credit hours
PUBH 7998 | Captone Project

In Numbers

8:1 Student to Advisor

17:1 Student to Instructor

90% Courses taught by faculty

98% Off-campus PH Fieldworks

8 Centers and labs

42 Credit hours

How to apply

Requirements:

Completed SOPHAS application
Undergraduate degree with minimum GPA of 3.0 and strong background in mathematical and quantitative sciences
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Statement of Purpose (400-500 words)
Two (2) letters of recommendation
Credentials evaluation for foreign transcripts
Language proficiency test if language of instruction was not English

SOPHAS Application

SOPHAS Application Guide

SOPHAS Fees and Fee Waivers

Connect with us

Xinhua Yu, MD, PhD, MS
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Epidemiology

Briana McNeil, MBA, MEd
Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator

Meredith Ray, PhD
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Biostatistics

Shirl Sharpe, MS
Manager, Academic Services