Epidemiology

[pctp9588]

I have a BS in Biology graduated 2012 and now working at a water treatment plant as a lab tech. I am interested in Epidemiology but I heard that I need to get a Masters degree for this. I saw a job posting here in MN that a person can have a BS but just needs experience. My question is, where can I get experience? Volunteer where? Doesn't matter if I don't get paid I just want the experience so I can get in the field. Or do I absolutely need a Masters degree? Thanks!

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[NotASerialKiller]

forums.studentepidemiologist.net ?

 

[pctp9588]

link not working?

 

[GiveMeThatMD]

link not working?

Yeahhhh, it probably wouldn't these threads are for Pre-Allopathic topics. www.google.com would have more information down your alley.

 

[pctp9588]

yeah I tried to google but I can't find any other networking/forums. I just want to see my options before I start going back for a Masters and have more debt..

 

[GiveMeThatMD]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/public-health-degrees-masters-and-doctoral.94/ might be a good place to start. Epidemiology is like the cornerstone of public health. It may help shed a little light on your situation.

 

[gothicfoxes]

I don't know everything about public health, but as far as I know, you need an MPH to be an epidemiologist. Definitely consider pursuing that degree -- I highly recommend Public Health.

Here are some resources:

http://www.publichealth.org/volunteering/
Also try NIH if you live near one of their facilities.
And also see if your alma mater has a public health program (undergrad or graduate) -- they might be able to offer advising since you're an alum.

Good luck!

 

[pctp9588]

Thanks you guys! I'll look into NIH and also the website you gave me gothicfoxes. And also thanks to givemethatMD for the forum

 

[NotASerialKiller]

Thanks you guys! I'll look into NIH and also the website you gave me gothicfoxes. And also thanks to givemethatMD for the forum

No thank you for my forum suggestion, I see how it is...

 

[pctp9588]

lol sorry notaserialkiller! I appreciate you too.. The link didnt work tho?..

 

[LizzyM]

I suspect that the experience they'd be looking for would be work experience in a smaller health department that happily hires a college grad and provides on the job training given the limitations of the location/salary they have to offer. Or they have an incumbent that they want to promote into that job after many years of experience at a lower level position and so they've written the ad that way.

You can earn an MPH in epidemiology and work for a health department. To be a principal investigator doing epidemiologic research or to be an CDC epidemic intelligence service (EIS) officer where you learn how to investigate outbreaks you'll need a doctoral degree (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PhD, etc) or be a nurse. http://www.cdc.gov/eis/diseasedetectives.html

You can find schools and programs in public health through www.aspph.org

 

[ConfusedChemist]

yeah I tried to google but I can't find any other networking/forums. I just want to see my options before I start going back for a Masters and have more debt..

sometimes....talking to a REAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE is better than looking for an internet forum. Particularly when making large decisions such as getting a masters degree

 

[pctp9588]

I suspect that the experience they'd be looking for would be work experience in a smaller health department that happily hires a college grad and provides on the job training given the limitations of the location/salary they have to offer. Or they have an incumbent that they want to promote into that job after many years of experience at a lower level position and so they've written the ad that way.

You can earn an MPH in epidemiology and work for a health department. To be a principal investigator doing epidemiologic research or to be an CDC epidemic intelligence service (EIS) officer where you learn how to investigate outbreaks you'll need a doctoral degree (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PhD, etc) or be a nurse. http://www.cdc.gov/eis/diseasedetectives.html

You can find schools and programs in public health through www.aspph.org

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

[pctp9588]

sometimes....talking to a REAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE is better than looking for an internet forum. Particularly when making large decisions such as getting a masters degree

Yeah I've already made some appointments

 

[deleted648172]

epidemiology is a cool field! Getting an MPH will send you down that path. There's a lot of biostatistics.

 

[maxwell_edison]

There are several well known schools with undergrad public health degrees as well.

 

[pctp9588]

Has anyone heard of the MPH program at Argosy University? What do you guys think about that school? I'm in the Twin Cities Minnesota

 

[LizzyM]

You would be wise to choose an MPH that is accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health www.ceph.org.

In the Twin Cities you have U Minnesota which has one of the finest Epidemiology programs in the country.

 

[wholeheartedly]

In the Twin Cities you have U Minnesota which has one of the finest Epidemiology programs in the country.

Really?!? How'd we start that rumor?


J/K. I've absolutely loved my experience there. All 5 years of commuting insanity for it.


I know this is a bit of an older post @pctp9588 , but they have great info. sessions for prospective students. Definitely contact the program and check one out. But I can vouch for great faculty and tons of unique opprtunities for practical experience as a student, great mentorship program, and a huge huge network to help with future career opps. You can PM me questions if you want.