More About the Program

Goal

The Epidemiology Elective Program gives senior medical and veterinary students an introduction to preventive medicine, public health, and the principles of applied epidemiology.

 

Description

Students in their 3rd year apply for a 6 to 8 week rotation in the fall or spring semester of their 4th year. Every effort is made to assign students to their preferred public health subject area. 

Participants learn through hands-on experience working on a current public health project, and are mentored by experienced CDC staff. Most schools award course credit.

During the elective, participants may

• Participate in the surveillance of public health problems
• Analyze public health data for new disease risk factors
• Become a coauthor on a publication of major health importance
• Work in the field investigating an outbreak

Interested students apply online.

 

Schedule

Two rotations are available.

• Fall Semester: At least 6 weeks between June and December
• Spring Semester: At least 6 weeks between January and May

 

Cost

Relocation Expenses

Applicants selected for the program must pay for

• Round-trip transportation to their assigned CDC facility
• Living expenses during the elective

Assignment Expenses

Travel and living expenses related to field investigations are paid by CDC.

 

Assignment Locations

Selected students are placed in a subject area within CDC or the Indian Health Service.

• Arctic Investigations Program (part of NCEZID)
  Anchorage, Alaska
• Center for Global Health (CGH)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (part of NCEZID)
  Ft. Collins, Colorado
• Indian Health Service (IHS)
  Albuquerque, New Mexico
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center for Environmental Health / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
  Hyattsville, Maryland
• National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
  Atlanta, Georgia
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  Anchorage, Alaska
  Atlanta, Georgia
  Cincinnati, Ohio
  Denver, Colorado
  Morgantown, West Virginia
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  Spokane, Washington
  
• National Park Service (NPS) — Office of Public Health
  Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

More Information

Contact:

CDC Epidemiology Elective Program

Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd, NE

Mailstop E-92

Atlanta, GA 30333

 

Phone: 404-498-6152

Fax: 404-498-6085

E-mail: EpiElective@cdc.gov