PU500: Foundations in Public Health

This course provides an introduction to the field of public health. The course familiarizes you with the historical contexts of public health and its underlying philosophy and values relevant to current practice. The course examines the determinants of health with an emphasis on their role in the development and contribution of community and individual health issues. You will explore the critical components of the public and global health infrastructures and the impact of public health in addressing health concerns locally, nationally, and globally.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU501: Fundamentals of Public Health and Health Systems

In this course, you will learn foundational information about the field of public health, including basic behavioral health theories and methodologies that help inform public health strategy. The function and interoperability of domestic and international health systems will be explored in a manner that will provide perspective into the scope and structure of public health practice. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to think critically about current and past public health interventions, find credible resources for public health research and trends, and understand best practices and the various types of public health career paths.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU505: Health Behavior

This course provides a conceptual grounding in theoretical approaches to health behavior, emphasizing the use of the social ecological perspective to examine factors that influence health behavior and health outcomes. You will apply health behavior theories and models to real-world scenarios encountered in public health and health education.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU508: Social and Behavioral Theory and Frameworks

This course provides information regarding the social and behavioral theories and frameworks utilized in public health. You will learn how individuals and groups operate within social settings and how their actions are shaped by a multitude of influences. You will learn to critically evaluate, apply, and develop social and behavioral theories and frameworks through a combination of theoretical study, case analyses, and practical applications. The course will highlight the practical utilization of these theories to address public health challenges and foster constructive changes for individuals and communities.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU520: Principles of Epidemiology

This course introduces the epidemiologic methods, concepts, and issues that are critical for the assessment, analysis, and evaluation of epidemiological data. You will study epidemiologic methods used in surveillance, outbreak investigation, and epidemiologic measures, and apply these methods to relevant public health issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU525: Biostatistics for Public Health

In this course, you will learn statistical methods for the description and analysis of public health data. You will develop statistical vocabulary, learn methods for descriptive data analysis, study the fundamentals of probability and sampling distributions, learn methods for statistical inference and hypothesis testing based on one or two samples, and become familiar with categorical data analysis and linear regression. Data analysis will be conducted in SPSS.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU530: Environmental Health

This course presents an overview of the basic concepts of environmental health. You will explore the relationships between human health and environmental contaminants that can impact disease and overall wellness. You will explore how humans are exposed to contaminants and resulting health effects. This course will draw on epidemiology and toxicology concepts to evaluate interventions to reduce exposures at different levels including behavior changes, engineering controls, and policy regulations.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU535: Public Health Biology - A Global Perspective

The impact of biological processes in infectious and chronic disease, as related to the mechanisms of causation, disease transmission, host risk factors, and host vulnerabilities, is presented. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and internal and external triggers are studied to help maintain health and wellness, prevent and treat disease, and plan control strategies and effective interventions to improve global health on the individual and population level.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU545: Disaster Management

This course provides a foundational overview of the different aspects of emergency preparedness and disaster management, including the incident command system, the phases of emergency management, strategies for assessing and meeting the needs of highly vulnerable populations, and epidemiologic response. You will learn how to prepare for and address disruptions of public health systems arising from disasters.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU550: Public Health Leadership and Administration

Leadership in public health requires a diverse skill set. In this course, you will study the leadership styles and attributes of individuals, organizations, and populations in a variety of public health settings. You will study the definition of leadership, the variety of leadership types, team dynamics, leadership development, and collaboration among leaders and will learn how to apply these concepts along with cultural and ethical considerations that can be applied in a multitude of public health institutions.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU555: Foundations of Public Health Research

This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the conceptualization and operationalization of public health research, how to design a research project, and 'hands-on' skills in utilizing different research methods. You will be exposed to a wide range of research methods and will learn key principles of research design. Topics covered in detail include sampling, surveying, interviewing, case study analysis, focus groups, interviewing, and analyzing and presenting data. The imperative for ethical research practice will be presented. You will be equipped with the knowledge and ability to undertake methodologically sound, original research projects and will develop a set of transferable workplace skills.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU565: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

In this course, you will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative research methods and learn when and how to apply each type. With a guided step-by-step approach, this course will explore how to use, report, and apply both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU570: Chronic Disease Epidemiology

In this course, you will analyze the distribution of chronic disease based on various risk factors, such as age, race/ethnicity, environmental exposures, and lifestyle. You will be introduced to the current status of chronic disease and control programs, methods used in chronic disease surveillance, and modifiable risk factors. Some major chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and arthritis will be discussed in detail.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU580: Environmental Epidemiology

This course introduces the epidemiologic methods often used in environmental epidemiology investigations. You will apply these methods to relevant environmental health issues and will explore evidence for health impacts from environmental exposures. You will develop skills in how to communicate environmental epidemiology findings to a variety of stakeholders including the general public.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU605: Public Health Programming

This course provides an overview of the public health programming process. You will gain the knowledge required to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate public health programs aimed at improving community health.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU615: Grant Writing for Health Promotion Projects

This course provides an overview of the grant writing process including strategies to locate relevant requests for proposals (RFPs), define quantifiable project goals, consider budget constraints and financial management of grant funds, and identify program evaluation methods to demonstrate program efficacy.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU625: Global Health - Cultural and Health Systems Impacts

This course introduces you to the main concepts of global health. You will review the global burden of disease using key measurements. You will analyze the social, political, and economic determinants of health and investigate global health disparities. You will investigate the global impact of health policies as well as interventions for disease prevention globally.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU630: Health Education and Communication

This course focuses on the role of health education and communication in the practice of health education and public health. The coursework will include the principles of successful health education, its basis in health behavioral theories, and methods of health education. The student will design a health education campaign using the modern and traditional methods of communication to deliver culturally appropriate, effective health education of public health importance.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU635: Survey of Environmental and Occupational Health

This course presents an overview of environmental and occupational health. You will explore the relationships between human health and environmental contaminants that can impact disease and overall wellness. You will investigate how humans are exposed to contaminants through air, water, and food, as well as consider ways to reduce these exposures. Occupational safety and health will be introduced as well as control measures to keep workers safe. This course will draw on epidemiology and toxicology concepts to evaluate interventions to reduce exposures at different levels including behavior changes, engineering controls, and policy regulations.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU650: Infectious Disease Epidemiology

In this course, you will explore concepts pertaining to infectious disease epidemiology. Topics include historical context, terminology, types of infectious diseases, epidemiological calculations, and vaccines and vaccine development. You will also explore the global and infrastructure challenges of tracking and managing infectious diseases in the modern world.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU660: Global Health - Elements, Issues, and Trends

This course investigates current global health issues and trends. You will explore several specific global health issues such as communicable disease, chronic disease, malnutrition, water and sanitation, violence against women, and child health. You will investigate causes of and trends in these issues as well as research and brainstorm potential solutions, including global policy. You will assess global health topics from the perspective of social, economic, environmental, and cultural determinants of health and through a lens of health equity.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU680: Practical Skills in Public Health I

You will demonstrate public health knowledge and skills by working within a health organization. Through this onsite learning experience, you will engage with other public health professionals and train for the public health workforce. An onsite preceptor and University faculty member will evaluate student performance.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: PU550 and permission from the Clinical Placement Team

PU685: Issues and Concepts in Maternal and Child Health

This course will provide you with foundational information in public health analysis and practice while concentrating on the study of population-based health care as it pertains to women of all ages and children from infancy to adolescence. You will learn how to integrate policy, professional communication, research, and leadership skills to advocate for more equitable environments for this population both domestically and internationally.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU690: Practical Skills in Public Health II

In a continuation of Practical Skills in Public Health I, you will further develop practical skills related to working in the public health sector. Through this onsite learning experience, you will engage with other public health professionals and train for the public health workforce. An onsite preceptor and University faculty member will evaluate your performance. You will also complete written assignments in the course in order to reflect on skills and knowledge applied in the field of public health.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: PU680 and permission from the Clinical Placement Team

PU699: Master of Public Health Capstone

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Capstone provides a culminating, integrative experience in which you apply public health principles outside of the typical classroom setting. In this course, you will bridge the journey from a graduate student to public health professional through a series of activities, which can be personalized to meet your specific career goals. By successfully completing this course, you will have attained relevant experiences and professional deliverables that highlight your occupational potential in the public health workforce.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Last term or permission from the Dean