Public Health and Tropical Medicine, MPHTM
The Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (MPHTM) is a public health degree with a specialty in infectious diseases, and especially those diseases found in tropical regions. The program prepares public health practitioners to plan and evaluate disease control and prevention programs, physicians to better treat and evaluate tropical diseases, or students to pursue medical school and other medical professions. The curriculum consists of foundational public health courses and specialty courses in the biological, medical, social, and epidemiological aspects of diseases that are more prevalent in tropical regions. Physicians, medical students, and healthcare professionals can also complete the requirements for the Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine to be eligible for the Certification Examination in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler’s Health (CTropMed®) offered by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
- Assess key elements affecting the pathogenesis and transmission of infectious diseases commonly found in the tropics.
- Assess the factors influencing tropical disease prevention, control and diagnosis.
- Identify appropriate techniques, as they relate to specific tropical disease pathogen and vector for diagnosis, prevention, and control.
- Critique relevant methods for planning and evaluating tropical disease control and prevention programs.
The MPH&TM degree requires a total of 45 credits that include:
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MPH Foundational Courses | ||
| 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 |
| MPHTM Course Requirements | ||
| TRMD 6050 | Medical Helminthology | 3 |
| TRMD 6060 | Medical Entomology | 3 |
| TRMD 6070 | Medical Protozoology and Malaria | 3 |
| TRMD 6330 | Microbial Disease of the Tropics | 3 |
| TRMD 6350 | Disease Prevention & Control in Developing Countries | 2 |
| TRMD 6420 | Tropical Virology | 3 |
| TRMD 7000 | Tropical Medicine Seminar | 1 |
| or TRMD 7020 | Infectious Disease Seminar | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Electives
Students select from courses offered within the department, school, or university in consultation with their faculty advisor that complement their career goals and objectives.
Option for students in the joint MD/MPHTM only
Students concurrently enrolled in the Tulane University School of Medicine and earning the joint MD/MPHTM degree have the option of substituting TRMD 7960 (Clinical Tropical Medicine) and TRMD 6340 (Diagnostic Methods in Microbiology) in place of TRMD 6420 (Tropical Virology) and TRMD 6060 (Medical Entomology). These substitutions permit joint MD/MPHTM students to also complete the requirements for the Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) upon graduation.
Recommended coursework for Clinicians, Medical Students and Healthcare Professionals (Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine)
Physicians and other eligible health care professionals interested in deepening their knowledge of diagnoses and treatment of tropical diseases can take two elective courses focusing on the clinical aspects of tropical diseases: TRMD 6340 - Diagnostic Methods in Microbiology and TRMD 7960 Clinical Tropical Medicine. Students who successfully complete these courses are eligible to take the Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers' Health (CTropMed®) Examination administered by American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). Students with a clinical focus are also encouraged to take Tropical Medicine Seminar (TRMD-7000) at least once.
MPHTM Model Course Schedule
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Fall Semester | ||
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| TRMD 6050 | Medical Helminthology | 3 |
| TRMD 6330 | Microbial Disease of the Tropics | 3 |
| Year 1, Spring Semester | ||
| TRMD 6060 | Medical Entomology | 3 |
| TRMD 6070 | Medical Protozoology and Malaria | 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 |
| Year 1, Summer Session | ||
| SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
| Year 2, Fall Semester | ||
| TRMD 6420 | Tropical Virology | 3 |
| TRMD 7000 | Tropical Medicine Seminar | 1 |
| or TRMD 7020 | Infectious Disease Seminar | |
| Electives | 3-6 | |
| Year 2, Spring Semester | ||
| SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
| Electives | 3-6 | |
Total Degree Credits: 45
MPHTM Model Course Schedule
Year 1, Fall Semester
TRMD 6050 Medical Helminthology (2)
TRMD 6070 Medical Protozoology (2)
TRMD 6090 Parasitology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 6330 Microbial Diseases of the Tropics (2)
SPHL 6020 Foundations of Public Health (3)
SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
Semester subtotal: 13
Year 1, Spring Semester
TRMD 6080 Medical Protozoology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3)
SPHL 6070 Health Systems, Policy and Management (3)
SPHL 6080 Design Strategies for Public Health Programs (3)
TRMD 6060 Medical Entomology (PH focus) (3)
Elective (clinical focus) (3)
Semester subtotal: 14
Year 1, Summer Semester
Practicum
Year 2, Fall Semester
TRMD6350 Disease Prevention and Control in Developing Countries (2)
TRMD7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
TRMD6200 Impact Evaluation in Global Health (PH focus) (3)
TRMD6310 Clinical Tropical Medicine (clinical focus) (2)
TRMD6360 Clinical Tropical Medicine Case Presentations (clinical focus) (1)
TRMD6340 Diagnostic Laboratory Methods in Microbiology (clinical focus) (2)
Electives (6)
Semester subtotal : 12-14
Year 2, Spring Semester
Electives 1-3
Public Health Analysis
Total Degree Credits: 42
MPHTM Model Course Schedule
Year 1, Fall Semester
TRMD 6050 Medical Helminthology (2)
TRMD 6070 Medical Protozoology (2)
TRMD 6090 Parasitology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 6330 Microbial Diseases of the Tropics (2)
SPHL 6020 Foundations of Public Health (3)
SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
Semester subtotal: 13
Year 1, Spring Semester
TRMD 6080 Medical Protozoology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3)
SPHL 6070 Health Systems, Policy and Management (3)
SPHL 6080 Design Strategies for Public Health Programs (3)
TRMD 6060 Medical Entomology (PH focus) (3)
Elective (clinical focus) (3)
Semester subtotal: 14
Year 1, Summer Semester
Practicum
Year 2, Fall Semester
TRMD6350 Disease Prevention and Control in Developing Countries (2)
TRMD7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
TRMD6200 Impact Evaluation in Global Health (PH focus) (3)
TRMD6310 Clinical Tropical Medicine (clinical focus) (2)
TRMD6360 Clinical Tropical Medicine Case Presentations (clinical focus) (1)
TRMD6340 Diagnostic Laboratory Methods in Microbiology (clinical focus) (2)
Electives (6)
Semester subtotal : 12-14
Year 2, Spring Semester
Electives 1-3
Public Health Analysis
Total Degree Credits: 42
MPHTM Model Course Schedule
Year 1, Fall Semester
TRMD 6050 Medical Helminthology (2)
TRMD 6070 Medical Protozoology (2)
TRMD 6090 Parasitology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 6330 Microbial Diseases of the Tropics (2)
SPHL 6020 Foundations of Public Health (3)
SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
Semester subtotal: 13
Year 1, Spring Semester
TRMD 6080 Medical Protozoology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3)
SPHL 6070 Health Systems, Policy and Management (3)
SPHL 6080 Design Strategies for Public Health Programs (3)
TRMD 6060 Medical Entomology (PH focus) (3)
Elective (clinical focus) (3)
Semester subtotal: 14
Year 1, Summer Semester
Practicum
Year 2, Fall Semester
TRMD6350 Disease Prevention and Control in Developing Countries (2)
TRMD7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
TRMD6200 Impact Evaluation in Global Health (PH focus) (3)
TRMD6310 Clinical Tropical Medicine (clinical focus) (2)
TRMD6360 Clinical Tropical Medicine Case Presentations (clinical focus) (1)
TRMD6340 Diagnostic Laboratory Methods in Microbiology (clinical focus) (2)
Electives (6)
Semester subtotal : 12-14
Year 2, Spring Semester
Electives 1-3
Public Health Analysis
Total Degree Credits: 42
MPHTM Model Course Schedule
Year 1, Fall Semester
TRMD 6050 Medical Helminthology (2)
TRMD 6070 Medical Protozoology (2)
TRMD 6090 Parasitology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 6330 Microbial Diseases of the Tropics (2)
SPHL 6020 Foundations of Public Health (3)
SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
Semester subtotal: 13
Year 1, Spring Semester
TRMD 6080 Medical Protozoology Laboratory (1)
TRMD 7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3)
SPHL 6070 Health Systems, Policy and Management (3)
SPHL 6080 Design Strategies for Public Health Programs (3)
TRMD 6060 Medical Entomology (PH focus) (3)
Elective (clinical focus) (3)
Semester subtotal: 14
Year 1, Summer Semester
Practicum
Year 2, Fall Semester
TRMD6350 Disease Prevention and Control in Developing Countries (2)
TRMD7000 Tropical Medicine Seminar (1)
TRMD6200 Impact Evaluation in Global Health (PH focus) (3)
TRMD6310 Clinical Tropical Medicine (clinical focus) (2)
TRMD6360 Clinical Tropical Medicine Case Presentations (clinical focus) (1)
TRMD6340 Diagnostic Laboratory Methods in Microbiology (clinical focus) (2)
Electives (6)
Semester subtotal : 12-14
Year 2, Spring Semester
Electives 1-3
Public Health Analysis
Total Degree Credits: 42