Public Health Essays

PU500: Foundations in Public Health:
This course introduces you to the world of Public Health Nursing and its key principles.
You’ll learn about the historical context of public health, including how nursing roles have evolved in both local and global settings.
Topics include the foundations of public health nursing, where we focus on prevention concepts like the biological, genetic, and behavioral factors that affect human health.

We will explore public health and nursing leadership, and how these concepts shape the global health systems we live in today. Special emphasis is placed on nursing public health roles in addressing the global disease burden and how nurses work to improve health systems worldwide.

This course will help you understand how to use your nursing knowledge to tackle real-world public health problems through case studies and critical thinking.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU505: Health Behavior

This course focuses on understanding health behavior and how it affects people’s health. You will study theories and models of health behavior, such as how psychosocial factors influence decisions about health, and how to apply these models in your nursing practice. We’ll explore how nurses use health behavior models to educate patients, especially in health education for nurses. You will also learn how to apply these models in community health nursing to create effective health programs that improve the health of individuals and communities.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU520: Principles of Epidemiology

In this course, you’ll dive into epidemiology in nursing, a key part of public health practice. Epidemiology methods in nursing focus on tracking diseases, understanding their spread, and finding ways to prevent outbreaks. You will learn about the role of nurses in epidemiological investigations, how to use surveillance data, and the basic methods nurses use to control diseases. This includes learning about infectious disease nursing and epidemiology training for nurses. A special focus is given to nurses’ roles in infectious disease epidemiology, particularly in understanding disease surveillance and how nurses help stop the spread of illness globally.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU530: Environmental Health

This course looks at how the environment affects health, and the role of nurses in environmental health. You’ll study the risks that environmental contaminants pose to human health, such as pollution, and the role of nurses in environmental health advocacy. We will explore environmental health risks and how nurses can help prevent exposure to these risks. The course also examines policy implications for nurses in environmental health and public health strategies in nursing to improve environmental conditions. You will learn how nurses contribute to global public health by addressing environmental health issues and advocating for safer environments.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU535: Public Health Biology

In this course, you’ll explore how biological processes influence public health and disease. This includes studying disease transmission, understanding host risk factors, and recognizing how diseases spread through populations. Nurses need this knowledge to plan nursing interventions that control the spread of disease. You will also learn about public health biology for nurses, focusing on interventions and control strategies that nurses can use to prevent illness and promote better health, particularly in global health nursing contexts. The course will explain how public health biology connects to epidemiology in nursing.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU545: Disaster Management for Public Health Professionals

This course covers how to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. You’ll study disaster management and nursing, including how to prepare for public health crises and how nurses play a key role in disaster response. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations and how nurses can address their specific needs during disasters. You’ll also learn about public health crisis management in nursing and how to work with other professionals to manage disaster recovery. Nurses will be trained to plan and respond to both local and global health crises.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU550: Public Health Leadership and Administration

This course focuses on public health leadership in nursing. You will learn about the skills necessary to lead health systems, manage nursing workforce, and make decisions that improve the delivery of health services. The course covers health system management, nursing leadership in global health initiatives, and how nurses can influence public health strategies in nursing at the national and international levels. We’ll also discuss ethical decision-making and nursing leadership in addressing global health challenges. This course will help you become a leader who can manage health organizations and improve public health outcomes.

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 teaches you how to design and evaluate public health programs. Nurses will learn to create health programs that improve the health of individuals and communities. The course includes strategies for health program development for nurses, and you will learn how to assess whether these programs are working. You’ll also study how to work with other public health professionals to develop collaborative programs and evaluate the outcomes of these programs, especially in areas like community health nursing and health education campaigns for nurses.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU615: Grant and Contract Writing

In this course, you will learn how to write grants to secure funding for public health nursing programs. We’ll cover the entire grant writing process for nurses, including how to find the right grants, create a strong proposal, and manage the funding once you get it. You will also learn about grant management skills for public health nurses, and how to create budgets and evaluate grant-funded programs. This course is essential for nurses who want to fund and sustain health education campaigns for nurses and public health program evaluations.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU630: Health Education and Communication

In this course, you will learn how to design health education campaigns that are culturally appropriate for different populations. This includes understanding how to communicate health messages effectively using a variety of methods. You’ll explore the role of nurses in public health communication, and how to use health communication in public health to raise awareness and promote health behaviors. This course will give you the tools to create health education materials that are effective in addressing health behavior issues, especially in global public health contexts.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU650: Infectious Disease Epidemiology

This course focuses on how nurses in infectious disease epidemiology work to control the spread of infections. You will learn about how diseases are transmitted, how to track outbreaks, and the best strategies for preventing disease spread. Special attention will be paid to global health nursing, and the role of nurses in controlling infectious diseases worldwide. You’ll also learn how to apply epidemiological methods to investigate and control infectious diseases. This course prepares nurses to be leaders in infectious disease nursing at the global level.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU660: International Epidemiology and Global Health

In this course, you’ll learn about global health challenges and how nurses in international health contribute to solving them. We’ll focus on international epidemiology and the global health nursing initiatives that help address health problems worldwide. You will also study epidemiological indicators that measure health in different countries, and understand how transnational factors like politics and economics impact public health. Nurses will explore how to use their skills in public health and nursing leadership to address international health issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

PU680: Practical Skills in Public Health I

This hands-on course gives you the chance to practice what you’ve learned in real-world settings. You’ll work with public health professionals and practice nursing in public health. You’ll gain practical skills in areas like health program development and public health strategies in nursing. This is your opportunity to get firsthand experience in a nursing internship and receive feedback from a faculty member and onsite preceptor.

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

PU690: Practical Skills in Public Health II

This course builds on the first practical skills course. You will continue to develop your practical skills while working with professionals in public health nursing. You’ll gain more experience in health behavior and health education and receive feedback on how to improve your work. Nurses will also learn to assess public health program outcomes and apply nursing leadership in the field.

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

PU699: Master of Public Health Capstone

The Capstone project is the final part of your MPH program. It’s your chance to apply what you’ve learned about public health nursing, global health, and nursing leadership. You’ll work on a project that will demonstrate your skills and knowledge. This is your opportunity to showcase your ability to design and evaluate public health programs and contribute to nursing in global health. You will also get practical experience in public health crisis management in nursing and leadership in health communication.

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