Online Master of Science in Epidemiology Application Process

The program seeks applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds who have a strong interest in health sciences’ research methods, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Our graduate application system is designed to put you in control of the application and all documents associated with it.

You’ll need:

1. A completed online application.
2. A bachelor’s degree in any academic background from a regionally accredited institution.
3. A GPA of at least 3.0. (If your GPA is below 3.0, you should still apply, as we take your strengths and skills in other areas into account).
4. Unofficial copies of your transcripts. (We’ll need official versions once you're admitted).
5. A current résumé.
6. Two letters of recommendation.
7. A personal statement that includes a description of your prior experience, specific interest in the MS in Epidemiology, and career goals.

The curriculum for UD’s online MS in Epidemiology includes 10 courses: 6 core courses and 4 epidemiology content courses. The program can be completed in as little as 12 months full-time or part-time at the pace that fits your schedule.

Core Courses (18 credits)

EPID 603 Biostatistics I for Health Sciences – 3 credits

An introductory statistics course for graduate students in the College of Health Sciences with applications for clinical and population health. The course is taught using statistical software.

EPID 604 Introduction to Epidemiology Data Analysis Using SAS – 3 credits

Overview of basic analytical epidemiologic methods using SAS Statistical Software. The course covers working with SAS Statistical Software to import, modify, merge, analyze, store, and document the steps of data analysis from the collection of data through the dissemination of results.

EPID 605 Epidemiology Methods I – 3 credits

Introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods including descriptive data, measures of association, and study design.

EPID 610 Epidemiology Methods II – 3 credits

Continued introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods. Emphasis on calculation and interpretation of crude and adjusted data, measures of association, and study design

EPID 613 Biostatistics for Health Sciences II – 3 credits

An intermediate statistics course for graduate students in the College of Health Sciences with applications for population health. The course covers research designs, analysis of confounding, and logistic regression. The course is taught using SAS statistical software.

EPID 645 Data Analysis Capstone – 3 credits

The Master of Science in Epidemiology requires a culminating data analysis  project performed under faculty or preceptor supervision. Students apply epidemiology research methods to real-world settings and submit a written report consistent with peer-review publication standards in epidemiology.

Epidemiology Content Courses (12 credits)

Students select 4 courses from the following:

EPID 621 – Methods in Field Epidemiology

EPID 620 – Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

EPID 622 - Disaster Epidemiology Methods

EPID 623 - Public Health Surveillance

EPID 627 - Social Epidemiology

EPID 633 - Clinical and Translational Epidemiology

Other courses may be taken with prior approval from the Program Director

We’re Committed to Affordability

$1,116 Per Credit Hour

You could fund your program by receiving a grant, qualifying for federal or private loans, utilizing military benefits or pursuing employer tuition reimbursement. Our dedicated admissions and financial personnel will help you through the process, including enrolling in a payment plan if applicable.

Additional information about tuition and financial aid can be found on the Student Financial Services page.

The national outlook for careers in epidemiology is extremely strong.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for epidemiologists are expected to grow by nearly 25% over the next 10 years, with growth centered around areas that include health care, chronic diseases, and emergency response. The increased demand for epidemiologists is driven by a greater focus on disease prevention, novel techniques for data analysis, and the need for effective responses to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.

The current median annual wages for epidemiologists ranges from $80,000 to $130,000, depending on sector.

You may qualify to transfer up to 9 credits per University of Delaware policy.

Note: No transfers are accepted for the capstone course.

All requests for transfer credit should be directed to the student’s major department using a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form. Transfer credits will be accepted provided that such credits:

• Were earned with a grade of no less than B,
• Are approved by the student’s adviser and the chair of the student’s major department,
• Are in accord with the specific degree program of the student as specified by the unit’s Graduate Program Policy Statement,
• Are not older than five years,
• Are graduate level courses, and
• Were completed at an accredited college or university.

Graduate courses counted toward a degree received elsewhere may not be transferred into a degree at the University of Delaware. Credits from institutions outside of the United States are generally not transferable to the University of Delaware.

Learn more about transfer credit by viewing the Graduate College's Registration and Enrollment Policies.

The MS in Epidemiology starts in the University of Delaware’s summer session. Courses in the online program are typically 5 or 7 weeks long. 

Please review the chart below for the application deadlines.