EDUCATION & TRAINING » Degree Programs in Epidemiology

Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) degree reflect the emphasis on integrating epidemiology and clinical practice. Individuals admitted into either program must have an advanced degree in medicine, nursing, or another health-related field, from an accredited college or university. They also must have advanced clinical training in any specialty or subspecialty of medicine, or its equivalent in another health-related discipline. Those without experience in health-related research will find these programs difficult and perhaps inappropriate, as they are designed to convey methodological skills that students can apply to their own health-related area of interest. On rare occasions, individuals with a strong background in biomedical science or another health-related area may be admitted without such a degree or training. Without exception, applicants will be required to have in-depth prior experience in a clinical discipline or in some other health-related content area before beginning this training. Applicants should be committed to careers in medical and health services research. It is expected that only applicants with outstanding academic records will be accepted into these programs.

Four Admissions Paths

There are four admissions paths for students who wish to enroll in Penn's epidemiology education programs:

Application Procedures for MSCE and PhD programs

The application process for the MSCE and PhD programs is as follows:
  1. Complete and submit an application that will include:
    • A Completed Application Form
      You may request application materials by contacting Jennifer Kuklinski at 215-573-2382 (voice) or by email at ceuapps@mail.med.upenn.edu.
    • Three Letters of Recommendation Accompanied by the Reference Report (included with application the materials).
      The reference report and letter of recommendation should identify personal attributes, experiences, and accomplishments.
    • Standardized test scores
      Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and must have the scores forwarded by the Educational Testing Service. A subject test is not required. Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) scores may be submitted in place of GRE scores. Scores must be received directly from the testing agency. All applicants for whom English is a second language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have the scores submitted by the testing agency.
    • Official Transcripts
      Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. Official transcripts, only, will be accepted.
    • A Curriculum Vitae
      Applicants are required to submit a current CV including a list of publications (where applicable).
  2. Complete the Interview Process (if applicable)
    After an initial review of the application, the applicant will be contacted about whether they will proceed to the next level of the application process. The next level is to complete interviews with two or more epidemiology Faculty members. (For PhD applicants a minimum of four interviews will be arranged) These interviews will be facilitated by the Educational Programs Office.

Application Review

The Admissions Committee review process will take place after interviews have been completed. Applications received from those interested in enrolling in the MSCE degree program and PhD are reviewed by the Clinical Epidemiology Unit's Admissions Committee. Applications received from those interested in the PhD degree will also be reviewed by the Admissions Committee for the Biomedical Graduate Studies Program.

It is expected that an applicant will receive notification about their admission within six weeks of submitting a completed application.

Joint Degree Applications

The application and admission process for the MD/MSCE and MD/PhD degree programs are administered by the Office of Combined Degree Programs of the University of Pennsylvania, in cooperation, as appropriate, with the Admissions Committees for the School of Medicine, the Biomedical Graduate Studies Program, and the CCEB. More information about the application process for the MD/MSCE and MD/PhD degree programs can be obtained directly from the Office of Combined Degree Programs:

Suite 100, Edward J. Stemmler Hall
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6087
215-898-8025 (voice)
215-898-0833 (fax)

We encourage fellows to submit their application as early as possible, starting September 1st; however, recognizing the possible difficulties of making the decision and providing all the materials by this deadline, we will continue to accept applications for the MSCE program as well as funding through November 15th.

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