Program Overview
Introduction to the MS in Chronic Disease Epidemiology
The MS in Chronic Disease Epidemiology is a one-year program that provides intensive training in epidemiology and research methods for medical and health care professionals, or others seeking the skills necessary to conduct epidemiological research in their professional practice. Many students have been successful in obtaining admission to medical school upon completion of this degree.
Admission Criteria
Applicants should have a basic understanding of quantitative science and statistics. It is recommended that candidates have strong science backgrounds and demonstrated competency in statistical analysis and logical thinking. Applicants from rigorous programs in the biological or social sciences will be given preference. At a minimum, applicants should have one year of coursework in statistics or the equivalent prior to enrolling in this program.
This program does not require the General GRE test scores or MCAT scores. Students whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination unless they qualify for a waiver. The policy that allows you to be exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores is:
- You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.
Program Structure
The length of study for the MS in Chronic Disease Epidemiology is one year. Full-time or part-time enrollment is permissible.
Degree Requirements
The MS Chronic Disease Epidemiology degree requires a total of 10-course units from the following courses. Full-time students must take a minimum of 5-course units each semester. Course substitutions must be identified and approved by the student’s adviser and DGS.
MS Required Courses (3 course units)
- PUBH 508 Foundations of Epidemiology for Public Health
- CDE 516 Principles of Epidemiology II
- Capstone: CDE 617 Developing a Research Proposal OR CDE 600 Independent Study
- Public Health Primer – 0 units
- CDE 525 Seminar in Chronic Disease Epidemiology- 0 units
- CDE 526 Seminar in Chronic Disease Epidemiology – 0 units
MS Required Quantitative Courses (3 course units)
- Three of the following:
- BIS 536 Measurement Error and Missing Data
- BIS 537 Statistical Methods for Causal Inference
- BIS 621 Regression Models for Public Health
- BIS 630 Applied Survival Analysis
- BIS 633 Population and Public Health Informatics
- S&DS 530 Data Exploration and Analysis
- S&DS 5630 Multivariate Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences
MS Required Chronic Disease Epidemiology Courses (2 course units)
- Two of the following:
- CDE 502 Physiology for Public Health
- CDE 532 Epidemiology of Cancer
- CDE 534 Applied Analytic Methods in Epidemiology
- CDE 535 Epidemiology of Heart Disease and Stroke
- CDE 545 Health Disparities by Race and Social Class: Application to Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- CDE 551 Global Noncommunicable Disease
- CDE 562 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
- CDE 572 Obesity, Prevention and Lifestyle Interventions
- CDE 582 Health Outcomes Research: Matching the Right Research Question to the Right Data
- CDE 588 Perinatal Epidemiology
- CDE 597 Genetic Concepts of Public Health
- CDE 650 Introduction to Evidence-based Medicine and Health Care
Elective Course (1 course unit)
- In this capstone, the student is required to develop a grant application that is deemed reasonably competitive by the instructor. An alternative to this capstone is an individualized tutorial (CDE 600) in which the student will work on an original research project with a faculty member throughout the spring semester. The research project is designed in collaboration with a faculty member, and it is recommended that these discussions begin before the start of the spring semester. A typical work product for this tutorial is a first draft of a manuscript that is suitable for submission for publication in a relevant journal.
MS Competencies in CDE
The MS in Chronic Disease Epidemiology aims to equip students with the following competencies:
- Evaluate the scientific merit and feasibility of epidemiologic study designs.
- Review, and evaluate epidemiologic reports and research articles.
- Analyze data and draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic studies.
- Write an epidemiologic research proposal
Research Areas
The Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health is involved in various research areas, including but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Genetics
- Nutrition, Diabetes, Obesity
- Global Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Outcomes Research
- Health Disparities
- Women's Health
- Aging
Conclusion
The MS in Chronic Disease Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health offers a comprehensive program for individuals seeking to develop their skills in epidemiology and research methods. With its rigorous curriculum and research opportunities, this program prepares students for successful careers in public health and beyond.
