University of Kansas

What you'll study

The MPH in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health combines core public health training with specialised coursework and practical experience in animal-associated disease dynamics and control. Core modules typically cover descriptive and analytic epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, environmental and occupational health, and public health systems and policy.

• Core public health topics: epidemiology, biostatistics, research design, public health ethics and policy.
• Veterinary and One Health specialisms: zoonotic disease epidemiology, outbreak investigation and response, animal population health, food safety and foodborne pathogen control, and risk assessment.
• Technical and applied skills: surveillance system design, spatial analysis/GIS for disease mapping, molecular epidemiology concepts, laboratory data interpretation, and statistical modelling applied to animal populations.
• Practicum and capstone/thesis: supervised field placement with a public or animal health organisation and a culminating applied project or research thesis that addresses a real-world veterinary public health problem.

Programme delivery emphasises applied problem solving, collaborative One Health perspectives and methodological rigour. Students can usually tailor electives to focus on topics such as food safety, wildlife disease, companion animal public health, or global health and development.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Degrees in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, epidemiology, public health, or related fields are particularly suitable, though applicants from other quantitative or health-related backgrounds with relevant experience are also considered.

• Academic transcripts: official transcripts showing completion of a prior degree.
• Supporting documents: a statement of purpose outlining interests in veterinary epidemiology and career goals, a current CV or résumé, and letters of recommendation.
• Test scores: GRE requirements vary by programme and may be optional; check the School of Public Health admissions guidance for the current policy.
• English language proficiency: required for applicants whose first language is not English, documented by an accepted test or other approved evidence of proficiency.
• Relevant experience: prior research, clinical or field experience with animals, laboratory work, or public health practice strengthens an application but is not always mandatory.

Career prospects

Graduates combine public health and veterinary expertise and are prepared for roles across multiple sectors. Typical career paths include positions in government animal health or public health agencies, disease surveillance and outbreak response teams, food safety authorities, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations focused on zoonoses and One Health.

• Animal and public health epidemiologist (state, national or international agencies)
• Infectious disease surveillance specialist and outbreak investigator
• Food safety and supply-chain risk analyst within regulatory agencies or industry
• Research scientist in academic, government or private-sector laboratories
• One Health programme coordinator for NGOs or global health bodies
• Consultant in biosecurity, risk assessment or veterinary public health policy

Graduates often take roles that require strong epidemiological methods, data analysis, and the ability to translate animal health data into public health action.

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas School of Public Health offers interdisciplinary training that integrates human, animal and environmental health perspectives. Students benefit from faculty expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics and population health methods and have access to practicum placements with public and animal health partners across the region.

• Interdisciplinary approach: emphasis on One Health and collaboration across biological and social sciences.
• Applied opportunities: practicum placements and capstone projects that connect students with state health departments, research groups and community partners.
• Methodological training: strong focus on quantitative skills, surveillance methods and practical outbreak response competencies.
• Regional relevance: proximity to agricultural and veterinary resources supports fieldwork and partnerships relevant to livestock, wildlife and food safety concerns.

The programme is suitable for those seeking a career that links veterinary science with public health policy, surveillance and research, and for professionals aiming to lead One Health initiatives.