MPH Infectious Diseases & Microbiology at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology offers two MPH concentrations: Infectious Diseases and One Health, which combines pathogen biology, immunology and epidemiology within the public health framework with an optional laboratory research component, and Infection Prevention, which focuses on global and domestic infectious diseases including HIV and on designing interventions and policies to address infectious disease threats.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Department: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology | Duration: 42 credits (both concentrations) | Intake: Fall admission (applications via SOPHAS) | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Both concentrations require 42 credits: foundational public health courses, advanced courses (infectious disease epidemiology and microbiology for One Health; health education, health policy, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases for Infection Prevention), a practicum, and an essay or thesis. Practicum sites include UPMC hospitals, the Allegheny County Health Department and global projects such as TB and HIV work in India.

Career pathways

One Health graduates hold roles such as data manager at EMMES, quality control associate at Bristol-Myers Squibb, public health specialist at the Arizona health department and genetic counselor, and go on to PA or medical programmes. Infection Prevention graduates include an executive director at Open Door Inc., emergency preparedness educators, a health management specialist at UPMC Health Plan and students entering medical school.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MPH programmes in the department: minimum six credits of college-level behavioral science (including at least one course in sociology or social psychology and one in anthropology, economics, political science, psychology or sociology) with C or better; three credits of college-level algebra or higher (C or better); three credits of college-level biology (C or better); recommended GPA 3.0. School-wide: US bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with substantial knowledge of a discipline relevant to public health. Applications via SOPHAS. International applicants (Pitt Public Health): official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score report and a course-by-course WES evaluation of non-US education. Department minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the new scale for tests from January 21, 2026), IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 140; the school-wide floor is TOEFL 80 (4.0 new scale, all subscores 4.0), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120. Waived for degrees from US regionally accredited institutions or from English-language institutions in English-official countries.

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 57,816 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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