Welcome to UCSF Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics Education

Here you'll find all of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (DEB) education and training offerings, information on how to apply, and direction on choosing a program. We offer training for recent graduates, current UCSF graduate students, working professionals and more. Our training hubs focus on Epidemiology & Translational Science, Training in Clinical Research, Health Data Science and Implementation Science, and we have over 50 individual courses for learners to explore. 

Our training hubs

Epidemiology & Translational Science

Prepares learners to translate complex research into tangible population health impacts.

Training in Clinical Research

Focuses on identifying strategies to prevent disease and improve care for patients with diagnosed illnesses.

Health Data Science

Teaches the application of biostatistics, data science, and epidemiological thinking within clinical research settings.

Implementation Science

Bridges the gap between research findings and their real-world application within clinical, public health, and community settings.

Programs

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The PhD program is a four- to five-year course of study for individuals who wish to pursue independent research careers in epidemiology and translational science and who have already completed master's-level training in epidemiology, public health, or a related field.
Graduates 2025
The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical & Epidemiological Research is a two-year, in-person program designed for individuals seeking to master clinical research methods and pursue independent research careers.
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The Master of Science in Health Data Science (MiHDaS) is a two-year, in-person program focused on biostatistics, data science and epidemiological thinking in the first year and the application of clinical research methods in the second year.
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The Certificate in Health Data Science (CiHDaS) is a one-year, program, ideal for those already working in the biomedical or pharmaceutical industries, focused on applying biostatistics, data science and epidemiological thinking in clinical research settings.
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The Advanced Training in Clinical Research (ATCR) Certificate is a one-year, in-person program intended for individuals who desire rigorous training in the methods and conduct of clinical research.
three women - two students and an instructor - looking at a white board
The Online Certificate in Implementation Science is a part-time, online program focused on theories and methods relevant to the design of strategies to facilitate uptake of health-related interventions. The program is ideal for scholars who are actively involved in implementing a health intervention or quality improvement program.
Explore individual courses

What it’s like to study at UCSF

At UCSF, the graduate experience is defined by a culture of transformative health-science partnerships. As a university exclusively dedicated to the health sciences, we offer a uniquely synergistic environment where nearly all programs operate as interdisciplinary graduate groups. Here, you aren’t just a student in a department; you are part of a supportive cohort mentored by world-class faculty who are leaders in the Bay Area’s global hub of innovation. Driven by our commitment to community and advocacy, UCSF provide holistic training where students engage with ground-breaking research to solve the most complex challenges in health and science.

  • National Recognition and Awards: UCSF students consistently earn prestigious honors, such as being named Schmidt Science Fellows (2026) and receiving the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award for exceptional achievement in biological sciences (2026).
  • Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars: UCSF has been recognized as a “Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Scholars” nine times since 2010.
  • Student Achievement in Competitions: PhD students showcase high-level research communication skills in the annual Grad Slam, winning prizes for effectively translating complex science for general audiences.
  • Real-World Impact: UCSF graduate students frequently lead high-impact research on topics from therapeutics, to policy, to disease prediction.
  • #1 Public Recipient of NIH Funding: UCSF has been the top public recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for 19 consecutive years
  • Record-Breaking Support: In 2022, UCSF set a record for NIH funding to a public university with $823 million in total grants and contracts.
  • Extensive Training Grants: The Graduate Division received over $29 million in NIH training grants in 202, which provides full financial support for many PhD students.
  • Diverse Funding Portfolio: Programs and individuals at UCSF successfully secure funding from a wide array of prestigious organizations, including the National Cancer Institute (NIH F31), the Gates Grand Challenges Award, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Leadership in Academia and Industry: UCSF alumni move into high-level roles at top-tier institutions and companies, including Stanford, Yale, Genentech, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.
  • Diverse Career Pathways: Graduates pursue a variety of careers, from tenure-track faculty positions to roles as AI/ML Research Scientists, Bioinformatics Engineers, and Computational Biologists.
  • Entrepreneurial Success: The innovative environment at UCSF has led alumni to become founders and executives of biotech startups such as Avail Bio and Delve Bio.
  • Impactful Public Service: Alumni also hold leadership positions in clinical and public health sectors, including faculty roles at UCSF and specialists within the California Department of Public Health.

  • National Recognition and Awards: UCSF students consistently earn prestigious honors, such as being named Schmidt Science Fellows (2026) and receiving the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award for exceptional achievement in biological sciences (2026).
  • Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars: UCSF has been recognized as a “Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Scholars” nine times since 2010.
  • Student Achievement in Competitions: PhD students showcase high-level research communication skills in the annual Grad Slam, winning prizes for effectively translating complex science for general audiences.
  • Real-World Impact: UCSF graduate students frequently lead high-impact research on topics from therapeutics, to policy, to disease prediction.

  • #1 Public Recipient of NIH Funding: UCSF has been the top public recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for 19 consecutive years
  • Record-Breaking Support: In 2022, UCSF set a record for NIH funding to a public university with $823 million in total grants and contracts.
  • Extensive Training Grants: The Graduate Division received over $29 million in NIH training grants in 202, which provides full financial support for many PhD students.
  • Diverse Funding Portfolio: Programs and individuals at UCSF successfully secure funding from a wide array of prestigious organizations, including the National Cancer Institute (NIH F31), the Gates Grand Challenges Award, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Leadership in Academia and Industry: UCSF alumni move into high-level roles at top-tier institutions and companies, including Stanford, Yale, Genentech, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.
  • Diverse Career Pathways: Graduates pursue a variety of careers, from tenure-track faculty positions to roles as AI/ML Research Scientists, Bioinformatics Engineers, and Computational Biologists.
  • Entrepreneurial Success: The innovative environment at UCSF has led alumni to become founders and executives of biotech startups such as Avail Bio and Delve Bio.
  • Impactful Public Service: Alumni also hold leadership positions in clinical and public health sectors, including faculty roles at UCSF and specialists within the California Department of Public Health.

What DEB Offers

Impact-driven programs

Explore our PhD, Master's, and Certificate programs, or build targeted skills with our short courses and workshops.

Explore our programs

Over 50 individual courses

Take specialized courses across our core disciplines to build the skills your career requires.

View our courses

World class faculty & staff

DEB faculty contribute to critical advancements in population health, precision medicine and health equity.

Meet our faculty

Contribute to our Education programs

Interested in donating to the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics Education program to help launch the next generation of health researchers? 

Visit our donation page