University of Cincinnati

What you'll study

The programme provides a core public health curriculum framed around veterinary epidemiology and the One Health approach, emphasising links between human, animal and environmental health. You will study foundational public health disciplines alongside specialised topics that prepare you to work on zoonotic and foodborne disease, animal population health and surveillance systems.

• Core public health subjects: introduction to public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy and ethics.
• Veterinary epidemiology and One Health: principles of infectious disease transmission, zoonoses, ecology of disease, comparative epidemiology and the One Health framework.
• Applied methods and laboratory skills: outbreak investigation, diagnostic test interpretation, molecular surveillance basics, GIS for public health and data management.
• Research and practicum: field placements with public health agencies or animal health partners, a research methods course and a capstone or honours project focused on a veterinary public health problem.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: food safety, wildlife health, animal population management, global health, policy analysis and risk communication.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a secondary school diploma with a strong record in science and mathematics. Typical preparation includes courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics (such as algebra or pre-calculus); coursework in statistics or computer science is advantageous. Admissions consider overall academic achievement and the applicants statement of purpose; relevant volunteer or work experience with animals, laboratories or public health agencies strengthens an application.

For transfer applicants, college-level coursework in introductory biology, chemistry and mathematics will be reviewed. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in line with university requirements. Students planning accelerated or honours options should consult programme advisers about additional prerequisites.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that bridge human and animal health. Common entry-level positions include disease surveillance technician, outbreak investigation assistant, laboratory support technician, public health educator focusing on zoonoses, and roles with state or local health departments and non-governmental organisations. Employment sectors include:

• local/state public health agencies and national disease control programmes
• animal health surveillance units and agricultural agencies
• nonprofits and international organisations working on One Health and zoonotic disease control
• food safety and public health laboratories
• research assistantships in university or government epidemiology groups

Many graduates also go on to further study: common pathways are an MPH with a focus on epidemiology or infectious disease, MSc/PhD programmes in epidemiology or ecology, or professional degrees such as DVM for those who wish to pursue clinical veterinary practice combined with public health.

Why study at University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati offers an applied, interdisciplinary approach to public health that leverages strong links with regional public health departments and research centres. Students benefit from the universitys emphasis on experiential learning, including co-operative education and practicum placements that connect classroom learning to real-world outbreak investigation and surveillance work.

The campus provides access to faculty with expertise in infectious disease ecology, epidemiology and environmental health, and to urban and regional partners where students can gain hands-on experience in zoonotic disease monitoring, food safety and One Health projects. The programmes structure supports students aiming for immediate employment in public health or progression to graduate study.