Public Health (PUBH)

PUBH 401 Health Promotion and Education 3 Credits

In this course, students will gain a deeper insight into the key conceptual frameworks used in health behavior change, promotion, and education. Students will apply these concepts to specific health behaviors, including tobacco use, alcohol use, substance use, obesity and eating behaviors, physical activity, unintentional injury, workplace injury, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Students will also explore cross-cutting topics such as behavioral economics, patient and consumer activation, patient communication, cultural competence, risk assessment, chronic conditions and depressive disorders.

PUBH 402 Health Services, Administration, Politics, and Policy 3 Credits

This course will provide students with an overview of how the U.S. healthcare system works. Students will learn the federal, state, and local administration of healthcare services, as well as the implementation process. We will also address the various phases of the health policy-making process, across several sectors. A comparative analysis of the differences between public versus private healthcare service provision will also be provided. We will conclude with comparisons between the US and other countries.

PUBH 403 Health Program Planning and Implementation 3 Credits

Program planning and implementation are essential skills for a public health professional. In this class, students will learn to perform various functions associated with program planning and implementation such as: assess and prioritize community needs; identify evidence-based best practices for choosing interventions; develop and practice writing SMART objectives and logic models; understand how to engage and communicate with stakeholders and community members; as well as how to organize a project budget, staffing plan and timeline.
Prerequisites: PUBH 401 and (EPI 404 or EPI 304)

PUBH 404 Seminar: Leadership and Health Practice 1 Credit

This seminar will introduce students to foundational leadership models and theories that can be applied in a wide range of population and public health practice settings. Students will also learn key leadership skills, including effective interpersonal communication, collaborative decision-making, negotiation, mediation, and team empowerment.
Prerequisites: PUBH 401

PUBH 405 Program Evaluation Methods 3 Credits

Evaluation is an essential public health function and is critically important in the development and maintenance of evidenced-based practice. This interactive, practical course introduces concepts, methodology, and skills used to evaluate health promotion programs. Students will learn how to develop evaluation plans, including process, impact and outcome evaluations. This class will focus on the knowledge and acquisition of skills through assessment, critical analysis, and critique of program evaluations conducted in a range of community health and public health settings.
Prerequisites: PUBH 403

PUBH 410 Applied Practice Experience 3 Credits

Students complete an applied practice experience (APE or "practicum") in a supervised setting consistent with their career goals. With guidance from their site preceptor, students create at least two work products or "deliverables" during their practicum. A final report and oral presentation are also required, and site preceptors evaluate the student's performance.
Prerequisites: PUBH 401

PUBH 411 Public Health Capstone 3 Credits

In consultation with a COH faculty member, students complete a public health capstone project (a.k.a., integrative learning experience (ILE)) that demonstrates synthesis of MPH foundational and concentration competencies. Students produce a high-quality written product (e.g., program evaluation report, training manual, policy statement, legislative testimony with accompanying supporting research, etc.) useful to external stakeholders.
Prerequisites: PUBH 410

PUBH 420 (BSTA 420, CGH 420, POPH 420) Independent Study or Research in Public Health 1-3 Credits

This course can be directed readings or research in Public Health or experiential learning that puts the student's understanding of Public Health into practice. Department permission required.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.

PUBH 430 Internship in Public Health 1-3 Credits

In this advanced course, graduate students will engage in supervised work in Public Health. Potential internship sites include government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. A written report is required and a preceptor evaluation will be required. Department permission required.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.

PUBH 450 Special Topics in Public Health 3 Credits

In this course, students will engage in an intensive exploration of a topic of special interest that is not covered in other courses. Topics addressed will be at an advanced level.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.