Public Health (Health Promotion and Health Behavior) MPH

Overview

Health Promotion and Health Behavior is concerned with health-related behaviors of people. It focuses on forces that affect those behaviors and the role they play in the maintenance, promotion, and improvement of health. Health Promotion and Health Behavior majors are eligible to take a certifying examination for entry-level health educators, qualifying them as Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).

The MPH Health Promotion and Health Behavior emphasis is open to individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree. The degree can be completed in 15 months using a rigorous, concentrated format that includes four classes each semester (including a summer semester). For information on this degree program, contact the School of Health Professions Graduate Coordinator. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the Academic Requirements and Procedures , applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree. Application for admission to the MPH program must be submitted to the Graduate School and through the School of Health Professions. 

Applications are due August 1 for fall semester and December 15 for spring semester. The School of Health Professions Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates applications. Factors in the decision for admission include GPA, GRE scores, writing skills demonstrated in the essay, and reference letters from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. 

A complete application consists of a graduate application, a statement of purpose, GRE or GMAT scores, transcripts, resume, and three letters of reference. International applicants also must submit a TOEFL/IBT score.

• Minimum GPA is 2.75 on the last 60 hours of coursework.
• Minimum TOEFL/IBT score is 79 for international applicants.
• Students considering the MPH/MA Dual Degree option must also apply to the ANTMA program.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

Students must complete an approved internship (six credit hours/280 fieldwork hours), pass comprehensive exams, and have a 3.0 GPA in all coursework to graduate.

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for other program requirements and expectations.   

Course Requirements (45 hours)

• DPH 602 - Health Disparities in the United States 3 hrs.
• DPH 606 - Health Education among Rural Populations 3 hrs.
• DPH 609 - Community Health Education Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 611 - Practicum in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)
• DPH 612 - Measurement and Evaluation in Health Education 3 hrs.
• DPH 622 - Epidemiology 3 hrs.
• DPH 623 - Biostatistics 3 hrs.
• DPH 626 - Introduction to Health Systems 3 hrs.
• DPH 627 - Introduction to Health Policy and Administration 3 hrs.
• DPH 647 - Public Health Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 655 - Environmental Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 656 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 720 - Community Organization for Health Education 3 hrs.
• DPH 784 - Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health 3 hrs.

Masters in Public Health/ Masters in Anthropology (75 hours)

Students interested in health promotion, health behavior, and anthropology can complete requirements for each degree simultaneously. The combination of disciplines will prepare graduates for a variety of career opportunities in public, voluntary, and private health sectors. This option affords opportunities for graduates to work in community-based health education settings involving diverse populations with specific cultural backgrounds and associated needs.

• ANT 621 - Seminar in Ethnology 3 hrs.
• ANT 631 - Seminar in Archaeology 3 hrs.
• ANT 641 - Seminar in Biological Anthropology 3 hrs.
• ANT 651 - Seminar in Anthropological Linguistics 3 hrs.
• ANT 698 - Thesis 1-6 hrs. for a total of 6 hrs.
• DPH 602 - Health Disparities in the United States 3 hrs.
• DPH 606 - Health Education among Rural Populations 3 hrs.
• DPH 609 - Community Health Education Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 612 - Measurement and Evaluation in Health Education 3 hrs.
• DPH 622 - Epidemiology 3 hrs.
• DPH 623 - Biostatistics 3 hrs.
• DPH 626 - Introduction to Health Systems 3 hrs.
• DPH 627 - Introduction to Health Policy and Administration 3 hrs.
• DPH 647 - Public Health Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 655 - Environmental Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 656 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 720 - Community Organization for Health Education 3 hrs.
• DPH 784 - Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 611 - Practicum in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)