Information for Prospective Students

Graduate Program in Epidemiology

Degree Descriptions and Learner Objectives

MS Degree Program in Epidemiology
PhD Degree Program in Epidemiology

The Iowa Department of Epidemiology trains graduate students to be disease detectives through basic epidemiologic, preventive and health care evaluation skills for clinical and community-based settings. Students may have undergraduate education in biology, genetics, anthropology, sociology and related areas and they may already be health professionals who would like a health evaluation career. Our graduate programs provide training in epidemiology, disease control and health care organization to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical companies, universities, government agencies and hospital and health systems.

Our MS program prepares students in the specialized knowledge of epidemiologic methods and analytic techniques necessary for careers as research epidemiologists. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry. Undergraduate preparation must include two semesters of biological sciences. Algebra is required and calculus is desired. The degree program is 38 semester hours, and has thesis and non-thesis options.

The MPH program, Epidemiology Subtrack, focuses on providing methodological skills and knowledge, and practical experience, for students who desire to learn the fundamentals of epidemiology oriented to the public health setting.

The M.S. in Clinical Investigation is offered by the Department of Epidemiology in cooperation with the interdisciplinary Iowa Scholars in Clinical Investigation program, which is coordinated by the Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine. The program is designed for clinicians interested in pursuing careers in clinical research. For information about the M.S. in Clinical Investigation, contact Peter Forkenbrock (319-356-4640; peter-forkenbrock@uiowa.edu).

Our PhD program emphasizes training in quantitative and analytical techniques, sample methods, clinical trial design and management of large data sets. Students can emphasize focus areas such as aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease and reproductive health among many others. A bachelor’s degree is required, and master’s degree is also generally required for entry. Students may enroll in the MS program first with the courses credited for the PhD. Background coursework in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences is highly recommended. The degree program is 75 semester hours, including thesis hours.

Admission Requirements

Minimum grade-point-average requirements for admission are 3.0 for the Master's program and 3.0 for the Doctoral program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is also required. The recommended minimum score on the combined verbal and quantitative portions is 1050. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students. A background of science, mathematics, or health sciences is recommended.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition per semester for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs (including mandatory fees) for the 2008-09 school year for residents (in-state) and nonresidents is as follows:

Financial Aid

A limited number of research assistantships, traineeships, and tuition grants are available within the department. It should be noted that most graduate students receiving assistantship support are generally in at least their second year of their program of study. It often takes at least one academic year to acquire the necessary skills to complete the research tasks required and for the proper matching of a student’s interests and abilities with a research project’s needs

Admission Deadlines

MS Degree: Applications from U.S. citizens and permanent reidents must be received by July 1 for fall orApril 15 for summer. Applications from international students must be received by April 15 for fall or March 1 for summer. There is no spring admission to the MS degree program.

PhD Degree: Applications must be received by April 1 for fall; October 1 for spring. Applications for spring semester are not encouraged.

How to Apply

For more information, including application forms, contact:

Graduate Program Coordinator
200 Hawkins Drive, C226 GH
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1008

Phone: (319) 384-5021 or (800) 553-IOWA, ext. 4-5021
Fax: (319) 384-5018
Email: cph-program-director@uiowa.edu
On-Line Request: Graduate Program Information Request