September 19, 2022 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics has launched a new online master’s program and is now accepting applications for fall 2023. The Online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology program joins the Arnold School’s three other flexible distance education graduate programs: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology – Distance Education, Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Professional Online Program, Master of Public Health in Health Services Policy and Management (MPH) via Distance Education.
“Epidemiologists are, and have been, in high demand,” says clinical associate professor and MPH program director Myriam Torres. “We wanted to offer a high-quality program to working professionals and those who want to change careers but cannot physically move from their place of residence.”
Epidemiologists are, and have been, in high demand.
-Myriam Torres, MPH in Epidemiology director
The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the importance of public health and infectious diseases prevention/management – making “epidemiologist” a household word for many. As we learn from the current pandemic and prepare for future outbreaks, the need for qualified epidemiologists will only increase. Globalization, population growth and other factors that affect public health will spur demand as well.
As a vital part of an interdisciplinary team, epidemiologists advance public health in many areas. Using knowledge from the social sciences, medicine, biology, environmental health and statistics, they improve health at the population level. Their research areas vary widely (e.g., diabetes, gerontology, cancer, healthcare access, maternal/child health, infectious diseases) and result in recommendations for disease prevention and intervention as well as policy effects/implications. Epidemiologists work at health departments, non-profit organizations, health systems and universities.
The new MPH program is not only online, it is 100 percent asynchronous to fit into the busy lives of participants. Students can enroll full-time or part-time, completing the program in as little as two years. The integrated curriculum covers the five core disciplines of public health (biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences) with advanced training in epidemiology and biostatistics. It also provides opportunities to gain real-world experience in practice and research settings.
These individuals might reside in different parts of the world and/or are already a part of the public health workforce and would like to specialize in applied epidemiology.
-Myriam Torres, MPH in Epidemiology director
“By offering this online program, we hope to increase access to our highly respected, CEPH-accredited MPH program,” Torres says. “These individuals might reside in different parts of the world and/or are already a part of the public health workforce and would like to specialize in applied epidemiology.”
Prospective students can learn more about the program, admissions requirements and how to apply by visiting the Online MPH in Epidemiology page.