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The MSPH prepares students for careers oriented toward needs assessment, research and evaluation in community and family health. Graduates are prepared for employment in academic, clinical and other research areas. Each area of specialization and corresponding program of study is developed on an individual basis, guided by the student's interests and areas of expertise in the department. A supervisory committee of three faculty members assists the student in planning appropriate coursework and directing the thesis. This program of study may be especially relevant to students whose future plans include a doctoral degree.  Potential areas of specialization for the MSPH may include, but are not limited to one or more of the following fields of study: Social Marketing, Aging, Behavioral Health, Maternal and Child Health, Public Health Education, Women's Health, Global Health, Violence & Injury, Socio-Health Sciences.

In addition to the overall Master of Science in Public Health degree objectives, Community & Family Health graduates will be able to:

  1. Critically evaluate the utility of a broad range of theories, which have relevance for research and practice in community and family health.
  2. Use concepts and methods from social and behavioral sciences in the design and implementation of community health research and intervention programs.
  3. Understand the relationships between psychological, interpersonal, social structural, cultural and biological factors as they impact on disease prevention and health promotion.
  4. Critically evaluate scholarly research in community and family health in terms of its theoretical soundness, scientific rigor, appropriate use of concepts and methods, and contribution to knowledge

Research Skills

  1. Conduct needs assessments focused on health behavior change and the social impact of planned health programs.
  2. Use qualitative and quantitative research methods for studying the impact of psychological, interpersonal, social structural, cultural and biological factors in the etiology and social consequences of public health problems.
  3. Carry out, with faculty supervision, all phases of the research process, including project design, proposal development, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation and writing up of results.
  4. Use ethical principles guiding the conduct of research on human subjects.

Practical Applications to Public Health

  1. Identify areas in which social and behavioral science expertise can contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs.
  2. Determine the appropriate level of intervention for different health problems, including individual behavior, family systems, community organization, complex social systems and the social and physical environment.
  3. Critically evaluate research and translate it into evidence-based practice and public policy.

Prerequisites

  • Public health course prerequisite: None
  • Suggested/preferred undergraduate majors: Social or Behaivoral Sciences, International Studies, Women Studies, Public Health, Regional Studies (i.e., Latin America and Caribbean) and Health Sciences.
  • Prerequisite undergraduate courses: None
  • Work experience: some public health experience preferred but not required
  • Minimum undergrad GPA: 3.0 and
  • Verbal GRE score: min 500
  • Quantative GRE score: min 550
  • Other criteria: two letters of recommendations, goal statement
Curriculum or Plan of Study

College Core Courses (9 credits)
PHC 6000         Epidemiology (3)
PHC 6050         Biostatistics I (3)

Select one of the following:
PHC 6102         Principles of Health Policy and Management (3)
PHC 6357         Environmental and Occupational Health (3)
PHC 6410         Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health (3)

Specialization Area Courses (12) Depends on area of specialization
Some examples include: 
PHC 6931         Advanced Seminar in Social and Behavioral Sciences
                        Applied To Health (3)
PHC 6413         Family and Community Violence in Public Health (3)
PHC 6418         Public Health and Aging (3)
PHC 6532         Women's Health Issues in Public Health (3)

Research Methods Courses (9)
PHC 6051         Biostatistics II (3)
Two additional research courses related to student's focus area (6)

Electives (8) Examples of common elective options
SYA 6204         Social Problems, Identity and Community(3)
ANG 6469         Selected Topics in Medical Anthropology (3)
PHC 6536         Population and Community Health (3)
PHC 6411         Introduction to Social Marketing for Public Health (3)
PHC 6707         Evaluation Methods in Community Health (3)

Culminating Experiences

  • PHC 6971 Thesis (6 minimum)
  • Comprehensive Exam (no credit)

TOTAL CREDITS: 44


College Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

Dual Degree(s)
            None

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