personal statement for phd epidemiology

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Personal Statement and Writing Sample

Personal statement.

In your statement of purpose, please discuss the following in one to two single-spaced pages:

• Your professional, academic, and community experiences
• The area of research you wish to potentially pursue as a student in the program, the name of at least one member of the Epidemiology PhD Program Faculty or Participating Faculty who shares this research interest, A brief statement regarding your proposed research area interests with the research of the identified faculty member(s),
• Your specific interest in UNC Charlotte’s program
• Your career and personal goals including how the program aligns with your career plans
• How you plan to actively participate in UNC Charlotte’s mission to advance health equity and well-being in an urbanizing world*

WRITING SAMPLE

In addition to the statement of purpose, a writing sample is required for all applications to the PhD program in Epidemiology. Your writing sample should:

• Demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing e.g., a literature review, a report of a needs assessment or evaluation project, a master’s thesis, or a published original research article on a public health or an epidemiologic topic where the applicant is the sole or first author.
• Demonstrate conceptual and analytic skills
• Use appropriate and consistent citation and reference formatting
• Applicants without existing examples of academic or scholarly writing should develop a 10-20 page paper on an epidemiology topic of interest that demonstrates conceptual skills and writing ability, use appropriate and consistent citation and reference formatting

*Based on CEPH Accreditation Criteria – https://media.ceph.org/documents/2024.Criteria.pdf

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Personal Statement Writing Tips

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Why a Personal Statement is Important

Personal statements are used as part of the application process for many Ph.D. programs, medical schools, fellowship programs, and even, in some cases, jobs.  Personal statements help assess an individual’s commitment to their chosen area of study or work. In addition to strong writing skills, the admissions committee is also looking for something standardized tests and GPAs cannot quantify — your personal story or sense of purpose as it relates to the program or position you are seeking.  While the importance of the statement in terms of the overall application varies from place to place, it is a key factor in the decision-making process.

Consider two goals when writing your essay: persuading the admissions or hiring committee to admit/hire you and demonstrating that you are far more than a GPA or test score. You are an authentic person who would be an asset to the school or to the organization.

The Three-Step Process to Writing a Personal Statement:

1. brainstorming.

In this step you engage in self-reflection, research and the development of ideas for your personal statement.  Allow yourself time to perform this step, and consider the following questions:

• What events, personal experiences, or difficult situations shaped my character?
• What experiences were most influential in choosing my career path?
• What skills, knowledge, and experiences distinguish me from other candidates?
• What do I find meaningful or purposeful? What is my passion?
• What are my goals or hopes for my future career?

2. Selecting Your Statement Topic

As you begin Step Two, ask yourself:  “What impression do I hope to create through my statement?” Select a topic that will allow you to synthesize the information from Step One into a well-written document, giving a positive and memorable impression.  Consider some of the following tips as you make your selection:

• Avoid using gimmicks, but select a topic that grabs the reader’s attention in the first paragraph
• Provide vivid supporting experiences to your topic
• Avoid repeating information that can be found elsewhere in your application (such as GPA)
• Seek feedback from your professors, advisors, and career counselor(s) about the topic

3. Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

As you write your statement, keep in mind that your goal is to convince admissions or the hiring committee that you are the candidate they want.

• Start by creating an outline and journaling your first draft of your statement
• Be yourself – your readers want to learn about who you are as a person
• Use imagery and clear, vivid prose – describe your life experiences using graphic images
• Determine if there is a theme to your statement – a common thread.
• Don’t summarize in your introduction
• Create curiosity or intrigue in the reader’s mind by raising questions. If there is a theme to your statement, introduce your theme at the beginning.
• Relate all paragraphs in the body of essay to the introduction; or to your theme
• Make smooth transitions  to preserve the flow of your essay
• Link your conclusion to you introduction; focus on your career goals – where do you see yourself in 5/10 years? How will this position help you get there?
• Discuss the broader implications of your discussion.
• Redefine a term previously used in the body of your essay, end with a famous quote that is relevant to your argument.
• Take a break  from a draft of your statement – then come back to it with a fresh pair of eyes
• Ask someone else to read a draft of your statement and request feedback.  In addition to reading for content and flow, others may spot grammatical errors or typos that you overlooked.

Additional Resources:

• Sample Personal Statement  (PDF)
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Department of Epidemiology

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Start the next chapter of your career by studying epidemiology at Brown University.

Epidemiology Department Doctoral Program Handbook

This Handbook is intended to give an overview of the Epidemiology doctoral program at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

Doctoral candidates undergo rigorous training in epidemiologic methods. We prepare students to become leading, independent investigators. Our graduates excel in academia, industry, government and public health practice.

The Doctoral Program in Epidemiology’s mission is to prepare students to become leading, independent investigators with rigorous training in epidemiologic methods, able to excel in academia, industry, government or public health practice.  Using sophisticated study designs, statistical analyses, field investigations, and laboratory techniques, epidemiology students investigate the cause of a disease, its distribution (geographic, ecological, and social), method of transmission, and measures for control and prevention. 

All students in the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology are required to demonstrate mastery of advanced epidemiologic methods, which is assessed via coursework and examinations. For more information about our program, please check out our Doctoral Program Handbook:

Epidemiology Department Doctoral Program Handbook 2024-2025

Courtney Choy, pictured answering questions about her Public Health Research Day poster, conducts data collection for the Ola Tuputupua’e study and supports the research efforts of the Obesity Lifestyle and Genetic Adaptation (OLaGA) group in Samoa.

Professor Eric Loucks, Director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown, studies the impacts of mindfulness and early life adversity on adulthood well-being.

The doctoral dissertation defense is the culmination of at least four years of study and research. A major academic and career milestone presented before a live audience, successful PhD defenses are celebrated with colleagues, friends, family, and a champagne toast.

• Faculty who are leaders in the field
• Outstanding student to faculty ratio
• Numerous research possibilities
• Emphasis on teaching
• Training in grant writing (more than half of our recent F31s submitted received funding in their first round)
• Guaranteed funding
• Opportunities to work on applied projects at RI State Department of Health; nearby RI hospitals

Upon completion of the PhD program, students are expected to have proficiency in the following areas:

•  Develop a strong foundation in contemporary approaches to epidemiologic methods, and major observational study designs
•  Design a research study that can appropriately and efficiently examine an epidemiologic research question of interest; write and submit a proposal to support this research
•  Use causal diagrams to identify threats to study validity and potential approaches to mitigating such threats
•  Conduct appropriate analyses of epidemiologic data using standard regression models in SAS or R
•  Distinguish between association and causation based on counterfactual theory to make causal inference using data obtained from observational studies
•  Represent a priori subject- matter knowledge and hypotheses with causal diagrams
•  Understand the difference between effect modification and interaction
•  Learn to interpret and integrate multiple lines of scientific evidence concerning a particular topic of importance to the field of epidemiology
•  Effective communication of scientific findings
•  Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and pathophysiology
•  Demonstrate mastery of a substantive area
•  Review, critically analyze and synthesize existing epidemiologic literature to identify meaningful gaps in current knowledge and formulate research objectives
•  Strong understanding of what scientific misconduct is and the impact unethical conduct can cause within and outside of the research community.

All students in the PhD program in Epidemiology are required to take 13 courses for credit, including 8 core courses, 2 or 3 more methods selective courses, and 2 or 3 more substantive selective courses. Each of these courses must be taken for credit and for a grade. PhD students are also required to: a) take PHP1001, an online, noncredit introductory course b) take a noncredit online introductory course on SAS data management, c) participate in the journal club series (course credit optional), and d) take the noncredit Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) course.

Core Courses:

• PHP 2150 – Foundations in Epidemiologic Research Methods 
• PHP 2200 – Intermediate Methods in Epidemiologic Research
• PHP 2250 – Advanced Quantitative Methods for Epidemiologic Research
• PHP 2180 – Interpretation and Application of Epidemiology 
• PHP 2510 – Principles of Biostatistics and Data Analysis 
• PHP 2511 – Applied Regression Analysis
• PHP 2090 – Research Grant Writing for Public Health 
• PHP 2130 – Human Biology for Epidemiology

Our Commitment to Program Diversity and a Culture of Respect

The Brown University Department of Epidemiology is committed to ensuring that we admit students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. 

The Department of Epidemiology is committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative climate centered on mutual respect, with the goal of cultivating a productive work and learning environment.

Ph.D. funding

As a result of Brown’s commitment to high quality education, all students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive full scholarships that include tuition, healthcare and a research-assistant-based stipend for five years of graduate study.

Graduate Program Director

William Goedel

William C. Goedel, PhD [he/him] is an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. He is a social epidemiologist, with significant methodological expertise in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to guide public health policy and practice. His research uses spatial analytical techniques to quantify the burden of many of the United States' most pressing public health challenges varies from neighborhood to neighborhood, with a particular interest in identifying areas that are overburdened and underserved as points of focus when resources are limited. He currently teaches "Fundamentals of Epidemiology" (PHP 0850), "Foundations of Spatial Analysis in Public Health" (PHP 2015), and "Interpretation and Application of Epidemiology" (PHP 2180). As a scholar of teaching and learning, Dr. Goedel is interested in the implementation and evaluation of graduate admissions review processes and novel grading systems that value both a learner's accomplishments to date and their potential for growth over time regardless of their background. He received his undergraduate degree with a joint major in global public health and sociology from New York University's College of Global Public Health in 2017 and his doctoral degree in epidemiology from Brown University's School of Public Health in 2020.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

• One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
• Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
• Set aside enough time :  Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
• Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary :  It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the  Writing Center  for additional review and feedback.
• Proofread one more time:  Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in. 

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why do you want to complete further research in this field?  Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
• Why  have you  chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
• What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
• What are your transferable skills?  Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
• How does this program align with your career goals?  It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the  Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

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How to start writing a personal statement

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Step by step process of how to start the process of writing a personal statement for Public Health Graduate School, by Wing Yu Tang

Personal statements can be very tricky for a variety of reasons, both in terms of content and style. A common issue that I’ve seen among students is that many are so overwhelmed by the whole process that they do not know where to begin. Below are some of my suggestions to jump start ideas, and perhaps help tailor your thinking to the program you are applying for: 1) For those of you who are early in your timeline in applying, a great idea is to use a blog to keep track of the experiences and ideas during the course of your studies, work, research, or volunteer activities. This doesn’t have to be anything formal; rather, it helps in both documenting your ideas and allow you to write under minimal pressure. As the stress of applying only builds with closing deadlines, you don’t want lose valuable time trying to remember and articulate under stress. Another very important thing to keep in mind is that the blog does not have to tailor to a certain graduate program--it is perfectly find to explore and discover new and different fields. Writing just adds another dimension, another mirror if you will, that you can then reflect to see the type of career you want. Graduate programs are looking for candidates that have taken a careful and deep looks into their past--and using that to branch out to a career that both matches the student and their program. 2) Once you have determined a specialization (Biology, Chemistry, Public Health, etc.) then it would be a good idea to look into the specifics of these graduate schools, and the concentrations in which they provide. Public Health, for example, has five major areas of concentration: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services Administration, Behavioral Sciences/Health Education, and Environmental Health Sciences. Each accredited school has to offer these ranges of concentrations, though some schools specialize in certain aspects of these core (i.e. Yale has a chronic disease epidemiology program that is unique to its school of public health). Look at many programs to get to know the general academic requirements, but also pay close attention to experience. Columbia, for example, requires entering students to Population and Family Health to have at least 2 years of full time experience. It would be extreme negligence on the applicants part to bypass this strict criteria. As you browse through the schools, make sure to take note of programs that you see are suited to your interest. For example, I was very interested in cancer and cardio epidemiology research, both which were heavily founded by the professors affiliated with Yale’s School of Public Health. Hence, research and knowing your vocabulary among these concentrations is important as well. 3) Don’t rule out personal experiences! Many people might believe that their personal experiences should not be considered, but I believe that adding it in healthy amounts can set you apart. Since diversity is a major key, especially if you are applying to a program like global health, being from a certain area automatically sets you apart from the pool. For me, my families had to deal with many healthcare related issues, and I utilized my take from a patient’s perspective in my essay.  Of course, do not overdo this. The last thing you want to do is to come off arrogant, or, even worse, unappreciative. This component should enhance whatever you already have. 4) So what should the personal statement include? How formal should it be? What types of formats are acceptable, if any? A personal statement should be about you. I’ve seen too many students try to tailor or even “fudge” their writing in ways to fit what they think the readers (admissions committee) want to hear. When the piece starts becoming more about them rather than yourself, the piece loses its meaning and its ability to communicate effectively. I will elaborate more on this in a later entry, but this is important to keep in mind that your audience will know if you are only writing to please them. That being said, your personal statement should be written extremely well. You should definitely have multiple editors, and, if possible, some professors, or professionals, from the field in which you are applying into. Take advantage of both the Writing Place and Writing Program, both of which provide excellent services and/or technical advice on your pieces. Students, if you are comfortable enough, would be another resource, though more for fluidity and content check only.

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HOW TO WRITE A WINNING PUBLIC HEALTH PERSONAL STATEMENT

Public health is one of the most diverse fields in healthcare practice, and the public health industry is expanding and changing at a rapid rate. 1 To break into this competitive field, strong qualifications, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH) , are essential, and a winning public health personal statement is a critical component of a successful MPH application. However, writing a personal statement for public health graduate school is substantially different from crafting one as a recent graduate or first-time job-seeker.

This post explains the importance of the MPH personal statement, and highlights four elements to consider when crafting a strong, engaging, effective statement as part of your application.

WHY IS A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSONAL STATEMENT IMPORTANT FOR AN MPH?

In public health professions more than in most careers, who you are matters. Because public health focuses on the human side of sickness and well-being, public health professionals interact continuously with individuals, communities, policy makers and educators. 2 Your personality is an important factor in determining the professional you will become. Admissions committees, therefore, need to understand you as a person in order to appreciate you as a candidate.

Among your application documents, your personal statement most effectively reveals who you are to an admissions committee. It demonstrates your passion and suitability for the program you are applying to and establishes you as more than the sum of your skills and qualifications.

SHOW, DON’T TELL.

A list of who you are, what you do, and where you see your career going will give the admissions committee a good sense of your suitability for the program to which you are applying. However, if you really want to engage your readers, show them rather than telling them. Human beings are narratively wired; we learn, remember and relate to material better when it is delivered in the form of a story. 3 A strong personal statement will be made even stronger if it is structured around a particular narrative.

To incorporate storytelling effectively in your personal statement, think about your strengths as an individual and the episodes in your life that have demonstrated and developed them. Emphasize the strengths that best align with public health professions: interpersonal and communication skills, an analytical and problem-solving mindset, a strong sense of social justice , and cultural competency are all good choices. 4 Tell the story of your life and career with your chosen strengths in mind. Show how each new experience has helped you progress toward being the ideal public health candidate.

BE PASSIONATE.

The story you tell must illustrate more than just your relevant skills and experiences; it should highlight your passion for and commitment to public health. Admissions-committee members know that the field of public health is demanding, 5 and a good MPH candidate is one who has the drive and dedication to face its many challenges. In your personal statement narrative, explain why public health matters to you.

Public health is a universal concern , and the work of public health professionals touches many aspects of our everyday lives. As you decide on the experiences you’ll include, consider how they demonstrate your personal connection to the public health profession. How have public health leaders inspired you? Where have public health issues affected your life? How have your achievements contributed to improving public health? Where do you hope to see further improvement, and why? By linking the answers to questions such as these with personal narrative, you will demonstrate your passion for the field.

WHY YOU? WHY THIS PROGRAM?

Competition for admission to graduate school is always fierce, and this is especially true when it comes to MPH programs. 6 To craft an effective personal statement, therefore, you must show that you are the perfect candidate for the specific school and program to which you’re applying.

Provide details on how your goals, experiences and passions align with the specific MPH program to which you are applying. You may want to comment on the research opportunities embedded within the program, for example, or the research specializations of key faculty members . Show how the unique details of the program align with your unique characteristics as a candidate.

By including specific references to the MPH program, you show that you’ve done your research and invested your time and energy in choosing a program carefully. Your demonstrated desire to be a part of the unique community and culture of your chosen program will make you a significantly more attractive candidate.

TONE MATTERS.

Finally, it is essential that you pay close attention to the grammar, expression and tone of your personal statement. As it is in many careers, writing is a crucial component of effective public health professionalism. 7 A successful public health practitioner must speak and write effectively. Producing a well-crafted, accurate, clear, engaging personal statement will demonstrate your competency in this area.

As you compose your personal statement, strive for a tone that is professional and formal. It will help balance the intimacy of the narrative style discussed above, resulting in a personal statement that feels both human and competent.

Check your work carefully for any errors in formatting, grammar or vocabulary, and make sure that you’re using technical terminology appropriately; mistakes in these areas suggest a lack of care and attention to detail that will reflect negatively on you. Ask someone whose writing skills you trust to proofread your personal statement. Even proficient writers can become blind to their own typos, and someone else’s knowledgeable perspective is always helpful, even if only to confirm the strength of your work.

PUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND EXPERIENCE TO THEIR BEST USE.

An MPH is the first step on the path to success in a dynamic, fulfilling career. With your Kent State online Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management , Social and Behavioral Sciences or Epidemiology , or your Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology , you can make a difference in a field with wide-ranging impact.

• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from degreequery.com/top-20-demand-careers-public-health/
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from apha.org/what-is-public-health
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from time.com/5043166/storytelling-evolution/
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from phf.org/programs/corecompetencies/Pages/Core_Competencies_Domains.aspx .
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from mphprogramslist.com/50-great-reasons-to-pursue-a-public-health-career/
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from mphprogramslist.com/mph-admissions-process/
• Retrieved on August 6, 2020, from nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=682376&Journal_ID=420959&Issue_ID=682375

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What program are you interested in?

Master of Public Health

MS in Clinical Epidemiology

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program details.

Minimum Credit Hours 47 (varies)

Designation For students in F-1 immigration status, the PhD in Epidemiology (CIP Code 26.1309) is a STEM Designated degree for the purpose of applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.

Application Cycle Fall

  Consultation with the Director of Graduate Admissions will be required in order to be considered for admission in any semester other than Fall.

Application Deadline December 10, 2024

Expected Duration 4-5 Years

Learning Environment Residential

Admissions Information

Who Should Apply

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in epidemiology prepares students for careers in research and teaching, often at a university, federal or state agency, or a private research institution. Students develop research and teaching skills in epidemiology through coursework and practice.  The department welcomes applications from students with bachelor degrees as well as those with prior graduate degrees.

Prior Degree Required Previous masters degree beneficial but not required.

Required Prerequisites None

Undergraduate G.P.A. An average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.0) or better is recommended. Incoming students had a mean undergraduate GPA of 3.6.

Letters of Recommendation Required 3 (academic and/or professional)

Interviews Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend Open House events. See Visit Opportunities below.

If you are unable to attend the Open House and would like to schedule a visit, follow the instructions at http://sph.unc.edu/epid/epid-applicant-central/ . Interviews are not required by the program.

Visit Opportunities Learn about opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and current students virtually and in person.

How To Apply

I. Complete UNC Graduate School application The Graduate School Application is a common application system for UNC Chapel Hill programs.

More Information

1. Application Fee

The UNC Graduate School application fee is $95. Information on UNC Graduate School Fee Waiver Requests

2. Faculty Interest(s)/mentor(s)

Applicants to the PhD degree programs must indicate on the UNC Graduate School application at least 1 (up to 5 possible) faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work.

3. Applicant information,  including North Carolina residency information.

4. Area(s) of interest

Select all applicable areas of interest from the dropdown.

5. Educational history

Please upload a copy of your most recent transcript(s), including your current term grades, if applicable. (If grades are not yet available, send them to the UNC Gillings program contact as soon as they become available.) Be sure the transcript reflects the name of the institution and any degrees you received.

Applicants currently enrolled in degree programs are required to upload an unofficial transcript that includes fall semester/quarter grades. If the application is submitted before fall grades have posted, applicants are responsible for uploading an updated transcript through the application status portal once the grades have posted.

We advise that you order two copies of your transcript(s) to be sent to you. If you are admitted and choose to enroll, UNC will require official transcript(s) showing degree(s) awarded.

6. Community standards

You will be asked about honor code, crime, academic sanction, military discharge, etc.

7. Upload your Statement of Purpose.

The essay is a critical piece of the admissions process. We will evaluate both the content of the essay and your writing skills in considering your application.

All applicants should write an essay of 1000 words or less. In this essay, please address the following questions:

• Describe why you are interested in predoctoral training in epidemiologic methods and substantive research.
• Describe previous lived experience, academic courses and degrees, and work experience that have prepared you for advanced research in public health.
• Describe your career goals, short and longer-term research questions, and the populations you hope to serve with your epidemiologic training.
• Indicate which departmental program area(s) and/or faculty interests align with your goals. You may indicate multiple program areas and faculty.

Applicants should also include any additional information about their interests, prior background or special circumstances which may be helpful to the Admissions Committee in evaluation of the application.

8. Upload your resume or CV.

9. Enter names of recommenders. UNC will then send them an email with instructions for submitting a letter on your behalf.

3 Letters of Recommendations are required. We encourage references from professors or teachers (or teaching assistants) or work/research supervisors who have worked directly and closely with you and who can speak about you with specificity.

10. Report test scores, if applicable.

GRE scores are not required for application.

International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores. Code 5816 routes to UNC. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be no more than two years old.

11. Document submission (check legibility of uploads)

Applicants should preview all documents uploaded into the application system to ensure that all documents are legible for committee review. Applications to the PhD program that are incomplete as of January 31 st will NOT be reviewed for admission.

12. Track your progress.

You will be able to track status through the Graduate School application. Once a decision is made, you will receive an email instructing login to the Graduate School application portal to see the decision letter.

II. Application Review Process

1. Department reviews application and recommends a decision.

Time-to-decision varies. Departments make recommendations to the UNC Graduate School for admitting and denying applicants. Final decisions are rendered by the UNC Graduate School.

2. UNC Graduate School reviews department recommendation and renders a final decision:

The UNC Graduate School reviews all admissions recommendations made by programs. Once final decisions have been made, the UNC Graduate School will send the applicant an email instructing them to login to their application portal to see the decision letter.

III. Costs and Funding

When estimating costs, please visit the UNC Cashier’s Office and use the Graduate and Professional Program Tuition and Fees link. Please note that the tuition and fees of graduate programs at Gillings vary from other graduate programs at UNC.

Gillings departments and concentrations consider both domestic and international applicants for funding. Please see below for helpful tips and resources:

1. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline to be considered for UNC Graduate School scholarships and fellowships. Departments and concentrations will decide which applicants to nominate. No additional application is required.

2. Please refer to our School’s Costs and Funding page and/or UNC-Chapel Hill’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) website.

3. Apply for FEDERAL financial aid by March 1 (please verify this date via FAFSA ). If you have been admitted and completed the FAFSA form by their deadline, the UNC Office of Scholarship and Student Aid will create a financial aid package for you.

4. Funding offers through the department, such as research assistantships, are possible but not guaranteed.

5. Students positions at Gillings are posted here . The UNC Graduate School also provides resources for funding, including a listserv for incoming and current students, here .

During and After The Program

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About the PhD in Epidemiology Program

The doctoral program in Epidemiology is anchored in public health and population research and analysis. Students approach research using epidemiologic methods to understand complex human health problems. The PhD requires two years of coursework followed by two (or more) years of research. Students are required to complete a teaching training curriculum and serve as a teaching assistant for methods and topical courses. Additionally, students must complete a written comprehensive exam, a practice oral exam, a preliminary exam, multiple oral and poster presentations, and a final dissertation including presentation and defense.

PhD in Epidemiology Program Highlights

Train with renowned faculty.

100+ faculty across 8 research tracks in epidemiology

Access to wide range of coursework

Explore your interests with a wide variety of courses taught by our faculty

Write and publish

All of our doctoral students get training in writing papers and proposals through didactic learning and mentoring

Participate on research teams

The School is the leading recipient of NIH research funding among U.S. schools of public health, providing robust hands-on research opportunities

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Epidemiology?

Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Epidemiologist
• Faculty Member
• Science Director
• Health Commissioner

Curriculum for the PhD in Epidemiology

Browse an overview of the requirements for this doctoral program in the JHU Academic Catalogue and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory .

Current students can view the PhD in Epidemiology requirements in the student handbook on the Epidemiology portal site.

Research Tracks

The Department's current research tracks in the PhD program include:

Cancer Epidemiology offers a rich, vibrant and dynamic environment for masters and doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows to actively participate, learn, explore and conduct cancer-related population-based and clinical research. The track has a long and successful history of training masters and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. Past students continue to conduct population-based cancer research and have made successful transitions to positions in academia, government and private sector organizations.

Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology focuses on the use of epidemiologic methods in clinical research and practice as well as interdisciplinary training on the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease. The program integrates knowledge on all aspects of the disease: biology, behavior, treatment, and prevention. Training emphasizes active participation in research and translational epidemiology using a collaborative approach, which is enhanced by the close relationships between the Department of Epidemiology and clinical departments of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis offers students a unique educational experience in clinical trial and evidence synthesis methodology. Methods are applied to a variety of clinical areas including respiratory-, eye- and infectious diseases, and mental health. Student-faculty discussions, journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, seminars and active participation in research add to both the depth and breadth of the program.

Environmental Epidemiology concentrates on the impact of environmental exposures on health and disease states in human populations. This track integrates epidemiological methods, assessment of environmental exposures and understanding of specific disease processes to identify the health consequences of environmental exposures. Environmental Epidemiology provides basic information for risk assessment, risk communication, and environmental health policy decisions and has a central role in identifying, implementing and evaluating strategies for the prevention and control of environmental exposures. Training in Environmental Epidemiology emphasizes active participation in large population research projects, with close collaborations across the School and with national and international collaborators.

Epidemiology of Aging focuses on the determinants of physical and cognitive health, disease, and function in older adults. Offers multidisciplinary training in methods and theories needed for the study of older populations. Strong ties exist with several multi-departmental training grants and programs. This training program also is connected to numerous large research projects.

General Epidemiology and Methodology offers research and training opportunities in almost all areas of chronic disease epidemiology, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diseases of childhood and includes advanced methodology training in epidemiologic methods as well as providing individualized or customized training in statistical epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology and social epidemiology.

Genetic Epidemiology focuses on the study of genetic and environmental factors, and their interaction in disease and normal variation. Emphasis is on understanding the methodology and approach to designing, executing and analyzing genetic studies. Training is broad-based and collaborative and encourages participation in research from faculty in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Institute of Genetic Medicine, and the School of Medicine.

Infectious Disease Epidemiology provides training in the fundamentals of infectious disease epidemiology with an eye toward preparing graduates to work in teaching, research and practice. The program emphasizes principles and methods that can be used to understand the dynamics and control of transmissible diseases by all classes of organisms. The curriculum builds on the faculty's extensive and diverse experience researching and combating infectious diseases, ranging from hospital acquired infections, to neglected tropical diseases and sexually transmitted infections.

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Coursework

College-level math through pre-calculus, a biology course, and one additional science course

Prior Graduate Degree

Not required, but highly recommended

Prior Work Experience

One year of full-time work experience in a related field

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the  CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms. Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU   starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

General Inquiries:

[email protected]

Senior Academic Program Manager Frances S. Burman [email protected]

• Degrees Offered

PhD in Epidemiology

Description.

The doctoral program in Epidemiology is intended to produce future academicians, highly qualified as independent investigators and teachers, and well-trained practitioners of epidemiology. The program includes coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics, and also requires the development and execution of an independent dissertation research project. The PhD program in Epidemiology includes a series of courses in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics, and electives.

Likely Careers

Academia, Research Institutes and organizations, HMOs; Local, State and National government.

Applicants must have completed prior graduate training to the master's (or research doctoral) degree level in a health-related field by the time of enrollment. (A clinical doctorate alone is inadequate.) Direct postdoctoral entry without required degree is not allowed.

The GRE has been permanently eliminated from admissions for all Department of Epidemiology graduate programs; goal statement demonstrating good understanding or Epidemiology and role of training in career; excellent references that speak to qualifications for training/career in epidemiology; Personal History Statement; Resume/CV; Transcripts. The program is competitive.

Application Deadline:   Dec. 1 for Autumn Quarter admissions

Competencies

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Epidemiology, graduates will be able to:

• Meet the learning objectives for the MS in Epidemiology, General Track;
• Formulate study questions that will advance scientific knowledge about a topic of public health importance;
• Develop a research proposal that presents the study aims, scientific background, public health significance, and the detailed methods for carrying out the epidemiologic study;
• Develop study procedures for the protection of rights of human subjects;
• Apply regression, classical methods of analysis of categorical data, logistic regression, survival analysis and other appropriate statistical approaches to analyze epidemiologic data;
• Make a clear oral presentation on the design and results of an epidemiologic study;
• Write a clear description of the rationale, methods, results, and interpretation of an epidemiologic investigation that would be acceptable for publication in a scientific journal; 
• Demonstrate expertise in a substantive area of disease etiology, disease prevention, or clinical epidemiology; and
• Design and implement data collection, quality control and data management procedures for an epidemiological study.

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How to Write a Great Personal Statement for the Global MPH

May 15, 2019

Imperial College London’s School of Public Health is renowned for conducting world-class research on today’s most pressing public health issues. No matter how compelling your research findings are, it is essential to communicate them clearly in order to promote positive change.

The same principle applies to your personal statement for the Global Master of Public Health (MPH) program . This personal statement is a chance to make the case that you belong at Imperial. Making that case clearly and effectively can be as important as your academic and professional qualifications.

Many students get anxious about this portion of the application, or worry that their writing skills aren’t up to the task. Our advice? Don’t panic!

You don’t have to be an outstanding writer to craft a great personal statement. Your task is to provide Imperial’s reviewers with the information they’re looking for in 1500 words or less. Let’s break the key points down into three specific areas: your past, present, and future.

1. Past: your background in public health

Start by introducing yourself. You’ve already provided a CV with your application, so this is an opportunity to put your experience in context. Tell us how and why you became interested in public health, the skills you’ve developed, and what you’re most proud of in your studies and career. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!  

Key points:

• Previous academic and professional experience
• Relevant exposures to public health related work and research
• Areas of interest in healthcare and why they interest you

Examples from the MPH Class of 2018-19:

“Throughout my years at University and recent postgraduate studies, I have worked in a pharmacy as a pharmacy/ dispensing assistant, in both community and hospital settings with the latter being involved with cancer clinical trials. These roles have greatly advanced my knowledge of patient care, different treatment options and health awareness strategies within the NHS and local CCGs.”

“I worked on a retrospective study to examine the trends and outcomes of aortic valve replacements performed on veterans from 2005 to 2015. Prior coursework in statistics equipped me to interpret data analyses. I co-authored two abstracts. I often considered how researchers contribute towards reducing health inequities in specific populations.”

2. Present: why you are applying to the Imperial College MPH

After you’ve introduced yourself, explain your motivation for your application. What is driving you to take your career in public health to the next level, and why is the Imperial Online MPH right for you? Make a compelling case why you are applying to this program, specifically, and why now is the right time.

• Your motivation for your professional and/or research career in public health
• Why you are applying for the Online MPH program, specifically

Examples from MPH Class of 2018-19:

“My healthcare background has given me the drive to move my career from disease treatment to increasing awareness of disease prevention. With an increasing life expectancy and an uncertain national healthcare budget, prevention of poor health from preventable diseases has never been more imperative.”

“I am particularly interested in studying at Imperial College London due to its Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, as the research areas of the unit match my own areas of interest for future research which include big healthcare data, healthcare access and health policy; within these areas I have an interest in mental health, cancer and primary and secondary care.”

3. Future: goals for your research at Imperial and your career beyond graduation

Finally, show that you have a specific vision for your time at Imperial and your post-MPH career. Include a short proposal (150 words or less) for a research project that you would be interested in carrying out as part of your dissertation over approximately a three month period. This gives the team more of an idea of your research interests and motivation to undertake the online Global MPH program. If you are accepted, you will not be required to carry out the proposal from your application. If you’d like to pursue the proposal from your application as part of your research portfolio, you can.

Key Points:

• Your future career goals
• Your proposed research area

“I believe the course will be able to provide an opportunity to obtain a more in-depth knowledge within these areas, but also developing a strong theoretical understanding of health policy, epidemiology and research methods, which I will give me the underpinning knowledge to undertake a PhD in Public health evaluation and policy in the future.”

“I aim to perform research to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and accessibility of health services for chronic conditions in low-income communities.”

__________________________

One last piece of advice: write an honest statement that gets across your true character and motivations, rather than writing something you think the panel will want to hear. Imperial’s goal in requesting these personal statements is to get to know prospective applicants on a personal level. Focus on providing a clear account of who you are, why you’re applying, and what you plan to do during and after the program.

The Global MPH offers the opportunity to get a world-class graduate degree in public health from one of the top 10 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2019). The program is affordable, flexible, and 100% online. As such, it attracts a diverse, highly-qualified group of students from across the globe. With a great personal statement, you can significantly increase your chances of joining the next cohort!  

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• Public Health Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Ben Taylor

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Public Health. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

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The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief the disparities between health outcomes on both local and global scales. Far from it being ‘the great leveller’, as some in the government and media were fond of describing the novel coronavirus in the first half of 2020, COVID-19 has disproportionally affected those from marginalised communities.

Seeing the effect of the pandemic on my family and friends has inspired me to apply for a Masters in Public Health (MPH) at your university. I feel deeply passionate about making sure that the next time a pandemic happens, we’ll have a better system in place to deal with the repercussions, learning from the success stories that have emerged over the past few years.

I graduated last year with a first class degree in Biomedical Sciences and have since worked in an editorial role for a major medical science communications publisher, contributing blogs and editing submitted papers before publication. This has given me a fantastic insight into the cutting-edge work that is being done around the world in medicine.

Watching and reading the commendable work of prominent public health practitioners like Devi Sridhar and Jonathan Van-Tam has convinced me of the vital role that clear, honest and expert communicators can play during a pandemic – often stepping up to fill the void left by elected officials.

I believe that your MPH programme will provide me with the skills needed to contribute to society from a public health perspective in the years to come. I’m particularly enthused by the range of modules you offer in epidemiology and infectious disease modelling, as well as the options to specialise in global health.

Outside of my studies and work, I’ve spent the past couple of years volunteering with a local mutual aid group, delivering medicine and essentials for people who are shielding or isolating.

As I’ve already touched upon, there is a clear role that public health professionals can play in influencing the policy of local, national and international organisations. I think that the Masters in Public Health at your institution offers the perfect platform from which to begin impacting policy in a positive sense, providing numerous opportunities to connect with thought leaders.

Find a Masters in Public Health

If you're interested in a studying Public Health, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Public Health Masters courses .

What are my options for studying in Public Health?

Master of public health (professional practice) - mph, university of the west of scotland master's courses in life sciences, governance and leadership in european public health, maastricht university faculty of health, medicine and life sciences, master of public health (global) advanced practitioner, university of huddersfield school of human & health sciences, master of public health, london school of business & finance london school of business and finance online, public health intelligence (msc), university of southampton faculty of medicine, our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice.

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Ben worked in the FindAMasters content team from 2017 to 2022, starting as an Assistant Content Writer and leaving as Student Content Manager. He focused on producing well-researched advice across a range of topics related to postgraduate study. Ben has a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield and a Masters from the University of Amsterdam. Having also spent a semester at the University of Helsinki through the Erasmus programme, he’s no stranger to study abroad (or cold weather!).

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MPH in Epidemiology

The MPH program provides students with both epidemiologic training as well as broad exposure to other public health disciplines. Our curriculum includes a strong foundation in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, critical appraisal of the epidemiologic literature, and opportunities for hands-on application of the concepts covered in the classrooms. Our graduates are prepared for positions in government, non-profit, industry, and academic sectors.

Identify, collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and report population-based data to drive control and prevention.

MPH graduates find work in such settings as federal agencies, industry, research settings, health departments.

Click the pie chart to see careers of alumni, by sector.

Admission Requirements

As part of the SOPHAS application , all applicants will need to submit the following materials when applying to Rollins:

• Personal Statement, including your interest in the field of Public Health as well as your interest in the Rollins School of Public Health. Please address your career goals. 
• Two letters of recommendation
• College transcripts
• T he submission of GRE scores are optional for all candidates applying to MPH and MSPH programs for fall 2022 admission .

Detailed information about each of these admission requirements  can be found in Admissions .

We do not have specific GPA or GRE score requirements. 

Stats for recently admitted students:

Average GPA 3.5

Quantitative GRE (25%, 75%) 155, 163

Verbal GRE (25%, 75%) 154, 160

Application Requirements

MPH Degree Requirements

42   credit hours: Includes an  Integrative Learning Experience   and an   Applied Practice Experience .

This degree program is also offered as a dual degree and in part-time format.  For additional information, please email [email protected] .

BA/MPH in Human Health and Epidemiology

The Department of Epidemiology at Rollins and the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory College jointly offer a five-year bachelor of arts (BA) in human health and master of public health (MPH) in epidemiology degree program. With similar objectives and program goals as the Epidemiology MPH program, students will earn a BA and MPH over the course of five years that will prepare them to tackle the most challenging epidemiological questions of the future. This accelerated track to earning an MPH adopts a uniquely interdisciplinary approach and allows students to tailor their degree to their specific interest area. This program is available to Emory Human Health students who apply during their junior year. 

Interested students should contact [email protected] for more information and to apply for admission to the program.

Applied Practice Experience

All Rollins MPH and MSPH students are required to complete a 200-400 hour Applied Practice Experience. The Applied Practice Experience (APE) is a unique opportunity for graduate students to integrate and apply practical skills and training learned through coursework in a professional public health work environment. In most cases, students can use a part-time work position, graduate assistantship or internship to meet the Applied Practice Experience requirement. The Applied Practice Experience is a significant educational experience that requires a minimum of 200 clock hours in a public health agency, institution, or community under the supervision of a Field Supervisor and the guidance of the student's department and/or the Office of Career Development. 

Learn More »

Certificates

Students can also choose from a range of Certificates to pursue deeper exploration of specific areas of interests such as Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology , Maternal and Child Health, and Socio-Contextual Determinants of Health among others.

View Certificates

Integrative Learning Experience - Thesis

Examples of past thesis titles include:

Spatial analysis of attrition along the HIV care continuum in Atlanta metropolitan area

Interaction of cannabis use genes and implicated genes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a molecular pathway analysis

Sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia after acute myocardial infarction

To view theses, click here .

Learn more »

Catalog & Schedules

RSPH Catalog

Academic Calendar

Enrollment Services & Course Schedules

Other Useful Info

Tuition Costs »

International Applicant Info »

Enrollment & Registration »

Student Resources »

What is the difference between an MPH and an MSPH in EPI?

The MPH degree is a professional degree that requires 42 hours of coursework, a thesis, and an applied practice experience.

The MSPH degree is a professional degree tailored to students with strong quantitative skills seeking to specialize in epidemiologic research and methods. It requires 48 hours of coursework, a thesis, and an applied practice experience.

Michael Stein Appointed Interim Dean of School of Public Health

Lower Neighborhood Opportunity May Increase Risk for Preterm Birth

Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology .

The Epidemiology PhD program provides advanced professional training in epidemiology to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for leadership in epidemiologic research and methodology. The goal of the doctoral program is to educate candidates to become independent, productive, and creative research scientists in the field of epidemiology.

Program Competencies

Upon completing the requirements for the PhD in Epidemiology, graduates are able to:

• formulate research hypotheses that can be evaluated through empirical epidemiologic investigation
• critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of epidemiologic study designs applied to particular etiologic associations
• analyze and interpret epidemiologic studies using appropriate methods
• explain the theoretical underpinnings of epidemiology, including new and traditional study designs
• demonstrate understanding of sources of bias and approaches to evaluating and controlling bias
• demonstrate proficiency in data collection, data analysis, and written summaries of statistical analyses
• demonstrate expertise in at least one substantive area of epidemiology and apply that expertise to preparation of the dissertation proposal
• perform all the steps of conducting a hypothesis-driven epidemiologic study, from developing hypotheses, to designing, analyzing, and interpreting results, to writing up findings in the form of a publication-quality manuscript, as demonstrated by the PhD dissertation, which requires three manuscripts judged to be suitable for publication.

Program of Study

Program requirements.

Students complete a minimum of 32 credits beyond the master’s degree. It is expected that at least 24 of these courses be from the epidemiology and biostatistics course offerings at the School of Public Health. Students also choose a “Pathway to Excellence” that is used as a guide to developing expertise in specific areas during their time in the program, and includes recommended courses to be taken as electives. Pathway to Excellence areas of specialization include aging and chronic disease, epidemiologic methods, environmental determinants of health, infectious diseases, psychiatric epidemiology, reproductive, perinatal, and developmental epidemiology, and structural and social determinants of health. The intent of the coursework is to provide a firm foundation in epidemiologic principles and methods, biostatistics methods, content knowledge, and general public health knowledge.

Qualifying Exams

Students must pass a comprehensive written examination that covers theoretical and applied epidemiology and biostatistics.

Dissertation

Students are required to develop a written proposal outlining the nature of their dissertation research. The dissertation is prepared and written under the direction of the candidate’s dissertation committee (comprised of the dissertation chair and at least two other members). When the dissertation is completed, the candidate defends their work before the dissertation committee and other faculty.

Our PhD students have researched a wide array of dissertation topics, such as:

• Maternal Medical History, Psychosocial Stress, and Birth Outcomes
• Environmental Heat in Relation to Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes
• Substance Use Among LGB Populations: The Role of Neighborhood, School and Family
• Methods to Predict and Explain New-Onset and Ongoing Depression in National Guard Members: A Lifecourse Perspective
• Applications of Big Data Approaches to Topics in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
• Male Risk Factors for Subfertility: A Prospective Cohort Study
• Exploration of Structural and Statistical Biases in the Application of Propensity Score Matching to Pharmacoepidemiologic Data
• Examining Outcomes Associated with a Community Intervention on Smoking Cessation in a Low-Income Population
• Pregnancy Associated Changes in Maternal Nutritional Status
• Evaluating South Africa’s Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines
• Impact of Physical Function on Health Outcomes in Older Community-Dwelling Women, Accounting for Age, Competing Risks, and Time-Varying Exposure
• Effects of Common Pharmacologic Agents on Reproductive Outcomes Among Male and Female Pregnancy Planners
• In Vitro Fertilization: Investigating the Risk of Ischemic Placental Disease and Novel Methods for Quantifying Success
• Environmental and Psychosocial Risk Factors for Sub-Fertility
• Iron Deficiency in Blood Donors: Causes, Symptoms, and Mitigation Strategies

Students attend bi-weekly doctoral seminars conducted throughout the academic year. The seminar includes professional development topics (“revealing the hidden curriculum”), journal clubs, invited speakers, and research in progress talks from students among other things. New seminar topics are chosen each year with input from students and faculty.

View the BU Bulletin for course requirements

Students entering the program receive a full-funding package, which includes tuition, health insurance and fees, and a stipend for four years. Support for the stipend is provided via research fellowships or training grants.

Student Profiles

Student body statistics.

Between 2016 and 2020, 24 students matriculated into the Epidemiology Doctoral Program. During this period, the average annual acceptance rate was 7%.

• Average Undergraduate – 3.53
• Average Graduate – 3.87

Student Publications

Adrien N , Hyde TB, Gacic-Dobo M, et al. Differences between coverage of yellow fever vaccine and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine: A desk review of global data sources. Vaccine 2019;37(32):4511‐4517.

Barber L.E ., Bertrand K.A., Rosenberg L., et al. Pre- and perinatal factors and incidence of breast cancer in the Black Women's Health Study. Cancer Causes Control 2019;30(1):87-95.

Esposito D , Titievsky L, Beachler DC, et al. Incidence of outcomes relevant to vaccine safety monitoring in a US commercially-insured population. Vaccine. 2018;36(52):8084-8093.

Harlow AF, Willis SK, Smith ML , & Rothman EF. Bystander prevention for sexual violence: #HowIWillChange and gaps in Twitter discourse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2018.

Jiang T , Farkas DK, Ahern TP, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder and incident fractures in the Danish population. Osteoporosis International 2018;29(11):2487-2493.

Petersen JM , Parker SE, Tinker S, et al. One-carbon cofactor intake and neural tube defect risk among women meeting folic acid recommendations: a multi-center case-control study. Am J Epidemiol 2019.

Rader B *, Astley CM*, Sy KTL , et al. Geographic access to United States SARS-CoV-2 testing sites highlights healthcare disparities and may bias transmission estimates. Journal of Travel Medicine, in press.

Ranker LR, Petersen JM , Fox MP. Awareness of and potential for dependent error in the observational epidemiologic literature: A review. Annals of Epidemiology 2019.

Rodriguez CA, Milstein MB, Guglielmetti L, et al. Barriers and facilitators to early access of bedaquiline and delamanid for drug resistant tuberculosis: a mixed methods study. Public Health Action. 2019;9(1):32-41.

Smith ML , Heeren TC, Ranker LR & Fredman L. Assessing the role of selection bias in the protective relationship between caregiving and mortality: the Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. American Journal of Public Health 2019.

Stanley TL *, Fourman LT*, Feldpausch MN, et al. Effects of Tesamorelin on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial. Lancet HIV. 2019;6(12):e821-e830.

Willis S ., Hatch E., Wesselink A., et al. Female sleep patterns, shift work, and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort. Fertility and Sterility 2019.

Student Presentations and Awards

Presentations.

Crowe HM , Wise LA, Wesselink AK, et al. Preconception Use of Asthma Medication and Fecundability: A Prospective Cohort Study. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Perinatal Epidemiologic Research. . Minneapolis.

Esposito DB , Russo L, Lamy FX, et al. Development of Predictive Models to Identify Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients in a US Administrative Claims Database. 34th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE). Prague, Czech Republic, August 22-26, 2018.

Gopalakrishnan C , Desai RJ, Franklin JM, et al. Predicting Persistent High-Dose Opioid Use After Total Knee Replacement. European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2020 E-Congress, Frankfurt, Germany.

Harlow A.F., Hatch E., Rothman K., Wise LA. Electronic Cigarette Use and Fecundability among Female Pregnancy Planners. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Jiang T , Lee DJ, Rosellini AJ, et al. Machine Learning Models for Prediction of Suicide Attempts Among Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Anxiety and Depression Conference. Chicago, March 2019.

Petersen JM . Depicting the Relationship Between Short Birth Spacing and Preterm Birth Using Causal Graphs: Challenges and Opportunities. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Ranker LR, Smith ML , Strunin L, et al. Caregiving Intensity and Functional Decline in Older Women, Accounting for Time-Varying Caregiver Status: The Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Schrager NL , Adrien N , Werler M, et al. Trends in First Trimester Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Use of Select Treatments: Findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Smith ML , Kormendine Farkas D, Lash TL, & Gradus JL. Subsyndromal Stress Disorders and Risk of Arterial and Venous Cardiovascular Events. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Willis S., Harlow A.F., Rodriguez, C ., Fox, M. Misclassification of a Collider: A Simulation Study. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Minneapolis.

Tammy Jiang – Society for Epidemiologic Research Travel Award 2018

Marlon Joseph – Faculty Member of the Year, 2018, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY

Julie Petersen – SERDigital Fall 2018 Student Winner Presentation “Application of Machine Learning to Identify Potential Risk Factors for Gastroschisis”

Rebecca Song – First Prize Poster Winner. Society for Epidemiologic Research 2018

Sydney Willis  – American Society of Reproductive Medicine 2018 Nutrition Special Interest Group Prize Paper

Alumni Profiles

Post-graduate positions.

Upon graduation, students work in a wide range of positions. Below is a list of places where recent graduates have been employed.

2016–2020 Graduates

• Academia (40%) – faculty, post-doctoral fellowships, research associates
• BU School of Public Health, BU Medical School, Cornell University, Emory University, University of Washington, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
• Research Institutions (20%)
• BU Slone Epidemiology Center, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, American Red Cross Blood Services
• Private Companies (30%)
• Ironwood Pharma, Abt, TriNetX Inc, Vertex, Edwards Lifesciences, IQVIA
• Government Agencies (10%)
• Veteran’s Administration, MA Department of Health, Department of Defense

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the BUSPH doctoral program in epidemiology unique?

Several things make our program unique. We offer exceptional training in modern epidemiologic methods, with several department faculty members who are world-renowned methods experts, and have written many of the textbooks commonly used for epidemiologic training (e.g., Dr. Ken Rothman, Dr. Matt Fox, Dr. Ann Aschengrau). While exceptional training in modern epidemiologic methods has always been a hallmark of our doctoral program, in 2023 Dr. Maria Glymour, a world-renowned expert in social epidemiology, became the Chair of the BUSPH epidemiology department, and has begun the process of infusing our program with equally strong training in social epidemiology through the development of new coursework in this area, and hiring of faculty with a social epidemiology focus. Finally, this training happens in the context of a department in which faculty, staff, and students alike genuinely support each other, are happy for each other’s successes, and value and prioritize optimizing the student experience.

Do I need to have mentor before applying?

You do not need to identify a mentor before applying to our program. However, it is important that you indicate your area of research interest both in the SOPHAS question about area of interest and in your statement of purpose. This will facilitate our matching of faculty mentors and prospective students.

Who should recommendation letters come from?

Recommendation letters should come from people who are best able to speak to your readiness for doctoral-level training in epidemiology. For applicants who have recently completed academic programs, this may be a mix of professors and work supervisors or colleagues. For applicants who have been in the workforce longer, this may be supervisors and colleagues only.

What programming language are typically used in courses at BUSPH?

All of the biostatistics courses at BUSPH have a SAS option. BUSPH is currently working on developing R options for many courses, and a SAS and an R option are already available for some courses.

What post-graduation resources does the program (or BUSPH as a whole) have?

Our doctoral student seminar, which runs every other week throughout the academic year, includes speakers from various sectors (e.g., government, industry) who are graduates of our program to talk about transitioning from our program to working in these areas. Mentors also provide individual mentoring to students around life post-graduation that is individualized to the student’s career goals. Finally, BUSPH offers career services that are available to all students.

Are there any requirements for PhD students to teach/TA?

There are currently no requirements for PhD students to teach or TA, but opportunities are available.

What should I focus on in my statement of purpose?

There are several things prospective students could mention in their statement of purpose that may improve the chances of admission to our program. First, it is important to talk about the experiences that have led to an informed decision about pursing a doctoral degree in epidemiology. Doctoral programs are a large, multi-year commitments, and applicants do well in review when it is clear that they are aware of this commitment and ready for this undertaking. Similarly, applicants who do well in review often convey a passion for epidemiologic research and their specific content area. Any doctoral program can be stressful at times; this passion and drive often helps students overcome these stressful times. Finally, some additional characteristics that we look for in applicants are examples of self-motivation and perseverance, both of which are necessary to complete a doctoral-level education. Examples related to these characteristics are helpful to share in the statement of purpose.

PhD in Epidemiology Admissions Requirements

Learn more about the PhD in Epidemiology's full admissions requirements and application deadlines.

For inquiries regarding the PhD program, please contact Marcus Garrant , Academic Program Administrator in Epidemiology.

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Application Requirements

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

If you would like to apply to the Biostatistics Master of Science (MS) or the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, you will need to submit your application through The Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS).  Epidemiology Master of Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology Master of Public Health Online (MPH), Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) applicants will also apply through SOPHAS.

Epidemiology and Biostatistics applicants must apply through The Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). Please visit SOPHAS  for further details.

Admissions Information by Degree

Special Note : Contact the Biostatistics graduate director at [email protected]  for permission before applying after the deadline date.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree in arts, sciences or medicine from an accredited institution    
• Students in the program must have completed Calculus 1 &  Calculus 2 as well as course in Matrix or Linear Algebra with a grade of B or better. Applicants can be accepted without meeting these requirements, but they must be completed prior to the beginning of the program.
• Grade point average of 3.00/4.00 or higher
• GRE Scores are required
• For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 internet-based, 230 computer-based, or 570 paper-based - or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Course Type 2 exam - minimum overall band score of 6.5
• Prior professional work experience is considered an asset but is not a requirement  
• Resume or CV
• Statement of Purpose and Objectives describing your academic and research interests, relevant work experiences, academic/professional goals and objectives
• At least three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
• Official transcripts from all schools or colleges previously attended
• Non-US institution transcripts must be verified by World Education Services (WES) or equivalent evaluation service.  Please submit a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation (WES ICAP)
• GRE scores are required
• TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the UofSC Institutional code 5818
• IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the UofSC Graduate School  The Graduate School University of South Carolina 1705 College Street, Suite 552 Columbia, S.C. 29208
• Verbal and Quantitative GRE score required

Special Note :  Contact the Biostatistics graduate director at [email protected]   for permission   before applying after the deadline date .

• Applicants must have a master’s degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a master’s degree in some other field and experience in these areas
• Students in the program must have completed Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Calculus 3 (Vector Calculus) as well as a course in Matrix or Linear Algebra with a grade of B or better. Applicants can be accepted without meeting these requirements, but they must be completed prior to the beginning of the program.
• Three years of post-baccalaureate work experience in the field of public health or another health-related field is highly recommended, but not required
• Statement of Purpose and Objectives describing your academic and research interests, relevant work experiences, academic/professional goals and objectives  
• Official transcripts from   all   schools or colleges previously attended  
• TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the UofSC Institutional code 5818  
• IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the UofSC Graduate School    The Graduate School University of South Carolina 1705 College Street, Suite 552 Columbia, S.C. 29208

Special Note:  We welcome you to apply to our Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree program, which matriculates one cohort of students every fall. Contact the Epidemiology MPH Program Director at 803-777-6852 or  [email protected]  for permission before applying after the deadline date. Only verified applications will be considered.

• A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, preferably in public health, health related field, science, or liberal arts
• GRE Scores will not be required
• For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 90 or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum overall band score of 7.0. This requirement may be waived for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution with Graduate Director approval.
• Prior professional work experience is considered an asset but is not a requirement
• Research experience is recommended but not required
• Personal statement describing why you have chosen to study epidemiology, why you have chosen to study at the University of South Carolina, your academic and practice interests, relevant work, research, or practice experiences, and academic/professional goals and objectives
• Official transcripts from all schools or colleges previously attended 
• Evidence of quantitative ability such as relevant completed coursework and/or letter of recommendation from a course instructor who can provide an assessment of quantitative skills

Special Note:  We welcome you to apply to our Online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree program, which matriculates one cohort of students every fall. Contact the Epidemiology MPH graduate director at 803-777-6852 or  [email protected]  for permission before applying after the deadline date. Only verified applications will be considered.

Special Note:  If you wish to apply after the stated deadline date of January 15, you must contact the Epidemiology graduate director at 803-777-1527 or  [email protected]  for permission before applying.

We welcome you to apply to our Master of Science degree program, which matriculates one cohort of students every fall.

• Research experience strongly recommended but not required
• At least one year of college math past Algebra
• Personal statement describing why you have chosen to study epidemiology, why you have chosen to study at the University of South Carolina, your academic and research interests, relevant work and research experiences, and academic/professional goals and objectives
• Official transcripts from   all   schools or colleges previously attended .

Special Note:   A member of the epidemiology faculty must agree to serve as your mentor before your application can be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. It is up to you to find a mentor. You can obtain a list of our faculty  here . You must communicate with the faculty in your area(s) of interest before you apply, so that you can focus your statement of purpose. In your statement of purpose, please detail your research interest and indicate the epidemiology faculty member who has agreed to mentor you. 

If you wish to apply after the stated deadline date of July 15 for Spring admissions or January 15 for Fall admissions, you must contact the Epidemiology graduate director at [email protected] or 803-777-1527 for permission before applying. Only verified applications will be considered.

Fellowship/Training Grant Opportunities:  

If you are applying for the Behavioral-Biomedical Interface Program (BBIP), please apply using the Priority deadline. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Please complete the supplemental questions found within the Questions section of the SOPHAS application. More information about the BBIP traineeship . 

UofSC Presidential Fellowship - All applicants who meet the Priority deadline will be considered for the prestigious University of South Carolina Presidential Fellowship. More information about the Fellowship .

• Master’s degree, preferably in public health (epidemiology) from an accredited school of public health or an equivalent advanced professional degree.
• For international applicants, a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 80 or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum overall band score of 7.0. This requirement may be waived for applicants that have earned a prior degree from a US institution with Graduate Director approval.
• Work experience or training in the field of public health or another health-related field is highly recommended but not required.
• Evidence of research experience is required.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose describing your academic and research interests, relevant research and work experiences, academic/professional goals and objectives, confirmed mentor and how your research interests align, and why you have chosen to attend the University of South Carolina
• If you have first author publication(s), include a copy of the publication(s)
• Evidence of quantitative ability such as relevant completed coursework and/or letter or recommendation from a course instructor who can provide an assessment of quantitative skills
• IELTS: Scores should be mailed directly to the UofSC Graduate School   The Graduate School University of South Carolina 1705 College Street, Suite 552 Columbia, S.C. 29208

Special Note: Contact the program director at (803) 777-8948 or [email protected] for permission before applying after the deadline date.  For more information, go to: https://web.asph.sc.edu/mch/ .

• A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
• GRE scores are not required
• Personal statement
• Official transcripts from all  schools or colleges previously attended
• At least two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
• Non-US institution transcripts must be verified by World Education Services (WES) or equivalent evaluation service.  Please submit a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation (WES ICAP)
• TOEFL: Scores should be submitted electronically using the UofSC Institutional code 5818 
• Applicants currently enrolled in a UofSC graduate program may use the Update Request Form for Concurrent Enrollment to apply

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Graduate Programs

Epidemiology.

The Ph.D. program in Epidemiology provides students with the training to become independent researchers in academia, government and industry.

Using sophisticated study designs, statistical analyses, field investigations, and laboratory techniques, epidemiology students investigate the cause of a disease, its distribution (geographic, ecological, and social), method of transmission, and measures for control and prevention. 

All students in the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology are required to demonstrate mastery of advanced epidemiologic methods, which is assessed via coursework and examinations. 

As a result of Brown's commitment to high quality education, all students admitted into the PhD program receive full scholarships that include tuition, healthcare and a research-assistant-based stipend for five years of graduate study (see  Financial Support page  for more details).

Additional Resources

Epidemiology faculty are members of the Department of Epidemiology and the School of Public Health, which are home to several world-class research centers, such as the Center for Population Health and Clinical Epidemiology, the Center for Gerontology and Health Services Research, the Centers for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, the International Health Institute, the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine and the Center for Statistical Sciences. Students in epidemiology have the opportunity to collaborate and conduct research with faculty at many of these centers.

Major areas of faculty activity include cardiovascular disease, nutritional epidemiology, cancer, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, international health, and others. Two particular strengths of the program in epidemiology are a high faculty to student ratio, providing excellent opportunities for supervised research, and the opportunity to pursue a minor concentration in health services research.

Application Information

Application in  SOPHAS .

Comprehensive application requirements are detailed on the School of Public Health's  admissions requirements website .

Application Requirements

Gre subject:.

Not required

GRE General:

Toefl/ielts:.

International Applicants: Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS if applicable)

Official Transcripts:

Required International Applicants: Transcript Evaluation (if applicable)

Letters of Recommendations:

Personal statement:, additional requirements:.

• Application Fee

Dates/Deadlines

Application deadline, completion requirements.

For all Ph.D. students, 24 credits are required of students matriculating in the program without a master's degree; 16 are required beyond the master's. For those with a related master's degree, up to eight units can be transferred. Both written and oral exams, plus a dissertation comprising an original contribution to the field, also are required.

Alumni Careers

Contact and Location

Department of epidemiology, mailing address.

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