Master of Psychiatric
Epidemiology (MPE)
Background
The MPE Program, offered by the Epidemiology and Prevention
Research Group in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington
University Medical School, was established in 1989 by Dr. Lee
Robins, and is the first and only program of its kind in the
world. This program offers fundamental epidemiological and
research skills, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies
within a medical school environment. The program is noted for its
public health focus, as it encompasses prevention, treatment and
intervention research. It also strongly emphasizes training in the
responsible conduct of science.
Candidates develop practical research skills and learn basic
epidemiological methods that can be applied to many disciplines.
They study the history and development of the major national and
international psychiatric epidemiology studies, and they become
familiar with diagnostic instruments commonly used in the field.
Students learn how to organize and manage population surveys,
including design, data collection and data analysis. Instructors
in the program are experienced research investigators, with
productive research teams.
Students come from varied backgrounds such as public health,
social work, engineering, nursing, math, psychology and
anthropology. The overall objective of the MPE Program is to
prepare pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows for a
productive research career in epidemiology, with an emphasis on
behavioral risk factors. Graduate students in other University
programs are also encouraged to enroll in courses. Undergraduate
students are welcome, with the instructor’s approval.
Degree of Psychiatric Epidemiology
A Master in Psychiatric Epidemiology degree is offered to
candidates enrolled in the program. The degree may be earned after
successful completion of 30 credits made up of 14 core courses (26
credit hours) that are required in the MPE Program and 4 credits
of elective courses. Elective credits may include additional hours
of Independent Study (beyond the required 6 hours). Required
courses are: M08-500 Introduction to General Epidemiology, M08-502
Instruments of Psychiatric Diagnoses and Assessment, M08-544
Applied Statistics for Behavioral Scientists or M08-505A
(cross-listed as M21-505) Biostatistics for Research Workers,
M08-507 Epidemiology Seminar I, M08-508 Landmarks in Psychiatric
Epidemiology, M08-532 Psychiatry Grand Rounds I, M08-533
Psychiatry Research Seminar I (all offered in the Fall), and
M08-507A Epidemiology Seminar II, M08-507B Epidemiology Seminar
III, M08-532A Psychiatry Grand Rounds II, M08-533A Psychiatry
Research Seminar II, M08-538 Research Methods, M08-676 Psychiatric
Disorders of the Nervous System (all offered in the Spring), and
M08-506 Independent Study (offered Fall and Spring). In addition,
a program-approved manuscript is required for graduation.
Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group 
