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BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY
I. MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Justice is defined by the mandate: "Precision in Science, Justice in Health." The program is codified to prepare strategic health guardians who utilize rigorous biostatistical modeling, ethical inquiry, and evidence-based decision-making to secure community health and protect human dignity.
II. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND CORE PHILOSOPHY
The degree plan is predicated upon a “One Health” approach, acknowledging the inextricable link between the health of human populations, animal ecosystems, and environmental stability.
1. Strategic Response to Modern Crises: The program mandates a departure from reactive public health methodologies. Students shall be trained as the “intelligence service” of medicine, focusing on:
Rapid identification and systemic intervention regarding viral pandemics, antibiotic resistance, and chronic disease.
Mitigation of “infodemics” through the provision of empirical clarity to policy-making bodies.
2. Evidence-Based Decision Making: To combat political and social bias, the curriculum enforces a “Gold Standard” of evidence. Students are required to master biostatistical filtration methods to ensure interventions are both objectively effective and culturally sensitive.
III. ETHICAL MANDATES AND DATA GOVERNANCE
In accordance with the University of Justice’s commitment to institutional integrity, all students are bound by the following ethical guardrails:
Data Integrity: Maintaining the highest standards of mathematical and computational accuracy.
Privacy and Surveillance: Strict adherence to ethical standards regarding patient privacy during contact tracing and the moral implications of Big Data/AI utilization.
Transparency: A professional obligation to report research findings with absolute transparency to maintain public trust.
IV. FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS OF STUDY
The curriculum is supported by three non-negotiable pillars:
Analytical Rigor: The application of advanced mathematical and computational accuracy to ensure data integrity.
Social Responsibility: A commitment to the identification and reduction of health disparities, specifically addressing the social determinants that render populations vulnerable.
Communication Mastery: The capacity to synthesize complex technical findings into actionable, life-saving advice for stakeholders and the public.
V. REGIONAL APPLICATION: TEXAS HEALTH LANDSCAPE
Recognizing the unique logistical and demographic requirements of the State of Texas, the program mandates localized study of:
Emerging tropical diseases in South Texas.
The environmental health impacts of the industrial/energy sector.
Logistical strategies for rural healthcare delivery.
VI. LEADERSHIP AND FUTURE-PROOFING
The University of Justice provides a framework for "future-proofing" professional practice. This includes training in predictive modeling and genomic epidemiology. The objective is to produce graduates capable of assuming leadership roles within health departments, legislative advisory bodies, and clinical research institutions.
VII. COMPLIANCE CONSTITUENCY
This explanation serves as the formal governing philosophy for the Epidemiology degree plan. Students are directed to the "Core Pillars of Study" section in the University Academic Handbook for sequencing, specific course requirements, and credit-hour obligations.
Degree plan
Semester 1:
EPID 1301: Introduction to Epidemiology (Prerequisites, BIOL 1306/1106: Biology for Science Majors I & Lab, ENGL 1301: First Year Writing I, CHEM 1311/1111:, Chemistry I & Lab, HIST 1377: US History to 1877)
PATH 1301: Introduction to Pathophysiology
BIOL 2301: Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
EPID 1303: Demographics and Population Health
EPID 3400: Constitutional Law and Public Health
Semester 2:
BIOL 2302: Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (BIOL 1307/1107: Biology for Science Majors II & Lab, ENGL 1302: First Year Writing II)
BIOL 2305: Patient Health Assessment
PHRM 2303: Pharmacology (CHEM 1312/1112: Chemistry II & Lab)
EPID 1333: Public Health Economics (MATH 1342: Elementary Statistics)
MSE 2434: Medical Products and Logistics
CLSC 1311: Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science
NUTR 2323: Nutrition in Epidemiology * Summer
Semester 3:
CLSC 2414: Immunohematology
EPI 2444: Public Health Forensic Analysis (CHEM 2323/2123: Organic Chemistry I & Lab)
MSE 2001: Medical Devices and Equipment (PHYS 1301/1101: General Physics I & Lab)
ACCT 2301: Principles of Financial Accounting
EPI 1303: Medical Laws
Semester 4:
EPID 3331: Intermediate Epidemiology (CHEM 2325/2125: Organic Chemistry II & Lab)
EPID 3302: Pathophysiology of Disease
CDI 2433: Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
EPID 3342: Occupational Safety in Epidemiology
CLSC 4010: Clinical Instrumentation
Summer
SPAN 1301: General Spanish*
Semester 5:
BCHS 3304: Biochemistry
MIM2304: Advanced Medical Imaging Systems (PHYS 1302/1102: General Physics II & Lab)
CLSC 2005: Clinical Microscopy & Hematology
EPID 3303: Religious and Moral Obligation
BIOL3303: Medical Malpractices
Semester 6:
BIOL 3304: Vaccination & Immunization Interventions
LAW 3305: Legal Aspects of Public Health
EPID 3305: Chronic Disease Epidemiology
EPID 4600: Emergency Preparedness and Legal Response
EPID Medical Exemptions and Regulations In Epidemiology
STAT 4301: Clinical Trial Design
Semester 7:
EPID 4303: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
LAW 4303: Property Laws & Housing Policy
ELECT 4301: Health Equity & Informatics
LAB 4001: Laboratory Quality Control & Inventory
ERG 4401: Epidemiology Research Grants and Funding
Semester 8:
EPID 4440: Global Health Epidemiology
LAW 4441: Seminar in Epidemiology Laws and Practices
NUTR 4442: Community Resources and Services
RESR 4443 Senior Thesis/Capstone Project
EPID 4444: Professional Practicum in Epidemiology
Prerequisites and Application Deadlines
The admissions process for the Epidemiology degree at the University of Justice is governed by both institutional standards and the Texas Uniform Admission Policy. Navigating these requirements requires a clear understanding of state-mandated benchmarks, specific coursework prerequisites, and strict adherence to the academic calendar. By meeting these criteria, you position yourself to join a cohort dedicated to data-driven public health solutions.
Texas Uniform Admission Standards
Texas law requires all students applying to public four-year universities to meet specific curriculum requirements to be eligible for admission. As an applicant, you must satisfy one of the following criteria under the Texas Education Code:
Top 10 Percent Rule: If you graduated from a public or private high school in Texas in the top 10 percent of your class, you are eligible for automatic admission, provided you completed the Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Foundation High School Program.
College Readiness Benchmarks: If you do not fall into the top 10 percent, you must demonstrate college readiness via the SAT or ACT. The University of Justice typically looks for scores that align with the state average or higher, specifically focusing on the quantitative sections which are vital for epidemiology coursework.
Curriculum Completion: You must successfully complete the Foundation High School Program with at least one endorsement, or an equivalent curriculum at an out-of-state or private school. This must include four credits in English, three credits in Mathematics (including Algebra II), three credits in Science, and three credits in Social Studies.
Core Prerequisites for Epidemiology
The Epidemiology degree plan is mathematically and scientifically rigorous. While general admission grants you entry to the university, the Department of Public Health requires specific foundational knowledge to ensure you can handle the upper-level biostatistics and modeling courses. You should focus on completing the following prerequisites with a grade of C or better:
Mathematical Foundations Epidemiology relies heavily on data interpretation. You are required to have completed College Algebra as a minimum, though Pre-Calculus or Calculus I is highly recommended. If you have already completed a basic Statistics course, this will serve as an excellent precursor to the Biostatistics modules you will encounter in your first year.
Biological Sciences A strong grasp of human biology is necessary to understand disease pathology. You must complete at least two semesters of General Biology with associated lab work. Courses in Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology are not strictly required for admission but are viewed favorably during the holistic review of your application.
Social Sciences and Composition Because epidemiologists must communicate complex data to the public and policymakers, two semesters of English Composition are required. Additionally, an introductory course in Sociology or Psychology helps provide the social context necessary for studying population health and health disparities.
Application Components
The University of Justice utilizes a holistic review process. This means that while your GPA and test scores are critical, the admissions committee also considers your background, intent, and potential for contribution to the field of public health. Your application must include:
you can apply here using the school website. The ApplyTexas Application All students applying to Texas public universities should use the ApplyTexas portal. Ensure you select the "Epidemiology" major specifically to route your application to the correct department reviewers.
Official Transcripts You must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended. For epidemiology candidates, the committee specifically looks at your performance in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is the preferred minimum for competitive entry into this program.
Personal Statement Your essay should focus on your interest in public health. Avoid generalities about wanting to "help people." Instead, discuss a specific public health challenge—such as food insecurity, infectious disease outbreaks, or chronic illness trends—and explain why data-driven investigation is the solution you wish to pursue.
Letters of Recommendation Submit two letters of recommendation. At least one should come from a teacher or professional who can vouch for your analytical or scientific abilities. For epidemiology, a recommendation from a math or science instructor carries significant weight.
Important Application Deadlines
Adhering to deadlines is critical, as the Epidemiology program limits its cohort size to maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio. Missing a deadline may result in your application being deferred to the following year.
Fall Semester Entry
Priority Scholarship Deadline: December 1. To be considered for department-specific grants and university-wide scholarships, your application must be complete by this date.
Regular Decision Deadline: February 1. This is the final cutoff for all fall applications.
Final Transcript Submission: July 15. For graduating high school seniors or transferring students, final official transcripts must be received by this date to finalize enrollment.
Spring Semester Entry
Priority Deadline: September 1. Application for the spring term is limited and depends on space availability within core lab courses.
Final Deadline: November 1. All materials, including test scores and letters of recommendation, must be uploaded to the portal by midnight on this date.
International and Out-of-State Applicants
If you are applying from outside of Texas, you must still meet the equivalent of the Texas Uniform Admission Standards. International students whose primary language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum TOEFL score for the University of Justice is 80 (internet-based), reflecting the heavy reading and writing load required in epidemiology research. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-approved agency to translate credits into the U.S. grading system.
Readiness and Testing
Before your first semester, all Texas public university students must take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) unless they are exempt through SAT/ACT scores or prior college-level coursework. This assessment ensures you have the reading, writing, and math skills necessary for college-level work. If you do not meet the passing standards, you may be required to take developmental courses before enrolling in the core Epidemiology curriculum. Because of the heavy math requirements in this degree, achieving a high score on the math portion of the TSIA2 is a strong indicator of your readiness for Biostatistics I.
Epidemiology’s Role in Public Health: Epidemiology serves as a diagnostic tool for populations, focusing on the health of communities rather than individuals. This discipline involves:• Identifying the “who, what, where, when, and why” of health events.• Providing evidence to stop disease spread and prevent future outbreaks.• Translating complex data into actionable public health policies.
Population-Level Problem Solving: Epidemiologists solve health challenges by detecting patterns invisible to individuals. Their work includes:• Analyzing how diseases spread through specific demographics like the elderly or children.• Identifying causes such as contaminated water, seasonal viruses, or social behavior changes.• Preventing localized outbreaks from becoming regional or national crises.
Managing Infectious and Chronic Diseases: A key role of epidemiologists is to manage infectious diseases and address chronic conditions. This involves:• Tracking virus reproduction rates (R-naught) and evaluating interventions (social distancing, masking, vaccinations).• Studying lifestyle, genetics, and socioeconomic factors related to chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.• Designing tailored prevention programs for affected populations.
Addressing Environmental and Occupational Health Risks: Epidemiologists assess health risks from environmental and workplace exposures, including:• Investigating the impact of air pollution in industrial areas.• Tracking long-term effects of chemical exposure in manufacturing plants.• Providing scientific support for environmental and workplace safety regulations.
Data-Driven Health Policy Development: Modern public health policy relies on transforming data into effective strategies. Epidemiologists:• Convert raw data into legislative and funding recommendations.• Use predictive modeling to allocate resources during health emergencies.• Evaluate public health programs to ensure they improve outcomes and recommend adjustments.
Rising Demand for Epidemiological Expertise: The need for epidemiologists is growing globally across sectors. They:• Support global surveillance networks monitoring emerging pathogens.• Address regional health challenges, such as those unique to Texas’s demographics and border dynamics.• Serve private sectors by designing clinical trials, predicting insurance costs, and managing wellness programs.
Intervention and Prevention Strategies: Epidemiology employs a tiered prevention approach:• Primary Prevention: Stopping diseases before they start with vaccinations and public education.• Secondary Prevention: Early disease detection through screening programs.• Tertiary Prevention: Managing chronic conditions to improve quality of life and reduce complications.
Ethical Foundations and Equity in Epidemiology: Ethical responsibility and equity are central to epidemiological work. Professionals:• Ensure privacy and data security compliant with laws like HIPAA.• Identify and address health disparities related to race, ethnicity, and income.• Advocate for equitable health strategies that serve marginalized populations.• Balance scientific rigor with social justice to build resilient communities.