Courses Master of Public Health

Master of Public Health

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Practicum Requirement(s):

Minimum of 80 supervised practicum hours. See the Practicum section, below, for more information.

NHS5004
Communication, Collaboration, and Case Analysis for Master’s Learners

This course prepares learners for master’s-level course work in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze how the role of the practitioner-scholar guides leadership in the health care field and determine the ways in which they can effectively use communication strategies expected of health care professionals. In particular, learners examine the attributes that contribute to effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

4 quarter credits
MPH5100 *
Management of Health Service Organizations

This course provides an overview of organizational and managerial principles and practices. Learners study organizational theory and behavior, principles of evidence-based decision making, health problem analysis, intervention strategies, and monitoring and evaluation. Throughout the course, learners further develop their public health practice knowledge and gain a better understanding of specific career opportunities within health service organizations. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004, MPH5500, MPH5506.

4 quarter credits
MPH5200 *
Social and Behavioral Research Methods

Learners in this course develop knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods that focus on social and behavioral sciences related to public health. Learners investigate major research methods and techniques and examine how social, behavioral, and public health theories are used to develop research questions and hypotheses. In addition, learners analyze how public health research results are disseminated to appropriate audiences. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004, MPH5500, MPH5503, MPH5506, MPH5509, completion of or concurrent registration in MPH5512.

4 quarter credits
MPH5220
Social Determinants of Health Equity

Learners in this course examine the social factors contributing to health and health care disparities on a local, regional, national, and global basis, calculating their impact on overall health status and health service use. Learners also develop community-based intervention strategies to address identified disparities.

4 quarter credits
MPH5304
Learning to Lead in Public Health Settings: Personal and Team Development

Learners in this course work with a coach to evaluate their leadership values and vision in order to set goals that support the process of leadership development. Learners also formulate team leadership strategies that facilitate interprofessional team performance, collaboration, and networking, both inside and outside of public health organizations.

4 quarter credits
MPH5500
Introduction to Public Health Administrative Systems

This course provides an overview of the elements of the public health system and reviews the administrative processes that foster integration and managerial effectiveness across the system. Learners study the organizational, financial, and managerial structure and function of the public health system and analyze the impact of health policy on administrative systems, including health insurance and reimbursement policy.

4 quarter credits
MPH5503
Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health

This course surveys the major issues related to environmental and occupational health and health hazards. Learners identify the sources of biological, chemical, and physical agents found in the environment and analyze their effects on water, food, and land resources in community and occupational settings. Learners also examine concepts about climate change, as well as the legal framework, policies, and practices associated with controlling environmental and occupational hazards.

4 quarter credits
MPH5506
Social and Behavioral Foundations in Public Health

Learners in this course explore social and behavioral science theories and concepts applied to population health. Learners identify and increase their understanding of the biological, social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals, populations, and subgroups. Learners also examine the resources needed to develop social and behavioral policies and public health evidenced-based programs to reduce disparities and improve health.

4 quarter credits
MPH5509
Principles of Biostatistics

This course provides an introduction to the objectives, principles, and methods of biostatistics for health sciences. Topics include statistical vocabulary; methods for descriptive data analysis; fundamentals of probability and sampling distribution; methods for statistical inference and hypothesis testing; and data analysis and linear regression for continuous, binary, and survival data.

4 quarter credits
MPH5512 *
Principles of Epidemiology

This course provides an overview of epidemiology, including an evaluation of the nature of disease; the interaction among agent, host, and environment; and the chain of transmission. Learners examine epidemiological research methods for identifying and describing variables, evaluate measures of disease occurrence, determine key data sources, and formulate interventions to control disease occurrence and transmission. Prerequisite(s): MPH5509.

4 quarter credits
MPH5515 *
Public Health Advocacy and Social Change

In this course, learners examine issues that impact health and health equity while advocating for political, social, and economic change to improve health in diverse populations. Learners investigate and implement systems improvements to create sustainable change that leads to social justice, and empower others to influence public health outcomes and equality for all. Learners also propose strategies for different audiences and stakeholders while intentionally addressing these issues and measuring the impact on current and future generations. Prerequisite(s): MPH5500, MPH5503, MPH5506, MPH5509.

4 quarter credits
MPH5921 *
Public Health Practicum 1 †

The first in a series of two public health practicum courses, this course is an online-directed, supervised experience during which learners fulfill a minimum of 40 required practicum hours over the course of one academic quarter at an approved public health agency of interest. Learners collaborate with their instructor to develop and complete agreed upon goals and objectives and demonstrate and apply proficiency in the program’s core and CEPH competencies. Learners conclude the experience by preparing a presentation for approval by the instructor and preceptor. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004, MPH5100, MPH5500, MPH5503, MPH5506, MPH5509, MPH5512. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

4 quarter credits
MPH5922 *
Public Health Practicum 2 †

The second in a series of two public health practicum courses, this course is an online-directed, supervised experience during which learners fulfill a minimum of 40 required practicum hours over the course of one academic quarter at an approved public health agency of interest. Learners collaborate with their instructor to develop and complete agreed-upon goals and objectives and demonstrate and apply proficiency in the program’s core and CEPH competencies. Learners conclude the experience by preparing a presentation for approval by the instructor and preceptor. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): MPH5921. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

4 quarter credits
MPH5990 *
Public Health Capstone

Learners in this course focus on applying the knowledge, competencies, and skills acquired during their program. Learners demonstrate proficiency in understanding evidence- and practice-based strategies in public health; interpreting biostatistical results and concepts and the fundamentals of epidemiology methods and concepts concerning public health disparities; and analyzing environmental, behavioral, social, and cultural determinants that affect a community’s health. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004, MPH5100, MPH5500, MPH5503, MPH5506, MPH5509, MPH5512, MPH5921. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

4 quarter credits
NHS6008
Economics and Decision Making in Health Care

This course helps learners develop and demonstrate concepts, principles, issues, and trends in health care economics and the economic decision-making practices employed in the health care environment. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of business decisions on health care economics; explore the ways economic and stakeholder influences affect operational planning and decision making; and practice applying performance monitoring and process management measures as part of the decision-making process. Learners also examine cost-effective problem solving; community- and population-based orientation; and effective use of health care market research, analysis, and assessment.

4 quarter credits

 

 

Total

 

 

At least 60 quarter credits

* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with this course.

 

Practicum

Learners enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program complete practicum as a requirement of their program. The practicum consists of the following online courses and supervised experience. The practicum (MPH5921, MPH5922) is a series of online courses that learners take to complete an 80-hour experience. Learners apply course competencies and further develop related skills within a supervised public health setting. In the MPH practicum, learners blend their courseroom education with real-world experiences to develop generalist practice skills under the leadership and supervision of an experienced preceptor. This practicum provides learners with the opportunity to experience direct practice in public health. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.

What can I expect?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions, and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Assignments are due on Sundays, though not every course requires an assignment each week.

In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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Transfer Credits

There are many ways to reduce tuition costs, including transferring credits which can help save time and money. You can transfer up to 16 credits into this specialization.

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