FAQs

• The program requires completing 14 CUs, usually taken over 7 semesters (2 CUs per semester), including summers.  

• Students start the program in July, and continue for just over 2 years, ending in August of their second year. (For example, a student who starts in July 2026 will finish in August 2028.) 

• Options for part-time are available.

• Students who take longer than two years usually do so for either of two reasons: 

  • Taking classes part-time, thereby stretching out the number of semesters needed to complete the coursework. 

  • Needing some time after completing the coursework to finish the thesis. 

• There is no penalty for taking longer than 2 years, but it is required that you complete the program within 5 years (unless an extension is approved). 

• In the first year, students complete the core courses, usually at a pace of 2 CUs per semester. This includes going to class as well as meeting with your mentor(s) about important milestones in the program and planning out your project. 

• In the second year, students complete electives and focus more time on completing their thesis, also at a pace of 2 CUs per semester.  Depending on how many electives vs. thesis credits are taken, more time during this second year is focused on your research project than coursework. 

• See our Program Overview page for a sample program outline. 

• The MSCE program is designed to be taken in person.  While many courses are recorded for review, there are many that are designed for in-person workshop experiences. The expectation is that courses are attended in person. 

• For the 2026-27 academic year, one credit unit (CU) is $6,900.  With the program consisting of 14 CUs, it will cost roughly $96,000.  Tuition and fees may change each year, as set by the University. Click here to see a full list of tuition and fees (scroll down to “Clinical Epidemiology” to see our rates). 

• Students may apply to be funded on an NIH training grant (referred to as a T32 grant) which will provide funding for tuition and stipend.  Students interested in this funding need to indicate this on their application in order to be considered. 

• Students may also be eligible for Faculty-Staff Benefits, which covers a portion of tuition, or may consider financial aid or loans.  

• See our Tuition and Funding page for more information. 

• 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. Commonly, we have many students who are completing a fellowship or residency. 

• 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. 

• See our Admissions page for more information.

• Yes, international students are welcome to apply.  However, please consider that you will need to be present on-site in order to take the courses (we do not offer remote courses). Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not completed a degree in an English-speaking university are required to provide results of the TOEFL exam.
   
• Note: T32 funding is only available for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. 

• In order to complete the program, students need to: 

  • Complete 14 CUs of coursework, including: 

    • 7.5 CUs of core courses 

    • 2-4 CUs of electives 

    • 2.5-4.5 CUs of thesis work 

    • (If you take more electives, you take less thesis credits, and vice versa, such that the total is 14 CUs.) 

  • Complete HIPAA training 

  • Complete CITI training (Responsible Conduct of Research Training) 

  • Complete an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) 

  • Present your research at the MSCE Protocol Presentations  

  • Pass the Comprehensive Exam  

  • Attend 8 hours (over 2 years) of Ethics/Responsible Conduct of Research training 

  • Attend 25 seminars (over 2 years) 

  • Obtain IRB approval/exemption 

  • Complete a Mini-Protocol 

  • Complete a Full Protocol 

  • Complete a Final Thesis 

• See our Program Overview page for more information. 

• A cornerstone of the MSCE program is our robust mentor support.  Each student will be paired with a primary epidemiology mentor, who will guide you through all of the stages of the program, including completing your thesis.   

• Additionally, each student will identify and collaborate with a biostats mentor to assist with the data review.  

• Students can also add other mentors to their team, who can help with the project and advising. 

• Mentor support includes:
  • Collaboration throughout the length of the program
  • One-on-one meetings
  • Guidance through publication and grant development

The MSCE prepares graduates for careers in clinical and health-related research across academic medicine, healthcare, government, and industry. Alumni have gone on to become independent investigators, faculty members, clinical research leaders, health services researchers, and physician-scientists. Many leverage their MSCE training to secure research funding, publish scholarly work, lead research programs, and advance into leadership roles within their organizations.

MSCE graduates often become:

• Academic faculty members
• Clinical investigators
• NIH-funded researchers
• Research directors
• Division and program leaders
• Health services researchers
• Biopharmaceutical and industry researchers

• Yes, separate from the Master’s program, there is a PhD in Epidemiology program.  Click here to find out more.