Columbia University

What you'll study

This PhD combines rigorous training in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics with specialised study of animal health, zoonoses and the One Health approach. The programme is research-centred and typically includes advanced coursework, seminars, laboratory or field rotations and a supervised dissertation.

• Core quantitative and methodological training: advanced epidemiologic methods, causal inference, longitudinal data analysis, survival analysis, hierarchical and multilevel models, and statistical computing.
• Veterinary and One Health topics: veterinary epidemiology principles, zoonotic disease transmission, animal population health, food safety and surveillance systems, and risk assessment.
• Infectious disease and molecular approaches: pathogen ecology, outbreak investigation, pathogen genomics and molecular epidemiology, and modelling of infectious disease dynamics.
• Applied and interdisciplinary electives: spatial epidemiology and GIS, environmental health, global health policy, animal biosecurity, and economic evaluation of interventions.
• Research apprenticeship: mentored laboratory or field research, participation in ongoing surveillance and outbreak response projects, regular seminar participation and teaching opportunities.
• Progress milestones: completion of required coursework, qualifying or candidacy examination, formal dissertation proposal, and defence of the doctoral dissertation based on original research.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong honours degree or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as epidemiology, public health, veterinary medicine (DVM/VMD), biology, ecology, or a closely related quantitative field. Successful candidates typically demonstrate:

• Substantial research experience, evidenced by a master’s research project, publications, technical reports or relevant professional experience in epidemiology or animal health.
• A solid quantitative background (training in statistics, epidemiologic methods or related coursework); candidates without formal quantitative training may be asked to take preparatory courses.
• Strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can attest to research potential and academic preparedness.
• A clear research statement outlining proposed areas of study and potential faculty mentors within Columbia’s public health and affiliated research centres.
• English language proficiency demonstrated by an accepted English test or equivalent evidence if applicable for international applicants.

Admissions are competitive and decisions consider the fit between the applicant’s interests and faculty expertise, availability of faculty supervision and research funding.

Career prospects

Graduates from this concentration pursue diverse careers at the intersection of animal and human health:

• Academic and research careers as postdoctoral fellows, faculty members or principal investigators in universities and research institutes focusing on veterinary epidemiology, zoonoses and infectious disease ecology.
• Public sector roles in national and regional public health and animal health agencies (for example, ministries of health or agriculture, national disease control programmes), supporting surveillance, outbreak response and policy development.
• Positions in international organisations and NGOs engaged in global health security, One Health initiatives, food safety and pandemic preparedness.
• Industry roles in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, diagnostic laboratories, and agricultural or food safety consultancies working on vaccine development, diagnostic tools and risk management.
• Scientific advising and policy roles, translating research into evidence-based interventions and regulatory guidance.

Why study at Columbia University

Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health offers an interdisciplinary environment with strong expertise in infectious disease epidemiology, biostatistics and global health, allowing doctoral students to pursue veterinary-focused research within a broader public health framework. The programme benefits from Columbia’s urban setting and New York City’s diverse clinical and public health infrastructure, providing opportunities for applied surveillance work, outbreak response and collaborations with local and international partners.

Students have access to cross-campus resources, specialised research centres, and faculty whose work spans pathogen genomics, ecological drivers of disease, and health policy. The school emphasises mentorship, professional development and opportunities for teaching and grant writing to prepare graduates for leadership roles across academia, government and global health organisations.