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Epidemiology and Biostatistics Academic Programs
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers degree programs as well as opportunities for students pursuing other degrees at the School of Public Health and Health Services to attain a strong foundation in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Master's Programs
- Master of Public Health (MPH) - Epidemiology
The MPH in Epidemiology is a 45-credit degree program granted by the School of Public Health and Health Services. The curriculum prepares students to design and conduct epidemiologic studies, manage health data, and make leadership decisions in public health and clinical epidemiology.
While nurturing students' capacity to think critically and creatively, we also strive to deepen their commitment to public service and to improving the public's health. Department faculty members view these characteristics as essential to future epidemiologists and public health practitioners.
By educating graduate students in methodological and quantitative skills, this MPH degree prepares them to conduct epidemiological research and evaluation in academic, governmental, private sector, and community health care settings.
Current enrollment: 131 students.
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- Master of Public Health (MPH) - Biostatistics
The MPH in Biostatistics is a 45-credit degree program granted by the School of Public Health and Health Services. Its goal is to educate graduate students in the methodological and quantitative skills necessary to apply statistical methods to the biological, biomedical, and health services sciences.
While nurturing students' capacity to think critically and creatively, we also strive to deepen their commitment to public service and to improving the public's health. Department faculty members view these characteristics as essential to future epidemiologists and public health practitioners.
The curriculum includes two required courses from the Department of Statistics at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences; other electives within that Department are available for MPH in Biostatistics graduate students, with advisor approval.
The culminating experience and practicum are conducted through the Biostatistics Center-Medical Center Unit, where students working closely with GW Medical Center researchers. Students have provided biostatistical consultation in the Departments of Dermatology, Orthopedics, Cardiology, and Ophthalmology, among others.
Professional opportunities for MPH in Biostatistics graduates are available in local and state health departments, agencies of the federal government, and private consulting groups.
Current enrollment: Six students.
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- Master of Science (MS) - Epidemiology
The MS in Epidemiology is a joint program of the School of Public Health and Health Services and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (through its Department of Statistics), with the degree granted by the Columbian College. This 33-credit degree is designed specifically for students interested in mastering in-depth research methods and training in the quantitative techniques necessary to conduct epidemiologic studies.
The Department has an active and growing research program that provides mentoring opportunities for students and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty in the School's Department of Prevention and Community Health, Department of Health Policy, and elsewhere. Faculty research interests include cancer, infectious diseases, environmental and occupational health, quantitative methods, clinical epidemiology, psychiatry, chronic diseases, aging, and health disparities in racial and ethnic groups.
This program is appropriate for recent graduates (BS/BA) with a scientific and quantitative background who lack the training and experience to pursue a doctorate in epidemiology. Students emerge prepared for entry-level careers in academic departments, government, or industry, or to pursue a doctoral degree in epidemiology.
Current enrollment: Three students.
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- Master of Science (MS) - Biostatistics
The MS in Biostatistics is a joint program of the School of Public Health and Health Services and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (through its Department of Statistics), with the degree granted by the Columbian College. The curriculum for the 33-credit degree program includes required core courses from both schools. As a quantitatively-oriented program, applicants for admission are expected to have completed two semesters of calculus, one semester of linear algebra, and one semester of linear regression.
Students in this degree program are required to provide biostatistical consultation to researchers in the GW Medical Center through the Biostatistics Center- Medical Center Unit. They are also required to pass a written comprehensive exam in their final semester.
Students with solid biostatistical background can apply for research assistantships at the Biostatistics Center. The Center is GW's single largest research center, with annual research expenditures of approximately $30 million per year. The Center serves as the statistical coordinating center for nationwide, and in some cases international, long-term medical research studies, many of them organized by the National Institutes of Health.
This degree program trains graduate students in applied and theoretical biostatistics, with public health coursework designed to broaden the perspective from which students address biostatistical problems. Professional opportunities for graduates exist in academia and research centers, private consulting firms, and agencies of the federal government.
Current enrollment: Eight students.
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- Master of Science (MS) - Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases
The MS in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases is a joint program of the School of Public Health and Health Services and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (through its Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine). The degree is offered through the SPHHS.
This 45-credit program has been designed to educate a new generation of researchers and public health practitioners in the major laboratory, clinical, and public health aspects of the world's microbial pathogens. As well, it provides in-depth knowledge of the epidemiologic skills relevant to preventing or controlling problems associated with infectious diseases and modern biotechnologies.
Graduates have employment opportunities in academic and industrial research laboratories, international health agencies, NGOs, and private consulting groups. In addition, their technical expertise and population-based perspective is likely to be in demand in federal, state, and local public health agencies, and in state and local public health laboratories. These graduates will help meet critical domestic and international shortages of personnel prepared to address biodefense, emerging infections, and the diseases of developing countries.
Current enrollment: 56 students.
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Doctoral Programs
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Epidemiology
The PhD in Epidemiology is a joint program between the School of Public Health and Health Services and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (through its Department of Statistics). The 72-credit degree is granted by the Columbian College.
The Department has an active and growing research program that provides mentoring opportunities for students and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty in the School's Department of Prevention and Community Health, Department of Health Policy, and elsewhere. Faculty research interests include cancer, infectious diseases, environmental and occupational health, quantitative methods, clinical epidemiology, psychiatry, chronic diseases, aging, and health disparities in racial and ethnic groups.
Pre-doctoral fellowships are available for students with an interest in cancer epidemiology and pediatric AIDS epidemiology. Candidates typically have a master's degree in epidemiology or public health with relevant work experience, although individuals with degrees in related fields, such as demography, statistics, sociology, or psychology, are encouraged to apply. Outstanding applicants with an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution are welcome to apply.
This degree program prepares students to take a leadership role in conducting independent epidemiologic research in academia, government, and industry.
Current enrollment: 21 students.
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- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Biostatistics
The PhD in Biostatistics is a joint program of the School of Public Health and Health Services and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (through its Department of Statistics), with the degree granted by the Columbian College.
The 72-credit degree program includes required core courses from both schools. As a quantitatively-oriented program, applicants for admission are expected to have completed three semesters of calculus, one semester of linear algebra, one semester of linear regression, and one course in statistical programming. This program trains students in conducting and analyzing results from studies in biomedical sciences.
Enrolled graduate students receive intensive training in applied and theoretical biostatistics, statistical inference, probability theory, and statistical genetics. Public health coursework is designed to broaden the perspective from which students address biostatistical problems. Students are required to pass a written comprehensive exam within two years of their admission into the program. Professional opportunities for graduates exist in academia and research centers, private consulting firms, and agencies of the federal government.
Research opportunities and dissertation mentorship form students with solid biostatistical backgrounds are available at The Biostatistics Center. The Center is GW's single largest research center, with annual research expenditures of approximately $30 million per year. The Center serves as the statistical coordinating center for nationwide, and in some cases international, long-term medical research studies, many of them organized by the National Institutes of Health.
Current enrollment: 16 students.
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- Fellowship Opportunity - Pediatric HIV/AIDS Epidemiology
As part of the newly established Partnership for Pediatric AIDS and Public Health, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) have developed a Doctoral Fellowship Program in Pediatric HIV/AIDS Epidemiology. Its goal is to accelerate scientific progress in the field and to help train the next generation of outstanding investigators.
The first fellow will be jointly selected by the Department and EGPAF in 2008. The fellowship will include employment through the GW-EGPAF partnership, with associated tuition support for four years. GW will provide the formal educational structure for the doctoral fellow, including required coursework and doctoral comprehensive exams. The doctoral fellow will work with GW and EGPAF scientists to develop a dissertation in the field of pediatric HIV/AIDS epidemiology.
Interested doctoral students should contact Dr. Sean Cleary, Director of the PhD Epidemiology Program, at sphsdc@gwumc.edu.
- Fellowship Opportunity - Cancer Epidemiology
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) at the National Cancer Institute share an interest in advancing cancer epidemiology and training the next generation of outstanding investigators in the field. Towards those goals, one fellowship will be funded each year for an incoming doctoral student jointly selected by GW and DCEG.
The fellowship will provide a total of $10,000 annually, for no more than two years per fellow, to cover tuition, health benefits, and a stipend. GW will provide the formal educational structure for all fellows. Following successful completion of required coursework and doctoral comprehensive exams, the fellowship responsibility will be assumed by a mentor based in DCEG, where the fellow will complete dissertation research, with support through a pre-doctoral Cancer Research Training Award. All students in the Fellowship Program in Cancer Epidemiology, regardless of the site at which they conduct their dissertation research, will meet all GW degree and program requirements.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Sean Cleary, Director of the PhD Epidemiology Program, at sphsdc@gwumc.edu.
Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology
The 18-credit graduate certificate in epidemiology is based on the curriculum of the MPH degree in epidemiology and is intended to supplement epidemiological training for mid-level professionals. The program varies, depending on the professional interests of enrolled students.
Current enrollment: 14 students.
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- Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics
The 18-credit graduate certificate in biostatistics is based on the curriculum of the MPH degree in biostatistics and is intended to supplement biostatistical training for mid-level professionals. The program varies, depending on the professional interests of enrolled students.
Current enrollment: One student.
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- Graduate Certificate in HIV/AIDS Studies
The 18-credit graduate certificate in HIV/AIDS Studies, among the first of its kind in the United States, is an academic program designed for public health graduate students and professionals interested in broadening their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The curriculum includes complementary courses in HIV/AIDS biology; policy; epidemiology; prevention, care. and treatment; surveillance; and organizational responses to the epidemic.
This certificate will enable students to work more effectively in HIV/AIDS public health, community-based, and service organizations, and in HIV/AIDS research. The coursework is offered through the School of Public Health and Health Services, in collaboration with the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. It is the centerpiece of the educational component of the GW HIV/AIDS Institute.
Current enrollment: Nine students.
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Joint and Special Programs
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