Master of Public Health

 Graduate Catalog | Master's

The mission of the Master of Public Health Degree Program is to enhance the health of the public through educational and leadership development of the public health work force, and through academic-community partnerships dedicated to both community-based research and service that will enhance human health. The Master of Public Health degree is designed to provide a professionally focused understanding of public health issues in America and abroad, to include the science, psychology, and sociology associated with public health issues. Students will study public health law, policy, and administration associate with the effective and efficient administration of public health. They will learn the health system, its management, finances, and structure. Students in the program are typically interested in some aspect of the health system, concerned of the public health situation in the United States and/or abroad, or are generally interested scholars who seek as public-minded degree. Inclusion of the concentration cores will create uniquely skilled public health professionals who could provide service to the public health community in these vital areas.

Program Values

The MPH faculty, students and staff are committed to the over-arching principles of respect for the dignity and worth of people regardless of gender, race, religious or ethnic affiliations, or social standing. Program values are reflected in:

  • Advancing community-based learning, community-based research, and community-based service
  • Strengthening academic-community partnerships
  • Infusing core competencies into courses and other learning experiences
  • Providing the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and foster leaders that will promote the health of the public
  • Fostering professional diversity to meet the changing public health needs of a diverse and dynamic public
  • Emphasizing moral and ethical precepts that underlie goals of the public health profession.

Degree Program Objectives

MPH Program graduates will be able to:

  • Evaluate the role they play in a global community and how the health of one nation or community affects the planet as a whole.
  • Evaluate the profession of public health as dynamic, political, and controversial. To face public health issues, the professional must define the public as diverse, with many views, beliefs, values and concerns.
  • Possess the training and competence in the utilization of technologies to deliver health care services to his/her community.
  • Choose and utilize the appropriate policies, educational programs, and incentives to develop and maintain individual and community lifestyles which promote optimal health.
  • Develop a continuum of supportive public health and health care services appropriate for their community.
  • Resolve conflicts over public health and health care issues.
  • Ensure that the results of current public health research are communicated to their communities in an appropriate manner.
  • Assure their communities of the right to receive sufficient information from suppliers of health care technologies, health care providers, and relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies.
  • Explain and assist in the development of a safe community environment.
  • Maintain involvement with their communities to assure appropriate education regarding public health matters.
  • Maintain the utmost ethical standards in their personal and professional conduct.

Degree Program Requirements

Core Courses (21 semester hours)
Major Courses (3 semester hours)

Choose one from the list below:



Choose ONE of the following concentrations (12 semester hours) 

Emergency Management Concentration

The Master of Public Health Concentration Core in Emergency Management seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this concentration will be able to do the following:

  • Organize public health emergency management functions and activities using contemporary emergency and disaster management concepts and federal guidelines.
  • Formulate public health plans that clearly differentiate disaster response actions including recovery operations, and their funding, from routine emergency operations.
  • Design and promote inter-disciplinary training to assure integration between all aspects of public health Emergency Operations functions.
  • Develop plans and policies that ensure the strong organizational and personal relationships necessary to be able to work with other public health agencies to ensure Interagency cooperation at all levels during any incident.
  • Work with other community health and public safety agencies to allow seamless agency integration in both small and large Emergency Operations.

Concentration Requirements
select all of the following courses:

 
Environmental Health Concentration

The Master of Public Health Concentration Core in Environmental Health seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this degree program will be able to:

  • Develop strategies that incorporate environmental health standards and achieve public health organizational missions.
  • Analyze and assess the interconnections among public health and environmental systems to comprehend the systems involved.
  • Assess the direct and indirect costs of public health and environmental regulation, problems, and corrective actions.
  • Use the theory and practice of environmental policy and management to develop and evaluate global and local environmental strategies and policies.
  • Quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the consequences of ecological destruction on public health, productivity, and social and economic welfare.

Concentration Requirements
select all of the following courses:

 
Public Administration Concentration

The Master of Public Health Concentration Core in Public Administration seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates:

  • Apply leading theories and approaches to managing and administering public health and other organizations.
  • Evaluate the issues related to ethical decision-making in public health and administration.
  • Compare and contrast the government and private sector budgeting process and the funding of specific public health programs and activities.
  • Assess the trends and implications of the private and not-for-profit sectors providing public health and administration services.
  • Formulate a strategy for developing public health and administrative needs assessments, outcome expectations, program outcome evaluations, and impact assessments.

Concentration Requirements
select all of the following courses:


Graduate Electives (3 semester hours)

From other courses not taken to meet required, core, or major requirements.

End of Program Requirement
  • PBHE528 - Public Health Practicum - {3 semester hours} - Taken once all other degree requirements have been met.
  • PBHE533 - Public Health Seminar - (3 semester hours)

TOTAL 45 Semester Hours

 Graduate Catalog | Master's

 

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