Health Sciences

Master of Science in Applied Epidemiology

The Master of Science in Applied Epidemiology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and public health research. The programme prepares graduates to design and conduct population health studies and apply research findings to improve public health.

Core areas include epidemiological methods, biostatistics, research methodology, molecular epidemiology, quantitative epidemiology, infectious disease epidemiology, demography, computer applications in health research, and health systems research. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical field applications.

The programme is offered by Zetech University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, and University of Kabianga, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers MSc in Applied Epidemiology and MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics through its School of Public Health in the College of Health Sciences. KEMRI Graduate School also offers related MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Students develop competencies in study design, data collection and analysis, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, statistical analysis, research communication, and evidence-based intervention design. The programme includes coursework, field epidemiology practicals, examinations, and a research thesis. JKUAT's programme covers taught courses in year one and research, seminars, and thesis in year two.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. JKUAT's programme is offered through the School of Public Health with multi-disciplinary, problem-oriented training. The programme accommodates health professionals and science graduates.

Graduates pursue careers as epidemiologists, public health researchers, disease surveillance officers, biostatisticians, health programme managers, and lecturers in ministries of health, research institutions, universities, and international health organisations.

Skills Required

Epidemiological Study Design
Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation
Biostatistics and Statistical Analysis
Research Methodology in Public Health
Molecular Epidemiology
Quantitative Epidemiology
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Data Management and Analysis Software
Epidemiological Data Interpretation and Communication
Evidence-Based Intervention Design

Key Subjects

Epidemiological Methods
Biostatistics and Demography
Research Methodology
Molecular Epidemiology
Quantitative Epidemiology
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Computer Applications in Health Research
Health Systems Research
Application of Epidemiological Methods
Public Health Surveillance

Certifications

FETP Field Epidemiology Certification
KEMRI Research Certification

Specializations

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, outbreak investigation, disease transmission, surveillance systems, and controlling infectious disease outbreaks.

Molecular Epidemiology

Examines molecular epidemiology, applying molecular techniques to epidemiological studies, pathogen characterisation, and understanding disease at molecular level.

Biostatistics and Quantitative Epidemiology

Covers biostatistics, quantitative epidemiology, statistical modelling, advanced data analysis, and applying statistical methods to epidemiological research.

Health Systems Research

Focuses on health systems research, evaluating health programmes, health system strengthening, and applying epidemiological methods to health system assessment.

Chronic Disease Epidemiology

Examines chronic disease epidemiology, non-communicable diseases, risk factor analysis, and epidemiology of chronic conditions in populations.

Public Health Surveillance

Covers public health surveillance, disease monitoring systems, data collection, early warning systems, and managing public health surveillance programmes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
Job market: Very high

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Epidemiological Methods
Biostatistics and Demography
Research Methodology
Molecular Epidemiology
Quantitative Epidemiology
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Computer Applications in Health Research
Health Systems Research
Application of Epidemiological Methods
Public Health Surveillance

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methodology for public health, research design, ethical considerations, proposal writing, and conducting health research.
Computer Applications in Health Research
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computer applications for health research, data management, statistical software, and using computing technology for epidemiological data analysis.
Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines epidemiology principles, study designs, measures of disease frequency, causal inference, and applying epidemiological methods to public health.
Biostatistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biostatistics, statistical methods for health data, probability, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and applying statistics to epidemiological research.
Epidemiological Methods II
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced epidemiological methods, cohort studies, case-control studies, intervention studies, and advanced study designs for epidemiological research.
Epidemiological Methods III
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers advanced epidemiological methods, causal inference, bias and confounding, effect modification, and advanced analytical methods in epidemiology.
Quantitative Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines quantitative epidemiology, measure of association, statistical modelling, sample size calculation, and quantitative methods in epidemiological research.
Application of Epidemiological Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers applying epidemiological methods to public health problems, outbreak investigation, programme evaluation, and translating research to public health action.
Molecular Epidemiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular epidemiology, applying molecular techniques to epidemiological studies, pathogen characterisation, and understanding disease at molecular level.
Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers infectious disease epidemiology, disease transmission, outbreak investigation, surveillance systems, and controlling infectious diseases.
Health Systems Research
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines health systems research, evaluating health programmes, health system strengthening, and applying epidemiological methods to health system assessment.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an applied epidemiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and epidemiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, outbreak investigation, disease transmission, surveillance systems, and controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
Molecular Epidemiology
Examines molecular epidemiology, applying molecular techniques to epidemiological studies, pathogen characterisation, and understanding disease at molecular level.
Biostatistics and Quantitative Epidemiology
Covers biostatistics, quantitative epidemiology, statistical modelling, advanced data analysis, and applying statistical methods to epidemiological research.
Health Systems Research
Focuses on health systems research, evaluating health programmes, health system strengthening, and applying epidemiological methods to health system assessment.
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Examines chronic disease epidemiology, non-communicable diseases, risk factor analysis, and epidemiology of chronic conditions in populations.
Public Health Surveillance
Covers public health surveillance, disease monitoring systems, data collection, early warning systems, and managing public health surveillance programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Applied Epidemiology programme begins with morning lectures on epidemiological methods, biostatistics, or research methodology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on study designs, disease transmission, and statistical methods. Computer laboratory sessions involve using statistical software for data management, statistical analysis, and interpreting epidemiological data. Epidemiological methods sessions cover cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and experimental designs. Biostatistics sessions involve statistical modelling, regression analysis, survival analysis, and applying statistical methods to public health data. Infectious disease epidemiology sessions examine disease transmission, outbreak investigation, and surveillance systems. Molecular epidemiology sessions cover applying molecular techniques to epidemiological studies and pathogen characterisation. Quantitative epidemiology sessions examine advanced quantitative methods, measure of association, and causal inference. Field epidemiology practicals take students to health facilities, outbreak sites, and surveillance centres where they observe and participate in disease investigation. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, Ministry of Health epidemiologists, and CDC experts provide real-world insights. JKUAT's programme offers taught courses in year one and research, seminars, and thesis in year two. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Epidemiology is critically important for public health, with very high demand for qualified epidemiologists in Kenya and globally.
JKUAT offers a well-established MSc programme through its School of Public Health with detailed curriculum and experienced faculty.
Programme combines epidemiological methods with biostatistics, molecular epidemiology, and field application, providing comprehensive training.
Strong career opportunities with KEMRI, Ministry of Health, WHO, CDC, Africa CDC, and international health organisations.

Against it

Programme requires strong background in health sciences or biological sciences, which may exclude some graduates.
Biostatistics and quantitative methods may be challenging for graduates without mathematics or statistics background.
Field epidemiology work may involve travel to outbreak sites and disease-affected areas, which may not suit all students.
Specific fee structures for Zetech, Great Lakes University, and University of Kabianga could not be independently verified.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public248k to 248k

248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: JKUAT 248K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). UoK unverified. Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. WHO provides epidemiology grants for disease surveillance capacity building. CDC Kenya supports epidemiological research and training. The programme's public health importance attracts significant donor and international health organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
WHO Epidemiology Grants
CDC Kenya Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate epidemiology and public health studies at recognised universities.
WHO Epidemiology Grants
GrantKsh 500,000
WHO provides grants for epidemiological capacity building and disease surveillance in developing countries, supporting postgraduate training in epidemiology.
CDC Kenya Research Grants
GrantKsh 500,000
CDC Kenya supports epidemiological research and training, providing grants for postgraduate research in epidemiology and public health.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for health professionals and science graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study modes at JKUAT. Year one covers taught courses and year two covers research, seminars, and thesis. JKUAT application fee KES 1,500 for postgraduate programmes. The programme is multi-disciplinary, problem-oriented, and student-oriented.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, data analysis exercises, epidemiological case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering epidemiological methods, biostatistics, infectious disease epidemiology, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills including data analysis, outbreak investigation exercises, field reports, and seminar presentations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an applied epidemiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and epidemiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers MSc in Applied Epidemiology through its School of Public Health in the College of Health Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate epidemiology and public health training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MSc in Applied Epidemiology through its School of Public Health in the College of Health Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate epidemiology and public health training.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC)
Professional accreditation
KMPDC regulates medical practice in Kenya. Graduates working in clinical epidemiology may require KMPDC registration. Public health practice may also fall under KMPDC regulation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Epidemiologist
Very high demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs and conducts epidemiological studies, investigates disease outbreaks, analyses health data, and develops evidence-based interventions for public health.
Disease Surveillance Officer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages disease surveillance systems, monitors disease trends, detects outbreaks, and coordinates public health response for ministries of health.
Public Health Researcher
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts public health research, designing studies, analysing data, publishing findings, and contributing to evidence-based public health practice.
Biostatistician
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Applies statistical methods to health data, designing studies, analysing epidemiological data, and providing statistical expertise for health research.
Health Programme Manager
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages public health programmes, overseeing programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and applying epidemiological methods to programme management.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches epidemiology and public health in universities, conducting research and training future public health professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as epidemiologists, public health researchers, and disease surveillance officers in ministries of health, research institutions, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing environment for epidemiological data analysis, statistical modelling, and public health research.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for epidemiological research, analysing health survey data, and conducting public health studies.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for epidemiological analysis, regression modelling, survival analysis, and survey data analysis in public health research.
EpiInfo
Software
CDC-developed software for epidemiological data collection, analysis, and outbreak investigation, widely used in public health surveillance.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Epidemiology is just about counting disease cases.
Epidemiology involves complex study design, statistical analysis, causal inference, outbreak investigation, and research, far beyond counting cases.
Epidemiology is only relevant during disease outbreaks.
Epidemiology is essential for routine disease surveillance, chronic disease research, health programme evaluation, and public health policy, not just outbreaks.
This programme is only for medical doctors.
The programme accepts graduates from nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health, environmental health, microbiology, biochemistry, and biological sciences.
Applied epidemiology is less rigorous than academic epidemiology.
Applied epidemiology combines scientific rigour with practical field application, ensuring research translates to public health action.
Epidemiology careers are limited to government health departments.
Graduates work in research institutions, NGOs, international organisations, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and private health sectors, not just government.
Biostatistics is too difficult for non-mathematics graduates.
The programme teaches biostatistics from foundational level, with computer software for analysis, making it accessible to health and science graduates.