HLTH 6000 Critical Issues in Global Public Health — 3 credits

This course is an introduction to public health issues both locally and globally. The course will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. It is divided into four main parts: principles and goals of global health; cross-cutting global health issues; the burden of disease; and, cooperating to improve global health. The course will examine current issues and challenges that face mainly developing and middle income countries. We will analyze the impact of political, social, cultural, economic and environmental factors on global health, including globalization, poverty, governance, trade and ethics.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPH program.

HLTH 6010 Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics I — 3 credits

This is the first of a two-part course series that introduces the basic concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics as applied to public health problems. Emphasis is placed on the principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation, appropriate summaries and displays of data, and the use of classical statistical approaches to describe the health of populations. Topics include the dynamic behavior of disease; usage of rates, ratios and proportions; methods of direct and indirect adjustment, and clinical life table which measures and describes the extent of disease problems. Various epidemiologic study designs for investigating associations between risk factors and disease outcomes are also introduced, culminating with criteria for causal inferences. The application of these disciplines in the areas of health services, screening, genetics, and environment policy are presented. The influence of epidemiology and biostatistics on legal and ethical issues are also discussed.

HLTH 6020 Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics II — 3 credits

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. This course covers concepts of epidemiologic study design and biostatics from hypothesis testing to study design analysis. The primary learning goals for this course will be for students to interpret and communicate epidemiologic data and study results as well as design observational and experimental studies and conduct statistical calculations using statistical software. A combination of didactic lecture, case method approach and applied learning lab is used to facilitate learning.
Prerequisite: HLTH 6010.

HLTH 6030 Design and Implementation of Global Health Programs — 3 credits

This course will introduce students to the major concepts, principles, and methods used to design and implement global health programs. During the first half of the course we will discuss how to design effective global health programs in low- and middle-income countries as well as with refugee and immigrant communities in high-income countries. Students will learn to conduct community assessments, characterize and define a health problem, and identify and adapt evidence-based interventions for new health issues and settings. During the second half of the course we will focus on the implementation of global health programs, which will enable students to gain practical skills in program management and budgeting. This course will include a service learning component.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MPH program.

HLTH 6040 Global Health Policy and Governance — 3 credits

This course examines the design and structure of health policies and systems by state and non-state actors in both the U.S. and globally. The course begins with an introduction to the U.S. health system and structure, followed by a review of the key organizations and actors influencing global health governance. We discuss health system strengthening initiatives and then compare and contrast a number of health systems around the world. The course will review the history of global governance and how current forces of globalization are shaping the new global health infrastructure, agenda-setting, decision-making and implementation processes. Students will develop practical skills in critiquing global health policies, stakeholder analysis, health diplomacy, and writing policy briefs.
Prerequisite: HLTH 6000 or permission of the instructor.

HLTH 6050 Monitoring and Evaluation of Global Health Programs — 3 credits

This course is intended to be taken after students have successfully completed Design and Implementation of Global Health Programs (HLTH 6030). In this course students will be introduced to key concepts and methods used to design and conduct program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for global public health programs. Class sessions will introduce students to evaluation designs, conceptual frameworks, objectives and indicators, data sources, and data collection and analysis. Students will gain practical skills through in-class exercises and course assignments, including the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan. This course includes a service learning component.
Prerequisite: HLTH 6030.

HLTH 6100 Ethics and Human Rights for Global Health — 1 credit

This course is an overview of ethics and human rights for global health. This course will provide a background of the theory pertaining to ethics and human rights and practical application through case study discussion and training in ethical conduct of research. Students will explore power structures, challenges of global health, negative effects of good intentions and the use of foundational documents to guide the students in ethical reasoning.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MPH program or permission of the program director.

HLTH 6110 International Perspectives in Environmental Health Sciences — 3 credits

This course explores the inter-connectedness of environmental factors (e.g., air pollution, asbestos exposure, oil spills, and occupational health hazards) and how human and/or animal exposures to these affect human health. State, local, federal, regional and international policies and regulations that monitor and protect human, animal and ecological health will be explored. Country policy analyses will be conducted to compare how different nations mitigate, prevent and cope with the effects of climate change on agriculture, insect, animal and human health and the implementation of “one health” strategies. Students will develop an understanding of environmental agents and mechanisms of exposure to environmental hazards. Various topics in environmental health will be explored; students will identify some of the specific readings. Multiple environmental risk assessment tools will be reviewed and critiqued for their role in public health planning and policy making. In addition, students will conduct a case analysis of a non-governmental organization (NGO), coalition, foundation, or public-private partnership actively engaged in environmental health advocacy, education or policy making.
Prerequisites: HLTH 6010, HLTH 6020.

HLTH 6130 Social and Behavioral Health Theories and Applications — 3 credits

The behavioral and social sciences in public health address the behavioral, social and cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. In this course, students will be introduced to various theories and frameworks used to guide the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs and policies. Using case studies, students will critique the application of these theories and identify cultural and environmental factors that must be considered to assure the value and appropriateness of the application. Students will develop skills in the identification of individual, organizational and community concerns, assets, resources and deficits for social and behavioral science interventions. By the end of the course, students will be able to compare and contrast the unique qualities of individual, organizational, community and ecological theories and how their applications create and define a public health intervention.

HLTH 6210 Health Communication — 3 credits

Effective health communication interventions are an essential component of public health programming. Research shows that theory-driven, interactive communication that follows a proven process for design and implementation can increase knowledge, shift attitudes and norms, and produce changes in a wide range of behaviors. This course introduces students to the field of health communication theory and practice, and its key action areas. It prepares students to design, implement and evaluate health communication interventions within a systematic, participatory, engaging, process-oriented, and multidisciplinary framework that aims at behavioral, social, and organizational results and ultimately, improved public health outcomes.

HLTH 6220 Qualitative Research Methods — 3 credits

This course focuses on qualitative research methods starting with the conception of qualitative research questions and ending with the dissemination of qualitative research findings. Students will be exposed to a variety of frameworks through which qualitative research can be approached including specific paradigms, theories, and models. By the end of the semester, students will develop mastery in a variety of practical techniques in conducting and analyzing data from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MPH program.

HLTH 6240 Quantitative Data Analysis — 3 credits

Quantitative secondary data analysis skills are important for program evaluation and public health research projects. Public data is widely available in the U.S. and abroad. Students will learn how to import data from publicly available data sets, and conduct data management and analysis with Stata Statistical Software. Students will have in class experiences and out of class requirements to gain practical data management and analysis skills using software while answering a specific research question.
Prerequisites: HLTH 6000, HLTH 6010.
Prerequisite with concurrency: HLTH 6020.

HLTH 6310 Refugee and Immigrant Health — 2 credits

This course defines and describes the status of refugees and immigrants in the US and globally. It discusses policies and practices, definitions and consequences of these policies. The physical and psychosocial aspects of being a refugee will be explored and analyzed. Time will be spent focused on historical refugee and immigrant immigration patterns as well as current events worldwide. Offered in January Term, even years
Prerequisite: Acceptance into MPH program.

HLTH 6320 Global Issues in Women's Health — 2 credits

This course will cover some of the most pressing health issues that women face globally. A life course perspective will be taken and health issues that affect women from childhood through late adulthood will be explored. Both biological and social determinants of women’s health will be examined and promising programmatic and policy responses to improving women’s health will be discussed. Offered online in Fall, even years.
Prerequisite: Acceptance in the MPH program.

HLTH 6330 Public Health in Conflict and Humanitarian Emergencies — 2 credits

This course covers the principles that are the basis of planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs for populations in conflicts and emergencies. It covers a range of humanitarian settings, including conflict, post-conflict, natural disasters, refugee camps, and internally displaced persons in both acute and protracted contexts. The course includes modules on assessment, technical program design, surveillance, evaluation, and sector integration. Drawing on current events for discussion and context, it will focus on international standards/thresholds for and control/management of communicable disease, nutrition, and reproductive health in emergencies. The course will include classroom visits and Skype video lectures with practitioners from the field. Offered online during January term, odd years.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into MPH program.

HLTH 6340 Infectious Disease: From COVID-19 to malaria and TB — 2 credits

This course will introduce students to common infectious diseases in the US and globally. A focus will be placed on the descriptive epidemiology of these diseases, their mechanisms for transmissions, and opportunities for intervention. Both biological and social determinants of the burden of infectious disease will be discussed within each weekly topic. Offered online in Spring, odd years
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MPH Program.

HLTH 6360 Violence as a Public Health Issue — 2 credits

This course examines violence from a public health perspective in the United States and globally. It covers topics on homicide, suicide, and non-fatal violence. The course will also describe the various approaches to violence prevention and focus on the interdisciplinary nature of the public health framework including the ecological model. Students will address the policy dimensions of violence prevention including the economic impacts, community based advocacy and the interrelationship of factors that affect policy at the national as well as the international levels. Offered in Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MPH program.

HLTH 6380 Global Mental Health — 2 credits

This course is designed to focus on the global burden of mental health and the role of mental health research and practice in global health initiatives. It introduces students to a new understanding of mental health and explains why it is as important as physical health to the overall well-being of individuals, families, societies and communities. The course provides the latest epidemiological information on the magnitude, burden, economic and social consequences and effective public health interventions for people with mental health disorders worldwide. General principles of care and specific strategies for improving mental health in diverse international settings as well as common barriers will be covered. Across course topics, we will explore cultural issues related to mental health interventions and outcomes. Critical and creative thinking skills are highly encouraged throughout to discuss the issues involved in this relatively new area of study. Offered in Spring, even years.

HLTH 6390 The Global Rise in Chronic Diseases: Who is Paying Attention? — 2 credits

This course will focus on the growing global burden of disease due to chronic diseases, mental health, substance use (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs), risk factors (obesity, lack of physical activity, stress) and injuries in the US and globally. The course presents methods for measuring the burden of noncommunicable diseases; program and service delivery. Students will examine successes and challenges of public health policy initiatives to foster a healthier environment with reduced chronic disease.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MPH program.

HLTH 6500 Child Family Health International Global Education Program — 3 credits

This course provides students with an international, public health oriented experience in a low- or middle-income country as a topic based elective. Both in-person and virtual course options are available. Collaborating with Child Family Health International the courses are taught by medical doctors and public health specialists in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, India, Mexico and Kenya. Country locations may vary from year to year. See the MPH program director or Global Studies office for details.
Prerequisite: Program director approval required.

HLTH 6682 Directed Study — 2 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, program director and dean approval.

HLTH 6683 Directed Study — 3 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, program director and dean approval.

HLTH 6684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, program director and dean approval.

HLTH 6953 Independent Study — 3 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.

HLTH 6992 Topics — 2 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies from year to year but does not duplicate existing courses.

HLTH 6993 Topics — 3 credits

HLTH 7100 200-Hour Practicum — 4 credits

In this course students will apply their classroom based knowledge in a domestic or international setting, in low- and middle-income countries and with refugee and immigrant communities in high-income countries. Supervision will be provided on site and student activities will be mutually agreed on prior to the beginning of the internship. Activities may include, but not be limited to, program development and implementation, program evaluation, assistance with surveillance and grant writing, research project participation and/or policy analysis.
Prerequisites: HLTH 6000, HLTH 6010, HLTH 6020, HLTH 6030, HLTH 6050, compliance paperwork complete. Instructor approval.

HLTH 7101 50-Hour Practicum — 1 credit

Prerequisite: HLTH 7103.

HLTH 7103 150-Hour Practicum — 3 credits

Prerequisites: HLTH 6000, HLTH 6010, HLTH 6020, HLTH 6030, HLTH 6050, completion of compliance paperwork. Program director approval.

HLTH 7200 Capstone — 3 credits

The MPH Capstone course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their synthesis and integration of the core global public health competencies through a culminating experience. Prior to the start of the course, students will write a 3-page proposal of their project topic and its format that is approved by their academic advisor and the MPH Coordinator. The proposal includes identification of one other reader for content expertise (e.g., other university faculty, adjunct faculty or preceptor). A maximum of six projects or up to 10 students may register for each course. Students will give a 15-minute oral presentation of their capstone projects at a public forum.
Prerequisites: HLTH 6040, HLTH 6100, HLTH 6110 and HLTH 6130, HLTH 7100, three HLTH electives, an international experience, and program director approval. S/U grading.

HLTH ELEC Health Elective — 1-6 credits

HLTH ELECU Health Elective-Upper Div — 1-6 credits