Master of Science – Epidemiology

About

Harvard Chan School offers two versions of the 42.5 credit Master of Science in Epidemiology.

• The Academic Year program is typically completed over Fall and Spring semesters of one academic year. Students who complete the program part-time, typically complete the program in two academic years. A thesis proposal is required for application.
• The Summer-focused program can be completed over three summer semesters. A thesis proposal and a local mentor is required for application. 

As a student in one of the Master of Science programs in Epidemiology, you will learn to:  

• demonstrate basic skills in core public health sciences of epidemiology and biostatistics; 

• develop comprehensive knowledge of the role of epidemiology as a basic science for public health and clinical medicine to provide a quantitative approach to addressing public health and clinical problems; 

• interpret descriptive epidemiologic results to develop hypotheses of possible risk factors for diseases; 

• critically evaluate public health and medical literature through knowledge gained of the basic principles and methods of epidemiology, including disease (outcome) measures, measures of association, study design options, bias, confounding, and effect measure modification; 
• develop a foundation for designing valid and efficient protocols to address public health and clinical problems. 

Both of these programs are completed on-campus with the exception of some online coursework and thesis credits.

Academic year option: On Campus (Fall start) • Full-time (1 year) • Part-time (2 years)

Summer-focused option: On Campus (Summer start) • Full-time (2-3 summers)

Curriculum

Competencies

• Critically evaluate and apply principles of epidemiologic methods, including exposure and outcome measures, measures of association, bias and confounding, and study design options.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and apply appropriate biostatistical techniques for data arising from evaluation of public health problems (e.g., including basic probability theory and common distributions, effect measure estimation, continuous and categorical data analysis, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis tests, confidence intervals and p-values, correlation and basic regression techniques, and power/sample size calculations).
• Apply appropriate biostatistical modeling methods using software packages (e.g., Stata, SAS, or R) to perform multivariable data analyses including control of confounding and detection of effect modification.
• Evaluate and synthesize epidemiological studies published in the medical and public health literature.

Our Community

Innovative, collaborative, and committed

In the Department of Epidemiology, you will work alongside engaging faculty and supportive staff, all here to help you meet your educational and research goals. We provide a highly social and supportive environment for all students.

Our Department has a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research in the epidemiology of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic and infectious diseases, as well as novel epidemiologic methodologies. Our faculty offer weekly seminars highlighting their research areas. The department is innovative, collaborative, and continuously celebrates a commitment to ignite positive changes in the world of public health.

Harvard Chan School also offers a wide variety of academic support services, including research support through the Countway Library of Medicine and academic coaching and tutoring.  

Beyond academics, the school is home to more than 40 official student organizations focusing on public health issues, cultural affinities, and extra-curricular interests. These groups and other offices throughout the school plan events on campus and around Boston.

If you wish to connect with one of our dedicated Harvard Epidemiology Academic Team members, please write to HEAT@hsph.harvard.edu. 

Eligibility Criteria

The Master of Science 42.5-credit (SM-42.5) program is targeted towards significantly established research professionals. For most fields, applicants are required to have a doctoral degree/advanced degree and relevant work experience—contact admissions or the department for more detailed information. 

Application Requirements

• Statement of purpose and objectives

• Official test scores
• Three letters of reference
• Resumé/curriculum vitae
• Post-secondary transcripts or mark sheets (World Education Services credential evaluation for applicants with degrees from outside of the United States.)
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test), if applicable
• 1 page proposal
  • Summer focused: thesis proposal and name of applicant’s mentors at home institution
  • Academic year: culminating experience proposal
• Select one of the 13 areas of research

Application Deadline: December 1

Applicants may apply to only one degree program for either full- or part-time status. Applications are reviewed in their entirety and decisions are released via email in late February/early March. Decisions are not released until all application components are received.

Related Links

About

The 80-credit SM-EPI program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants should have a strong background in relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, and related social and computational sciences) and mathematics, and clear research goals and experience. 

On Campus (Fall) • Full-time (2 years)

Curriculum

Competencies

• Critically evaluate and apply principles of epidemiologic methods, including exposure and outcome measures, measures of association, bias and confounding, and study design options.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and apply appropriate biostatistical techniques for data arising from evaluation of public health problems (e.g., including basic probability theory and common distributions, effect measure estimation, continuous and categorical data analysis, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis tests, confidence intervals and p-values, correlation and basic regression techniques, and power/sample size calculations).
• Use principles of causal inference in epidemiology to critically evaluate the causal interpretation of epidemiology data, implement traditional and causal statistical models, and interpret causal effects of parameters from statistical models.
• Design, analyze, and interpret findings of a study in a substantive area of epidemiology, and apply principles of scientific writing in epidemiology and public health research.

Our Community

Innovative, collaborative, and committed

In the Department of Epidemiology, you will work alongside engaging faculty and supportive staff, all here to help you meet your educational and research goals. We provide a highly social and supportive environment for all students.

Our department has a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research in the epidemiology of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic and infectious diseases, as well as novel epidemiologic methodologies. Our faculty offer weekly seminars highlighting their research areas. The department is innovative, collaborative, and continuously celebrates a commitment to ignite positive changes in the world of public health.

Harvard Chan School also offers academic support services, including research support through the Countway Library of Medicine and academic coaching and tutoring.  

Beyond academics, the school is home to more than 40 official student organizations focusing on public health issues, cultural affinities, and extra-curricular interests. These groups and other offices throughout the school plan events on campus and around Boston.

If you wish to connect with one of our dedicated Harvard Epidemiology Academic Team members, please write to HEAT@hsph.harvard.edu.

Career Outcomes

A Master of Science 80-credit degree opens an extraordinary number of pathways to a meaningful career. Graduates of the SM-80 program are trained to pursue research careers in a variety of industries: 

• Biotech/pharma 
• Health care organizations 
• National and international government agencies 
• Non-profit/Non-governmental organization 
• Public and private sector enterprises 
• Research institutions 
• University/research 

Eligibility Criteria

The Master of Science 80-credit (SM-80) degree program requires a prior bachelor’s degree or non-US equivalent.

Application Requirements

• Statement of purpose and objectives
• Official test scores (required)
• Three letters of reference
• Resumé/curriculum vitae
• Post-secondary transcripts or mark sheets (World Education Services credential evaluation for applicants with degrees from outside of the United States.)
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test), if applicable
• Select one of the 13 areas of research

Application Deadline: December 1

Applicants may apply to only one degree program for either full- or part-time status. Applications are reviewed in their entirety and decisions are released via email in late February/early March. Decisions are not released until all application components are received.

Related Links