The MPH in Disaster Management program prepares professionals to apply scientific principles to prevent, detect, and mitigate environmental public health problems and threats associated with natural and technological disasters- locally to globally. Students gain skills to implement population-based interventions to protect communities, particularly vulnerable populations, from natural, accidental, and intentional disasters. This MPH offering is intended for both pre-professionals and mid-career individuals. Students typically have a background in a life or physical science or engineering. This course is offered by Distance Learning and on campus.
Faculty Lead: Stephen Murphy, PhD
Program Competency
Upon completion of the MPH degree in Disaster Management, graduates will have the following competencies:
- Apply scientific principles to prevent, detect, respond to, and mitigate local and global threats to environmental health that are associated with natural and technological disasters.
- Integrate public health strategies in each core component of disaster management: prevention, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
- Implement population-based interventions to protect communities and particularly vulnerable populations from natural, accidental, and intentional disasters that affect personal and community health.
- Evaluate the capacity of public health systems to effectively respond to natural and intentional disasters.
- Apply international, federal, and state regulatory policies, guidelines, and authorities to address public health needs during disasters.
The MPH Degree in Disaster management requires 45 credits that includes:
SPHTM Foundational Requirements (15 credits)
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
| SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
- Program Course Requirements (21 credits total)
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENHS 6030 | Survey of Environmental Health | 3 |
| ENHS 6600 | Principles of Toxicology | 3 |
| ENHS 6910 | Environmental Aspects of Disaster Management | 3 |
| ENHS 6930 | Planning and Implementation in Disaster Management | 3 |
| ENHS 6950 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disaster | 3 |
| ENHS 7620 | Health Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENHS 7750 | Environmental Policy 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
1 Not required for distance learning students
Elective courses (9 credits)
Selected from courses offered within the department, school, or university in consultation with an academic advisor.
Applied Practice Experience (SPHL 9980)
The Applied Practice Experience (APE) (formerly practicum) is a supervised practice experience conducted in an agency or organization external to the university to gain practical experience. The APE allows students to demonstrate attainment of at least five competencies, including at least 3 from the foundational competencies (CEPH Criterion D2). The APE is conducted after completion of the foundational courses. After identifying the APE setting and defining the competencies, students enter the information into Terra Dotta. An APE report is required that summarizes the field experiences.
Integrated Learning Experience (SPHL 7950)
All students must complete an Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) (formerly culminating experience) that demonstrates the synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies. Students in the MPH in Disaster Management conduct a public health analysis.
Model Course Schedule
Year 1, Fall Semester
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| ENHS 6910 | Environmental Aspects of Disaster Management | 3 |
| ENHS 6030 | Survey of Environmental Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year 1, Spring Semester
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
| SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| ENHS 6930 | Planning and Implementation in Disaster Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year 1, Summer
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 0 | |
Semester credits: 0 credit with full-time enrollment
Year 2, Fall Semester
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| ENHS 6950 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disaster | 3 |
| ENHS 6600 | Principles of Toxicology | 3 |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year 2, Spring Semester
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENHS 7620 | Health Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENHS 7750 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Total degree credits: 45