Admissions

Requirements for Admission

The Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) program is designed to integrate epidemiology and clinical practice; the courses foster methodological skills that students can apply to their own areas of interest.  

Applicants must have an advanced degree in medicine, nursing, or another health-related field, from an accredited college or university, plus advanced clinical training in any specialty or subspecialty of medicine, or its equivalent in another health-related discipline. 

Applicants should be committed to careers in medical and health services research and have outstanding academic records in order to be accepted into the program. 

Application Procedures

Dates

The official application season is August 1 through December 1. Applicants must submit all materials by December 1 in order to be considered for the next academic year, which begins in July.  Please email us at ceuapps@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to be considered for an extension.

11/17/2025 Update: The application season has been extended to January 5th, 2026.  Please email ceuapps@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to be considered for an extension beyond that date.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete the MSCE Inquiry Form
   • After receiving this completed form, the CCEB Educational Programs Office may request additional information regarding an applicant’s credentials.
2. Cursory Review
   • The inquiry form will be reviewed by the CCEB Educational Programs Office. Those who succeed in the cursory review will receive a link to the full application with further instructions. 
3. Complete and Submit an Application
   • Supporting documents required:
     • Curriculum vitae
     • Letters of recommendation (three)
     • Standardized test scores
       • Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) or Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores are required. Prospective students who have completed graduate or professional degrees are not exempt from these requirements.
       • Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not completed a degree in an English-speaking university must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the date taken.
     • Official Transcripts
       • Applicants must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and professional schools they have attended.
4. Complete the Interview Process
   • Once all required materials have been received, applicants will be contacted to arrange interviews with two or more epidemiology faculty members.
5. Application Review
   • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Admissions Committee will review applications after interviews have been completed. Applicants can expect to receive admission decisions on or around March 31.

Questions?

Please direct all MSCE admissions-related inquires to the CCEB Educational Programs Office at ceuapps@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Read the University of Pennsylvania's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement.