The Masters of Public Health Degree in Community Health Sciences (CHS) focuses on developing knowledge and skills to work with communities in addressing health needs and health disparities, and improving quality of life. This work requires skills in social and behavioral aspects of community health monitoring and evaluation of community-based programs, community training methodologies, and active engagement within the community to promote health and well-being. This program is well suited for students in a combined degree (e.g. MD/MPH or MSW/MPH) seeking valuable skills in community-based interventions and public health programming.
Program Competencies
Students who graduate from this degree program can expect to develop the following competencies as they successfully meet and complete the program degree requirements.
- Analyze the nature of public health issues within the context of a specific community and environment, generate solutions, and apply solutions with communities.
- Design and implement theoretically informed and culturally appropriate interventions by applying public health theory and principles to a diverse set of problems at the community level.
- Develop an effective plan to monitor and evaluate a community-based public health intervention or program based on translation of scientific evidence.
- Collaborate effectively with members of a community through engagement in the process of public health programming.
- Develop an asset-based community assessment that identifies the determinants of health, local assets, and locally-determined priority needs.
- Effectively communicate in both oral and written forms to a variety of audiences and purposes related to community health.
- Apply the CHS Essential Skills concepts to public health topics.
The MPH degree in Community Health Sciences requires a total of 45 credits that include:
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPHTM Foundational Requirements | ||
| 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 |
| Program Course Requirements | ||
| SBPS 6030 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6100 | Health Equity | 3 |
| SBPS 6340 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programs | 3 |
| SBPS 6700 | Social Innovation Tools | 3 |
| SBPS 7010 | Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Elective Courses | 15 | |
| SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Model Course Schedule
This is an example of a course schedule. Students work with their faculty and staff advisors to create a course schedule to meet their individual needs.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SBPS 6030 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| SPHL 6100 | Health Equity | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| SBPS 6340 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programs | 3 |
| SBPS 7010 | Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
| SBPS 6700 | Social Innovation Tools | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |