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Degree Options
Five degree programs are available to Department of Epidemiology students: Master of Science (MS), Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) or MD/PhD (joint Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy).

Our MPH and 45-credit MS degrees are designed for individuals who do not hold a professional degree in the health sciences or a doctoral degree. Individuals with advanced degrees in the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, nursing, etc.) wishing to pursue a master’s degree may be a good fit for our 30-credit MS program. All master’s degrees are terminal in nature, but may serve as foundations for doctoral degrees in epidemiology.

Our PhD program is structured to provide students with advanced training to conduct epidemiological research and to teach or mentor students while advancing the science of epidemiology. Our DrPH program is appropriate for health care professionals desiring a high level of research training.

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University was established in 1983 to offer exceptionally talented individuals interested in becoming biomedical research investigators the opportunity to undertake physician/scientist (MD/PhD) training focused on their research interests. Graduates completing the requirements of this joint program are prepared to begin careers in some of the most exciting areas of today’s medical research.


Graduate degrees offered

The Department of Epidemiology offers two master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees:
  • Master's of Public Health (MPH)
    • A 45-credit program is available
  • Master's of Science (MS)
    • 45-credit and 30-credit programs are available.
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    • Degree completion requires 72 credits of coursework.
  • Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
    • Degree completion requires 72 credits of coursework.
  • Joint MD/PhD


    • Degree Purposes

    Master's of Public Health (MPH)

    The MPH degree is designed to educate the individual on the epidemiological approach to public health. This includes a broad overview to epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental influences on health, public health planning, and health services. Applied experience may also be gained through a directed internship.

    The 45-credit MPH degree is designed, in general, for individuals who do not hold a professional degree in the health sciences or a doctoral degree. Although it is a terminal master’s degree, it may also serve as prerequisite training for the PhD or DrPH degree in epidemiology.

    Master's of Science (MS)

    The MS degree is designed for individuals that seek concentrated training in epidemiological concepts, skills, and methodology. This includes a flexible mix of courses in epidemiology and biostatistics. The 45-credit MS degree is designed, in general, for individuals who do not hold a professional degree in the health sciences or a doctoral degree. Although it is a terminal master’s degree, it may also serve as prerequisite training for the PhD degree in epidemiology.

    The condensed 30-credit MS degree is designed for individuals who hold an advanced degree in the health sciences (e.g. medicine, dentistry, nursing, etc.) or a doctoral degree that is judged to be at least indirectly related to epidemiology (e.g. statistics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.). It is meant to augment prior professional training acquired by the individual. All applications for the condensed 30-credit MS degree in lieu of the full 45-credit MS degree are reviewed by the Epidemiology Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis.

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

    The 72-credit PhD degree is designed to provide the individual with an advanced level of academic preparation that is sufficient to conduct epidemiological research, and to teach, supervise and mentor students in epidemiology. This includes concentrated training in epidemiological concepts, skills and methodology, and the completion of a research-based dissertation.

    Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

    The 72-credit DrPH degree is designed to educate the individual to an advanced level of preparation for leadership in research, training or high-level administration in a public health setting. The DrPH degree is comparable to the PhD degree in quality and innovation, but has added emphasis on the use of epidemiology for making public health decisions, including program evaluations. By way of comparison, the PhD degree provides training to academically advance the science of epidemiology.

    To be admitted to this program, the individual must have a health-related degree such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, etc.


MD/PhD Program

The Ph.D. program offered by the Department of Epidemiology in the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) is designed for persons seeking a career in epidemiologic research and teaching. The field of epidemiology focuses on the health of the population, with researchers providing new insights regarding disease incidence and causes of disease. The Department is the largest in GSPH with more than 70 faculty members, many of whom have joint appointments in other health science schools. Areas of research include aging, cardiovascular/diabetes (chronic disease) and cancer, environmental epidemiology, infectious disease, physical activity, psychiatric epidemiology, injury, genetic epidemiology, reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, telecommunications and public health and women's health. Key features of the program relevant to M.D./Ph.D. students include the following:

  • Low student-to-faculty ratio
  • Large research award budget for Department
  • Opportunity to work on a wide range of research topics, such as large cardiovascular disease and diabetes cohort studies to identify risk factors for clinical and subclinical disease; case control studies of prostate, breast and ovarian cancer; women's health studies focusing on pregnancy, menopause, or osteoporosis; or mental health studies of substance abuse, depression, and suicide

Application process information can be found on the University of Medical School website: http://www.mdphd.pitt.edu/admissions_appprocess.asp


I. Course Requirements

M.D./Ph.D. students entering the Department of Epidemiology receive 16 credits for their M.D. coursework towards the 72 credits required by the doctoral program. M.D./Ph.D. students are required to take some of the GSPH core courses and several of the Department's core courses.

Required courses:

  • Introduction to Statistical Methods 1 (Biost 2041)
  • Principles of Epidemiology (Epidem 2110)
  • Data Management and Analysis (Biost 2093)
  • Introduction to Statistical Methods 2 (Biost 2042)
  • Chronic Disease Epidemiology, the Internet, and NIH Grant Writing (Epidem 2170)
  • Epidemiologic Methods 1 (Epidem 2180)
  • Design of Clinical Trials (Epidem 2181)
  • Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting the Public Health and Medical Literature (Epidem 2183)
  • Seminar in Epidemiologic and Public Health Presentation (Epidem 2184)
  • Epidemiologic Methods 2 (Epidem 2230)
  • Seminar in Epidemiology (Epidem 2250)
  • Epidemiologic Basis of Disease Control (Epidem 2260)
II. Preliminary (Qualifying) Examination

At the end of the first year of full-time graduate study, students will take a written preliminary exam to assess the breadth of their knowledge, their achievement during the first year of graduate study, and the potential to apply research methods independently.

III. Teaching Assistant Experience
After passing the Preliminary Examination, all doctoral students are required to gain teaching experience in one of the Department's epidemiology courses.

IV. Dissertation
Students reach an agreement with their major faculty advisor regarding their research topic. Students must choose a doctoral committee of at least 4 faculty members. The committee must review and approve the proposed research project, conduct the Comprehensive Examination, advise the student through the research process, and conduct the Final Oral Examination.

V. Comprehensive Examination
The exam is given by doctoral committee when all or most formal coursework has been completed and dissertation topic approved. It is designed to assess the student's mastery of the general field of doctoral study, depth and breadth in the area of specialization, and ability to use research methods. It may be written, oral, or both.

VI. Final Oral Examination
This exam may be a defense of the dissertation, an exam in the field of the dissertation, or a combination of both.

VII. Language Requirement
Students must demonstrate facile reading knowledge in a foreign language, computer programming, or database management.

Additional Information

For more information regarding the M.D./Ph.D. program, please query the Help Center.



Refer to the department’s Student Handbook for more information about our degree programs.