MPH, PEL

Master of Public Health in Infectious Disease Pathogenesis, Eradication, and Laboratory Practice

The MPH with a concentration in Infectious Disease Pathogenesis, Eradication, and Laboratory Practice (PEL) enables students a unique educational experience, which brings together pathogen biology, immunology, and epidemiology within the broader framework of public health. Students then have the opportunity to apply what they learn in a laboratory setting. Students graduate from the MPH PEL program with the expertise necessary for occupations in public health education, analysis, and research in the non-profit, government, or private sectors. The program also prepares students for further education in medical or graduate programs.

Requirements

42 credits, including coursework, practicum experience, and a written thesis or essay. This concentration also has the option for laboratory research.
Foundational public health courses
Advanced courses in infectious disease epidemiology and microbiology
On-site public health practicum experience
Advanced thesis or essay research in an area of specialization

Full Program Information

Student Handbook

Admissions

Financial Aid

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Positions Held by Recent Graduates

Data manager, EMMES Corporation
Quality control associate, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Physician’s assistant student, Yale University
Genetic counselor, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Public health specialist, Arizona State Health Department
Epidemiology assistant, University of Maryland

Competencies

Graduates will be able to:

Discuss the general approaches used by successful microbial pathogens to establish disease
Suggest novel approaches to the prevention and control of infectious pathogens

Distinguish between the different types of host response mechanism and explain their relevance to various domestic and global infectious diseases
Differentiate between the various models of infectious disease spread in human populations

Analyze the unique molecular mechanisms used by infectious viruses to cause infection and evade immune response
Analyze and critique the current research literature on infectious disease pathogenesis

All graduates also achieve the core and cross-cutting competencies for Pitt Public Health MPH students.

Degree Opportunities

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Accelerated Schedule Option

The MPH-PEL program is compatible with an accelerated schedule where full-time students have the opportunity to finish in three (3) semesters (fall, spring, fall), which saves up to $20,000! For more information on the accelerated schedule, please email idm@pitt.edu. Please note this is exclusive to the degree program, and any additional certificate interests may require the full two years to graduation.

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Exciting Practicum Opportunities

As an IDM MPH-PEL student, you’ll gain hands-on public health experience through a practicum customized to your interests in infectious diseases. Practicum sites range from local institutions like UPMC Infection Control and the Allegheny County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness and STD/HIV divisions to global projects, such as studying TB and HIV virulence in India. Whether you choose Pittsburgh, your hometown, or a global setting, faculty support helps you find the right fit to apply your skills, explore new interests, and tackle real-world public health challenges.

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Research Experiences

MPH-PEL students often combine a clear interest in public health with a strong background in biological sciences. Within our program, you do not have to sacrifice one for the other. In addition to your practicum work, you will have the opportunity to participate in many of our faculty’s research projects, gaining valuable lab experience, course credits, and contributing to cutting-edge research in the biology of infectious diseases! You can also write and defend a Masters thesis, showing future employers, medical schools, or doctoral programs your ability to conduct focused research at a high level.

Recent Essay and Thesis Titles

Browse further titles in D-Scholarship, the institutional repository for research output at the University of (essay) Pittsburgh.

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Professor and students