Public Health (PBHL)

PBHL 51703. 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 53103. Evaluation of Public Health Programs. 3 Hours.

This seminar style course provides students with exposure to different types of program evaluation including needs assessment, formative evaluation, summative, process evaluation, and impact and outcome evaluation. Using theoretical frameworks, students will learn about supporting evaluation, ethics in evaluation, methods for data collection, reporting evaluation findings, and strength and limitations of conducting program evaluation. By learning about the core knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement a program evaluation, students will engage in course activities that will give them the tools and hands-on experience with effective program evaluation. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 55303. 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 55503. 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 55603. 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. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 55703. 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 56103. 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 56303. 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 56403. 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 56503. 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 5660V. 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 5840V. 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 5890V. Independent Research. 1-6 Hour.

Development, implementation, and completion of graduate research project. Prerequisite: M.S. degree in Community Health Promotion and HHPR 53503 and ESRM 53903. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

PBHL 6000V. 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 60103. 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: HSESPH-HLBV : Health, Sport & Exercise Science: Health Behavior and Health Promotion Concentration. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 6050V. 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 68003. 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 68303. 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 6990V. 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.