Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

What you'll study

The programme combines core public‑health foundations with specialist modules in veterinary epidemiology, surveillance and zoonotic disease control. Core study areas typically include epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, public‑health systems and policy, and ethics. Specialist topics cover animal disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, diagnostic testing and laboratory interpretation, risk assessment and communication for zoonoses, One Health approaches, and applied disease modelling.

Learning is practice‑oriented and usually culminates in a substantial applied project or capstone that integrates field surveillance, data analysis and policy recommendations. Students study methods for designing and evaluating surveillance systems, interpreting diagnostic results in population contexts, and developing control strategies that bridge animal and human health sectors.

Typical modules

• Principles of Epidemiology
• Biostatistics for Public Health
• Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Ecology
• Zoonotic Diseases and One Health
• Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation
• Risk Assessment and Communication
• Research Methods and Study Design
• Applied Capstone or Practicum in Veterinary Public Health

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, animal science, biological sciences, public health or a closely related discipline. Relevant professional experience working in veterinary services, diagnostic laboratories, animal health agencies or public‑health settings is advantageous.

Typical academic expectations include a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average; where applicants lack a directly related degree, bridging evidence of quantitative or biological background may be required. International applicants normally need to demonstrate English language competence. Some programmes may request a CV, personal statement and references; standardised tests are increasingly optional but may be requested in specific cases.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that connect animal and human health at local, national and international levels. Typical career paths include:

• Veterinary epidemiologist or disease control officer in government animal health or public‑health agencies
• Surveillance analyst or outbreak investigator for public‑health bodies, international organisations or non‑governmental organisations
• One Health specialist coordinating interdisciplinary responses to zoonoses
• Diagnostic laboratory epidemiologist or data analyst in private sector and veterinary diagnostic laboratories
• Policy advisor, risk assessor or programme manager for animal health control, biosecurity and emergency preparedness
• Further research or academic careers, including PhD study in epidemiology, infectious disease or One Health

Why study at Saint Marys University of Minnesota

Saint Marys offers a student‑centred environment with an emphasis on applied learning and professional preparation. The university's graduate programmes are designed to combine rigorous public‑health training with opportunities for practical experience through capstone projects and practicum placements, allowing students to build sector‑relevant skills in surveillance, data analysis and field investigation.

Students benefit from small cohort sizes and access to faculty with applied experience in public and animal health, and from support services that assist with career development, internships and professional networking. The programme is structured to accommodate working professionals, with flexible scheduling and a focus on skills that translate directly into roles in government agencies, laboratories, international organisations and the broader One Health workforce.