3 epidemiology degrees getting to the root of global health challenges

Epidemiology remains at the forefront of tackling today’s most pressing health challenges. Beyond responding to pandemics like COVID-19, epidemiologists are addressing resurgent and emerging outbreaks, including cholera in Africa and the Middle East, dengue fever in Southeast Asia and Latin America, and Mpox, which persists globally. These crises highlight the need for a strong, adaptable public health workforce grounded in epidemiological expertise.

Graduates in this field are critical in identifying health risks, controlling outbreaks, and shaping policies that save lives. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiologists worked tirelessly to trace the spread of the virus, helping countries implement effective measures. Beyond outbreaks, epidemiologists tackle chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease by studying patterns and crafting prevention strategies. The success of initiatives like the “Million Hearts” campaign in the US, which aims to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes, is partly due to the data-driven insights of epidemiologists.

If this is the impact you want to create, here are three universities with epidemiology  programmes that you should consider:

Source: Indiana University

Indiana University

In this interconnected world, our health is more than just individual choices determined by doctors; our actions and environment all interact on a larger scale, playing an important part in keeping us healthy and safe. Professionals are needed to understand these interactions to improve the health of populations around the globe and build the competencies to spark meaningful change.

Some exceptional universities offer the public health education needed to advance one’s knowledge in this area. Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington is one of them. Its impact goes back to the 19th century, being one of the first institutions to offer health-related coursework and classes.

Today, it’s one of the largest schools for public health in the US and accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The school offers top-ranked programmes in a wide range of health-related fields, using a comprehensive and holistic approach to advancing human health and teaching with an emphasis on robust, reproducible, and transparent research. Regardless, if your interest is in research or interventions to improve public health, there is a programme for you here.

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is the top choice for those seeking professional competency in this in-demand field. The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology combines rigorous coursework and field experience to examine disease patterns, as well as disease prevention and wellness. You’ll also have opportunities to work on cutting-edge public health research projects alongside expert faculty members.

Core modules include biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, public health administration, and social and behavioural science. These complement a selection of advanced courses in epidemiological methods and the dynamics of chronic, infectious and social diseases. In your final semester, an applied learning experience awaits, giving you a glimpse of day-to-day processes in this exciting field and a chance to build your resume.

It’s a curriculum that’s prepared many for leadership roles in public health, academia, or the private sector. You’re set to be next. Should you require additional guidance with your career, the Office of Career Services is always ready to help with navigating the professional landscape.

Visit the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington today. 

A degree at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health prepares students for a lifelong career in healthcare. Source: University of Arizona

University of Arizona

The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona is the first and only nationally accredited college of public health in the state. An education here will serve as a springboard to your career – public health graduates here are in high demand from state and federal agencies looking for experts with CEPH-accredited programmes. CEPH stands for the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognised by the US Department of Education to accredit schools of public health, and public health programmes outside schools of public health.

“We live in a world with many emerging health challenges, from the impacts of climate change and human migration to the damage caused by widespread misinformation,” says Dean Iman Hakim. “Our graduates are prepared to find solutions that will help people and communities towards a better life.” 

The college is home to an interdisciplinary, professional Master of Public Health (MPH). Its Epidemiology offering stands out in particular for its primary focus on health problems in communities, groups, or aggregates of people. You’ll measure and study the distributions, characteristics, causes, and prevention of disease, disability, and premature death in humans.

The hands-on opportunities are abundant. You’ll acquire proficiency through coursework and gain experience applying advanced knowledge to solve real-life health problems. The programme includes systematic training in epidemiological principles, methods, and practices through constructive coursework and an internship. You’ll learn to work with communities, gather data for decisions, and deploy technology and communications that create new paths forward. These experiences are designed to prepare future public health professionals for community-engaged, evidence-based, and socially responsible medical practice.

The University of Iowa’s College of Public Health, Iowa’s only fully accredited school, is ranked among the nation’s best by US News & World Report. Source: University of Iowa/Facebook

University of Iowa

Choosing the right university for your graduate degree in public health can shape your entire career. For many, the right option is the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health. It stands out as one of the nation’s top schools, as ranked by US News & World Report, and the only fully accredited public health school in Iowa, as recognised by CEPH.

Its Master of Public Health (MPH) programme is built on five core disciplines: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy, and community and behavioural health. For students interested in Epidemiology, the programme delivers an in-depth understanding of public health data, surveillance methods, and ethical study design. Graduates leave equipped to analyse community health issues, use modern tools to build data collection systems, and critically evaluate scientific research.

Most full-time students complete the programme in two years, but the timeline can vary based on your chosen track and elective courses. Alongside the required 200-hour practicum, students can explore internships and fellowships offered at the local, state, and national levels. Iowa City itself offers plenty of volunteer and part-time opportunities to deepen your public health experience.

What truly sets the University of Iowa apart is its emphasis on research. This isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about becoming part of the team that creates new public health knowledge. Faculty members bring millions of dollars in research funding annually, tackling pressing public health challenges. As an MPH student, you’ll have the chance to work alongside these accomplished researchers, contributing to projects that make a difference both inside and outside the classroom.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International