EPIDEMIOLOGY

IMPROVING OUR EVERYDAY

sph.emory.edu/epi

ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Globally, there is a critical need for epidemiologists now and in the future. Our priority is educating and preparing students to meet this need. We strive to advance knowledge on the causes, prevention, and control of disease to improve public health and reduce health inequities through research, education, and influencing policy.

The EPI Department has distinguished faculty committed to excellence in teaching and research. Our department benefits from the expertise of approximately 45 primarily appointed faculty, more than 60 jointly appointed faculty, and more than 40 adjunct faculty. From day one, students receive one-on-one advisement from faculty and department staff eager to guide them on their public health journey at Rollins. 

Photo of Dr. Yang Liu
There is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to protect and advance public health. Epidemiology—as a critical science of public health—contributes the research findings and descriptive data necessary to drive the public health mission forward. The Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health is committed to this mission. Our students, scientists, and staff engage in research and public health practice programs spanning the breadth of critical public health problems.
Timothy L. Lash, DSc, MPH—Rollins Professor and Epidemiology Chair

WHY STUDY EPIDEMIOLOGY AT ROLLINS?

  • Engage in research and practice opportunities around the world.
  • Partner with globally recognized public health organizations and centers based in Atlanta and beyond.
  • Learn with a diverse group of faculty and peers committed to health and health equity.
  • Build a deep and broad foundation in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods and have opportunities to apply these methods to a particular area of epidemiology.
  • Supplement your degree with a specialized certificate.
  • Gain skills necessary to be an influential public health professional.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students must have completed at least one semester of college-level math and science. MSPH programs require at least one semester of college-level calculus. Applicants to global epidemiology programs should have some experience working internationally or with underserved populations.

Epi students enjoying popsicles at a department meet and greet
I have been able to collaborate with an amazing professor from the Epidemiology and Global Epidemiology department. I was able to reach out and connect to this faculty member and asked him to be my thesis mentor. He has given me tasks such as IRB proposals, survey assessment, survey creation and distribution. My thesis involves data collection and funding, so this entire process is a real-world example of the kind of work that goes into data collection, analyzing, and interpretation of EPI surveillance project.
Andrea Torres, MPH ’23, Epidemiology

DEGREES

  • MPH in Epidemiology 
  • MPH in Global Epidemiology
  • MSPH in Epidemiology 
  • MSPH in Global Epidemiology
  • PhD in Epidemiology

EXCEPTIONAL PRACTICUM EXPERIENCES & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Studying epidemiology in Atlanta, the “public health capital of the world,” provides unique opportunities for students to apply learning to a variety of professional settings as part of their Rollins experience. Opportunities are both global and local and include:

  • American Cancer Society
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 
  • Deloitte
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • The Carter Center
  • The Task Force for Global Health

Within the department, we are focused on training the next generation of influential public health professionals. We incorporate professionalism and soft skills into the curriculum to prepare our students for successful and influential public health careers.

RESEARCH THAT MATTERS

Our research portfolio covers areas from infectious diseases to chronic diseases, from molecular epidemiology to social determinants of health, and from foundational early research to implementation science. Students have the opportunity to engage in research projects in such areas as: 

  • Depression and cardiovascular outcomes
  • Disparities in breast cancer mortality 
  • Environmental exposures
  • Infectious disease modeling 
  • Nutrition and physical activity 
  • Social epidemiology 

Collaboration is essential for public health and is an integral component of our department. Students often collaborate with faculty, epidemiologists, and scientists within our affiliated research centers, including: 

  • Center for Public Health Preparedness and Research 
  • Center for Spina Bifida Research, Prevention and Policy 
  • Emory Center for AIDS Research 
  • Emory/Georgia Tuberculosis Research Advancement Center (Emory/Georgia-TRAC)
  • Emory Program in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research and Epidemiology
  • Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics 
  • Multidisciplinary Research Training to Reduce Inequalities in Cardiovascular Health (METRIC T32)
  • PRISM (Programs, Research & Innovation in Sexual Minority Health)

APPLY

sph.emory.edu/apply

FUNDING

Rollins offers scholarships, financial aid awards, global field experience awards, and work-study opportunities that allow graduate students to support their academic interests while gaining on-the-job experience. More than half of our students take advantage of paid work opportunities in the field through our groundbreaking Rollins Earn and Learn Program.

sph.emory.edu/tuition

CONTACT US

sphepidept@emory.edu

FOLLOW US

Instagram: RollinsEPILife
X: @EmoryEPI

BLOG

https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/epi/weareemoryepi

Your Public Health Journey Begins Here

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