You need to upgrade your Flash Player to view the content located here. To download the latest Flash Player, please click here.

The MPH in Socio - Health Sciences prepares students to apply the concepts and methods from social and behavioral sciences to public health research and practice in the areas of community needs assessment, analysis of the sociobehavioral context of health, development of culturally competent programs, evaluation of intervention outcomes, and formulation of social policies affecting health. Graduates are prepared for careers in public health agencies, educational settings, social and family services, private voluntary organizations, research and consulting firms, and health-related industries. Examples of focus areas include social determinants of health, ethnographic and qualitative research, health needs of special populations, and community-based interventions.

In addition to the overall Master of Public Health degree objectives, Socio - Health Sciences graduates will be able to:

• Critically evaluate and apply a broad range of social and behavioral science theories to analyze public health problems in terms of the factors which influence problem development alternative approaches to their resolution;
• Use concepts and methods from social and behavioral sciences in the design and implementation of community health research and intervention programs;
• Understand the similarities and contrasts in the approaches taken by different social and behavioral science disciplines in the study of health-related problems;
• Exhibit an in-depth understanding of the relationships between individual, interpersonal, social, structural, cultural and biological factors as they impact the etiology and management of illness;
• Critically evaluate scholarly research in social and behavioral sciences applied to health in terms of its theoretical soundness, scientific rigor, appropriate use of concepts and methods, and contribution to knowledge;
• Illustrate the knowledge and skills for translating sociocultural research into socially relevant and culturally competent public health intervention programs;
• Understand ethical principles guiding the conduct of research on human subjects, including principles for ethical decision-making beyond the regulatory purview of institutional review boards;
• 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; and
• Identify situations requiring multidisciplinary (including Sociobehavioral) approaches to research and intervention on public health problems, and familiarity with the process of collaboration and integration of multiple perspectives.

Prerequisites

• Suggested/preferred undergraduate majors: Undergraduate majors may be admitted from a wide range of backgrounds, although majors from the social and behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, education) and the health sciences (nursing, pre-med, allied health) are especially appropriate.
• Prerequisite undergraduate courses: There are no prerequisites that are required, although courses from the above list of undergraduate majors are desirable
• Work experience : Work experience in the field of public health, health, psychology, nursing, counseling, education, social work, etc. is considered extremely desirable
• Minimum undergrad GPA 3.0 in upper division course work OR
• Verbal GRE score: minimum 500
• Quantitative GRE score: minimum 550
• Other criteria:   Letters of recommendation and career goals statement

Curriculum or Plan of Study

College Core Courses (15 credits) PHC 6000         Epidemiology (3) PHC 6050         Biostatistics I (3) PHC 6102         Principles of Health Policy and Management (3) PHC 6357         Environmental and Occupational Health (3) PHC 6931         Advanced Seminar in Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health (3) Concentration Area Required Courses (12) PHC 6934        Social Determinants of Health (3) PHC 6412       Health Disparities, Diversity, and Cultural Competence (3) PHC 6715        Research Foundations in Public Health (3) PHC 6505        Program Planning Methods in Community Health (3) Suggested Support Courses ( Select 3 to equal 9 credits ) PHC 6193          Qualitative Methods in Community Health Research (3) SYA 6204          Social Problems, Identity and Community PHC 6413         Family & Community Violence in Public Health (3) PHC 6418          Public Health and Aging (3) PHC 6419          Global Issues in Community & Family Health (3) ANG 6469          Selected Topics in Medical Anthropology (3) PHC 6505          Program Planning Methods in Community Health (3) PHC 6532          Women's Health Issues in Public Health (3) PHC 6534         Cultural Competency in Children's Mental Health (3) PHC 6536          Population and Community Health (3) PHC 6543          Foundations in Behavioral Health Systems (3) PHC 7417         Family Systems and Public Health (3) Culminating Experiences PHC 6945  Supervised Field Experience (6-12 credit hours) Students with little or no professional experience: 6 hours minimum Students with relevant professional experience: 3 hours minimum Professional experience would include supervised work at a mental health, alchohol, or drug abuse agency in a variety of special areas within behavioral health services. These experiences might include work and programming planning, program evaluation, community prevention and education, etc. PHC 6977 Special Project (3) Comprehensive Exam: 2 credit hours of enrollment required TOTAL CREDITS:  42-51 TOTAL (including Field Experience)

College Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

            None

Dual Degrees

            None

Additional Links:

• Department Specific Guidelines for Special Project, Field Experience, Comprehensive Exam
• Academic and Student Affairs: Registration, Academic Procedures, etc.
• Tuition and Financial Aid