Online PhD in Epidemiology

An online PhD in epidemiology entails answering and asking questions about the world's epidemics and what it takes to identify and control diseases and illnesses.

An epidemiology PhD would likely be part of a public health doctoral program. The focus is studying the nature of diseases in order to find ways to control them. Admissions are competitive and it is important to apply early. Students will want to check with their counselors to see what the competitive scores are for the GRE or GMAT. International students are also encouraged to apply. Essays, resumes, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts will be required from every applicant for this competitive admissions process. They will also need a 3.0 or higher graduating grade point average from their prior schools. Decisions on applicants cannot be made until all materials are furnished by the student, either by self or by corresponding offices.

PhD in Public Health Programs

Walden University

• Ph.D. in Health Services - Community Health Promotion and Education
• Ph.D. in Health Services - Health Management and Policy
• Ph.D. in Public Health - Community Health Promotion and Education
• Ph.D. in Public Health - Epidemiology

Capella University

• Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology

Health Studies Doctoral Programs

University of Phoenix

• Doctor of Health Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Capella University

• PhD Degree in Nursing Education

University of the Rockies

• Doctor of Psychology, Health and Wellness Psychology

Northcentral University

• Doctor of Business Administration - Health Care Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration - Health Care Administration

Epidemiology Education and Training

This public health degree program is designed to train biochemists, researchers, and more to be able to work with biostatistics and data collection to help provide cures, theories, and suggestive interventions to the diseases of the world. These doctors will work around the world, in hospitals, for government affiliates, and much, much more.

Public health knowledge, biology, and descriptive study of epidemics are some of the core requirements that this doctorate program require. This includes knowing how to screen for diseases, history of these diseases and new ones, and understand the contexts that the diseases occur in. As the core courses work to advance students' current education, they will also be able to work with mentors in the field, depending on the school.

Epidemiology courses may include: Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Psychiatric Epidemiology, STI Prevention, Health Policy, Infectious Disease, Molecular Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Diseases, Biostatistics, Global Health, and Environmental Health. Courses in needs assessment and evaluation may also be part of the program. In addition, a series of research methods courses would be required, including qualitative and quantitative methods courses. This are important given that most PhD in epidemiology programs require participation in research and the writing of a dissertation.

Students in the PhD in Epidemiology will also need to focus on the area that they will be working in. This can include diseases that affect only children or only geriatrics. Along with these, epidemiologists can work with environmental causes, social influences, and much more.

Epidemiology Careers

Careers following the graduation of the PhD in epidemiology program include environmental work, children's hospitals, research, health promotion, and health education among others. As an epidemiologist, students can expect diligent work in the field. Along with this, employers will expect that the epidemiologist that is hired will be knowledgeable in the field that they have chosen. Many employers also look for experience rather than just out of school graduates.

With the many diseases in this world, the projected economic outlook for epidemiologists continues to steadily grow. Viruses and bacterium will continue to outweigh many of the immunizations that are being created. Epidemiologists and biostatisticians are working around the clock analyzing data to create the cures and treatments for these diseases and for future ones that may come around.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

Currently, the average, or mean, income for an epidemiologist is about $57,000. The amount of salary depends on the depth of the job. Ranging between $49,870 and $75,30 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Epidemiologists are one of the most detailed employees in the public health work force. Epidemiologists and biostatisticians work together in public health, and many times they are the same person. Epidemiologists working in the pharmaceutical earn an around $92,920 annually.

The field will continue to grow, and a PhD in Epidemiology will help doctors to become more familiar with all social, natural, and other concepts that make epidemics grow. The depiction of each individual illness can be uncovered with the care and diligent care by these graduate students, taking the time to save lives, one life at a time. The BLS reports that the employment of epidemiologists is project to o grow by 15% between 2008 and 2018.