The epidemiology track provides students with the skills necessary to analyze public health trends, design and implement studies, and interpret the results for policy and program development. They also learn to investigate disease origins, and prevention and intervention strategies at the individual and societal levels. The program prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in clinical and population-based health research in government, health care institutions, and private industry.

In addition to the MPH-required coursework in health policy and management, socio-behavioral health, and occupational and environmental health, students take epidemiology track-specific coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical outcomes research. Students are required to take two elective classes in specialized areas of epidemiology. Electives are available in infectious disease, chronic disease, molecular, genetic, and environmental and occupational epidemiology.

• Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, and place.

• Calculate basic epidemiological measures.

• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological studies.

• Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.

• Critically synthesize the public health research and practice literature for a selected health topic.

• Conduct an epidemiological and biostatistical data analysis.

• Distinguish between a statistical association and a causal relationship using appropriate principle of casual inference.

• Identify appropriate methods of study design, analysis, and data synthesis to address population-based health problems

• Identify circumstances under which non-randomized (observational) designs are the best approach to addressing important health-related knowledge gaps.

• Recognize the assumptions and limitations of common statistical methods and choose appropriate approaches for analysis.

• Use tabular and graphical methods to explain model results.

The Master of Science in Epidemiology provides students with a fundamental grounding in both the theory and practice of epidemiology, and emphasizes the development and application of quantitative research skills to real-world research in public health with the acquisition of skills in hypothesis formation; data collection and management; statistical computing and interpretation and presentation of results. Graduates of the program assume research positions in academic settings, government, hospitals, or private industries. They are also well-positioned for doctoral education in epidemiology and related fields.

To complete the Master of Science in Epidemiology degree, students are required to obtain a minimum of 34 credits and complete a Thesis or First-Author Manuscript.

For complete program description and application materials please visit the website at: https://icahn.mssm.edu/education/masters/epidemiology

International Student Degree Completion Policy

International students enrolled in the MS in Epidemiology students will have a maximum of three terms from their initial enrollment term to complete their degree requirements. The International Programs Office (IPO) will be kept informed of the degree completion dates for all international students.

The Program Office, in collaboration with IPO, will conduct regular check-in meetings with international students each term. These meetings will serve as an opportunity to remind students of their degree requirements, address any questions or concerns they may have, and provide support as needed. The Program Office will inform concentration advisors about the requirements and timeline for international students, ensuring that they are aware of any specific considerations regarding degree completion.

Maintaining Full-Time Status:

International students who hold an F1 student visa must maintain full-time status in each term. Graduate students who carry 9 or more credits each semester or trimester are considered full-time students. Those students who register for less than 9 credits may, in certain situations, be granted "full-time equivalency" if engaged in full-time educational activities. Typically, full-time equivalency is granted if one of the following applies:

• Taking 7-8 credits of coursework and working as a teaching or research assistant for the program.

• Completing or have fulfilled all coursework requirements and are working full time on thesis research or dissertation research.

Students who are granted full-time equivalency will be designated as "full-time" by the Registrar. International graduate students who enroll in less than 9 credits and who are not eligible for full-time equivalency may jeopardize their visa status and should consult with the Office of International Personnel.

Thesis (MS in Epidemiology Students):

Students are strongly encouraged to begin discussing plans for the Thesis with the Program Director. Note: While the Thesis can be completed over several terms, students are required to register for the Thesis as soon as they identify a project.

The program has a structured curriculum that can be completed in 12 months full time. To fulfill the requirements for the MS degree, students are expected to complete 34 credits with a minimum grade point average of B (3.0).

The MS in Epidemiology degree must be completed within 3 years of the student's first matriculation date, including the completion of the Thesis or Manuscript.

These time limits include any time for personal or medical leave of absence.

In the Graduate Program in Public Health, benchmarks of satisfactory progress must be completed as outlined in the specific program requirements. Students who are approaching the time limit for completion will be reviewed with enough notice so that a plan is in place to enable the student to complete the requirements by the end of the time limit.

If a student does not complete their degree within the Time to Complete Degree, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Academic Program Office to discuss their plan to complete their degree. As students approach their maximum Time to Complete Degree they will be reminded of the Length of Time to Complete Degree policy. The student will be placed on a registration hold, and required to meet with the Academic Program Office to ensure that the degree is completed by the end of their maximum Time to Complete Degree. Students who do not complete their degree within the required time frame are administratively withdrawn from the program.

Under extenuating circumstances an extension of the Maximum Time to Complete Degree may be granted by the Academic Program Office and Program Director. If a student’s appeal for an extension is denied, the student may not reapply to the program.

This section covers the following program requirements:

• Requirements to Graduate

• Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress

This chapter covers the Master of Science in Epidemiology Program. Students can find the following information in this section.

• Program Information

• Program Competencies

• Program Requirements

  • Requirements to Graduate

  • Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress

• Curriculum

• Advising

• Thesis or First Author Manuscript

Public Health Research Day, held annually by the Graduate Program in Public Health, is a required event for all Master-level students. All graduating students are required to present posters during the Public Health Research Day. The Public Health Research Day Committee will select the top-ranked abstracts for oral presentations, and each will receive a Blue Ribbon Award with an honorarium. All other students are required to attend the day’s events. In addition to the annual poster session, the event includes a keynote lecture, oral presentations, and a networking reception. This is an excellent opportunity for networking among students, faculty, alumni, and community stakeholders, and to gain experience in presenting your work to an audience with diverse professional interests.

All graduating students are encouraged to prepare in advance for Public Health Research Day. The abstract for Public Health Research Day will be due in early April, and the poster will be due in early May.

All MS in Epidemiology students are required to complete a Thesis or First-Author Manuscript. The goal of the Thesis/Manuscript is for students to synthesize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired to a public health epidemiological problem. The topic of the project will depend on the student’s area of interest.

The Thesis aims to advance or create new knowledge to an existing body of research. The student develops a research question and a hypothesis based on previous research on the topic. The student gathers data (either through primary or secondary data collection) and analyzes the data, usually with statistical analysis software, such as SAS or SPSS. The findings are then discussed as to whether or not they support the hypothesis. The study should be designed so that the results of the analysis are generalizable to a larger population, rather than the sample used in the student’s data analysis.

The First Author Manuscript is a similar research pursuit, and must be written in publishable format for a selected scholarly journal appropriate for their topic. The format of the paper is based on the formatting guidelines for submission as outlined by the selected journal.

Please read the Thesis/First Author Manuscript Guide on Blackboard for all details and instructions.

The Thesis/Manuscript must be completed under the direction of an ISMMS Faculty Advisor. If a student is working closely with an offsite mentor, this mentor may serve as a co-advisor/second reader alongside an ISMMS Faculty Advisor.

Once an ISMMS Faculty Advisor has been determined, the student must submit the Statement of Support with an approved outline of the project to Academic Program Office.

This Statement of Support must be submitted prior to initiating any research or project to ensure relevancy to epidemiology.

The Thesis/Manuscript requires:

• One written Thesis/Manuscript formatted according to guidelines outlined in the Guide

• Two Oral Presentations

  • Public Health Research Day Poster Session in the Spring II term before graduation

  • 10-minute Oral Presentation to summarizing their project to the ISMMS Faculty Advisor and Second Reader

• Forms documenting the experience

  • Statement of Support – submitted before beginning work

  • Evaluation – submitted after the Oral Presentation

  • Deposit Form - submitted after the Oral Presentation

  • Other documentation as detailed in the Guide

Students should meet regularly with the Co-Director of the MS in Epidemiology Program regarding academic advising, career planning, and professional pursuits.

Dania Valvi, MD, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Email: dania.valvi@mssm.edu Tel: 212-824-7062 Mailing Address: One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1043, New York, NY 10029 Location: CAM Building, 17 E. 102 St., West Tower, 2nd floor - room D2-134

Master of Science in Epidemiology students maintain satisfactory progress by:

• Making progress toward core and track courses - successfully completing required core courses within 2 attempts of taking the courses. Grades that are not considered a successful completion include: incomplete, missing grades, withdraws, and failing grades (F or below minimum).

• Successfully completing at least 50% of course credits attempted each semester.

• Resolving incomplete grades within the guidelines established by ISMMS.

• Attaining an overall grade point average of 3.0 is needed at the time of graduation to be eligible to earn the degree. Students who earn a GPA below 3.0 should raise their GPA within 3 consecutive terms to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

• Making progress toward degree requirements as outlined in the Culminating Experience Guide.

• Demonstrating the ability to grow in professional skills.

• Completing the degree program within the maximum time to earn degree prescribed for the degree, as outlined in the Graduate Program in Public Health Student Handbook

Students who do not meet the criteria for Good Standing may be placed on probation by the Program Director, Dean of the Graduate School, or their appointed representatives: including the Academic Advisory Committee and the Academic Program Office. Once a student is placed on academic probation, academic progress must be made within two terms. Dismissal is the likely consequence if performance continues to be unsatisfactory. Students on probation are considered enrolled.

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Students who fall below a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Anytime a student’s GPA falls below 3.0, the Academic Program Office and the Academic Advisory Committee will be consulted and a plan for remediation developed. The student will meet with a member of the Academic Advisory Committee, develop an individual plan of remediation, and sign a statement of understanding that they are on academic probation.

The Academic Advisory Committee meets at the end of each term and reviews the progress of each student on probation. If the GPA has not improved in the subsequent term, the student will continue to meet the Academic Advisory Committee member revising the remediation plan, as needed. If the student’s GPA has not reached 3.0 within two terms having been placed on probation, the student may be dismissed from the program.

In order to earn the MS in Epidemiology degree by your intended degree conferral date, the documentation required for the Thesis/Manuscript and all other outstanding degree requirements must be submitted by the following deadlines.

Please refer to the Thesis/Manuscript Guide for detailed information, including step-by-step procedures, registration requirements and other requirements. The Thesis Guide can be accessed on Blackboard > MS in Epidemiology Organization.

Required MS Core Courses (25 credits)

Approved Elective Courses (minimum of 9 credits)