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Program - International Health
Department
of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health
Frank Baker, Ph.D.
Department Chairmen
Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS.,
Program Advisor
• M.P.H Program Curriculum
• Graduate Certificate in International
Health: Clinical Issues
• Program Course Descriptions
The following courses are all 3 credits, unless otherwise noted.
M.P.H. Curriculum - 46 credits
- Required courses: 22 credits
Health Care in the United States
Health Economics
Behavioral and Social Factors in Public Health
Environmental Influences on Human Health
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Thesis
Practicum (1 credit) -
Required program courses: 15
credits
• Primary Health Care Around the World
• Introduction to Maternal and Child Health
• Infectious Diseases Around the World
plus two of the following:
• Applied Epidemiology
• Behavioral Epidemiology
• Community Needs Assessment I and II (students must take both semesters)
• Critical Analysis of Public Health Issues
• Environmental Epidemiology and Risk Assessment
• Fundamentals of Research Methodology
• Grant and Contract Development and Administration
• Research in Healthcare Administration
- For
Practicum
and electives:
See Academic Advisor
All students who are pursuing the MPH degree are required to show evidence of computer literacy through the successful completion of the Computer Literacy Competency exam during their first semester. Those who desire formal instruction in computer skills may take our one-credit course, Fundamentals of Computer Usage, or they may choose to take a basic computer course at another institution before taking the Computer Literacy Competency exam.
Graduate Certificate in International Health: Clinical Issues
Today, American healthcare providers are increasingly called upon to work with patients from less developed countries. A growing number of Americans are interested in providing health services in developing countries, and those who do, find their American practices enriched by that experience.
This certificate enhances healthcare providers’ knowledge of the health problems faced by patients from developing countries as well as the social, economic and political environments that affect their patients’ health. The certificate is open to all healthcare professionals working or interested in working in international health.
The 15-credit certificate program provides students with a focused learning experience in international health clinical issues and also serves as an entry to master’s degree studies for those who desire it.
Required courses: 15 credits (all courses are 3 credits)
Primary Health Care around the World
Behavioral and Social Factors in Public Health or Environmental Influences on Human Health
and
Introduction to Maternal and Child Health
Infectious Diseases around the World
Woman and Health: An International Perspective
Course Descriptions
Health Care in the United States
This course provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare programs and policies in the United States. Lectures enable students to understand the major constituencies involved in healthcare and introduce them to current public health issues, healthcare delivery systems, and factors that determine health policy
Introduction to Biostatistics formerly Health Quantitative Sciences I
This course is an introductory graduate course that presents the fundamental
statistical approaches employed in clinical research. Lectures cover basic
probability, common distributions, samples and populations, interval estimation,
and inferential statistical approaches. By reading medical literature, students
learn how statistical techniques are applied to clinical data, and practice
summarizing and interpreting analytic results.
Introduction to Epidemiology formerly Health Quantitative Sciences II
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of epidemiology
and provides them a population-based perspective on health and disease. Students
learn the basic measurements of frequency and association and the methods
employed in describing, monitoring, and studying health and disease in
populations.
Health Economics
This course explores the concepts of scarcity, social choice, rationing, resource allocation, efficiency, investment, and market forces and their relationship to health services delivery and health policy. A variety of analytical principles and methods are examined and applied to issues including healthcare financing, cost containment, regulation, access, insurance, productivity, and program evaluation.
Behavioral and Factors in of Public Health
An overview and introduction to the way in which behavioral and social factors contribute to health. The course covers a wide range of topics: theories of behavioral science which have been applied to health behaviors; socio-cultural factors in disease etiology and the role of social conditions and social policy in addressing critical public health problems; individual, group, community, and technology-based strategies for health behavior change; and current issues in behavioral science for health promotion including its application to achieving the Healthy People 2010 goals.
Environmental Influences on Human Health
This survey of the major environmental determinants of human health covers physical, chemical and biological sources of exposure; routes of exposure in humans; etiology of environmental disease and mortality; and the complexities of environmental public policy. Topics include airborne pollution, contaminated water and food, solid and hazardous waste, and risk assessment as a tool for regulation. Students have the opportunity to tour a local public works facility.
Primary Health Care around the World
This course provides an introduction to primary health care in differing areas of the world. Topics include systems of health care; review of international organizations; major public health problems; primary care providers; maternal and child health services; surveying for disease prevalence; vital data and information systems; sanitation and drinking water programs; and traditional and western therapies.
Clinical Topics in International Maternal and Child Health
A global perspective of the health problems of mothers and children is given. Topics include nutritional assessment; growth monitoring; oral rehydration therapy; breast feeding; weaning foods, female literacy and women in development; food supplementation; nutritional deficiencies; sociocultural factors and community participation; health education; and organization of maternal and child health services.
Infectious Diseases around the World
Epidemiologic principles are used to study the prevalence of infectious diseases. Topics include a review of epidemiologic principles, methods of epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, the role of the laboratory, and strategies of control and prevention of disease. An in-depth study is done of such infectious diseases as diarrheal diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory infections including TB, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, and parasitic diseases.
Healthcare Systems Around the World
This course offers a comparative analysis of healthcare systems in terms of the financing, organization and delivery of acute, long-term, and mental health care, and public health services. A comparative analysis of methods of reimbursing physicians, hospitals, and other providers is also offered. Comparisons are drawn between and among nations, including the United States, with respect to political and cultural contexts, public policy, and the regulatory components of these systems. Emphasis is placed on Canada and Western Europe, but, Japan, Central and Western Europe, Israel, and third-world countries are also examined.
Women and Health: An International Perspective
The social and health problems of women in developing countries are addressed. Topics include reproductive, infectious and neoplastic diseases and other problems indigenous to developing areas of the world, stressing the social, political and economic aspects of health status.
Field Experience in International Health
Students engage in the application of theory by working in an approved public health organization or equivalent. Field work is supervised by a faculty member who serves as liaison to the health organization.
Directed Research in International Health
This course provides advanced study and research in an area chosen by the student in consultation with the professor, which may form the basis of the master’s thesis. Opportunities for work on special problems are provided.
Seminar in International Health
Contemporary trends and recent developments in areas of study not examined in other elective courses are examined in this course. Topics may change each term. Consult with the program director or advisor for subject matter to be covered.
Thesis
It is expected that the thesis will be an original scholarly work involving an analysis of new or existing data on a subject relevant to the field of public health. It should be noted that theses may require review and approval by the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to initiation of any thesis work. Students should work through their program director to determine whether their thesis topic requires IRB review. Further, students must maintain regular contact with their program director during their thesis work to insure that their activities continue to meet the standards and regulations governing
health care research.
Practicum
Students beginning their M.P.H. studies in the Fall 2000 semester or later must complete a practicum. This is to assure that students have practical experience to support academic skills and information acquired within the broad filed of public health before they enter the world of public health practice. To fulfill this requirement, students will generally register for a one-credit pass/fail course in excess of the 45 credits required for the degree. Students who can demonstrate appropriate practice experience prior to beginning their M.P.H. studies may apply for a waiver.
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