This course examines public health and healthcare policy from a public health perspective. The history of public health and how it works in the U.S., workforce trends, managing public health infrastructure and programs, evidence based practice, and current issues are covered. Students will apply concepts to public health case studies.

The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of quantitative designs and apply statistics to answer population health questions. Applied statistical skills according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question will be covered. Critical appraisal of quantitative methodologies includes descriptive statistics, inference for means and proportions, ANOVA, etc. The analytic methods and applications will be linked to topics including health promotion, epidemiology, and program evaluation.

This course will examine both analytical and practical approaches to cultural competency in public health. Concepts, models, frameworks, and communication that occur in cross-cultural health situations will be discussed, but also the application of these concepts in real interventions and programs.

This course will introduce the key terms and concepts of epidemiology with an emphasis on application for public health practice and utilizing epidemiology to increase understanding of current population health issues. Students will gain knowledge preparing them to calculate and interpret descriptive epidemiology terms such as of prevalence, incidence, and relative risk rates. Students will use epidemiology to better understand, characterize, and promote health at a population level.

Students will explore the history and current applications of social and behavioral sciences as they are applied to public health practice and research. The course analyzes social and behavioral science models, theories, and approaches that inform public health and their philosophical roots. The course also examines social and behavioral determinants of health equity across the ecological spectrum.

This advanced course on epidemiologic methods covers analytical epidemiological application to social and health sciences with an emphasis on population level health. Students will further develop skills needed to interpret the major analytic study designs used in population health and observational epidemiologic studies. The principles of public health surveillance, including the establishment of a public health surveillance program, the collation and analysis of data, and the preparation and distribution of a report is incorporated. The relationship between a public health surveillance program and public health action is explored in developed as well as developing countries.

Students will explore the research process - from framing the questions, identifying the study design and choosing methodology to collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Students will learn about various facets of public health, while also learning how to select and apply various research methodologies. Attention is given to ethical aspects of scholarly inquiry and how research contributes to the development of public health knowledge, improves population health, and enhances the education and professional accountability of public health professionals.

This course is designed to provide graduate students with an introduction and overview of the key areas of environmental health. Using the perspectives of the population and community, the course will cover factors associated with the development of environmental health problems while providing an opportunity to think creatively about solutions to the complex issues.

Global health places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide by reducing avoidable diseases, disabilities, and deaths. Students explore some foundational competencies in global health education such as the global burden of disease, social and economic determinants of health, the globalization of health and health care, global health governance, human rights and equity. Students will discuss practical and ethical challenges in delivering care in low-resource settings, describe tools and strategies to address the needs of specific vulnerable populations and examine cultural awareness and its importance in caring for a diverse population.

Students explore the fundamental concepts and techniques of planning, implementing and evaluating public health programs. These include program interventions, implementation and impact evaluation concepts, models, indicator development, methods of practice, data collection, analysis, and interpretation strategies. The course investigates the role of planning and evaluation in improving program implementation, management and outcomes.

This 160-hour practicum experience takes place in a public health setting under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. The course includes online coursework and engagement with faculty and peers. An integration of experiential learning and application of public health competencies is the primary focus to support professional development. Students apply academic coursework and acquired skills to address public health challenges.

Students complete an evidence-based project that reflects an identified area of need in public health and disseminate findings through a scholarly report and presentation. The course is conducted in a seminar format with students working independently while engaging with faculty and peers. Emphasis is placed on honing skills and competencies for public health careers.