The Department of Epidemiology offers a master’s and a doctoral degree and cosponsors a certificate.  The Master's and Doctoral programs offer a body of research skills, together with the opportunity to work closely with faculty on key research questions, and to share the challenge and rewards that epidemiology provides.

 
Master of Public Health (MPH)
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a terminal degree program for physicians and other doctoral-level professionals.   The MPH degree requires a minimum of 42 semester hours of credit, and is designed as a two-year program.   MPH students with limited time on campus may compress the course and examination requirements into eighteen months.

Master's degree requirements

Nancy L. Colvin, MS, Assistant to the Chair for Graduate Studies Phone:  (919) 966-7459 Email: ncolvin@unc.edu


Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in epidemiology prepares students for careers in research and teaching, often at a university, federal or state agency, or private research institution.  Students develop research and teaching skills in epidemiology through coursework and practice opportunities. The doctoral program includes coursework, preliminary doctoral examinations, and doctoral research.  Students who have already earned a relevant master's or professional degree (MD, DDS, DVM, etc.) typically complete the doctorate in three to five years after admission.

Students who have not earned a relevant master's or professional degree may still be admitted to the doctoral program; however, these students are required to complete the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in the Department of Epidemiology before they begin their doctoral coursework. This may add one to two years to the program.  These applicants should still apply directly to the PhD program.

PhD requirements

Nancy L. Colvin, MS, Assistant to the Chair for Graduate Studies
Phone:  (919) 966-7459
Email: ncolvin@unc.edu
 

Certificate in Field Epidemiology
The Certificate in Field Epidemiolgy is cosponsored by the Department of Epidemiology and the North Carolina Institute for Public Health.  For information, please  contact NCIPH, the administering program.

(back to top)