Field Epidemiologist
Field epidemiologists are scientists who investigate disease outbreaks to
figure out when, where and why an infection started, with the goals of
containing the current outbreak and preventing future recurrences. Because they
are often employed by public health departments, applied epidemiologists
frequently interact with the public to monitor and collect disease-related
data, assist with programs designed to control or prevent disease and advise on
public health policies.
Job Duties
Investigating diseases involves the collection and analysis of health
data through field research, observation, questionnaires and studies. Applied
epidemiologists use a variety of statistical software to analyze the information
and report their findings, which can take the form of meetings or presentations
to the public or policy makers. Epidemiological work also involves educating
and training the community and healthcare workers to prevent the transmission
of infectious diseases.
During disease outbreaks, epidemiologists apply their knowledge of how
and why communicable diseases spread to make recommendations on containment and
treatment. They also monitor the situation, report to local and state health
agencies and evaluate data collected during the outbreak.
Field epidemiologists are often required to travel outside of their
community to study disease outbreaks, which can also include out-of-state or
overseas travel. Additionally, according to USAJobs, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) include a 2-year overseas job rotation as a possibility for
epidemiologists (www.usajobs.gov).
Epidemiologist Certification and Continuing Education Information
An epidemiologist studies the origins of diseases as well as how diseases are geographically distributed and passed from one individual to another. Epidemiologists also focus their efforts on containing, preventing and controlling diseases. Master's degree and doctoral programs in epidemiology are available to prepare individuals in the field.
Master's Degree in Epidemiology
A master's degree program in epidemiology is an interdisciplinary program that incorporates concepts and principles from a variety of disciplines, such as nutrition, epidemiology, biostatistics, psychology, physiology, industrial hygiene and medicine. These degree programs may confer a Master of Science (M.S.) in Epidemiology or a Master of Public Health (MPH), and coursework in these programs may be similar. Students develop advanced skills vital to the design and execution of epidemiologic research in order to learn more about the etiology and distribution of diseases. Coursework also examines the control and prevention of varying types of disease. Most programs require the completion of a thesis.
Educational Prerequisites
Applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree, preferably in biology or a closely related field. Common prerequisite course requirements include college-level algebra and calculus, general biology, chemistry and behavioral science. Health-related courses, such as physiology, microbiology and anatomy, are also recommended.
Program Coursework
Program coursework for a master's-level degree in epidemiology usually requires two years to complete and includes both lecture and laboratory courses. An epidemiology curriculum typically includes the following topics:
Employment and Salary Information
Graduates with a master's degree in epidemiology are prepared to pursue careers in both clinical and research-based settings. Possible employers include government health agencies, health departments, research universities and other similar organizations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected employment opportunities in the field to grow at a faster than average rate of 15% during the 2008-2018 decade (www.bls.gov). As of May 2009, the BLS reported that epidemiologists in the U.S. earned an average annual salary of $64,950.
Certification Information
The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) provides a voluntary certification option for professionals within the infection control industry. Eligibility requirements for the CBIC certification exam include a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Candidates lacking the formal education of a bachelor's degree may qualify if they are registered medical technologists, nurses, clinical laboratory scientists or physicians. Educational requirements can also be waived with a certain level of professional practice experience. Certified professionals are required to retest every five years in order to maintain and renew their certification.
Ph.D. in Epidemiology
Ph.D. programs in epidemiology are research-based and require 3-5 years to complete. Doctoral programs may confer a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Epidemiology, a Doctor of Public Health (DPH) or a joint MD/Ph.D in Epidemiology. Students receive advanced training in epidemiology methodology, concepts and skills. The doctorate-level curriculum provides flexibility, allowing students to incorporate disease-specific training in their areas of interest, such as infectious, cardiovascular, cancer and musculoskeletal diseases. Students are required to conduct independent research in order to complete a dissertation.
Educational Prerequisites
Admission requirements typically include a master's degree in public health, epidemiology or closely related field. Prerequisite course requirements include general biology, clinical trial research and introductory biostatistics.
Program Coursework
Program coursework includes both classroom instruction and faculty-guided research opportunities. Topics covered usually include:
Popular Career Options
Graduates with a doctorate in epidemiology are prepared for careers in industrial research, academic research and education. Specific job opportunities include:
Requirements
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a career in field
epidemiology requires at least a master's degree in public health
(www.bls.gov). According to epidemiologist job postings on Monster.com in
August 2011, employers also accept a master's degree in epidemiology or a
closely related field and expect some experience in community health.
Training and fellowship opportunities are available to help prospective
applied epidemiologists and other public health professionals gain field
experience. The CDC is an agency that works to prevent disease and protect
public health; the CDC offers four applied epidemiology programs for
epidemiology students and graduates (www.cdc.gov). These programs include:
The Epidemiology Elective Program for senior medical and veterinary
students involves a 6-8 week public health investigation at assigned locations
across the country.
The CDC Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship is a 1-year hands-on
training program for students in the third or fourth year of medical school.
Fellows are mentored by experienced epidemiologists at CDC headquarters in
Atlanta, GA.
The Epidemic Intelligence Service is a salaried 2-year post-graduate
training program in epidemiology and public health.
The CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship program is a collaboration
of the CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
This 2-year post-graduate training program pairs candidates with public health
mentors for on-the-job training and job placement.
Requirements for Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are scientists who are often associated with studying contagious diseases, though they're also involved with other public health issues, including chronic disease, maternal health and substance abuse. They conduct surveys and analyze body fluids to determine disease or illness outbreak patterns, and then they strive to control spread of disease and prevent future occurrences of illness through public health programs.
Epidemiologists may work for public and private health institutions, government agencies, laboratories, pharmaceutical businesses or universities. Most epidemiologists have a master's degree, but those who conduct research for universities or have senior-level jobs often need a Ph.D. Some epidemiologists have professional medical backgrounds. The following table contains essential requirements for epidemiologists:
| Common Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | Master's* |
| Degree Field | Epidemiology, public health* |
| Experience | None for entry-level positions; advanced-level jobs require 5 or more years working in the field** |
| Key Skills | Research design, written and spoken communication, attention to detail, critical thinking, statistics* |
| Computer Skills | Microsoft Excel, scientific software, map creation software, query software, statistics software, data analysis software*** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Online job postings (September 2012), ***O*NET Online.
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor's Degree Program
Aspiring epidemiologists must first earn a bachelor's degree. No specific major is required, though undergraduate coursework should include at least one class each in biology, chemistry, calculus, health science, social science and behavioral science.
Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree
A master's degree in epidemiology or public health is generally the minimum educational requirement for epidemiology careers. Curricula tend to draw from a variety of disciplines, and they typically cover topics such as epidemiologic research methodology, clinical trial design and biostatistics. Additional topics of study may include society and health, medical geography and occupational epidemiology. A thesis is required to graduate. Students may be able to focus their research in areas like genetic epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, cardiovascular epidemiology or neuroepidemiology.
Some programs have specialty clinical research emphasis options. Students may be able to focus their epidemiology research in professional fields like medicine, dentistry or pharmacy. In fact, some of these are designed only for current medical doctors or medical school students.
Success Tip
Step 3: Earn a Doctoral Degree
A Ph.D. may be required for career advancement to high-level research positions and university teaching jobs. Students are expected to focus on an epidemiology specialty, such as nutritional epidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology or molecular epidemiology, though curricula are flexible in order to meet students' personal interests. There are also dual M.D/Ph.D. programs in epidemiology that highlight clinical research. All epidemiology doctoral students must complete original independent research and write a dissertation in order to fulfill graduation requirements.
-Friskila Damaris Silitonga, SKEP, NS, MPH
-Friskila Damaris Silitonga, SKEP, NS, MPH
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