MPH Epidemiology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

Public Health, Master's Program (M.P.H.) — Applied Epidemiology Concentration Epidemiology — the study of the distribution and determinants of disease or other influencing risk factors in a population — is the cornerstone of public health inquiry and problem-solving. Unlike clinical medicine which predominantly focuses on an individual’s health and well-being, epidemiology uses a broader lens to examine the health of populations. Through this approach, epidemiologists identify public health threats and inform targets for interventions that reduce risk and improve health.

Faculty: Gillings School of Global Public Health | Department: Epidemiology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

The M.S.C.R. requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit and is designed as a two-year program with at least two full semesters in residence. Core courses include SPHG 711 Data Analysis for Public Health; BIOS 600 Principles of Statistical Inference; SPHG 712 Methods and Measures for Public Health Practice; EPID 600 Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health; SPHG 713 Systems Approaches to Understanding Public Health Issues; SPHG 701 Leading from the Inside-Out.

Career pathways

The program is designed for physician-scientists and others who want to develop the skills necessary for a successful career as a principal investigator and collaborator in clinical and translational research. The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in epidemiology prepares students for careers in research and teaching, often at a university, federal, or state agency, or private research institution.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration. The GRE is not required for the Master of Applied Professional Studies.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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