2024-2025 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog
Department of Epidemiology
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Return to: School of Public Health
Epidemiology is the application of the scientific method to the study of disease in populations for the purpose of prevention or control. It is a key basic science of public health and preventive medicine. Epidemiologists play a fundamental role in public health and preventive medicine by identifying variabilities in human situations that may have a critical influence on the occurrence of disease within populations.
The epidemiological method for studying a problem involves three approaches:
- Description of the frequency and determinants of a disease in a defined population;
- Evaluation of factors that may cause a disease; and
- Experimental studies of the effects of modifying risk factors on the subsequent frequency of a disease.
Contact Information
Department Chair
Tamara Dubowitz, ScD, MS, MSc
For information on admission and registration, please contact the Epidemiology Director of Student Services, Amy Rhodes (rhodesa@edc.pitt.edu).
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Vice Chair for Education
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Samar El Khoudary, PhD, MPH, FAHA
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sae25@pitt.edu
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Director, Doctoral Program
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Tina Costacou, PhD
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costacout@edc.pitt.edu
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Director, Master’s Programs
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Nancy W. Glynn, PhD
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epidnwg@pitt.edu
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Director, MD/PhD Program
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Iva Miljkovic, MD, PhD, FAHA
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ivm1@pitt.edu
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Admissions
Applying for Admission to Pitt Public Health
The department accepts students from a variety of undergraduate disciplines for our MPH and MS degrees. Our PhD program typically accepts superior students with health-related professional degree backgrounds and prior graduate degrees. A joint MD/PhD program is also available for exceptionally qualified candidates. Major areas of emphasis within the department are aging, psychiatric, social epidemiology, cancer, injury prevention, applied public health cardiovascular and diabetes, clinical trials and methods, infectious disease, molecular and genetic epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, global health, prevention lifestyle and physical activity, neuroepidemiology, nutritional epidemiology, reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology, and women’s health.
Financial Assistance
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) Appointment Information for doctoral program applicants and students only: Epidemiology Graduate Student Researcher Assistantship
Financial Assistance: Tuition & Financial Aid
Minority Student Support Information: https://www.sph.pitt.edu/research-practice/research-centers-and-institutes/center-health-equity
Research
In fiscal year 2023-2024, the faculty within the Department of Epidemiology received approximately $46 million in research funds. These projects, mostly federally funded, included activity in the major areas of focus within the department. For additional information, review details about our research practices and areas of research emphasis .
The student’s course of study includes School of Public Health core courses, department core courses, electives drawn from our frequently used courses, and other appropriate selections throughout the University. The sequencing of courses is developed in conjunction with the academic advisor, taking into account background, area of focus, degree program, and Pitt Public Health requirements.
The minimum credit requirement is 30 for the MS program for health professionals and 72 for the PhD. A 45-credit MPH or MS is available for students who are not health professionals. MPH students will be involved in a hands-on internship. Master’s students must complete a (MS) thesis or essay (MPH) and doctoral students (PhD) must complete a dissertation and one-semester Teaching Practicum experience.
ProgramsDoctoralMaster’s
CoursesEpidemiology
Return to: School of Public Health
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