Epidemiology, M.P.H.

Epidemiologists are "disease detectives." At Saint Louis University, Master of Public Health students who concentrate in epidemiology learn how to investigate and control disease and injury patterns in populations. 

M.P.H students who concentrate in epidemiology at SLU will learn to understand how various behavioral, genetic, environmental and health policy factors affect the health of communities.

Whether it's an infectious disease outbreak, such as influenza, or a disparately high rate of hypertension in a resource-poor community, epidemiologists do the fieldwork that pinpoints the root causes, what the risks are, who is at risk and how to prevent further harm to the public.

Program Highlights

SLU's strong job placement rates are based largely on its competencies-based training, collaborative faculty and team-based experience. In this concentration, you will:

• Develop appropriate study designs and analytical strategies to test epidemiologic hypotheses
• Accurately interpret epidemiologic data
• Appropriately communicate epidemiologic findings
• Use data to describe the health of populations
• Critically analyze the epidemiologic literature

Curriculum Overview

Learn to investigate and control disease distributions and the determinants of disease in human populations. Students in the M.P.H. epidemiology concentration develop skills in disease surveillance, sampling methods, identifying and improving study designs, analyzing health data used in epidemiologic studies, and the application of epidemiologic principles and methods related to chronic and infectious diseases.

In addition to concentrating in epidemiology as part of your M.P.H. program at SLU, you can add it as a joint concentration to almost every other concentration we offer and still graduate in two years. Blending concentrations enables you to combine your interests and provides additional skills that future employers will value.

You can choose these concentration options at SLU (all require just 42 credit hours):

• Behavioral science and health equity
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Health management and policy
• Public health practice

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Among other things, Saint Louis University epidemiology faculty are researching: 

• Cancer epidemiology
• Exposure assessment
• Global health
• Indoor and outdoor air pollution

SLU's M.P.H. program is designed to give students the practical skills needed for any public health career. Over 50% of M.P.H. students work on research projects with faculty outside of a class requirement.

Students complete an internship after their first year of study to gain practical experience in their chosen career path. Students have interned in a variety of settings, including local nonprofits, academic research centers, state and federal agencies, and multilateral institutions. Students work with the M.P.H internship coordinator and their faculty advisor to identify an appropriate internship in St. Louis, nationally or across the globe.

Students who focus on epidemiology have completed practice experiences with:

• BJC Healthcare
• Missouri Department of Health and Human Services
• City of St. Louis Department of Health
• St. Charles County Public Health Department 
• St. Louis County Department of Public Health 
• St. Louis Integrated Health Network

Careers

Master of Public Health students who concentrate in epidemiology at SLU have established careers in public health departments, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in hospitals and health systems doing infectious disease control and outcomes research, consulting companies and more.

SLU’s public health graduates are employed at federal, state and local health agencies; consulting firms; consumer advocacy organizations; community-based organizations and health care centers; hospitals; research centers; and universities.

Within the first year of graduation, the vast majority of M.P.H. graduates are beginning their careers, participating in fellowships or furthering their graduate education.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education.  Opportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships and graduate research assistantships.  Awards are made to applicants with the highest combinations of GPAs and test scores who complete their applications by the priority deadlines.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To see our most recent accreditation documentation, please visit the College for Public Health and Social Justice website.

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

• Graduates will be able to apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
• Graduates will be able to select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
• Graduates will be able to analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.
• Graduates will be able to interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.

Public Health and Health Care Systems

• Graduates will be able to compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
• Graduates will be able to discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and systemic levels.

Planning and Management to Promote Health

• Graduates will be able to assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
• Graduates will be able to apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs.
• Graduates will be able to design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
• Graduates will be able to explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
• Graduates will be able to select methods to evaluate public health programs.

Policy in Public Health

• Graduates will be able to discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
• Graduates will be able to propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
• Graduates will be able to advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
• Graduates will be able to evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.

Leadership

• Graduates will be able to apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue.
• Graduates will be able to apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.

Communication

• Graduates will be able to select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
• Graduates will be able to communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
• Graduates will be able to describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.

Interprofessional Practice

• Graduates will be able to integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health.

Systems Thinking

• Graduates will be able to apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than a standard narrative. 

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in a biomedical or social science is preferred, but other majors will certainly be considered. Professional experience in a health-related field is highly valued.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until classes are full. Apply using the centralized application service SOPHAS. 

Review Process

All applicants are considered using a holistic application review process, including an in-person, phone or Zoom interview with the graduate admissions director.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé/curriculum vitae
• Professional goal statement

Apply using the centralized application service SOPHAS.

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
• Proof of financial support that must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
  • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
  • Practical laboratory work
  • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
  • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
  • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Program Requirements

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Students must earn a B- or better in all required courses. Elective courses may be passed with a C or better. 

Epidemiology Concentration

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of graduate recruitment and admissions 
bernard.backer@slu.edu 
314-977-8144