What Can You Do with an Epidemiology Degree?
If you are interested in developing big-picture solutions to public health crises, a degree in epidemiology may be the perfect fit for you. Epidemiologists monitor and analyze data trends in health and disease. You’ll study the factors that contribute to the spread of diseases and work to find data-based strategies to prevent or limit their transmission.
Public health problems or events that epidemiologists investigate include*:
Environmental exposures
Infectious diseases
Common injuries
Non-infectious diseases
Natural disaster
Terrorism
Master’s in Epidemiology Degree Careers
Epidemiology is a broad field that encompasses a number of dynamic career paths. Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a concentration in epidemiology prepares students to address public health crises using a variety of strategies, including clinical research, education outreach, and advocacy. While each career in the field has a different focal point, they all share the goal of safeguarding the public against disease.
MPH in Epidemiology Benefits
Earning an MPH in epidemiology prepares you to do the important and rewarding work of improving and maintaining the health and well-being of communities. An MPH enables you to pursue a broad range of career opportunities, giving you considerable flexibility when forging your career path. The degree can also offer financial benefits: Several careers open to MPH graduates are well compensated.
What Is the Typical MPH in Epidemiology Salary?
Epidemiologists had a median annual salary of $78,830 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Specific careers under the epidemiology umbrella include:
Academic research epidemiologist
$99,300*
Infection control epidemiologist
$107,300**
Clinical trial research epidemiologist
$70,000*
Field epidemiologist
$95,000**
Epidemiology investigator
$109,000**
Chronic disease epidemiologist
$94,000**
View more career information on our Careers page.
*Approximate median annual salary as of December 2022, according to Payscale. **Approximate median annual salary as of December 2022, according to Glassdoor.
Epidemiology Degree Job Outlook
With the continuing risk of new and recurring infectious diseases spreading across the country and other public health threats, the job outlook for epidemiologists is strong. The BLS projects 26% job growth for epidemiologists between 2021 and 2031. This is substantially higher than the 5% growth the BLS forecasts for the job market in the same period.
Why Choose Regis for Your Master of Public Health in Epidemiology?
At Regis College, our MPH degree with a concentration in epidemiology offers a solid foundation in the science of health and disease. You’ll study infectious diseases, environmental exposures, and post-disaster crises, developing the knowledge and skills you’ll need to minimize the damage these crises can inflict. You’ll also learn how to collaborate with public health officials and clinical practitioners to develop health education events that keep the public informed and slow the spread of health misinformation. Our 100% online program offers you the flexibility to accelerate your career while balancing your responsibilities at work and at home.
Epidemiology Degree Curriculum
- Observational and Interventional Study Design
- Data Management and Analysis
- Advanced Analysis of Epidemiologic Studies
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Advanced Epidemiologic Methods
By specializing your online MPH in epidemiology, you can acquire the skills and knowledge to identify and respond to emerging public health issues. You can also learn to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to conduct research and analysis that results in structured, data-based solutions to community health events.