Cost & earnings at University of Texas at San Antonio What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Master of Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Texas at San Antonio is an interdisciplinary programme that trains students to prevent, detect and control diseases at the human–animal–environment interface. It suits graduates with backgrounds in biology, animal science, or public health who want careers in zoonotic disease surveillance, outbreak response, food safety or One Health policy and research.
The programme combines core public health training with specialised coursework and applied experience in veterinary epidemiology and One Health. Core MPH modules typically cover epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, health policy and systems, and research methods. Veterinary-focused modules commonly include zoonotic disease ecology, animal disease surveillance and control, outbreak investigation and response, risk assessment for animal-origin threats, food safety and public health, laboratory methods relevant to animal pathogens, and spatial analysis/GIS for animal health.
Students complete a substantial practical component: a supervised practicum placement with a public health, animal health or food-safety agency and a culminating project or thesis that may be practice-oriented or research-based. Coursework emphasises quantitative skills (study design, statistical analysis and disease modelling), field methods (surveillance design, sample collection and case investigation), and interdisciplinary collaboration across veterinary medicine, human public health and environmental sciences.
Applicants should normally hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, animal science, veterinary medicine, public health, epidemiology, or a related field. A solid foundation in statistics and biological sciences is advantageous. Admissions typically consider academic record (GPA), letters of recommendation, a personal statement outlining professional goals and relevant experience, and a CV or résumé documenting laboratory, fieldwork or public health experience.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency according to university policy. Some applicants may be asked to demonstrate readiness for graduate-level quantitative coursework; preparatory or remedial modules may be recommended if needed. Background checks, immunisation records and compliance with practicum placement requirements may be required for certain field experiences.
Graduates are prepared for careers at the intersection of animal and human health. Typical roles include veterinary epidemiologist, public health epidemiologist with a zoonoses remit, outbreak investigator, surveillance specialist, food-safety officer, risk assessor, policy adviser on One Health issues, and research scientist. Employers include local and state public health departments, federal agencies (for example agencies responsible for animal health and food safety), non-governmental organisations, international health organisations, agricultural and food industry employers, diagnostic and biotechnology companies, and academic or research institutions.
Many alumni work in multidisciplinary teams responding to emerging infectious diseases, designing surveillance systems, conducting field investigations, developing policy on animal-human health risks, or leading applied research on zoonoses and food-borne threats.
UTSA offers public health training grounded in a border-region context with diverse ecosystems and animal populations—an ideal setting for applied One Health work. The School of Public Health provides interdisciplinary expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health and collaborates with local and state public health departments, veterinary partners and regional research centres to secure practicum and research placements.
Students benefit from faculty with experience in field epidemiology and surveillance, access to GIS and quantitative-methods resources, and opportunities for hands-on experience in outbreak investigation and surveillance system design. The university’s connections across public, private and non-profit sectors in South Texas support transition into careers in government agencies, industry and research focused on zoonotic disease control, food safety and One Health policy.
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