Public Health Essays

Public Health Essays

PU500: Foundations in Public Health

In this course, you will be introduced to the field of public health. You’ll learn about the historical context, philosophy, and values underlying public health. We will explore biological/genetic, behavioral/psychological, and social/cultural factors affecting human health in relation to prevention concepts. You’ll also study the management and leadership of public health on local, national, and global levels. The course addresses the impact of globalization and the global disease burden on public health systems. Through case studies, you’ll develop interdisciplinary skills, knowledge, and critical thinking required in today’s public health workforce.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU505: Health Behavior

This course delves into theoretical approaches to health behavior, focusing on psychosocial theories and models for effective health education and public health practice. You will apply these theories and models to real-world situations encountered in health education and public health. The course explores various factors influencing health behavior, their impact on population health and disease, and their implications for health programs.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU520: Principles of Epidemiology

Here, you’ll learn about epidemiologic methods, concepts, and issues essential for assessing, analyzing, and interpreting health-related data. We’ll study methods used in surveillance, outbreak investigation, screening, and epidemiologic measurements, applying them to relevant public health concerns.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU530: Environmental Health

This course introduces the basics of environmental health. You’ll explore connections between human health and environmental contaminants, including workplace environments. Major areas covered include epidemiological studies, risk assessments, environmental policies, and interventions to reduce exposure to hazards. The roles of local, state, national, and international health organizations are also discussed.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU535: Public Health Biology

We’ll study how biological processes contribute to diseases, including their mechanisms of causation, disease transmission, host risk factors, and vulnerabilities. The aim is to plan control strategies and effective interventions for improving public health.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU545: Disaster Management for Public Health Professionals

This course examines incident preparedness and response from various public health dimensions, including healthcare delivery, impact on vulnerable populations, basic human services, epidemiologic response, and collaborations in preparedness planning. You’ll learn to prepare for and address disruptions in public health systems caused by disasters.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU550: Public Health Leadership and Administration

Leading a healthcare organization requires a diverse skill set. You’ll study the delivery, quality, and costs of health services for individuals, organizations, and populations globally. We’ll analyze the structure, process, outcomes, costs, financing, and accessibility of health services. You’ll also explore ways to enhance health organizations, make ethical and economic decisions, and create a personalized leadership development plan.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Master of Science in Health Education or Master of Public Health program

PU610: Public Health Program Development

This course introduces principles of program development and evaluation in public health. You’ll learn methods to design, develop, implement, and evaluate programs aimed at improving individual and community health.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU615: Grant and Contract Writing

You’ll gain an overview of the grant writing process, covering finding grants, grant types, and managing awarded grants. This includes idea development, setting clear goals and objectives, budget creation, and assessing and evaluating grant-funded programs. Additionally, basic contract formulation will be discussed.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU630: Health Education and Communication

Focuses on the role of health education and communication in health education and public health. We’ll cover principles of successful health education, its basis in health behavioral theories, and various health education methods. You’ll design a health education campaign using modern and traditional communication methods to deliver culturally appropriate, effective health education.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU650: Infectious Disease Epidemiology

This course provides an introduction to the scope and practice of infectious disease epidemiology. Topics include historical context, definitions, outbreak investigation, vaccine-preventable diseases, and types of infectious diseases. You’ll also explore infectious disease from a global perspective.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU660: International Epidemiology and Global Health

Here, you’ll learn about recent trends in global health and current health challenges from an international viewpoint. We’ll examine how economic, population, and sociopolitical trends impact health and living conditions in various countries. The course covers descriptive and analytical epidemiology basics for global health and key health indicators in international epidemiology. You’ll also analyze the transnational factors influencing health risks worldwide.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU680: Practical Skills in Public Health I

This course focuses on demonstrating public health knowledge and skills within a health organization. Through hands-on learning, you’ll engage with public health professionals and prepare for the public health workforce. Your performance will be evaluated by an onsite preceptor and University faculty member.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: PU550 and permission from the Clinical Placement Team

PU690: Practical Skills in Public Health II

Building upon Practical Skills in Public Health I, this course further develops practical skills for the public health sector. You’ll engage with professionals, continue onsite learning, and reflect on skills and knowledge applied in the field. Performance evaluation by an onsite preceptor and University faculty will continue. Public Health Essays.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: PU680 and permission from the Clinical Placement Team

PU699: Master of Public Health Capstone

The Master of Public Health (MPH) Capstone is a culminating experience applying public health principles beyond the classroom. You’ll bridge from being a student to a public health professional, engaging in activities tailored to your career goals. Successfully completing this course will equip you with relevant experiences and professional deliverables showcasing your potential in the public health workforce.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Last term or permission from the Dean Public Health Essays