Department of Epidemiology

Prospective Students

Commencement_396Student Breakfast_04Epi Lunch_12

Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Epidemiology, where Research, Methodology and Education are key to accomplishing our mission.  With multiple degree options and twelve areas of interest to choose from, epidemiology students have the flexibility conducive to focused research, with the support of Harvard University’s well-established faculty and research opportunities.

Interested applicants can contact the HSPH Office of Admissions for general application information (applications are electronic).  Applicants wishing to learn more about the Epidemiology department can contact the Associate Director of Graduate Studies by phone, email or in-person.

Prospective applicants to the Department of Epidemiology who are interested in statistical genetics are strongly encouraged to apply both to the Department of Epidemiology, and to the Department of Biostatistics.  Some admissions criteria, such as quality of fit with each department or quality of fit with specific mentors in each department, may vary across departments.  In addition, the availability of funding may also vary across departments.

The Department of Epidemiology offers the following degrees:

  • Master of Science 42.5 credit | Summer
  • Master of Science 42.5 credit (No Thesis Required) | Fall/Spring Only
  • Master of Science 80 credit | Two year Option
  • Doctor of Science / Doctor of Public Health

Master of Science 42.5 credit | Summer Only

The Summer option/42.5 CR is designed for applicants with a medical degree or master’s-level background in relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, and related social and computational sciences) and can be completed over 3 summer semesters. Thesis proposal and local mentor is required for application.  A Thesis is required for this degree.  The program begins with either:

Summer Program in Clinical Effectiveness (Requirements)

or the

Session for Public Health Studies (Requirements)

Master of Science 42.5 credit (No Thesis Required) | Fall/Spring Only

The 42.5 credit SM is typically completed over Fall and Spring semesters of one academic year and is designed for applicants with a medical degree or master’s-level background in relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, and related social and computational sciences). Some students begin the program by also completing one of the Summer programs in Clinical Effectiveness or Public Health Studies. (Requirements)

Master of Science 80 credit | Two year Option

This degree is typically completed over 2 academic years. The 80-credit SM 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, excellent quantitative GRE scores and clear research goals.  A Thesis is required for this degree. (Requirements)

Doctor of Science / Doctor of Public Health

This program can be completed Part Time or Full time (subject to eligibility).  Applicants should have a strong background in relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, and related social and computational sciences) and mathematics.  Doctor of Science applicants must have earned at least an undergraduate degree. Doctor of Public Health applicants must have, or be in progress toward, an MPH degree, in addition, candidates must hold an advanced degree in a basic public health discipline similar to the requirements for the Master of Public Health program listed here.   Students complete one major and two minors (Major-Epidemiology, Biostatistics minor and choice of second minor). The first two years are devoted to class-work and students are required to pass a written exam, an oral exam and present a successful defense of dissertation. (Requirements)

Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Science (SD)

The MD/SD dual degree program (with the SD in Epidemiology) is offered as an option in the Basic Sciences Track of the MD-PhD Program at Harvard Medical School. Applications for the program should be submitted to the Harvard Medical School MD-PhD Program, through the AMCAS service. If accepted into the MD/PhD Basic Sciences Track, students complete the first two years of medical school, normally applying to graduate programs (such as the SD in Epidemiology) during Year 2 of medical school. A student pursuing the MD/SD would join the Epidemiology Department at the Harvard School of Public Health following an initial 2 years of pre-clinical work at HMS. The first two years of study at HSPH are devoted to class-work. Following this, students are required to pass a written exam, and oral exam and present a successful defense of dissertation. A link to the list of course requirements can be found under the Doctor of Science/Doctor of Public Health description above. Following completion of the SD, the student returns to HMS to complete the last two years of medical school.