Boise State University

What you'll study

This doctoral programme combines rigorous coursework, methodological training and an extended original research dissertation centred on veterinary epidemiology, zoonotic disease dynamics and public health interventions. Core topics typically include advanced epidemiologic methods, infectious disease modelling, spatial and temporal analysis, surveillance system design, outbreak investigation, diagnostics and laboratory–field interface, and the One Health framework linking human, animal and environmental health.

• Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics — study of causal inference, longitudinal and multilevel models, survival analysis and Bayesian approaches applied to infectious diseases.
• Infectious Disease Dynamics — transmission models, R0 estimation, stochastic modelling and simulation of control strategies for zoonoses.
• Veterinary Public Health and One Health — ecology of zoonotic pathogens, animal reservoir studies, food safety and policy implications of animal–human disease transmission.
• Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation — design and evaluation of surveillance systems, diagnostic test evaluation, field epidemiology methods and emergency response planning.
• Laboratory and Field Methods — study design for animal studies, sampling strategies, molecular diagnostics interpretation and integration of laboratory data with epidemiological analyses.
• Research Seminars and Teaching Practicum — presentation of research progress, grant-writing workshops and opportunities to gain teaching experience.

The programme culminates in a substantial, original dissertation that advances knowledge in veterinary epidemiology or applied public health. Students work closely with faculty mentors and often engage in collaborative projects with public health departments, veterinary services, agricultural stakeholders or regional research partners.

Entry requirements

Applicants are typically expected to hold a relevant master's degree (for example, MPH, MSc in epidemiology, veterinary medicine, or a closely related biological or quantitative discipline) with strong academic performance. Candidates without a master’s but with an exceptional bachelor’s degree plus substantial research experience may be considered.

• Academic record — evidence of strong coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, microbiology or related areas.
• Research experience — prior research, publications, or practicum experience in public health, veterinary science, or infectious disease is highly desirable.
• Supporting documents — statement of purpose describing research interests, CV, academic transcripts, and at least three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• Additional assessments — some applicants may be invited to interview with potential supervisors; proficiency in quantitative methods and demonstrable computing skills (e.g., R, Python, GIS) strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across academia, government, industry and international organisations. Typical career paths include:

• Academic researcher or faculty positions in epidemiology, veterinary public health or One Health programmes.
• Senior epidemiologist or surveillance specialist in national and state public health agencies, animal health services, or veterinary public health units.
• Positions in international health organisations, NGOs or global disease control programmes focused on zoonoses, pandemic preparedness and food safety.
• Research scientist roles in pharmaceutical, biotechnology or diagnostic companies developing vaccines, tests or surveillance tools.
• Policy advisor or consultant roles for industry, government and intergovernmental bodies on risk assessment, outbreak response and One Health policy.

Why study at Boise State University

Boise State University offers an applied, interdisciplinary approach to public health research with growing strengths in population health, data science and community-engaged research. The university’s College of Health Sciences provides access to faculty with expertise in infectious disease epidemiology, biostatistics and implementation science, and fosters collaborations across departments and with regional partners.

Students benefit from an environment that emphasises practical, translational research — opportunities for field-based projects in regional livestock and wildlife health, partnerships with public health agencies, and training in contemporary data-analysis tools. The programme’s location supports engagement with state and regional stakeholders involved in animal health, environmental management and public health preparedness, enabling doctoral candidates to develop research with direct public health impact.