The M.S. program in Epidemiology is designed to prepare students for the Ph.D. program in Public Health Sciences with a concentration in epidemiology. The M.S. in epidemiology is offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health.

Eligibility for the M.S. program in Epidemiology

Students with a prior baccalaureate or more advanced degree in an appropriate field of study, from a regionally accredited university or college will be eligible for the M.S. program in Epidemiology. Previous coursework in mathematics and/or statistics and biological or health sciences (for example, biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology) is strongly recommended. Applicants who are judged to not have sufficient prior coursework or experience in these areas may be required to take additional coursework.

The following are additionally required for admission:

Graduate application (see http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply) submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (SIGS).

Non-refundable application fee.

1. At least two letters of recommendation on letterhead written within past twelve months  (can be submitted with form at http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply).
2. Official GRE scores taken within the past five years. Score greater than the 50th percentile on each of the quantitative and verbal sections is recommended.
3. All postsecondary transcripts (may require foreign credential evaluation if not from accredited U.S. institution).
4. Statement of goals submitted to the department office (must include desired academic and degree program).
5. Foreign credential evaluation is required for each degree not from an accredited U.S. institution. This requirement may be waived, with approval by the dean, for degrees not considered to be relevant to evaluation of the applicant or whose transcript requires no foreign credential evaluation.
6. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required for admission.
7. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of  3.0 is required
8. International students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by one of:

* Award of a degree from an accredited U.S. institution
* Official TOEFL score of 100 or higher (iBT, or Internet-Based Test), 250 or higher (CBT, or Computer-Based Test), or 600 or higher (PBT, or Paper-Based Test) - score must be in at least the 60th percentile
* Official documentation of passing the exit examination for the advanced level of the Intensive English as a Second Language Program at the University of Louisville

The program is designed as a two-year program of coursework and thesis research and preparation. The student is expected to develop and plan his or her thesis research prior to the final semester in which the majority of the actual research is done.

Faculty Advisor

Upon admission to the M.S. program, each student is assigned a faculty advisor by the department chair or program director. Students and/or advisors who wish to change their assigned relationship must make a written request to the department chair or program director.

Program of Study

The student and his or her faculty advisor work together to develop a program of study that recognizes the student’s research interests and core elements of modern epidemiology and its breadth and multidisciplinary nature.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements include required coursework in epidemiology, elective coursework in biostatistics and in public health sciences, and a thesis.
Coursework

38 total credit-hours:

Electives

Program requirements include one elective course in epidemiology and four in a public health area. Elective courses can be selected from offerings within SPHIS with instructor and program permission. Elective courses in epidemiology (PHEP) and biostatistics (PHST) are strongly encouraged.
Selection of electives for both requirements is done by the student and his or her faculty advisor with approval of the program director or chair of the department.

Students may petition to take courses not on these lists with approval of the instructor, the student’s faculty advisor, and the program director or chair of the department or his or her designee.

Thesis

A thesis is required of a candidate for the degree of master of science in epidemiology. It is to be an original work of professional quality and the basis for one or more potentially publishable papers.

Rose Devasia Anderson, M.D., MPH
Assistant Professor

Kathy B. Baumgartner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Richard N. Baumgartner, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

Frank Groves, M.D.
Assistant Professor

Richard A. Kerber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Susan B. Muldoon, Ph.D., MPH
Assistant Professor

Elizabeth O'Brien, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Kristina Zierold, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor