This course introduces students to the history, core functions, and essential services of public health and serves as a foundation for further study in the discipline. During this course, students will gain an understanding of the social, ecological, and environmental determinants of health; recognize the roles of public policy and cultural values in maintaining health inequities in the U.S. and globally; and develop the ability to advocate for solutions to public health problems using a social justice approach.

In this course, students will learn the basic biological concepts of human health and disease, with particular emphasis on diseases that are of most public health relevance. Students will gain a foundational understanding of infectious, non-communicable, and genetic diseases and their prevention and treatment strategies.

Public Health requires familiarity with the epidemiology, pathology, prevention, and treatment of a wide range of infectious, non-communicable, mental, reproductive, and nutritional conditions, as well as violence and unintentional injuries. This course offers a population-focused survey of human health with an emphasis on leading global causes of morbidity and mortality, key risk factors, and broader social determinants of health, specifically highlighting the influence of race, ethnicity, gender and class as it relates to health outcomes. The student will gain an understanding of principles of endemic disease and injury control and will establish the foundation for more advanced courses in the major. Students will also have the opportunity to integrate their experience in a local community context with relevant social determinants of health, to analyze one’s social identity, cultural values and privilege in the context of health inequity. I invite you to participate with me in this important work as a collective group working towards anti-racism and equitable public health policies, practices, and community norms.

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of human nutrition. Students will develop an understanding of the digestion, absorption, and function of nutrients in the body and the relationship between diet and health. Course topics will also include macronutrients, micronutrients, metabolism, weight management, and fitness.

Epidemiology is the foundation for public health research, with applications in several other disciplines. This course is designed to introduce students to the core principles of epidemiology and familiarize students with the applications of biostatistics in health research. During the course, students will learn about the historical origins of the field of epidemiology, as well as concepts of study design and data interpretation.

Biostatistics is the foundation for many forms of health research with applications in several other disciplines. This course is designed to introduce students to the core principles of statistical practices used in the Public Health research setting and familiarize students with the applications of biostatistics in health research. During the course, students will practice applied biostatistics by using SPSS to complete data analysis of a public health dataset.

This course examines the social, economic, and cultural factors impacting the health of societies worldwide and identifies key global health conditions. Principles of disease prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion are applied to diverse populations. Students will analyze current and emerging global health priorities, including emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases, poverty, inequities, and conflicts and crises. Global issues related to the impact of social policies on healthcare equity and needs of vulnerable populations are also examined.

This course will introduce students to the fundamental applications of nutrition in a public health setting. Students will learn the theory behind health behavior change, community assessment, intervention planning, and program management. Students will also have an opportunity to practice the skills necessary to carry out these activities through assignments. During the course, students will create a nutrition brochure and produce a video Public Service Announcement. By the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of how public health professionals identify nutritional risk in the community, and design programs to prevent the development of disease.

This course provides the foundation for developing culturally competent community-based health interventions. Students learn the process of public health programming, including assessment, design, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This course integrates theory to examine interventions at various levels (individual, community, policy).

This public health internship may be completed with a regional public health partner. The internship experience exposes students to the elements of the core functions of public health and the application of these core functions in public health settings. While not all internships will allow for extensive exposure to all of the essential services, students are expected to discuss how the agency addresses those services. Students will work to connect field experiences to future public health career goals.

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.

This course is designed to expose students in the fields of public health and social work to conceptual frameworks through which to view leadership. Students will explore the key values and personal attributes that guide the leadership process. Students will engage in dynamic exercises and collaborative work to better understand leadership principles and work to apply these concepts to communities in their fields of study. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on leadership qualities relevant to their profession as well as personal leadership qualities that guide the relationship with vulnerable populations.

This course allows students to think strategically about their career in public health. The course comprehensively covers the responsibilities, obligations, roles, and professional activities of various public health roles in the community. Students will prepare for their senior internship experience, including resume development and interview practice, and for their capstone experience through research critiques and citation review. Various forms for professional communications will be practiced and critiqued.

This capstone course provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the program by completing an independent scholarly or applied project. With guidance from a faculty member, students will develop and evaluate a public health intervention or design and carry out an original research project. The capstone will culminate with a written paper, poster, and oral presentation.

This course is designed to introduce graduate students without a baccalaureate degree in Public Health to the profession and sciences of Public Health. This course will provide an overview of the history and philosophy of Public Health, its core functions and essential services, and its role in understanding and promoting human health.

This course introduces students to both fundamental and technical concepts in the field of environmental health. Environmental health supports clean water, sewage, food, and waste disposal. The course will help students understand the impact of environmental factors on health outcomes, the measures taken to minimize negative effects, and where to access additional information to make a difference at the individual and community levels. The course will also delve into interdisciplinary public health issues such as physical and chemical exposures; environmental justice; environmental policy, regulations, and ethics; risk assessment and management, and climate change.

This course prepares students to develop, implement, and evaluate Public Health programs and interventions. Students will learn to conduct a community health needs assessment; prioritize health needs; select appropriate intervention strategies; and develop program goals, objectives, and evaluation plans.

This course presents epidemiologic principles and biostatistical methods essential to health research and practice. Data from a variety of public health research studies will be used to draw inferences about the health status of populations (e.g. identify patterns, determinants, and disparities in health outcomes). Biostatistical techniques are used to examine relationships among contributing factors for population health in order to plan and evaluate health services and programs. Epidemiological methods for conducting studies will be discussed in detail, with an emphasis on group and population methods used to inform evidence-based health decision-making, program planning, and policy development. Ethical issues related to the application of biostatistics and data privacy, such as IRB requirements, genomics, population genetics, clinical trials, and public health epidemiological studies are addressed.

This course provides an introduction to statistical reasoning and procedures used in Public Health research. Probability theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and regression and correlation methods will be covered, with applications using statistical software. Student must be enrolled in Master's or Doctorate of Public Health Program.

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the skills needed to develop a public health research study proposal. This course prepares the student to identify population health issues and critically evaluate existing research for relevance and application to public health practice. An overview of theory is presented as a vehicle for understanding public health or healthcare research.  Basic concepts of research methods will be examined in order to plan and evaluate public health programs, policies, and system-level changes. Using an evidence-based and/or research approach, students identify a public health problem within a specific community or population, considering ethical principles such as equity, community participation, and protection of human subjects. Students use reflection in the evaluation of public health research.

The course explores key qualitative approaches, including case studies, ethnography, grounded theory, narrative research, and phenomenology. Qualitative research seeks to understand the “whole person” and their lived experiences, emphasizing the interpretation and meaning of social phenomena, behaviors, and populations that are not easily measured or quantified.  The foundations of qualitative research methods, including IRB requirements, will be discussed in detail.  Students will be introduced to a range of data collection techniques such as focus groups, interviews (including open-ended, semi-structured, and in-depth formats), observation, and document review. The course emphasizes building foundational knowledge, practical skills, and critical understanding of qualitative research in public health.

The fieldwork experience provides each student the opportunity to demonstrate attainment of key program competencies by completing training and practice with a partner agency in their local area. Students will participate in health leadership and seminar while completing their fieldwork experience. This course will fulfill the applied practice experience requirement of the MPH program.

The capstone provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout the program by developing an independent scholarly or applied project. With guidance from a faculty member, students will create and evaluate a public health intervention or design and carry out an original research project. In Public Health Capstone I, students develop a detailed plan and written proposal for their project. This course will fulfill the integrative learning experience requirement of the MPH program.

This course is a continuation of Public Health Capstone I. In this course, students complete their capstone projects, by implementing and evaluating the program they created or by collecting and analyzing data to answer an original research question. Students will produce a final paper and presentation for their project. This course will fulfill the integrative learning experience requirement of the MPH program.

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.

This doctoral-level course provides an in-depth exploration of research methodologies (including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and policy analysis) used to address complex public health issues, from the individual to entire populations. Students will learn how to design and implement research and evaluation projects tailored to specific public health challenges, such as infectious disease outbreaks and management of chronic health conditions, while critically assessing the use of surveillance systems and national surveys. The course emphasizes the integration of theory and practice, evaluating the health policies and programs intended to address public health issues.

This doctoral-level course focuses on developing leadership and collaboration skills to drive health improvements and address health inequities. Students will learn strategies for effectively engaging diverse partners—such as researchers, practitioners, and community leaders—to foster partnerships that support public health initiatives. Emphasis will be placed on communication techniques that influence public behavior and policies across varying levels of health literacy. Additionally, the course explores the integration of multidisciplinary approaches and values from various professions and systems to comprehensively address public health challenges.

This doctoral-level course is designed to develop advanced skills in strategic planning, decision-making, and organizational change within public health contexts. Students will learn to create comprehensive strategic plans that address public health priorities, while employing negotiation and consensus-building techniques to facilitate shared decision-making among partners. The course will also focus on the development of organizational change strategies to ensure effective implementation of public health initiatives and long-term improvements.

This doctoral-level course explores strategies for promoting inclusion and equity within public health programs, policies, and systems, while emphasizing the importance of self-assessment in leadership development. Students will learn to critically assess their leadership strengths and weaknesses, including cultural proficiency, and propose effective human and fiscal resource plans to meet strategic public health goals. This course will also address the importance of DEIJ initiatives within the public health sphere. The course also provides practical approaches to cultivating new resources and revenue streams to sustain and advance public health initiatives.

This doctoral-level course focuses on designing and implementing system-level interventions to tackle complex public health issues. Students will learn to integrate cultural values and practices into the development of inclusive public health policies and programs. The course also emphasizes the incorporation of scientific information, ethical frameworks, legal and regulatory considerations, and diverse stakeholder interests in policy analysis and development. Additionally, students will explore interprofessional approaches to fostering collaboration among teams to enhance public health outcomes.

This doctoral-level course is designed to develop advanced skills in assessing educational needs and delivering effective training experiences within academic, organizational, and community settings. Students will learn to evaluate an audience’s knowledge and learning needs to design tailored educational programs that promote engagement and understanding. The course also emphasizes the use of best practices and evidence-based pedagogical techniques to ensure high-quality learning experiences across diverse public health environments.

This doctoral-level course focuses on developing advanced skills in data visualization and communication to effectively present public health data and evaluation findings. Students will learn to use visualization techniques to translate complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, grant funders, partners, and the public. The course emphasizes the role of visual storytelling in communicating the impact and effectiveness of public health programs and policies, ensuring that students are equipped to convey critical insights and drive informed decision-making.

This doctoral-level course focuses on advanced principles and frameworks in implementation science, guiding students through the process of translating evidence-based public health interventions into practice. Students will explore strategies to identify and address barriers to the adoption, scaling, and sustainability of interventions in diverse public health settings. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating implementation outcomes, such as fidelity and reach, to assess the effectiveness of interventions in real-world contexts.

This doctoral-level course explores the application of ethical principles in public health practice, research, and policy development. Students will critically analyze complex ethical dilemmas related to health equity, resource allocation, privacy, and community engagement, with a focus on real-world case studies. The course emphasizes the role of ethics in decision-making processes and challenges students to apply ethical frameworks to contemporary public health issues, including global health, infectious disease control, and health inequities.

This course provides an introduction to statistical reasoning and procedures used in Public Health research. Probability theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and regression and correlation methods will be covered, with applications using statistical software.

This residency course is designed to foster the professional and academic development of doctoral students in public health, with an emphasis on preparing for dissertation research and equipping students with the skills necessary for successful careers in academia, practice, and policy. The course provides a comprehensive framework for the transition from coursework to independent research, incorporating case studies, guest speakers, and community-engaged learning experiences with public health partners. As a zero-credit course, it is a required component of the program, to be completed three times during the doctoral journey. Class is graded pass/fail.

This zero-credit, mandatory course is designed to ensure that doctoral students in public health engage in continuous professional development throughout their academic journey. The course requires students to complete a minimum of 20 continuing education hours beyond their regular coursework, focusing on advanced topics, emerging trends, and skills essential for their professional growth. The course needs to be repeated twice in the final year of study, each time participating in different professional development activities such as conferences, workshops, seminars, or specialized training sessions. Students are expected to provide documentation and reflection of the learning experiences. The course needs to be repeated twice in the final year of study. Class is graded pass/fail.

This course provides doctoral students in public health the opportunity to develop and enhance their teaching skills through guided practice under the mentorship of a faculty member. Students will engage in curriculum design, lecture preparation, instructional delivery, and assessment development for undergraduate or graduate-level courses. Throughout the practicum, students will receive feedback on their teaching methods, classroom management, and student engagement techniques. The course emphasizes reflective practice, pedagogical strategies, and the adaptation of content to diverse learning styles and educational settings.

This course guides doctoral students through the development of their dissertation proposal, focusing on designing a research project that contributes original knowledge to the field of public health, specifically but not limited to policies, programs or systems that address public health. Students will refine their research questions, review relevant literature, and develop a comprehensive methodology that aligns with their research objectives. Emphasis will be placed on crafting a robust proposal that addresses gaps in the literature and adheres to ethical and methodological standards. By the end of the course, students will submit a well-developed dissertation proposal for approval by their dissertation committee. PUBH 7971, PUBH 7972, and PUBH 7973 satisfy the program’s integrative learning experience requirement. Class is graded pass/fail.

This course builds on the dissertation proposal developed in the Public Health Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Development (PUBH 7971) course.  In this course, doctoral students will conduct the research outlined in their approved dissertation proposals, focusing on data collection and preliminary analysis. Students will implement their research methodologies, collect data, and ensure adherence to ethical standards and research protocols. This course provides support and guidance on managing research activities, troubleshooting challenges, and maintaining data integrity. Students are expected to make significant progress in their research and prepare for the analysis phase of their dissertation work. PUBH 7971, PUBH 7972, and PUBH 7973 satisfy the program’s integrative learning experience requirement. Class is graded pass/fail.

In the final course in the dissertation sequence, students will complete the dissertation proposal originally developed in the Public Health Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Development (PUBH 7971) course.  This course supports doctoral students in writing and defending their dissertation, focusing on synthesizing research findings and preparing for the final oral defense. Students will complete their three dissertation manuscripts, incorporating feedback from their committee members and ensuring clarity, coherence, and scholarly rigor. The course includes workshops on dissertation writing, presentation skills, and strategies for a successful defense. Students will schedule and conduct their dissertation defense, demonstrating their ability to contribute original research to the field of public health and engaging in scholarly discussion with their committee. PUBH 7971, PUBH 7972, and PUBH 7973 satisfy the program’s integrative learning experience requirement. Class is graded pass/fail.

This course is designed to support doctoral students requiring additional time to complete any remaining stages of the dissertation process, such as finalizing data collection, conducting analyses, synthesizing findings, or preparing for the oral defense. The course offers structured guidance from the dissertation committee to ensure that students maintain steady progress, uphold ethical standards in research, and resolve any challenges encountered in their work. Regular check-ins, goal setting, and feedback sessions will help students focus on specific aspects of their dissertation in need of refinement. Enrollment in Dissertation Continuation is on a semester-by-semester basis until the requirements are met for PUBH 7971, PUBH 7972, and/or PUBH 7973. This course is graded as pass/fail.

This doctoral-level course provides students with a practice experience, regardless of prior professional background, in which they complete one or more projects that contribute meaningfully to an organization and demonstrate advanced public health practice. Students will integrate theory into real-world applications by collaborating with external organizations such as governmental, non-profit, for-profit, and industrial settings. Each student will produce a work product that reflects a depth of competence and includes a reflective component, allowing for personal and professional insights into the experience as well as providing the student to develop leadership skills. This course satisfies the program’s applied practice experience requirement. Class is graded pass/fail.

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.