University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This MPH pathway emphasises the application of epidemiology and public health principles to animal populations and interfaces between animals, people and ecosystems. Core instruction develops skills in epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, public health practice and research ethics, while specialist modules explore zoonotic disease ecology, veterinary surveillance systems, outbreak investigation and risk analysis.

• Core public health modules: epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, public health ethics, programme planning and evaluation.
• Veterinary epidemiology and One Health modules: infectious disease transmission in animal populations, zoonoses and wildlife disease ecology, surveillance design for domestic and wild animals, veterinary diagnostic methods and laboratory data interpretation.
• Applied technical skills: outbreak investigation and field epidemiology, geographic information systems (GIS) for animal health, molecular epidemiology basics, and risk assessment approaches.
• Policy and management: animal health policy, emergency preparedness, food safety and biosecurity in island and tropical contexts.
• Capstone and practical experience: practicum placement with a government, NGO or laboratory partner and a research-based thesis or capstone project addressing a real-world veterinary public health problem.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, public health or a related field. Academic performance at undergraduate level and relevant quantitative coursework (for example biology, statistics or epidemiology) are considered. Practical experience in veterinary medicine, laboratory work, animal health surveillance or public health is desirable.

• Application form with personal statement outlining interest in veterinary epidemiology and One Health.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé detailing academic and professional experience.
• Academic transcripts from prior degrees. A competitive undergraduate GPA is expected.
• References: two professional or academic referees who can comment on research potential and suitability for graduate study.
• English language proficiency where required by university regulations.

Some applicants may be advised to complete preparatory coursework in statistics, epidemiology or biological sciences prior to entry if their background is non-scientific. Specific admission policies, including any test requirements, are set by the university and should be checked on the School or Graduate Division web pages.

Career prospects

Graduates gain skills suited to roles at the intersection of veterinary and public health. Typical career paths include positions in government animal health and public health departments, disease surveillance and outbreak response teams, diagnostic and reference laboratories, non-governmental organisations and international agencies concerned with zoonoses and One Health.

• Veterinary epidemiologist or surveillance officer in state, national or international agencies.
• Outbreak investigator or field epidemiologist responding to zoonotic disease events.
• Laboratory scientist interpreting epidemiologic and diagnostic data for animal populations.
• Policy adviser or programme manager in animal health, food safety or biosecurity.
• Researcher in academic or applied research centres focusing on tropical diseases, wildlife health and ecosystem health.

The programme’s practicum and capstone project help build professional networks and practical experience that support entry into these roles or progression to doctoral study in epidemiology or One Health disciplines.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a distinctive location for veterinary epidemiology and public health study: a Pacific island setting with a high diversity of wildlife, unique agricultural systems and specific biosecurity challenges. The campus supports interdisciplinary collaboration across units such as the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and medical and public health schools, fostering a One Health approach.

• Access to faculty with expertise in tropical infectious diseases, wildlife health, agricultural biosecurity and environmental health.
• Opportunities for field-based learning and practicum placements with state agencies, conservation organisations and diagnostic laboratories in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.
• Interdisciplinary training that combines epidemiologic methods with applied animal health science and policy, tailored to island and tropical contexts.
• Facilities and partnerships that support applied research, laboratory-based diagnostics and community-focused public health interventions.

These strengths make the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa an appropriate choice for students who want to work on complex zoonotic and environmental health problems affecting islands, tropical regions and globalised trade routes.