Degree Concentration
Health Behavior & Promotion
The MPH in Health Behavior & Promotion is an on-campus program that provides education and training in the six core areas of public health: Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Behavior Theory, Health Policy, and Public Health Practice. The concentration courses provide students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that are essential for promotion of health and prevention of diseases in culturally diverse populations.
Core Curriculum
In the first year of the MPH Program, students take classes in the following areas of public health:
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Appreciation of the concepts used to prevent environmental conditions that may threaten health. Topics include air pollution, water supply management, waste management, radiation protection, food hygiene, occupational health and disaster management.
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Total Hours: 4
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Theory and practice of public health promotion as they relate to educational approaches in solving community health problems.
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Total Hours: 4
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Introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of epidemiology and demonstrate their applicability in the field of public health.
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Total Hours: 4
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Topics include descriptive statistics & graphics, reliability, sample size estimation, contingency table analysis, analysis of group differences, survival analysis, correlation & linear regression. Emphasizes use of computerized statistical software.
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Total Hours: 4
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Comprehensive analysis of healthcare policy process in the US; systematic & critical review of policy development, implementation, & evaluation; impact of government at all levels & the role of providers, industry, labor, & consumer in health policy.
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Total Hours: 4
Concentration Curriculum
To fulfill the program’s concentration competencies and gain expertise in this specific discipline of Public Health, all students take five courses relating to Health Behavior and Promotion. Four out of five courses are pre-determined by the program. Students choose the final course that meets the concentration course criteria from within or outside the department.
HK 515: Health Behavior Theory
Analysis of social science theories and perspectives that comprise the foundation of health education theory and practice. Includes development of a conceptual frame of reference for understanding, predicting, and facilitating change in health behaviors.
Hours: 4
HK 516: Chronic Disease Prevention
Advanced course in population-based approaches to chronic disease prevention, with emphasis on policy and environmental strategies affecting lifestyle risk factors. Provides an understanding of common diseases, screen tests, community assessment, systematic evidence reviews, and evidence-based community interventions.
Hours: 4
HK 519: Health Program Evaluation
Use of research methods and theory for evaluation of initiatives and programs in public health and medical care. Emphasis on acquiring skills in designing and conducting evaluations whose results have impact on public health practice.
Hours: 4
HK 532: Cultural Humility in Health
Cultural competence education increases public health professionals’ cultural awareness, knowledge of self and others, communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors. Demonstrates theoretical models in public health and explores community-based programs as it relates to cultural competence and health promotion.
Hours: 4
Concentration Elective
Any course on campus fulfilling one or more of MPH concentration competencies in the area of health behavior and promotion qualifies as a concentration course. Current students must consult with the MPH Program Assistant Director before selecting a particular concentration course of choice during the registration process.
Hours: Vary