Michelle Gray
Interim Department Head
306 HPER Building
479-575-6713
Email: gray@uark.edu

Paul Calleja
Assistant Department Head
306C HPER Building
479-575-2854
Email: pcallej@uark.edu

Michelle Gray
Program Coodinator
479-575-6762
Email: rgray@uark.edu

Public Health Website

Degrees Conferred:
M.P.H. in Public Health (PBHL)

Program Description: The Public Health program prepares students in the area of public and community health with two concentrations available at the master's level. The M.P.H. degree prepares students for advanced and entry-level public health positions in both the private and public health sectors including non-for-profit organizations, public health departments, health care agencies and governmental agencies (e.g.,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The minimum number of credit hours required to complete the master’s degree is 33 credit hours.

Requirements for M.P.H. with Physical Activity Concentration

Prerequisites to M.P.H. Degree Program: The Public Health program undertakes a holistic review of applicants. For acceptance to the program, the student must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, and meet the following admission standards: a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (excluding student teaching).  Further, the student will also need to submit a resume/curriculum vitae and 500-word interest statement to be considered for program admission.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

For international medical school graduates, USMLE Steps 1 and 2 (both parts) are required. Foreign medical graduates must also submit an earned ECFMG certificate.  (Will be used in lieu of GRE).

World Education Services (WES). Any applicant who has completed all or part of their education outside the United States is required to submit a foreign credentials evaluation by WES.

Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School as defined in the Graduate Catalog

Master of Public Health Degree Program (42 hours):

Required Core (24 hours) 1
ESRM 5393Statistics in Education and Health Professions3
HHPR 5353Research in Health, Human Performance and Recreation3
PBHL 5563Public Health: Practices and Planning3
PBHL 5653Social Determinants of Health3
PBHL 5573Foundations of Public Health3
PBHL 5613Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3
PBHL 5633Health Administration, Organizations, and Systems3
NURS 5063Health Care Policy3
Capstone (6 Hours)
PBHL 566VIntegrative Learning Experience3
PBHL 584VApplied Practice Experience3
Concentrations in Public Health Practice or Physical Activity12
Total Hours42
Concentration Requirements: Physical Activity (12 hours of the following) 1
EXSC 5353Exercise Psychology3
EXSC 5453Physical Activity and Health3
EXSC 5463Promoting Physical Activity in the Community3
Advisor Approved Elective3
Total Hours12

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

1

Students must receive a grade of B or better in courses associated with the required research component and required courses component.

Requirements for M.P.H. with Public Health Practice Concentration

Prerequisites to M.P.H. Degree Program: The Public Health program undertakes a holistic review of applicants. For acceptance to the program, the student must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, and meet the following admission standards: a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (excluding student teaching).  Further, the student will also need to submit a resume/curriculum vitae and 500-word interest statement to be considered for program admission.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

For international medical school graduates, USMLE Steps 1 and 2 (both parts) are required. Foreign medical graduates must also submit an earned ECFMG certificate.  (Will be used in lieu of GRE).

World Education Services (WES). Any applicant who has completed all or part of their education outside the United States is required to submit a foreign credentials evaluation by WES.

Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School as defined in the Graduate Catalog

Master of Public Health Degree Program (42 hours):

Required Core (24 hours) 1
ESRM 5393Statistics in Education and Health Professions3
HHPR 5353Research in Health, Human Performance and Recreation3
PBHL 5563Public Health: Practices and Planning3
PBHL 5653Social Determinants of Health3
PBHL 5573Foundations of Public Health3
PBHL 5613Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3
PBHL 5633Health Administration, Organizations, and Systems3
NURS 5063Health Care Policy3
Capstone (6 Hours)
PBHL 566VIntegrative Learning Experience3
PBHL 584VApplied Practice Experience3
Concentrations in Public Health Practice or Physical Activity12
Total Hours42
Concentration Requirements: Public Health Practice (12 hours of the following) 1
PBHL 6803Health Communication Theory, Research and Practice3
PBHL 5533Theories of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health3
PBHL 5173Social Media Data Analysis for Public Health3
Advisor Approved Elective3
Total Hours12

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

1

Students must receive a grade of B or better in courses associated with the required research component and required courses component.

Courses

PBHL 5173. Social Media Data Analysis for Public Health. 3 Hours.

In this applied course, students will develop qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method data analysis skills using social media data to answer specific conceptually grounded research questions. Course assignments will focus on organizing and interpreting data, as well as preparing and presenting data for diverse audiences. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5533. Theories of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health. 3 Hours.

This course will provide a basic foundation in the social and behavioral sciences relevant to public health. Students will learn the role of social and behavioral determinants in the health of individuals and of populations. Then, students will learn models and theories of health behavior, both generally and specifically. Generally, the student will learn how to identify, analyze, and use theoretical constructs and principles with particular attention to the use of theory in professional public health practice. Specifically, the student will learn the constructs and principles of several theories commonly used in public health behavior research and intervention design. The course will cover the four major individual that focus on intrapersonal factors (i.e., Health Belief Model, Transtheoretical Model, Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior, and Social Cognitive Theory) as well as several social, organizational, and community theories that are beyond the individual level. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5553. Substance Use, Society, and Health. 3 Hours.

This course will employ social science and public health literature to examine substance use, related health and social problems, and policies. Topics reviewed in this course include a brief history of substance use in the U.S., theoretical explanations, substance use cultures, vulnerable populations, intervention, treatment, legal issues and drug policies. In addition, students will research a special topic of interest, grounded in public health literature. This course will require students to read, engage in critical thinking, and participate in discussions. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5563. Public Health: Practices and Planning. 3 Hours.

Acquaints the student with the structure, functions, and current problems in public health and with the role of education in public health. Prevention and control practices and planning will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PBHL 5573. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 5573. Foundations of Public Health. 3 Hours.

This is a required survey course that will ensure that all public health students, within their first full year of study, are exposed to the fundamental concepts and theories that provide the basis for the body of knowledge in the field of public health. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles, concepts and tools used in public health to understand and promote the health of populations. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5613. Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. 3 Hours.

This course will present principles and practices related to the prevention and control of health-related conditions in the human population. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the principle concepts of epidemiology, including aspects of disease distribution, epidemiologic methods, risk of disease and injury, descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods and study designs, and application of epidemiologic data to the prevention and control of disease and injury. Format for every class will include lecture and small group seminars. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5633. Health Administration, Organizations, and Systems. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of management processes for public health professionals; basic principles of resource management; comparison of organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems; and the application of systems thinking tools to public health issues. (Typically offered: Irregular)

PBHL 5643. Multicultural Health. 3 Hours.

Through lecture, discussion, simulations, and case studies, students will develop an appreciation for the cultural traditions and practices of different groups. The importance and implications of these traditions on health outcomes and health status will be examined. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the public health educator in mediating the impact of health disparities, including advocacy. Students will develop skills of cultural competence that are essential for public health practitioners today. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

PBHL 5653. Social Determinants of Health. 3 Hours.

This course will provide a foundational perspective to systematically analyze health topics. Students will use the socioecological approach to comprehensively interpret social determinants of health and summarize their meaning in the context of public and global health promotion efforts. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 566V. Integrative Learning Experience. 1-3 Hour.

The MPH Learning Experience (ILE) requires the student to integrate the knowledge gained and demonstrate the skills acquired through their course work and practical experience into a capstone project. Through this project, the student will apply public health theories and principles to a specific aspect of public health practice. The Integrative Learning Experience demonstrates synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies in a product that should be appropriate for the student's educational and professional objectives. Each student's integrative learning experience is overseen by a faculty member(s). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 574V. Internship. 1-6 Hour.

Internship in health behavior and health promotion. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 584V. Applied Practice Experience. 1-3 Hour.

Practical experience in using the knowledge and skills gained through classroom studies in the Master of Public Health program. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 589V. Independent Research. 1-6 Hour.

Development, implementation, and completion of graduate research project. Prerequisite: M.S. degree in Community Health Promotion and HHPR 5353 and ESRM 5393. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

PBHL 600V. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Thesis in health behavior and health promotion. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

PBHL 6013. Advanced Directed Research. 3 Hours.

This course is intended for doctoral students who wish to pursue research under the direction of a faculty member. In this course, doctoral students will work independently and collaborate with faculty member(s) and fellow students to conduct research in a specified area of interest. The purpose of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in her/his own domain, strengthen her/his research skills, and work collaboratively on research projects. The course will aim for students to present research findings at conferences and/or publish research findings in peer reviewed journals. The directed research course places more emphasis on the students' role as a researcher in an academic setting. Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program in Community Health Promotion. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 605V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

Provides students with an opportunity to pursue special study of education problems. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 6803. Health Communication Theory, Research and Practice. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to acquaint you with the role of communication in health education and with basic principles and practices in interpersonal, group, and mass communication. Health communication theory will be discussed in the first part of the semester, followed by important research in the area of health communication, and finally putting to practice the material will be the terminal experience for the course. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

PBHL 6833. Principles of Epidemiology II. 3 Hours.

Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to design, conduct, and interpret observational epidemiological concepts, sources of data, prospective cohort studies, retrospective cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, methods of sampling, estimating sample size, questionnaire design, and effects of measurement error. (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)

PBHL 699V. Seminar. 1-6 Hour.

Discussion of selected topics and review of current literature in community health promotion. Prerequisite: Advanced graduate standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.