Des Moines University Launches Iowa's Only Online Epidemiology Concentration

The new program prepares students for roles in public health agencies and research institutes.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a person working on a computer, with soft, warm pools of yellow, orange, and blue light, conveying the concept of public health data analysis and disease surveillance.The new online epidemiology program at Des Moines University prepares students to identify emerging public health threats and respond to community needs.Des Moines Today

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has launched a new epidemiology concentration in its Master of Public Health program, becoming the only university in Iowa to offer the concentration fully online. The program provides hands-on experience in data management, statistical modeling, and applied epidemiologic methods, preparing students for roles in government agencies, health departments, research institutes, and health systems.

Why it matters

The addition of the epidemiology concentration addresses the growing demand for trained public health professionals, as employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow by more than 15% over the next decade. The program aims to strengthen the public health workforce and help communities understand, prepare for, and respond to emerging public health challenges.

The details

The epidemiology concentration prepares students to understand patterns of disease and health conditions in populations and to analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate findings. Students work with real-world datasets, learning to clean and structure data and apply statistical modeling to answer urgent public health questions. As part of the program's applied research component, students select appropriate study designs, assess data integrity, and independently design and defend a full epidemiologic research project.

  • The first students in the new concentration will begin coursework this fall (Fall 2026).
  • Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow by more than 15% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The players

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

A university in West Des Moines, Iowa that offers 11 graduate-level professional degree programs, including a Master of Public Health program.

Rachel Reimer, PhD

The program director for the MPH program at Des Moines University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What if the next major health threat could be identified before it escalates? The need for strong epidemiology has never been more important.”

— Rachel Reimer, Program Director, MPH Program

“Public health agencies across the country continue to face workforce shortages in epidemiology and disease surveillance. Strengthening that workforce is critical to tracking disease, understanding trends like rising cancer rates and chronic conditions and responding to emerging threats. This new concentration benefits our students and the communities they will serve.”

— Rachel Reimer, Program Director, MPH Program

“The program is designed around real life. The fully online program offers flexibility while connecting students to DMU's alumni network and a global community of public health professionals.”

— Rachel Reimer, Program Director, MPH Program

What’s next

The first students in the new epidemiology concentration will begin coursework this fall.

The takeaway

Des Moines University's new online epidemiology concentration aims to address the growing demand for trained public health professionals and strengthen the workforce needed to track diseases, understand health trends, and respond to emerging threats in communities across the country.