Degree Programs

We offer 3 graduate degrees: MPH, MS, and PhD. The MPH degree is divided into three major segments – core requirements in the field of public health as a whole, core requirements in community health education, and electives and practicum intended to provide students with the opportunity to pursue topics of personal or professional interest in greater depth.

Master's of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Specific Requirements for M.P.H. in Community Health Education

A minimum of 42 credits is required for the M.P.H. degree. Practice experiences may be paid or unpaid. Placements are arranged in consultation with the student's faculty advisor or the department's field practice coordinator. For additional information go to the following web page: Practice Experience Information & Forms. Course requirements are typically completed in four semesters.

Course requirements are typically completed in four semesters.

Public Health Core: 15 Credits

PUBHLTH 540 Introduction to Biostatistics
PUBHLTH 565 Environmental Health Practices
PUBHLTH 601 Principles of Community Health Education
PUBHLTH 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
PUBHLTH 630 Principles of Epidemiology

Community Health Education Core: 15 Credits

PUBHLTH 602 Community Development
PUBHLTH 603 Group Dynamics
PUBHLTH 608 Communication Theory
PUBHLTH 622 Program Evaluation
PUBHLTH 704 Program Planning

Electives: 6 Credits

Students may choose any two of the following:

PUBHLTH 505 Current Issues in CHE
PUBHLTH 525 Public Health Ethics
PUBHLTH 590D Public Health Policy Analysis
PUBHLTH 591C International Health
PUBHLTH 582 Gender & Health
PUBHLTH 590C Culture, Community & Health
PUBHLTH 604 School Health
PUBHLTH 608 Qualitative Research Methods
PUBHLTH 614 Population and Social Development Policies
PUBHLTH 624 Research Methods
PUBHLTH 69OF Topics in Health Politics and Policy
PUBHLTH 691G Community Health Agency Management
PUBHLTH 702 Advanced Methods in Community Health Education

M.P.H Practicum: 3 Credits

PUBHLTH 698: Students in all public health concentrations are now required to complete a supervised field training internship of 200 hours.

M.P.H. Culminating Experience: 3 Credits

PUBHLTH 696D: Students must successfully complete an M.P.H. project, including an oral presentation. The purpose of the MPH Project is: (1) to give students a real, hands-on field training experience in a public health agency, (2) to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the integration of all of their prior course work and distinct concentrations (e.g., epidemiology, health administration, etc.) of public health, and (3) to provide student with an opportunity to purse a particular topic or public health issue of personal or professional interest in greater depth. We strongly encourage students to carry out their MPH projects in conjunction with their Field Internship placement.

Master of Science (M.S.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is designed for people who are interested in conducting research and are considering going on to pursue a doctoral degree.

Specific Requirements for M.S. in Community Health Education:

A minimum of 48 credits is required for the M.S. degree, including field training and an M.S. thesis. This will normally take four semesters to complete.

Public Health Core: 12 Credits

PUBHLTH 540 Introduction to Biostatistics
PUBHLTH 601 Principles of Community Health Education
PUBHLTH 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
PUBHLTH 630 Principles of Epidemiology

Community Health Education Core: 12 Credits

PUBHLTH 602 Community Development
PUBHLTH 603 Group Dynamics
PUBHLTH 608 Communication Research
PUBHLTH 704 Program Planning

Methodology: 6 Credits

PUBHLTH 622 Program Evaluation
PUBHLTH 624 Research Methods

CHE Electives: 6 Credits

See above; to be selected in consultation with faculty advisor.

Field Training: 3 Credits

A 200-hour supervised field placement is required of all public health graduate students.

Master's Thesis: 9 Credits

A Master's Thesis and Defense are required for completion of the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The doctoral program prepares individuals for teaching and research positions in academic institutions and positions of professional leadership in health and health-related agencies where research is an important function.

Doctoral applicants must have completed a Master’s degree or other advanced degree, generally have backgrounds in the social or behavioral sciences, and usually have demonstrated basic research competency through a Master’s thesis or its equivalent. A candidate, entering with a satisfactory background without curricular deficiencies, can expect to take two years for coursework and about two additional years for completion of the dissertation.