How to become an epidemiologist

The COVID-19 pandemic turned an under-the-radar group of medical professionals into global superstars. Suddenly, epidemiologists were everywhere – on TV, radio, and social media – spinning gripping tales about how diseases start, get around, and change over time.

The superpower of these disease detectives lies in their knack for spotting patterns and trends in disease outbreaks. They wield a toolkit of scientific methods like surveys, hands-on experiments, risk check-ups, number crunching, and probability theory to crack the code of how diseases spread.

By diving deep into the data, they tease out the key factors that drive the spread of illnesses, giving us an inside look into the very heart of pandemics. Their work not only helps us understand what’s happening, but also provides clues on how to slow down or stop these health threats, making them indispensable players in the global fight against infectious diseases.

What do epidemiologists do?

Epidemiologists focus on the prevention, distribution, and control of diseases across vast populations, be they human, microbial, or viral. Unlike medical doctors, they don’t have to attend medical school because their work doesn’t involve treating individual patients. Instead, their focus is on studying and understanding disease patterns on a much larger scale.

How long does it take to become an epidemiologist?

About 7 years – 4 years to earn a bachelor’s and about 3 years to earn your master’s. If you go on to earn a Doctorate in Epidemiology or a related field, it can take an additional 3-4 years.

Step 1 – Get an undergraduate degree

The first step on your journey to becoming an epidemiologist is completing a 4-year bachelor’s program. There are no specific epidemiology undergraduate degrees, but it is important to enroll in a program related to your career plans. Typically, this means a science-based degree.

Below are some of the degrees that candidates planning to become an epidemiologist tend to choose:

• health science and public health
• nursing
• biostatistics
• chemistry
• biology
• environmental studies
• physics
• mathematics

Step 2 – Get some professional experience optional

Many competitive master’s programs require prior professional experience. Students can gain first-hand experience of the epidemiology field through relevant internships, including governmental agencies such as Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention or the National Health Institute. Local clinics and hospitals or other community-based agencies also offer internship opportunities for those who want to analyze public health data. You may even be able to land an epidemiology assistant role with just a bachelor’s degree.

Step 3 – Earn a master’s degree

To become an epidemiologist, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree. Most students choose a master’s in public health (MPH) with a concentration in epidemiology. Others choose a closely related field. These 2-year programs usually include research techniques, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, environment health, and health policy.

Courses in an MPH curriculum that can be useful for an aspiring epidemiologist include:

• health sciences
• disease prevention
• social work
• healthcare administration
• healthy nutrition
• nursing
• health statistics

Upon completion of a master’s degree in public health or related field, graduates are eligible for entry-level epidemiology positions.

Step 4 – Get certified (optional)

Unlike other healthcare careers, certification is not required for epidemiology. However, you can choose to get a Certified in Public Health credential. The 4-hour multiple-choice exam is managed and overseen by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Although this certification is not mandatory, some employers welcome it as proof that you have core competencies in the public health field.

Another certification you can obtain is the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology certificate. This testifies that you’re committed to preventing infections, improving prevention, and contributing to global patient and healthcare safety.

Step 5 – Continue your education (optional)

For those who want to continue their education, a doctoral degree in epidemiology is the logical next step. A PhD in epidemiology typically takes 4 to 5 years and requires students to write a final dissertation.

» Read: Get paid to get your Ph.D.

Earning a doctorate opens the door to many exciting careers in the field. Typically, graduates go on to work for the government, nonprofits, universities, or pharmaceutical companies.

How to pay for your education

Another challenge on the journey to becoming an epidemiologist is paying for your education. Fortunately, there are different financial support options available.

The most frequent form of assistance is federal student aid. The FAFSA form can be submitted online from October to June. Candidates need to prove their need for financial assistance and choose an eligible program to access a federal loan. Alternatively, students can apply for a scholarship, grant, or fellowship to raise the necessary finances.

Numerous associations and institutes, including the CDC, offer financial aid for public health students, depending on economic need, place of residence, and academic results. Students can also access grants to help them participate in research abroad, often in areas or countries where dangerous and neglected diseases may cause severe epidemics; the New Aid Foundation financial support is one example.

How much does an epidemiologist make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), epidemiologists earn an average of $78,830 per year, with the highest salaries ($126,470) earned by those working in scientific research and development services, and the lowest salaries ($66,840) earned by those working for state government, excluding roles in education and hospitals.

Epidemiologist job outlook

The projected growth of epidemiologist employment is significant, with a massive 26% increase anticipated from 2021 to 2031.