EDUCATION & TRAINING » Degree Programs in Epidemiology

MSCE Concentrations


Areas of Concentration

Students in the MSCE Program have the option, but are not required to select a 'concentration' within the program. There are four concentrations (listed below) from which to choose. Concentration requirements will be taken as program electives. Additional time or credit units are not required to complete a concentration.

MSCE with Concentration in Bioethics

The Bioethics concentration is designed to teach students how to apply empirical methods to address ethical issues in health care, policy, and research. In addition to the MSCE program's core courses, students enrolled in the Bioethics concentration are required to take:

An alternative concentration-specific elective may be substituted for Clinical Economics (EPID 550) if chosen in collaboration with the concentration director and student's mentor. The student's thesis must be relevant to Bioethics. Students in this area of concentration must obtain approval for their course plan from their primary mentor and the concentration director.

Bioethics Concentration Director: Scott Halpern MD, PhD, MBE


MSCE with Concentration in Clinical Trials

The Clinical Trials concentration is designed to expand the existing MSCE program to provide students with expertise in the theoretical and practical aspects of the design and implementation of clinical trials. In addition to the MSCE program's core courses, students pursuing a concentration in Clinical Trials are required to take:

Either EPID 634 or EPID 638 may be replaced with an alternative course if approved by the student's primary mentor and the Clinical Trials Concentration director. Students are expected to pursue a thesis relevant to Clinical Trials.

Clinical Trials Concentration Director: James Lewis, MD, MSCE


MSCE with Concentration in Human Genetics

The concentration in Human Genetics prepares students to integrate the methods of genetics, molecular biology, biostatistics, and epidemiology to study human disease. In addition to the MSCE program's core courses, students in the Human Genetics concentration are required to take:

Alternatively, students may take courses offered on or off campus to acquire relevant expertise in this area in addition to the MSCE and concentration required courses as a third elective. Students also are expected to pursue a thesis relevant to Human Genetics, and participate in a genetics rotation during their training period. This rotation can be in any setting in which genetics research is being undertaken, including (but not limited to) experiences in hands-on molecular biology labs, computer-based statistical genetics research, and clinical genetics rotations. The student, the concentration director, and the student's primary mentor will jointly specify the details of this rotation.

Human Genetics Concentration Director: Timothy Rebbeck, PhD


MSCE with Concentration in Pharmacoepidemiology

Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use and effects of medications in populations. It applies epidemiologic research methods to the content area of clinical pharmacology. It is also the basic science underlying the public health practice of drug safety surveillance. The Pharmacoepidemiology concentration is designed to allow MSCE students with a special interest in pharmacoepidemiology to gain focused knowledge and skills in this area. In addition to the MSCE program's core courses, students must successfully complete:

A relevant thesis to pharmacoepidemiology is also required. Students should complete the courses unless an alternative course is approved by their primary mentor and the concentration director.

Pharmacoepidemiology Concentration Director: Sean Hennessy, PharmD, PhD



Please click here for a complete listing of courses offered for the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology degree program.

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