Enhance Your Public Health Management Skills by Completing a Master of Science in Public Health in Epidemiology!
If you are interested in an academic research degree that can help prepare you for further study at the doctoral level or for research or technical positions in government, industry, academia, or private institutions, Liberty University’s Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Epidemiology may be the right program for you.
Studies include many of the core disciplines that make up our Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, but there is an additional emphasis on advanced research methods and quantitative, computational analysis skills. This offers you the opportunity to learn how to best serve your community by developing health initiatives, conducting research, and influencing public policy to improve the health of the public overall.
Epidemiology is one of the core foundations of public health. With multiple outbreaks and current and future pandemics, this field is forever growing. The job market shows a need for epidemiologists, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 19% employment growth by 2033.*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Epidemiologists (viewed online Oct. 4, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Master of Science in Public Health in Epidemiology Degree?
Choosing to attend Liberty University for your studies presents a unique combination of benefits that aim to enrich both your academic and personal growth. First, Liberty is known for its commitment to providing a comprehensive education rooted in Christian values, offering a distinctive perspective on public health and scientific inquiry. This integration of faith and learning fosters a nurturing environment where you can develop both professionally and spiritually. Our MSPH program can teach you how to meet the needs of your community while valuing life and the health of every human. This program offers you the opportunity to use your knowledge to serve God and others.
Furthermore, Liberty University is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and resources, enabling you to engage in cutting-edge research and practical learning experiences. Our experienced faculty members are not only leaders in their fields but also dedicated to helping you pursue your full potential. This nurturing academic environment is complemented by a vibrant campus life, full of diverse opportunities for social interaction, leadership development, and community service. Choosing Liberty University means joining a community committed to excellence in education and making a positive impact in the world.
Training professionals who can accurately study the effects and scope of disease is a necessary facet of finding ways to control and treat various health conditions as quickly and effectively as possible. In the epidemiology program, we can assist you in learning how to study and identify health problems as well as determine where help is needed. You will also explore how public health variables affect the lives of community members. That way, more accurate information can become available, and people’s needs can be met with greater efficiency.
How Can I Choose Between the MSPH and the MPH Programs?
If you’re trying to decide which public health master’s program to pursue, here are a few factors to consider:
- The MSPH is an academic degree, while the MPH is a professional degree.
- There are more research courses in the MSPH that provide an introduction to science and public health.
- Both programs offer similar specializations in epidemiology.
- The MSPH includes a thesis, while the MPH includes a practicum.
- Students cannot transfer from the MPH to the MSPH, although they can transfer from the MSPH to the MPH.
- The MSPH is 45 credit hours, while the MPH is 42 credit hours.
What Will You Learn in Our MSPH in Epidemiology Degree?
While this program focuses on numbers in the context of health, it is always with the knowledge that they are not just numbers and statistics but real people who are being affected – and that there is a real need for change to improve healthcare for the underserved.
This program explores the foundations of public health and how the field has developed in Western culture, how democracy and the free market affect the resources available, and how to allocate funds toward different health issues.
Our program allows you to focus on diseases that are not only seen every day but also affect people across the world. To understand how health conditions occur and who they affect, you will study specific populations – including what their cultural practices are, how and why they are affected differently, and what can be done to make a real, positive change.
By displaying attentiveness to the health and care of others, you are able to share the love of God by loving people as He has commanded you. You can seek to better understand the needs of those around you and learn how to be socially conscious while adhering to biblical principles.
Additionally, the program incorporates extensive research. Through your public health courses, you can build skills in preparation for the research process, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination. You can also develop the skills for creating data visualizations, data dashboards, and data stories using different programs.
Other courses provide an overview of principles, designs, and strategies for conducting research about health among human populations. You will be introduced to Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software, and you can learn the use of SAS for managing and analyzing complex data sets. You will also collect and analyze data for your thesis proposal, prepare and write the thesis, and deliver an oral presentation.
View the Degree Completion Plan and check out our featured courses below for more information!
Featured Courses
HLTH 501 – Biostatistics
HLTH 503 – Principles of Epidemiology
HLTH 505 – Principles of Environmental Health
HLTH 507 – Public Health Administration
Highlights of Our Epidemiology MSPH Degree
- Immerse yourself in engaging research projects and explore over 20 teaching and research laboratories.
- Liberty’s public health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
- Our faculty are experienced in academia, industry, and government, holding doctoral degrees from leading institutions nationwide.
- The in-person format gives you the opportunity to interact with faculty and fellow students in meaningful ways.
Master of Science in Public Health in Epidemiology Degree Information
- Residential
- 45 total credit hours
- Transfer in up to 50% of your total degree
- This program falls under the School of Health Sciences
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out the course catalog
Potential Career Opportunities for MS in Public Health in Epidemiology Graduates
Epidemiologists conduct research and work to improve health in the following areas:
- Bioterrorism/emergency response
- Chronic diseases
- Environmental health
- Infectious diseases
- Injury
- Maternal and child health
- Occupational health
- Oral health
- Substance abuse
Epidemiologists work in various places such as:
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools – state, local, and private
- Hospitals – state, local, and private
- Scientific research and development services
- State and local government
Admission Requirements for the MSPH in Epidemiology
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts with a 3.0 GPA or higher
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Self-certification form for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account