Emory University

Programme overview

This doctoral route is offered through Emory's public health doctoral programme with a focus on veterinary epidemiology and public health. The curriculum combines advanced epidemiologic methods, quantitative analysis and disease ecology with applied research on zoonoses, food safety and animal-associated public health threats. Students undertake original research leading to a dissertation and are expected to develop methodological expertise and substantive knowledge in One Health approaches.

What you'll study

• Advanced Epidemiology: study design, causal inference, outbreak investigation and transmission dynamics for infectious and non-infectious threats.
• Biostatistics and Modelling: regression methods, Bayesian approaches, stochastic and deterministic modelling of disease spread, survival analysis and longitudinal data methods.
• Veterinary Public Health & Zoonoses: ecology of zoonotic pathogens, pathogen reservoirs, spillover risk, foodborne disease epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance.
• Surveillance and Informatics: syndromic and laboratory-based surveillance systems, data integration, spatial epidemiology and use of large administrative and ‘omics datasets.
• Laboratory and Field Methods: principles of diagnostic testing, sample design for animal populations, and integration of field data with laboratory results (where appropriate through collaborative labs).
• Policy, Ethics and One Health Practice: risk assessment, outbreak preparedness, communication, and ethical issues at the human–animal–environment interface.
• Research Practicum and Teaching: mentored research projects, teaching experience, seminars and journal clubs to develop scholarly and pedagogic skills.

Students typically tailor coursework and practicum experiences to their dissertation goals, working closely with faculty advisors and often collaborating with external partners for data collection and applied studies.

Entry requirements

• A relevant graduate degree is strongly preferred — examples include DVM, MPH, MSc in epidemiology, infectious disease, quantitative biology or a closely related discipline. Exceptional applicants with a strong bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may be considered.
• Solid quantitative background demonstrated through previous coursework or research in statistics, epidemiology, biostatistics or mathematical modelling.
• A research statement describing proposed interests in veterinary epidemiology or One Health research, and how these align with potential faculty supervisors.
• Academic transcripts, CV, and at least two strong letters of recommendation that speak to research potential.
• Standardised test requirements (e.g. GRE) and English language proof vary by applicant background and should be checked on the programme’s admissions pages.

Career prospects

• Academic research and faculty positions in epidemiology, veterinary public health or One Health departments.
• Public sector roles in national and international agencies (for example disease surveillance, outbreak response and policy at public health and veterinary services).
• Positions at global health organisations and NGOs focusing on zoonotic disease control, food safety, and pandemic preparedness.
• Research and development or epidemiology roles in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic industries.
• Consultancy and data science roles that require expertise in disease modelling, surveillance analytics and risk assessment.

Why study at Emory University

Emory provides strong interdisciplinary training through its public health faculty and close institutional partnerships that are particularly valuable for veterinary epidemiology research. Students benefit from proximity to national public health agencies and collaborative networks, access to diverse practicum sites and mentoring from researchers with expertise in infectious disease, global health and quantitative methods. The programme emphasises applied, policy-relevant research and offers opportunities to work on real-world surveillance and outbreak-response projects within a One Health context.

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