In 1854, a London physician named John Snow mapped cholera cases to a single contaminated water pump — solving a deadly outbreak before germ theory even existed. That act of scientific detective work is now the foundation of epidemiology: tracing disease, identifying causes and protecting communities at scale. Today, epidemiologists stand at the front line of every public health crisis, from seasonal flu surveillance to global pandemic response.
If you’re drawn to research, data and making a measurable difference in population health, a career as an epidemiologist may be the right path. Earning an advanced degree — like the online Master of Public Health – General Concentration at Eastern Washington University (EWU) — can equip you with the biostatistical methods, research design skills and public health systems knowledge employers look for. This guide covers what epidemiologists do, the education and skills required, and the concrete steps you’ll need to take to enter the field.
What Does an Epidemiologist Do?
Epidemiologists investigate the patterns and causes of disease and injury in human populations. They design studies, collect and analyze data, and translate findings into public health policy and prevention programs. The work spans every health topic imaginable, including infectious disease, chronic illness, environmental exposures, maternal health and health equity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes epidemiologists as “disease detectives” — scientists who answer critical questions: Who is getting sick? Where? When? Why? And how do we stop it? A typical workday might include reviewing surveillance data, preparing reports for public health officials, presenting findings to community stakeholders or collaborating with laboratory scientists on an active outbreak investigation.
Epidemiologists work across a wide spectrum of settings: federal agencies like the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), state and local health departments, academic medical centers, international organizations such as the WHO, nonprofit research institutes and, increasingly, private-sector health systems and insurance companies. Many specialize by disease area or methodology; others work broadly as generalist public health scientists.
What Degree Do You Need to Become an Epidemiologist?
Most epidemiologist positions require a master’s degree at minimum. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master’s degree in public health, or a closely related field, is the standard entry requirement for the profession. Some research-focused roles, particularly at universities and federal agencies, prefer or require a doctoral degree (DrPH or PhD). Clinical epidemiologists working directly with patient populations typically hold a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) in addition to graduate public health training.
For those entering the field through a master’s program, a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in epidemiology or a general public health track offers the broadest preparation. Core competencies covered in an MPH program include the five foundational pillars established by accrediting bodies in the field: biostatistics, epidemiological methods, environmental health, health policy and social and behavioral science.
Online MPH programs have expanded access substantially. An online format allows working professionals in healthcare, laboratory science or government to complete graduate training without relocating or pausing their careers.
What Skills Are Essential for Epidemiologists?
Skilled epidemiologists blend quantitative rigor with communication skills to make complex findings actionable. The most in-demand technical competencies include the following.
- Biostatistics and Data Analysis: Epidemiologists constantly work with large datasets, survival models, regression analyses and confidence intervals. Proficiency in statistical software — particularly SAS and R — is expected in most roles.
- Study Design: Understanding the strengths and limitations of cohort studies, case-control studies, randomized controlled trials and cross-sectional surveys is fundamental. Choosing the right design directly determines the quality of the evidence.
- Epidemiological Methods: Calculating rates, ratios and attributable risk and applying Bradford Hill criteria for causation are core technical skills developed through graduate-level coursework.
- Public Health Communication: Raw data is only useful if it informs decisions. Epidemiologists regularly write reports for non-technical audiences, brief policymakers and present at public health conferences.
- Understanding the Social Determinants of Health: Modern epidemiology increasingly focuses not just on pathogens or individual behaviors but also on structural factors — income, housing, access to care, systemic racism — that shape population health outcomes. Today, graduate programs integrate this framework throughout the curriculum.
Mastering these skills takes time and deliberate practice, but it is precisely what separates effective epidemiologists from those who simply collect data. Graduate programs designed around real-world public health challenges — like EWU’s online MPH program — build these competencies systematically, preparing you to contribute from day one.
Types of Epidemiologists
Epidemiology is a broad discipline with several recognized specializations. Understanding these categories can help you align your graduate training with a specific career direction.
- Infectious Disease Epidemiologist: Investigates outbreaks, monitors disease trends and develops containment strategies. This specialty was most visible during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains central to global health security.
- Chronic Disease Epidemiologist: Studies the distribution and determinants of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity. Their research typically informs long-term prevention initiatives and public health campaigns.
- Environmental Epidemiologist: Examines how exposures, including air quality, water contaminants, climate change and occupational hazards, affect population health. This specialty bridges public health, environmental science and policy.
- Injury and Violence Epidemiologist: Applies epidemiological methods to unintentional injury (falls, motor vehicle crashes) and violence (homicide, suicide, domestic abuse), treating them as preventable public health problems rather than random events.
- Infection Prevention and Control Specialist: Works primarily in healthcare settings monitoring healthcare-associated infections and implementing evidence-based protocols to reduce transmission. Many of these specialists hold professional certification through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.
- Applied / Field Epidemiologist: Investigates active outbreaks and public health emergencies in the field rather than in a lab or office. Programs like the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service train specifically in this specialty.
While each specialization requires a specific kind of expertise, all epidemiologists share the same core foundation of research methods, data analysis and public health principles developed through graduate training. Identifying the specialty that aligns with your interests early can help you seek out the right coursework, internships and professional networks.
Epidemiologist Salary and Job Outlook
The field of epidemiology offers strong and growing career prospects. BLS reports a median annual wage of $83,980 for epidemiologists as of May 2024, with significant variation by sector, experience level and geography. The top 10% of earners in the field make more than $130,000 annually.
Job growth projections are robust. BLS projects a 16% increase in employment for epidemiologists between 2024 and 2034, more than twice the national average for all occupations. Approximately 800 new openings are projected each year, driven by public health infrastructure investment, aging populations and continued demand for infectious disease surveillance capacity.
The federal government and state and local health departments employ the largest share of epidemiologists — roughly 56% of all positions, per BLS. Researchers at academic medical centers, hospitals and private research organizations make up the remainder. The Pacific Northwest, including Washington state, has seen increased investment in public health infrastructure in recent years, creating regional demand for trained epidemiologists.
What Steps Do You Need to Take to Become an Epidemiologist?
The path to a career in epidemiology involves several key stages, from undergraduate preparation through professional development and specialization. The sections below walk through each stage in detail, from choosing an undergraduate major to building a professional network.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Relevant Field
Most aspiring epidemiologists begin with an undergraduate degree in biology, public health, statistics, nursing or a closely related science. Strong preparation in mathematics, research methods and writing at the undergraduate level pays dividends in graduate school. Some MPH programs admit students with degrees in social sciences or humanities, provided they complete prerequisite statistics coursework.
Step 2: Gain Field or Research Experience
Admissions committees and employers both value hands-on experience. Relevant positions include research coordinator roles at academic medical centers, data analyst positions at health departments, laboratory technician work or public health AmeriCorps placements. Even undergraduate research assistant roles can demonstrate commitment to the epidemiology discipline.
Step 3: Build Professional Networks and Pursue Specialization
Epidemiologists benefit from active engagement with the broader public health community. Organizations like the American Public Health Association offer networking, professional development, annual conferences and access to the field’s leading peer-reviewed journal, the American Journal of Public Health. Many states also have active public health associations with regional networking and job boards. Pursuing specialty certifications — such as the Certified in Infection Control (CIC) credential — further distinguishes candidates in a competitive job market.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s Online Master of Public Health – General Concentration program.
About Eastern Washington University’s Online MPH Program
Eastern Washington University’s fully online Master of Public Health with a General Concentration program is designed for working professionals seeking to advance in public health practice. The curriculum is grounded in the core public health competencies — biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences — while also preparing students for the evolving demands of population health leadership.
The program is structured around 60 credits across 15 courses and can be completed in as few as 14 months. Graduates are well-positioned for a range of roles including public health analyst, health educator, program coordinator, policy advisor and epidemiologist.
