Curriculum

The course will introduce the profession of public health, the social ecological model, the social determinants of health, and health equity. Students learn the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, functions, ethics, and leadership roles. Students learn the fundamentals of health promotion and disease prevention for populations. Students are introduced to the data, determinants and systems of population health.

This course is designed to introduce students to the various types of research methodology used in population health research using various texts, scientific articles, policy statements, and coursework. During the course, students will assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities' health; understanding the ethical implications of research communication; and develop a research proposal outline to demonstrate their understanding of how to select methods for sound research practice.

Biostatistics is the foundation for many forms of public health research, with applications in several other disciplines. This course is designed to introduce the students to the core principles of statistical practices used in the Public Health research setting, and familiarize students with the applications of biostatistics in health research.During the course, students will practice applied biostatistics by using statistical programming package (SAS) to complete data analysis of a public health dataset.

This course examines the biological, environmental, socio0economic, behavioral, cultural and other factors that impact human health, influence the global and societal burden of disease, and contribute to health disparities. The cultural context of public health issues and respectful engagement with people if different cultures and socioeconomic strata will also be examined.

Students learn the concepts of project implementation and management, including needs assessment, planning, budgeting, human resources, assessment, and evaluation. During the course, students will design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention in collaboration with an external partner.

This course will provide students with theoretical principles, methods, and skills that are essential in community health.

This course examines how policy, advocacy, and health care systems influence population health and health equity. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand, analyze, and advocate for or against health policies and to critically examine healthcare systems around the world.

This course introduces students to the epidemiological perspective on health and disease. Students will integrate principles of translational epidemiology to the planning of population-wide and individual-level disease control programs and policies. These applications provide in-depth knowledge of the importance of linking the results of epidemiological studies with improved health outcomes for populations. The course emphasizes the principles and methods used to describe and evaluate the patterns of illness in communities and in population subgroups.

Using an ecological approach, students will examine the significance of active living in promoting population health and preventing chronic diseases. Students will learn both the theoretical foundations and evidence-based strategies for promoting active living and reducing sedentary behavior across a variety of populations and settings.

This course seeks to familiarize students with the field of disaster and international humanitarian studies, trends and recent developments in the field, and strategies to improve disaster resilience. This course builds basic concepts and tools that will prepare students for work in disaster and/or humanitarian studies. Students will learn to articulate concepts about disasters and the changing patterns of disasters, disaster resilience and international humanitarian response. They will develop a broad view of the key organizations involved in and components of the domestic and international humanitarian response system.

Nutrition is a key determinant of population health. The course explores how social identity and cultural values influence food security, health disparities, and risk for disease. Health promotion and disease prevention are relevant to many disciplines and in several areas. During the course, students will apply principles of translational epidemiology in various public health settings. Finally, by the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of which population groups in the U.S. require assistance from nutritional programs, what these programs are, and how they operate.

Community health development is an important approach for improving population health. This course covers the principles, strategies, and practices essential for bridging the gap between research and public health practice. Students apply what they learn in the classroom through a service learning project with an external community partner.

With an introduction to healthcare communication theory, research and practice, students will learn how to design, disseminate, and evaluate effective, evidence-based health promotion messages.

Students who register for MPH Practicum and MPH Seminar are responsible for completing an applied public health project under the supervision of MPH faculty and other qualified, approved mentors. This seminar course will supplement the Practicum. Students selecting a Practicum capstone experience must complete both MPH Practicum and MPH Seminar.

Public Health Research is a capstone course required of MPH thesis students. A thesis is a body of work that contributes new public health knowledge to the field. In order to have a thesis, you must have an original research question that be evaluated using public health methodology. There are two courses that support the completion of a Master's Thesis in Public Health. These courses are: MPH 597 - MPH Research and MPH 599 - MPH Thesis. These courses can be taken in any order, but both are required for graduation.

Students who register for MPH Practicum and MPH Seminar are responsible for completing an applied public health project under the supervision of MPH faculty and other qualified, approved mentors. A seminar course will supplement this Practicum. Students selecting a Practicum capstone experience must complete both MPH Practicum and MPH Seminar.

Public Health Thesis is a capstone course required of MPH thesis students. A thesis is a body of work that contributes new public health knowledge to the field. In order to have a thesis, you must have an original research question that be evaluated using public health methodology. There are two courses that support the completion of a Master's Thesis in Public Health. These courses are: MPH 597 - MPH Research and MPH 599 - MPH Thesis. These courses can be taken in any order, but both are required for graduation.

Leaders in healthcare are faced with an ever-changing environment and therefore require strong managerial skills to transform the way their organizations respond to and lead change initiatives to shape tomorrow's delivery system. This course addresses challenges faced in healthcare administration and potential solutions using practical approaches. Topics include strategy, culture, managerial, and strategic issues facing healthcare organizations.

Many of the decisions that healthcare leaders and managers make will have significant financial implications. This course is designed to increase analytical and decision-making skills using finance theories, principles, concepts, and techniques important to healthcare management. Includes department design, management of capital and operating budgets, budget planning process, strategic planning, and concepts necessary for the preparation and interpretation of financial statements required to make sound decisions that help deliver financial sustainability and profitability.

This course examines the impact of legal factors affecting patient/client care and the operations and administration of healthcare facilities and systems. Topics include employment and contract law, patient rights (e.g., provider disclosure), healthcare accountability (e.g., medical error liability), and healthcare access (e.g., universal coverage). Includes an overview of ethical issues facing the healthcare industry and how health law and ethics can be applied to real-world problems.

Population health focuses on the health and well-being of entire populations. Populations may be geographically defined, such as neighborhoods, states, or countries, or may be based on groups of individuals who share common characteristics such as age, gender, race-ethnicity, disease status, employee group membership, or socioeconomic status. With roots in epidemiology, public health, and demography, a key component of population health is the focus on the social determinants of health and "upstream" collaborative interventions to improve population health and variance, identify and reduce health disparities, and reduce healthcare costs. Given the shifting health care environment - from fee-for-service to value based care - health administrators and managers who are able to apply epidemiological and demographic tools to measure, analyze, evaluate and improve population health will be well positioned for positions in health care as the field continues to evolve.
Prerequisite: Take MHA-620

Health care organizations face numerous challenges, including rising costs, increasing complexity and quality issues, all while confronting an increase in demand for limited resources. This course examines the operations of the entire healthcare organization and its management, including the role of strategic planning and governance, clinical and non-clinical support services, quality improvement, environment-of-care and facilities management, personnel and staffing, finance, information technology and marketing.

Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical exercises, students will develop proficiency in crafting clear, concise, and compelling scientific documents tailored to various audiences within the realm of population health. By the end of the course, students will emerge with the ability to produce high-quality scientific documents that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in population health.

Using an ecological approach, students will examine the significance of active living in promoting population health and preventing chronic diseases. Students will learn both the theoretical foundations and evidence-based strategies for promoting active living and reducing sedentary behavior across a variety of populations and settings.

This course seeks to familiarize students with the field of disaster and international humanitarian studies, trends and recent developments in the field, and strategies to improve disaster resilience. This course builds basic concepts and tools that will prepare students for work in disaster and/or humanitarian studies. Students will learn to articulate concepts about disasters and the changing patterns of disasters, disaster resilience and international humanitarian response. They will develop a broad view of the key organizations involved in and components of the domestic and international humanitarian response system.

Maternal and child health is an essential component of population health and wellness. The course explores how current policies, recommendations, and research influence health disparities, and risk for disease in specific populations. Health promotion and disease prevention are relevant to many disciplines and in several areas. During the course, students will apply principles of maternal and child health in various population settings.

Nutrition is a key determinant of population health. The course explores how social identity and cultural values influence food security, health disparities, and risk for disease. Health promotion and disease prevention are relevant to many disciplines and in several areas. During the course, students will apply principles of translational epidemiology in various public health settings. Finally, by the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of which population groups in the U.S. require assistance from nutritional programs, what these programs are, and how they operate.

Community health development is an important approach for improving population health. This course covers the principles, strategies, and practices essential for bridging the gap between research and public health practice. Students apply what they learn in the classroom through a service learning project with an external community partner.

With an introduction to healthcare communication theory, research and practice, students will learn how to design, disseminate, and evaluate effective, evidence-based health promotion messages.

The course will focus specifically on using SAS to analyze national survey data using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). During the course, students will come up with a research question that they can analyze in NHANES (for example: "is dietary energy density related to weight status in children?"). Depending on the complexity and novelty of the project, each project may lead to a manuscript

Food is a universal language - everybody eats! Like most languages, food varies from place to place. International travel allows for an immersive food and eating experience. The course will introduce students to the role of food and nutrition in society and culture. Assignments that specifically investigate the cultural, social, and scientific aspects of food and nutrition will help expand our understanding of food as cultural identity, and nutrition as an integrated discipline in public health.