University of Missouri

What you'll study

This undergraduate programme combines core public health foundations with specialist training in veterinary epidemiology, zoonoses and food safety. Core modules typically include epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, environmental and occupational health, and research methods. Concentration-specific topics include infectious disease ecology, zoonotic disease surveillance, pathogen detection methods, veterinary public health policy, risk analysis and foodborne disease control.

Practical and applied learning is central: students take laboratory and field-based courses covering diagnostic sampling, molecular detection techniques, outbreak investigation methods and data analysis using statistical software. The course sequence commonly culminates in a practicum or internship with a public health agency, veterinary diagnostic laboratory or industry partner and a capstone project that applies epidemiologic methods to a real-world problem.

• Introductory and intermediate epidemiology
• Biostatistics for health sciences
• Zoonoses and disease ecology
• Food safety and inspection systems
• One Health policy and ethics
• Laboratory methods and diagnostic techniques
• Outbreak investigation and surveillance systems
• Applied practicum and capstone research

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent with strong performance in biology and chemistry; a background in mathematics is also recommended. Typical academic preparation includes courses in biology, chemistry, algebra or statistics, and English. Admission may consider overall GPA, strength of science coursework and evidence of interest in animal or public health through extracurricular activities, volunteering or work experience.

International applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency according to university guidelines. Prospective students who have completed college-level coursework may be considered for advanced standing based on transfer credit evaluation. Standardised test requirements (if any) vary and applicants should consult the university admissions pages for current policy.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles at the intersection of animal and human health. Common early-career positions include disease surveillance technician, laboratory technologist in veterinary diagnostic or public health labs, food safety inspector, outbreak investigation assistant, and roles with state or federal agricultural and public health agencies. The degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate and professional study such as a Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), or programmes in epidemiology and infectious disease research.

Alumni work in a range of settings: government public health and animal health departments, diagnostic and research laboratories, food production and safety organisations, non-government organisations focused on global health and animal welfare, and academic research groups. The programme emphasises transferable skills—epidemiologic analysis, laboratory methods, risk communication and interdisciplinary collaboration—that employers value in One Health-related roles.

Why study at University of Missouri

The University of Missouri offers access to an established College of Veterinary Medicine and institutional strengths in One Health research and applied animal health. Students benefit from hands-on laboratory facilities, field learning opportunities and partnerships with state agencies, agricultural stakeholders and diagnostic centres, which support practicum placements and applied research projects.

Faculty at Mizzou include researchers and practitioners with experience in veterinary epidemiology, infectious disease and food safety, giving students opportunities to engage in active research and community health programmes. The university’s central location in the United States also facilitates connections with regional animal health networks and industry partners, helping students secure internships and employment in public health, veterinary diagnostic services and related sectors.