Master of Public Health (MPH)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program focuses on preparing
health professionals to protect and improve the health of communities
and populations through promotion of healthy lifestyles and
environments; research and education; prevention of injuries, disease,
and epidemics; identification of environmental hazards; and disaster
response. This program provides learners with knowledge and
application of fundamental public health concepts, theories, and
practices and emphasizes the role of the public health professional in
assessing health status; mitigating health disparities; analyzing
epidemiology of specific diseases; developing, implementing, and
sustaining public health programs; managing administrative functions;
conducting program evaluation and outcomes research; developing and
sustaining public-private partnerships to meet the health needs of
diverse populations; and assuring the quality of public health
services and products. Upon completion of this program, learners have
gained knowledge and skills in health management, population-based
research, and community public health practice. Successful graduates
are prepared to assume positions in government, private, or
community-based public health organizations.
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.