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Master of Public Health (MPH)

School of Public Service Leadership

Social and Behavioral Sciences specialization

Explore the behavioral, psychological, and social factors that influence the health of national and international communities and populations. Designed around national public health curriculum standards, this Social and Behavioral Sciences specialization provides an overview of public health issues and administrative systems, as well as focused course work on such topics as social and behavioral theories and research methodologies; program planning and evaluation; assessment and surveillance; health disparities; international public health; and public health information for diverse populations. A collaborative project involving local public health organizations is integrated into the curriculum, providing you the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of relevant organizations, programs, and policies. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in public health or social welfare organizations that focus on research, community assessment, or program development and evaluation.

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Total Program: 60 quarter credits
Up to 12 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
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Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Credit: $438

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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:
    • Health Policy and Management
    • Public Administration
    • Public Policy and Management
    • Nonprofit Management and Leadership
  • Expand your career options with additional specializations

    Increase your knowledge and career options by earning multiple specializations as part of your bachelor's or master's degree program at Capella. If you have elective courses in your program, you may be able to use them toward earning another specialization. However, completing additional specializations may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • MPH5002 - Survey of Public Health Concepts and Issues
  • MPH5500 - Introduction to Public Health Administrative Systems
  • MPH5503 - Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health
  • MPH5506 - Psychological, Behavioral, and Social Issues in Public Health
  • MPH5509 - Principles of Biostatistics
  • MPH5512 - Principles of Epidemiology*
  • MPH5993 - Public Health Integrative Project*
  • MPH5999 - Public Health Professional Collaborative Project*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • MPH5200 - Social and Behavioral Research Methods*
  • MPH5204 - Theories of Social and Behavioral Sciences*
  • MPH5208 - Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation*
  • MPH5212 - Assessment and Surveillance in Public Health*
  • MPH5216 - Public Health Information for Diverse Populations*
  • MPH5220 - Health Disparities in the United States*
  • MPH5224 - International Public Health*
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Capella Courses

November 24, 2010Leslie I knew I would like taking online course but I had no idea I would like it as much as I do now. By taking courses at Capella I've been able to complete assignments by their deadlines but also with the freedom of my own weekly timeline. The MPH program has been extremely interesting and I have learned more about the field of public health than I really thought I would. The integrative project I thought would be arduous but it is actually fantastic and a perfect capstone to my experience in the MPH program. I would (and have) certainly recommend this program and Capella as a whole to anyone.

Experience at Capella

August 15, 2011Felice I am now taking my sixth class at Capella and I have found that this is one of the best decisions that I have made. Although there is alot of reading and discussions, I have learned to start early and focus on the important points of the readings. The most important thing is to "stay on task" and never get bogged down. Good luck to everyone. Anyone that is in the MPH program let me know if you have any questions or need anything. fdixon5@capella.edu

Capella

August 31, 2011babajide This is a very good school. It is welcoming and it is a very welcoming environment. This program is very self explanatory and most of the professors are very helpful and it is also provides better communication among class mates. Over all this is a very good school and i will recommend it to any one.

you must have passion---- and "follow your bliss"-- Joseph Campbell

April 19, 2011jerome Being in the health, hospital, and public health field for decades, I am looking forward to start school with a major in MPH Social and Behavioral Science! This is so me -- I graduated with a BA in Behavioral Science--- it is so interesting, comprehensive, and flexible! Even though, my area of expertise is primarily in research methods and statistical analysis, I have grown to be very good with policy, ethics, management, theory and application---- public health will always have a need for experts in the field!

Great

May 6, 2011jerome great program in public health...

Great semester

September 10, 2011Mary I have to say that this quarter went very well. I challenged myself by including a graduate level writing course and WOw! What a great thing. I learned so much. Thank you to Dr. Siporia and all my classmates.

Reading requirements

June 21, 2011Janet I'm curious about the reading and writing requirements for this program. I am just finishing my MS in IO Psychology and I thought my eye would go blind with all of the reading required. As a mid-life learner, these eyes are a little worn out. I'm just curious if anyone has a comment. Can someone tell me what a typical week is like? I work in a hospital as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner but had no prior Healthcare experience, had a lot of community volunteering background. This feels right to me as a next step.

New Student

November 4, 2011Parthenia I am starting my experience with Capella in Jan 2012 in the MS program in Social and Behavioral Science. I would like to take two on-line classes in the first semester. I want to take MPH5002 and MPH5500. Asking any of the students who have already taking these courses, can I take both without being overwhelmed with the work needed? I would appreciate some input.

Social Work

January 7, 2011danielle If im wanting to become a social worker whats the best classes for me? Im very lost and really want to get started
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