Core Required Courses

MPH 500. Biostatistics (3 credit hours) This course introduces various statistical methods used in public health management, research, and education. Students are trained in biostatistical and data analysis and the interpretation of standard statistical packages.

MPH 501. Introduction to Environmental Health (3 credit hours) This course introduces all students to the fundamentals of environmental health sciences. It is designed to enable students to recognize environmental health problems, initiate assessments, and communicate with other professionals and the lay public regarding environmental health issues.

MPH 502. Epidemiology (3 credit hours) This course provides students with knowledge of patterns of disease occurrence in human populations and factors that influence these patterns. The course is designed to enable students to identify and use systematic procedures that are helpful in determining epidemiological relationships. Students will gain insight and be able to recognize situations in their public health practice where epidemiological principles are to be applied.

MPH 503. Health Administration, Management and Policy (3 credit hours) This course provides an introduction to major issues in management of health programs and services. The course exposes students to an overview of theories of administration. Specific aspects of health services delivery, policy and management are explicated with emphasis on the role of the manager in contemporary health systems.

MPH 504. Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3 credit hours) This course provides a survey of the socio-structural, cultural, micro-ecological and personal determinants of human behavior. This core course provides students with a general appreciation of the central role that human behavior plays in the development and prevention of illness and in the promotion of health. Specific interventions targeted at African Americans are presented to illustrate these theoretical constructs.

MPH 505. Fundamentals of Public Health (3 credit hours) The interdisciplinary foundation course for first-year MPH students is designed to improve their analytical and practical skills in the fundamental principles (values, ethics) and core competencies in domestic and global public health issues. The course integrates theory and practice as important characteristics of learning and includes presentations by public health professionals, films, site visits, case studies, and individual and group presentations of assigned projects.

MPH 506. Research Methods (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and provide practical experience for students to apply skills learned. Qualitative research methods will be taught and practiced as a way to further understanding the deeper meaning and context of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors within communities and as related to program design and outcomes. This course is designed to assist students with the Culminating Experience Requirement.

MPH 521. Grant & Proposal Development (3 credit hours) The design of this course familiarizes students with specific written and oral communication skills needed to develop competitive grants and proposals for international health programs, public programs and community-based organizational settings. The course incorporates a focus on cultural competency while establishing fundamental proposal development skills that facilitate public health practice.

Additional Required Courses

MPH 690 Practicum Experience (3 credit hours) Students are provided with a work-site experience (480 hours) at a public or private health service organization in the United States or abroad during the summer (May-August). Students apply classroom theory and competencies to practical situations in the field. This course also helps students identify needed job skills and possible work opportunities in their area of specialization. Students are required to successfully complete 4 core courses and 2 track required courses prior to starting their Practicum Experience. Students who have NOT completed the aforementioned requirements are ineligible to begin their Practicum. Arrangements can be made for part-time students in the Spring and Fall Semester. (Summer)

MPH 691 Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) This course provides an opportunity for students to synthesize and integrate the knowledge base and competencies acquired in coursework and practicum and demonstrate this achievement through writing and presenting a thesis or manuscript which is submitted to a pre-selected Public Health journal. (Fall and Spring)

MPH 692 Public Health Leadership Seminar (0 credit hours) These seminars expose students to innovative leaders in public health, who explore a variety of issues and strategies used in public health and provide a forum for exchange on contemporary practice and theory. Local, regional and national leaders present on selected topics and students interact in a seminar format. Students must attend five seminars per semester and a total of 20 to meet the graduation requirements. Verification of attendance is required for graduation. (Fall and Spring)

MPH 693/694 Directed Study (1-2 credit hours) Directed Study is an MPH course in which students pursue independent research under the guidance of an MSM faculty member. Students can complete a Directed Study to pursue in-depth research in a general area covered in a course, or to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. (Fall and Spring)

MPH 695 Career/Personal Development Workshops (0 credit hours) These workshops provide technical skills required to lay the foundation for proficient performance in the job market. Professional success mandates effective marketing of skills, knowledge and abilities for new opportunities. Professional and career development training classes are the critical elements to a successful career. The workshops are a requirement of the MPH Curriculum. (Fall and Spring)

MPH 696 Quantitative and Qualitative Labs (0 credit hours) The Quantitative labs specialize in statistical applications such as SPSS, SAS, Epi Info and are designed to introduce methods of statistical data analysis and develop an understanding of the appropriate use of statistical methodology. The Qualitative labs focus on the systematic collection and analysis of descriptive subjective information. The labs are a requirement of the MPH Curriculum. (Fall and Spring)

MPH 697 Academic Writing Workshops (2 credit hours for 1st Year Students; 0 credit hours for 2nd Year Students) The Writing Workshop is designed to enhance professional, academic and research writing style. Students will learn to use reference materials (including the Internet) appropriately and to understand the differences between original ideas and ideas for which attribution must be made. The APA Manual is a required text for all courses offered. The Workshops are a required component of the MPH Curriculum. (Fall and Spring)