Widener University

What you'll study

This MPH concentration combines core public‑health disciplines with specialised coursework in veterinary epidemiology and zoonotic disease. You will study epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, disease surveillance and outbreak investigation alongside modules focused on animal health, One Health principles, pathogen ecology and risk assessment.

• Core public‑health modules: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, public‑health policy and ethics.
• Veterinary epidemiology and One Health: principles of veterinary public health, zoonoses and spillover dynamics, comparative disease ecology, and ecosystem drivers of emerging infectious diseases.
• Surveillance and response: disease surveillance systems, laboratory and field diagnostic considerations, outbreak investigation methods, and emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Analytical skills: applied biostatistics, spatial epidemiology/GIS, modelling of infectious-disease transmission, and data management for surveillance systems.
• Applied experience and synthesis: practicum placement with a public‑health agency, veterinary service, laboratory or NGO, followed by a culminating capstone project or thesis that addresses a real-world veterinary public‑health problem.

Instruction blends classroom seminars, case studies of zoonotic outbreaks, hands‑on lab and field exercises, and an applied practicum to ensure graduates can move directly into operational roles.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold at minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Degrees in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, microbiology, public health or a related discipline are particularly well aligned with the programme. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a personal statement describing professional goals and relevant experience, two or three academic or professional references, and a CV or résumé.

Relevant professional or volunteer experience in animal health, public health, laboratory work or field epidemiology strengthens an application. Where applicable, applicants may be asked to demonstrate quantitative preparedness; some programmes offer preparatory coursework or bridging support for applicants who need to develop biostatistics or epidemiology foundations. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements and provide credential evaluations as required by the university.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for positions that bridge animal and human health across government, non‑governmental and private sectors. Common roles include:

• Veterinary public‑health officer or epidemiologist at state, federal or regional public‑health agencies
• Surveillance analyst or outbreak investigator with public‑health departments, ministries of agriculture or international organisations
• Field epidemiologist working on zoonotic disease control and emergency response
• Research associate or data scientist focusing on infectious‑disease modelling, spatial analysis and risk assessment
• Program officer or technical advisor for NGOs and international health organisations working on One Health initiatives
• Positions in industry and diagnostics, such as regulatory affairs, safety surveillance and disease intelligence

The emphasis on practicum experience and an applied capstone helps graduates demonstrate workplace readiness and build professional networks with regional agencies and laboratories.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers a small‑cohort, interdisciplinary learning environment that emphasises applied public‑health practice. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, hands‑on laboratory and field training, and opportunities for practicum placements with public‑health departments and animal‑health partners in the Philadelphia metropolitan region.

The programme connects public‑health fundamentals with veterinary and One Health perspectives, preparing graduates to work across sectors where animal and human health intersect. Practical training, a focus on outbreak investigation and surveillance, and proximity to regional public‑health institutions make Widener a strong choice for students seeking applied careers in veterinary epidemiology and public health.