Master of Public Health Program

Required Courses

Introduction To Methods In Epidemiologic Research (PHP 2120)(Fall)

Epidemiology quantifies patterns and determinants of human population health, with a goal of reducing the burden of disease, injury, and disability. An intensive first course in epidemiologic methods, students learn core principles of study design and data analysis through critiques of published epidemiologic studies as well as hands on practice through weekly exercises and assignments.

Biostatistics

Students must take one of the following two courses.

Introduction to Biostatistics (PHP 2500)(Fall)

The first in a two-course series designed for students who seek to develop skills in biostatistical reasoning and data analysis. Offers an introduction to basic concepts and methods of statistics as applied to diverse problems in the health sciences. Methods for exploring and presenting data; direct and indirect standardization; probability; hypothesis testing; interval estimation; inference for means and proportions; simple linear regression, etc. Statistical computing is fully integrated into the course.

OR

Principles of Biostatistics and Data Analysis (PHP 2510) (Hogan) (Fall)

Intensive first course in biostatistical methodology, focusing on problems arising in public health, life sciences, and biomedical disciplines. Summarizing and representing data; basic probability; fundamentals of inference; hypothesis testing; likelihood methods. Inference for means and proportions; linear regression and analysis of variance; basics of experimental design; nonparametrics; logistic regression.

Social and Behavioral Health

Students must take one of the following two courses.

Principles of Health Behavior and Health Promotion Intervention (PHP 1740) (Rakowski) (Fall)

Examines health behavior decision-making and elements for design of health promotion interventions. Covers theories of health behavior (focusing on primary and secondary prevention), principles of intervention design, and reading of research literature. Emphasizes psychological, social, and proximate environmental influences on individuals’ health-related behaviors.

OR

Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Public Health Interventions (PHP 2360) (Gans) (Spring)

Provide student with skills in conceptualizing, planning, implementing, and evaluating public health interventions. Levels of intervention include individual/family behavior change; trials at the organization level; community-based interventions; social marketing and health communication efforts; and regulatory policy of environmental changes. Behavior change theories; intervention mapping; cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations are examined.

Public Health/Community Service Internship (PHP 2070) (Vivier) (Summer)

A six-week, full-time summer internship is taken at the beginning of the first year. This internship combines a field experience placement with classroom-based core learning sessions. Students are introduced to core skills and concepts in public health.

MPH Analytic Internship (PHP 2075)(Spring)

The primary objective of this course is to gain hands-on experience in using data to address public health questions. Concepts from previous courses will be reinforced as students work through the steps of addressing the public health question. Both data analysis and data interpretation will be emphasized in the context of a public health question. STATA 8.0 will be used to analyze data.

Health Services Administration

Students must take one of the following two courses.

Determinants and Consequences of Changing Health Care Systems (PHP 2400) (Mor) (Fall)

Provides an historical perspective on the development and evolution of the health care delivery and financing systems in the U.S. and reviews the literature on the relationship between health system structure and the services used and health outcomes populations experience. A case-study approach is used to understand the inter-relationship between the financing, delivery and regulatory components of the health system drawing on epidemiological, economic, political and sociological principles.

OR

Comparative Health Care Systems (PHP 1100) (Trivedi) (Spring)

Focuses on principles of national health system organization and cross-national comparative analysis. Emphasizes application of comparative models to the analysis of health and health-related systems among nations at varying levels of economic development and health care reform. Addresses research questions related to population health and systems' performance.

Applied Research Methods (PHP 2040) (Clark) (Spring)

Emphasizes the theory of sampling and survey methods and their application to public health research. Topics include: survey design and planning; principles of sampling and survey terminology; questionnaire construction; protection of human subjects; data collection (including interviewing and data coding procedures); and application, presentation, and evaluation of results.

Environmental Health

Students must take one of the following two courses.

Introduction to Environmental Health (PHP 1700)(Fall)

This graduate-level course is designed to: 1) Understand the principles and practice of environmental health; 2) Explore environmental health tools (epidemiology, toxicology, policy, and regulation) through application to current issues of concern; and 3) Review how governmental agencies address environmental health issues at the population level and the individual level.

OR

Ethical Perspectives of Environmental Health (PHP 1680D)(Wilson) (Spring)

Introduction to ethical principles and concepts shaping emerging field of environmental ethics. Examines interfaces between policy, science, economic and social drivers attendant to ethical decision-making related to environmental issues. Environmental actions/decisions are used as case studies to identify, review and analyze ethical principles and approaches. Impact of national and international decisions are examined for their local impact.