Veterinary Public Health

Master of Public Health

We perceive human and animal health as separate, unconnected issues. Yet, a study from the World Health Organization shows that over this past decade alone, 75% of diseases affecting humans originated as animal-related pathogens. As a vast field striving to improve population wellbeing, break down health disparities and promote health care equity and access, public health has turned its attention to the symbiotic relationship among human, environmental and animal health — a concept now called “One Health.” This shift has unlocked demand in the United States and the rest of the world for public health workers, including current veterinarians seeking to advance or pivot their career to food safety and animal production and their impact on human health.

Leading the charge, the University of Missouri’s College of Health Sciences noticed this surge and, in committing ourselves to the challenge, introduced the 100% online master of public health degree with an emphasis in veterinary public health in 2018 — an innovative, forward-thinking program that was the first of its type. The format allows determined public health professionals to continue excelling in their existing full-time jobs while equipping them with the competencies to face the problems of the future head on — particularly improving human health via environmental and animal health.

Building off Mizzou’s preeminence in public health, this online emphasis accelerates your career with a multidisciplinary approach drawing in our health professions, social work, nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, and arts and science programs and taking a health-triad perspective. 

As an online master’s student, you’ll receive a comprehensive education in theoretical and practical public health topics with emphasis on zoonotic disease prevention, food safety and distribution, epidemiology, animal population systems, and human population health. Because we strive to illuminate the way beyond, you’ll apply your knowledge and research techniques in a capstone project and internship, where you’ll tackle current veterinary and public health concerns alongside our esteemed faculty and industry professionals.

Considering this scope, the College of Health Sciences recommends this trailblazing program for individuals with a background in animal science, veterinary medicine, zoonotic disease, food safety, emergency preparedness, biology or a related field aiming to become a leader and problem solver in the growing health challenges affecting the state and rest of the world. 

Typical job titles for graduates

Mirroring anticipated demand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies that, between 2019 and 2029, the workplace will need more epidemiologists (5%), health educators and community health workers (13%) and veterinarians (16%). Graduates of our online program go on to positions in food safety, agriculture and virology and with state, federal and international agencies, including as an:

• Epidemiologist;
• Environmental health specialist;
• Biostatistician;
• Research coordinator;
• Infection control officer; or
• Community health worker.

You’ll explore introductory to higher-level topics in biostatistics, emerging zoonoses, pathogens and diseases, epidemiology, food safety, research methods, and the field’s core principles:

• You’ll receive a thorough overview of public health systems, epidemiology, environmental health, and its social and behavioral determinants.
• You’ll learn about the biological, physical and chemical environmental factors posing a hazard to public health and their role in contamination and remediation, zoonotic disease, and food and water quality.
• You’ll understand emergency preparedness in relation to current national guidelines and assessing the U.S. health care system.
• You’ll dive into zoonotic disease topics in relation to epidemiology and ecology, including risk factors for humans and animals, and control protocols.
• You’ll gain a greater perspective of research in social and behavioral sciences and be able to analyze population groups to prioritize public health issues and empower vulnerable groups.
• You’ll see public health from a quantitative angle as you take courses in statistics and the research, data analysis and practical methods used to conduct veterinary and biomedical studies.

Review the full structure and all course descriptions.