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Graduate Certificate Program in Epidemiology

Gain disease tracking and public health research skills with the Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology at UMass Lowell.

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Iffat Farah: Program Coordinator at Lowell Community Health Center
Iffat Farah, UML Student and Program Coordinator at Lowell Community Health Center
Alarm Clock Courses Start: January 20

Online Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology

UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology will provide you with a strong foundation in public health data and disease patterns while preparing you for graduate studies in epidemiology. This flexible, four-course program will prepare you with the skills and knowledge to analyze population health trends and contribute meaningfully to public health research and policy. Whether you're already working in health care, government or research, or you're looking to shift into the public health field, this certificate will help you elevate your impact.

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No GRE Required

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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Complete in as Little as 12 Months

Just 4 Courses

Just 4 Courses

Career Outlook

5,290
Jobs (2023)
+ 21.3 %
% Change (2023-2035)
$125.7K/yr
Median Earnings
394
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, Target Occupations in New England for Graduate Degree Holders, 2025

"Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations."
— U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Handbook, 2025

This certificate prepares you for roles in:

  • Epidemiological research
  • Health data analysis
  • Public health departments
  • Nonprofit health organizations
  • Biotech and pharmaceutical surveillance teams

What You'll Learn

In just four courses, you'll build applied knowledge in:

  • Designing and conducting epidemiological studies
  • Analyzing and interpreting public health data
  • Identifying risk factors and health outcomes in populations
  • Communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Applying ethical and culturally sensitive approaches to population-based research

Who Should Enroll?

This program is ideal for:

  • Healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of disease trends
  • Public health workers who need formal training in epidemiology
  • Researchers or data analysts transitioning into population health
  • Graduate degree seekers looking to build academic momentum before applying to an MPH or related program

One Success Leads to Another

Credits may be applied toward the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology

Curriculum Outline

-Total Courses Required: 4 (12 Credits)

Required Courses (2 Courses / 6cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Course Descriptions

The description for this course is not yet available.

PUBH.5750 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3cr)

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations, and the risk factors associated with diseases. This course provides an introduction to epidemiology and the associated biostatistical methods that constitute the principal quantitative methods for disease prevention. Topics include: measures of disease frequency, measures of central tendency and spread, rates and risks, precision and validity, bias, simple linear regression, and the important study designs (population surveys, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies).

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.5760 Biostatistical Programming (3cr)

This course is designed to provide familiarity with several types of statistical software commonly used in public health research. The course covers topics including: reading raw data and existing data sets; modifying data; combining data sets; applying basic statistical procedures; and sorting, summarizing, and printing data.

PUBH.5770 Biostatistics for Health Data (3cr)

This is a practical course in biostatistical methods for health research. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the use and interpretation of standard biostatistical methods. Topics include probability and sampling distributions, regression and ANOVA, methods for analyzing rates and proportions, power and sample size calculations. Students will gain experience in using a statistical software package to apply and expand their data analysis skills.

PUBH.6820 Applied Epidemiology Methods (3cr)

This course emphasizes the design and conduct of epidemiology studies. Major topics covered include: casual inference in epidemiology, point and interval estimation for cohort and case control studies, exposure assessment for epidemiology, control of confounding, the identification and interpretation of effect modification, as well as cross-sectional designs and meta-analysis.

Requirements:

PUBH.5750 pre-req

PUBH.6850 Applied Public Health Research and Practice (3cr)

The focus of this course is to provide students with advanced skills necessary to collect quantitative and qualitative data for public health research and practice. Students will learn quantitative methods including questionnaire development, survey planning, data collection, data coding and data management. The course will prepare students to design, conduct, analyze and interpret qualitative research. Strategies for mixed methods research in social and behavioral sciences will be discussed.

PUBH.6870 Quantitative Models for Public Health (3cr)

This course introduces quantitative models commonly used in public health research and practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding the logic and underlying assumptions of theses models. Students will gain knowledge and skills in properly selecting and applying these models in various practical settings. Topics include probability sample surveys, quantitative risk assessment, quasi experimental design, propensity matching, interrupted time series, epidemics of infectious diseases, Monte Carlo simulations, and predictive analytics.

PUBH.6890 Advanced Regression Modeling (3cr)

This course will introduce linear, generalized linear and time-to-event regression models that are commonly used in epidemiologic research, community needs assessment and public health program/policy evaluations. Topics include regression models for continuous, binary, ordinal, multinomial, count, time-to-event, and longitudinal data.

Requirements:

PUBH 5750 and PUBH 5770 Pre-re

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.000 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate

Online $610 $1,830
All other On Campus courses1 View Here
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to graduate on campus courses excluding select courses

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Applying into a Graduate Certificate Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
  • An application
  • An application fee ($50)
  • Official transcripts
  • Official test scores
    • GRE not required
    • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
      • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
      • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
      • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
      • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
      • PTE: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.000 GPA from an accredited institution

Additional Information

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree.

Certificates must be completed within 5 years.

Official transcripts can be sent to us directly from your previous institution either electronically or mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Massachusetts Lowell
839 Merrimack St., Floor 2
Lowell, MA 01854-5104

We cannot accept previously opened transcripts, photocopies, PDF email attachments or faxed transcripts.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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Complete Your Online Graduate Certificate Program in Epidemiology from an Award Winning Public University.

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