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Master of Science in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology

Program Overview

This online master’s in infection prevention and epidemiology degree (IPE) is designed to foster leaders and educators in the prevention of infections across the healthcare continuum using epidemiological and infection prevention tools and principles. This program develops students into agents who will use systems thinking and data analysis and prepares students to use evidence-based practice to facilitate collaboration that improves patients’ safety. 

The core benefit of the online master’s in epidemiology is the diversity of professional students and the integration of learning across care settings. Graduates from this program will be prepared to assume collaborative research roles in public health and healthcare settings around the world.

Program Highlights

  • Career Ready 

The online master’s in infection control is designed to help students become skilled, competent, lifelong learners in a rapidly changing and complex healthcare arena.

  • Convenient Online Learning 

The infection prevention and epidemiology courses are offered online asynchronously with state-of-the-art video conference capabilities.

  • Affordable Cost, Big Value

With already competitive tuition rates, students can access multiple scholarship opportunities that could lead to significant tuition reduction.

  • Partnership with Providence St. Joseph Health

Through our unique partnership with Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH), students have access to PSJH facilities across seven states in numerous healthcare settings that prepare them for real-world job placement. 

  • Job Opportunities at PSJH

During the last semester of their academic program, students have the opportunity to apply for employment within PSJH.

Program Curriculum

The online master’s in epidemiology program is held completely asynchronously and can be completed in 6 semesters, for a total of 23 months. Each semester consists of eight-week online courses, with short breaks between courses. 

For more details on the curriculum, review the MS in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology program curriculum.

Skills You’ll Learn

During the online master’s in infection prevention and epidemiology, you’ll gain the ability to:

  • Critically evaluate the application of epidemiologic methods to answer public health questions
  • Synthesize epidemiologic literature
  • Understand and apply principles of ethical conduct
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data
  • Interpret results of data analysis for public health research

 

Careers in Epidemiology and Infection Control

Students who graduate from the online master’s in infection control program can pursue careers in a number of different industries. One industry is workplace health and safety regulation. Employment of occupational health and safety specialists is projected to grow by 7 percent over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Specialists and technicians will be needed in a wide variety of industries to ensure that employers adhere to both existing and new regulations. Additionally, the average salary for those entering the field is roughly $74,870.

Infection prevention and control are crucial components of a safe healthcare setting. An infection preventionist or epidemiologist is responsible for preventing and containing infectious diseases in a healthcare environment. Infection preventionists have several duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to gathering and analyzing data on infectious diseases and infection rates and trends, as well as analyzing environmental health. The BLS estimates that the job outlook for this field is projected to grow at a rate of 30 percent between 2020-2030, which is much faster than the average for all professions. In addition, the estimated annual salary is $78,830 for epidemiologists and infection preventionists.

Infection preventionists can work in many settings, including:

  • Hospitals
  • Ambulatory care
  • Home care
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Public health

 

How To Become an Infection Preventionist

The online master’s in infection prevention and epidemiology is designed to help students become infection preventionists in and out of healthcare settings. The University of Providence’s online IPE program combines foundational science with clinical applications in order to give students the chance to develop the hands-on skills necessary for career readiness. 

Learn more about the infection preventionist career path.

Online MS in Infection Prevention & Epidemiology Application Information

Program Application: Applicants must complete an online graduate application

Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit an official transcript that shows completion of a baccalaureate degree. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater for a BA or BS degree

  • A cumulative GPA is calculated by averaging all GPAs that lead to the completion of the bachelor degree.
  • Any applicant who does not meet the minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher, or does not have a GPA on their transcript, must complete the graduate record examination (GRE). GRE scores expire in five years.
    • Acceptable GRE scores include:
      • Verbal: 150
      • Quantitative: 149

Personal Essay: Applicants are required to complete a one-page essay.

Curriculum Vitae or Résumé: Applicants are required to submit a CV or résumé.

Application Fee: Applicants must pay a $38 application fee required by GradCAS.

All international transcripts must be submitted with an official transcript evaluation in English from an evaluation service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) such as ECE or WES..

Completion of three prerequisite courses:
(these courses must have been taken within the last 5 years)

  • Microbiology (4 credits)
  • Anatomy & Physiology (8 credits)
    • 2 Anatomy & Physiology courses or
    • 1 Anatomy and 1 Physiology course taken separately
  • Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)

 

Program Cost

The University of Providence is committed to affordability and providing pricing transparency for all School of Health Professions programs. Pricing transparency at UP includes:

  • Accessible and up-to-date information on tuition costs, university fees, application and admission fees, deposit amounts, and additional program costs.
  • Cost of attendance worksheets outlining specific tuition layouts by program and semester.
  • Information about scholarship opportunities and tuition discounts for specific groups.
  • Information about the financial aid process.

 

Visit our Tuition and Fees page to access the latest pricing information. Access the Master of Science in Infection Prevention & Epidemiology Estimated Cost Breakdown Sheet to view pricing information for this degree program, including a cost breakdown by semester and associated program costs. Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the financial aid process.

 

Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive

The University of Providence is committed to supporting the healthcare workforce by empowering current healthcare professionals to start, enhance or advance their career in healthcare. The Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive (HPTI) Program provides currently employed healthcare professionals with the opportunity to apply tuition discounts to in-demand programs offered through our School of Health Professions catalog.

Visit the Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive Program page to learn more.

 

Providence Health & Services Partnership

Our unique partnership with Providence Health allows eligible Providence Caregivers and their dependents to receive an exceptional education from an accredited, faith-based, university. Caregivers and their dependents who enroll at the University of Providence may receive many possible benefits, such as discounted tuition rates and preferred admission, as part of their education benefits. Visit the Providence Human Resources Service Portal to learn more about caregiver education benefits, the application process for our programs, and tuition discounts.

Program Orientation Details

Location: All students are encouraged to attend a virtual program immersion.

Length: 1 day.

Purpose: The literature supports successful online programs with high graduation rates requiring an initial face-to-face orientation. This one-day session helps to build a student community, introduction to the university, faculty, and program coursework.

Cohort model (yes or no): Yes.

Cohort start date: August of each year.

Program Courses

The online MS in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology requires the following courses:

  • MSI 501 Introduction to Epidemiology           
  • MSI 505 Statistics & Research Methods        
  • MSI 510 Principles & Epidemiology of Infectious Disease      
  • MSI 515 Molecular & Immunological Methods in Infectious Disease      
  • MSI 520 Clinical Microbiology          
  • MSI 525 Antimicrobial Stewardship          
  • MSI 530 Reprocessing & Environment of Care       
  • MSI 535 Regulation and Quality Improvement        
  • MSI 540 Principles of Surveillance and Reporting       
  • MSI 545 Healthcare Informatics & Data Management       
  • MSI 550 Transformational Leadership        
  • MSI 695 Internship & Capstone I         
  • MSI  697 Internship & Capstone II         
  • MSI  699 Internship & Capstone II
Program Themes

The University of Providence’s online master’s in infection control will cover the following themes:

  • Transformational Leadership
  • Identification, Prevention & Control of Infections
  • Surveillance & Epidemiological Investigation
  • Program Development & Integration
  • Patient Safety & Quality
  • Effective Communication
  • Continuum of Care
  • Influencing Human Behavior
  • Inter-professional Collaboration
  • Knowledge Sharing
  • Life-long Learning
Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the infection prevention and epidemiology master’s program demonstrate the following program learning outcomes:

  1. Lead inter-professional teams to design and implement infection prevention strategies.
  2. Identify and analyze infectious disease processes across the continuum of care.
  3. Develop and implement a comprehensive infection prevention program using research and evidence-based practice to improve patient safety.
  4. Conduct surveillance and investigate epidemiological patterns to prevent transmission of infections.
  5. Synthesize complex information and educate healthcare communities.
  6. Assess the environmental and behavioral influences related to disease transmission.
  7. Apply data collection methods, applications, sampling systems and informatics to improve decision-making and accountability.
  8. Serve as an organizational resource for continuous learning and inquiry.
Additional Costs

Fees for required materials: Textbooks.

  • Textbooks: Varies by course, please check the University of Providence online bookstore for up to date lists, ISBNs, and costs.
  • Fees associated with background check, drug screen and upload of immunization records from Verified Credentials is $126.80
Program Format

How the program is delivered:  asynchronous.

Number of semesters required: 6 semesters for a total of 23 months.

Length of semesters: Eight-week online courses for working professionals with short breaks between courses.

How long it typically takes a person to complete the program: 23 months.

Employment Forecast

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook for this field is on target with the national average at about 10%. Employment of occupational health and safety specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of occupational health and safety technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Specialists and technicians will be needed in a wide variety of industries to ensure that employers adhere to both existing and new regulations. Additionally, average salaries for those entering the field is roughly $69,370.

Partnership with Providence St. Joseph Health

Our students are prepared to be leaders in healthcare. Our unique partnership with Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH) offers students the opportunity to receive a quality education with a direct connection to the healthcare industry.

Career-Ready

Designed for students to become skilled, competent, lifelong learners in a rapidly changing and complex healthcare arena.

Convenient

Healthcare courses are offered online with state-of-the-art video conference capabilities.

Affordable Cost, Big Value

With already competitive tuition rates, students can access multiple scholarship opportunities that could lead to significant tuition reduction.

Engaged Teaching and Learning

Students learn effectively from faculty who help facilitate all learning experiences.

Internship Opportunities

Students have access to PSJH facilities across seven states in numerous healthcare settings that prepare them for real-world job placement.

Job Opportunities

During the last semester of their academic program, students have the opportunity to apply for employment within PSJH.

Learn To Identify and Control Infectious Diseases With the MS in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Degree From UP

The online Master of Science degree in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology from the University of Providence will prepare you for a future in infection identification, prevention and control. Enter the healthcare field with skills in prevention strategy and implementation, investigation of epidemiological patterns and the ability to apply data and research across industries.

Find out more about the program by Requesting Information or learn more about applying on the How To Apply page.

Contact Information

Email

Frankie Lyons, Ed.D.

Associate Dean of Health Programs
Email
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