Oregon State University

What you'll study

The programme combines core public health training with specialist coursework in animal health and zoonotic disease. Core MPH modules typically include biostatistics, principles of epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, health systems and policy, and research methods. Specialist veterinary epidemiology units cover infectious disease ecology, surveillance systems, outbreak investigation and response, disease modelling, risk assessment, and the epidemiology of foodborne and zoonotic pathogens.

Students learn applied laboratory and field methods relevant to animal populations and surveillance networks, and study topics such as population medicine, diagnostic test evaluation, herd and flock health, biosecurity and One Health frameworks that integrate human, animal and environmental health. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, data analysis labs, field exercises and guest seminars from public agencies and industry partners.

The degree requires a substantial applied component: a practicum or internship with a public health, veterinary or agricultural agency, and a culminating integrative project or thesis that applies epidemiological methods to a practical problem in veterinary public health.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, ideally in a relevant discipline such as biology, veterinary science, animal science, public health, epidemiology, ecology or a related field. Typical prerequisites include introductory biology, microbiology or animal health courses, and basic quantitative skills (statistics or introductory biostatistics).

Required application materials ordinarily include academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining professional goals and research or practice interests, a current CV, and letters of recommendation. Many programmes accept applicants with professional experience in animal health, public health, laboratory work or surveillance even where the undergraduate background is not a direct match.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements. GRE requirements vary by programme and may be optional; applicants should consult the department for current guidance. Applicants with gaps in quantitative or biological preparation may be advised to take prerequisite coursework prior to or at the start of the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that apply epidemiological methods to animal population health, zoonotic risk reduction and food safety. Common career paths include:

• Veterinary epidemiologist or epidemiologist for animal health at state or national public health and agriculture agencies
• Surveillance specialist or outbreak investigator for public health departments, the US Department of Agriculture, or international organisations
• Food safety and quality assurance roles in industry and regulatory agencies, focusing on prevention and investigation of foodborne disease linked to animal sources
• Research scientist or data analyst in academic, government or private research laboratories working on infectious disease dynamics and risk modelling
• One Health coordinator or policy advisor for NGOs, international agencies or community health initiatives that integrate human, animal and environmental health
• Laboratory or diagnostic support roles in veterinary diagnostic laboratories and reference centres

Why study at Oregon State University

Oregon State University provides an interdisciplinary environment with strengths in public health, animal and environmental sciences. Students benefit from collaboration across units such as the College of Public Health and Human Sciences, the College of Agricultural Sciences and affiliated research centres that focus on epidemiology, ecology and food safety.

The university’s extension network and regional partnerships offer opportunities for applied practicum placements with state departments of agriculture, public health agencies, diagnostic laboratories and industry partners. Faculty research often addresses real-world problems in infectious disease ecology, surveillance and One Health, creating routes into research projects or policy-focused placements.

Oregon State’s location in a region with diverse agricultural systems and strong coastal and ecological research programs supports field-based learning relevant to veterinary public health—particularly work on livestock health, wildlife–livestock interfaces and foodborne disease prevention.