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- MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH – COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
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MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH – COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program provides a comprehensive foundation of the core competencies of public health, enabling students to apply the principles in both research and practical contexts. The acquired skills equip students for positions in public, private, and international settings.
Categories: MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Tags: COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION, MASTER DEGREE, PUBLIC HEALTH
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’s online Master of Public Health with a concentration in community health education is designed to equip public health professionals to practice community health education in a wide range of public health settings. This program concentration covers a variety of topics that are inherent to a career in community health education including issues and trends in community health, health promotion strategies, health program planning and more.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to do the following:
- Analyze factors that influence lifestyle choices and impact public health.
- Evaluate the impact of external affairs on health policy.
- Analyze the etiology of major health problems in populations that affect the development and implementation of public health programs.
- Interpret the statistical significance of epidemiological reports in public health studies.
- Create community health interventions that improve community health and reduce health disparities
- Apply community health frameworks and policies to educate communities on behavioral changes that support health and wellness.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program provides a comprehensive foundation of the core competencies of public health, enabling students to apply the principles in both research and practical contexts. The acquired skills equip students for positions in public, private, and international settings.
Designed to equip students to practice effectively as community health educators in a wide range of public health settings.
Major Requirements | Total Required Semester Hours: 24
PUH 5301 Public Health Concepts
PUH 5301 Public Health Concepts (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Introduces students to the major public health disciplines, including community health, environmental health, health administration, biostatistics, epidemiology, population health, and disease prevention and control. Includes information on how these functions interact to provide society with the health safeguards in effort to achieve population health.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the definition and current developments in the area of public health.
- Analyze public health concepts and principles.
- Discuss the environmental, political, and ethical controversies related to the topics of public health in today’s world; analyze data of current disease processes.
- Discuss the powers and responsibilities of government regarding public health matters.
- Describe the science and politics of public health and disease prevention strategies.
- Analyze the concept of social determinants of health and the impact on population health.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Introduction to public health (Rev: 4th ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2014)
Author: Schneider, M.-J.
ISBN: 978-1-4496-9736-5
Price: $50.12
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 5302 Applied Biostatistics
PUH 5302 Applied Biostatistics (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Presents the application of quantitative methods utilized by public health professionals in order to solve health-based problems. Students study the use of probability, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and nonparametric tests as they pertain to health research. Students also study the fundamental concepts of biostatistics as it applies to peer-reviewed, public health publications.
Outcomes
- Explain the basic concepts of biostatistical analysis.
- Analyze relevant scientific evidence.
- Evaluate study designs and statistical tests for public health research and analysis.
- Recommend solutions to public health problems using biostatistical methods.
- Analyze public health information to interpret results of biostatistical analysis.
- Summarize the major principles for determining sample size and power.
- Evaluate the role of biostatistical analysis in public health research.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Essentials of biostatistics in public health (Rev: 3rd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2018)
Author: Sullivan, L. M.
ISBN: 9781284108194
Price: $79.32
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 5303 Concepts of Epidemiology
PUH 5303 Concepts of Epidemiology (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Introduces students to epidemiology, the scientific discipline studying the etiology for developmental defects, diseases, disorders, and injuries occurring in human populations. Focuses on assessment of the nature and scope of public health problems, considering morbidity and mortality impacts in communities. It emphasizes the evaluation of clinical and public health interventions that are designed to address these problems. In short, epidemiology focuses on the cause and treatment of human health problems. Epidemiology is a foundational course in the Master of Public Health program at THE AU.
Outcomes
- Present key concepts regarding evaluation of the cause, prevention, and treatment of disease in communities.
- Describe the role and implementation of surveillance systems in public health programming.
- Examine key surveys and key data sets that are currently available for research in public health.
- Differentiate among descriptive, interventional, and observational studies in public health.
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency and measures of effect in public health.
- Assess and interpret adjusted rates using direct standardization to control for confounding in public health.
- Evaluate the validity of research studies with respect to the impact of chance, selection bias, measurement error, misclassification, and confounding.
- Distinguish between an association and a causal relationship under Hill’s leading guidelines.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Epidemiology for public health practice (Rev: 5th ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2014)
Author: Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A.
ISBN: 978-1449665494
Price: $115.32
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 5304 Principles of Health Behavior
PUH 5304 Principles of Health Behavior (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Examines the psycho-social, behavioral, and educational principles that determine health behavior. Theoretical models synthesizing these principles are also examined. The course also presents ethical principles of professional and personal concern to health educators.
Outcomes
- Appraise the theoretical models used to define health.
- Recognize the role of the health educator in health behavior change.
- Describe the principles that determine health behavior.
- Identify behaviors that contribute to mortality and morbidity.
- Analyze the concept of contributing behaviors to one’s health status.
- Analyze the concept of determinants of health behavior.
- Examine health behavior intervention strategies.
- Evaluate the professional and personal concerns of health educators regarding health behavior intervention strategies.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Health behavior theory for public health: Principles, foundations, and applications
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2013)
Author: DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., & Crosby, R. A.
ISBN: 9780763797539
Price: $92.25
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 5305 Concepts of Environmental Health
PUH 5305 Concepts of Environmental Health (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Introduces the major topic areas of environmental health. Examines sources, routes, media, and public health outcomes associated with biological, chemical, and physical agents in the environment and how these agents affect human disease, water and air quality, food safety, and land resources in the community. This course also explores the genetic, physiological, and psychosocial factors that influence environmentally compromised public health outcomes. Students use theories and methods presented in the course to assess current solutions and consider new solutions to environmental threats and public health hazards.
Outcomes
- Discuss the direct and indirect human, ecological, and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.
- Elaborate on the genetic, physiologic, and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
- Examine federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines, and authorities that control environmental health issues.
- Identify approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.
- Identify environmental risk assessment methods and discuss risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity.
- Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.
- Identify and investigate environmental and occupational safety and health hazards (including but not limited to biological, chemical, physical, mechanical, and psychological hazards) that have the potential to lead to adverse health outcomes.
- Critically evaluate and discuss peer-reviewed scientific articles, current events, and popular literature on environmental health issues at a regional, national, and global level.
- Examine the role of environmental health principles in the detection and response to bio-terrorism, pandemics, disasters, and emergency preparedness/response activities.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Essentials of environmental health (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2012)
Author: Friis, R. H.
ISBN: 978-1-284-02633-7
Price: $84.46
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 6301 Public Health Research
PUH 6301 Public Health Research (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Introduces research design methodology. The class prepares students for formulating questions that can be translated into research designs. Students follow the steps of the research process from the specification of the original idea to the reporting of the results of the study. A variety of research approaches are covered including program evaluation, meta-analytic designs, non-experimental observational research, survey research, and experimental designs. Students study classic research literature and design their own research projects.
Outcomes
- Examine professional literature as it relates to conceptualizing and conducting research.
- Utilize research methods, research principles, and procedures of quantitative research methods.
- Explain the fundamentals of measurement as applied to ethical public health research.
- Evaluate strategies for data analysis to determine the best statistical tests needed for research methods.
- Contrast quantitative and qualitative research methods to select the most appropriate use in public health research design.
- Describe techniques that may be used to communicate research results.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Introduction to health research methods: A practical guide (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2017)
Author: Jacobsen, K. H.
ISBN: 9781284094534
Price: $82.10
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 6302 Law and Ethics in Public Health
PUH 6302 Law and Ethics in Public Health (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Reviews the conceptual foundations of health law, ethics and human rights, and issues relating to these fields. Topics covered include how government public health policy can conflict with the rights of individuals and businesses.
Outcomes
- Explain the concepts of law and ethics related to public health issues.
- Discuss the current major areas of concern as they relate to legal and ethical issues in public health.
- Identify health law and ethical principles that apply to public health concerns.
- Distinguish among the roles and responsibilities of public health agencies and governmental agencies.
- Examine conflicts of interest that exist between human rights and health policies.
- Relate the concept of bioethics to human rights and public health policy.
- Compare the differences in public health research and public health practice.
- Evaluate the role of public health professionals in the implementation of public health policies.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Essentials of health policy and law (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2013)
Author: Teitelbaum, J. B., & Wilensky, S. E.
ISBN: 978-1-4496-5330-9
Price: $84.46
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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PUH 6303 Public Health Administration
PUH 6303 Public Health Administration (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Presents an overview of preventative methods and public accountability regarding public health. An exploration of the organizational structure of public health at the local, state, and national levels; involvement of local, state and federal government in public health; management of public health resources, including human resources; identification of relationship of public health alliances such as public health officials with managed care; and the future of public health in the United States. In addition, students engage in an investigation of current public health issues and efforts to ameliorate public health concerns with an emphasis on preventive approaches.
Outcomes
- Define the concepts of Public Health Administration.
- Assess the overall level of health prevention responsibility and accountability.
- Examine the relationships between public health entities at various organizational levels.
- Identify national, state, and local public health organization structures.
- Discuss the roles of government in the administration of public health programs and initiatives.
- Explain the processes involved in the management and delegation of public health resources.
- Analyze the future status of the U.S. public health system.
- Review the historical developments of public health.
- Evaluate the social determinants of health.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Novick & Morrow’s public health administration: Principles for population-based management (Rev: 3rd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2014)
Author: Shi, L., & Johnson, J. A. (Eds).
ISBN: 978-1449688332
Price: $139.32
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Concentration | Total Required Semester Hours: 12
CHE 6301 Foundations and Methods in Community Health
CHE 6301 Foundations and Methods in Community Health (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Presents an introduction to community health within the public health environment. Students develop an understanding of historical and theoretical foundations of community health and major societal health concerns, explore community health models and programs used to address these concerns, and examine racial/ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and related determinants of community health.
Outcomes
- Explain the history of community health workers (CHWs).
- Differentiate various frameworks of health care and community health.
- Analyze the determinants of health and illness that negatively impact communities.
- Examine the roles and responsibilities CHWs have in the political process as social change agents through community organizing.
- Explain the importance of working with multicultural and diverse populations.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Foundations for community health workers (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jossey-Bass (2016)
Author: Berthold, T. (Ed.).
ISBN: 9781119060819
Price: $70.20
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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CHE 6303 Strategies of Health Promotion
CHE 6303 Strategies of Health Promotion (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Covers the principles and practices of public health promotion and education, including historical origins; professional responsibilities; ethics; health behavior and learning theories; models for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs; health literacy; public health advocacy; and the development, selection, and implementation of effective instructional materials, methods, and interventions.
Outcomes
- Apply health-related information to educate the public with the intent to reduce the risk of disease and enhance quality of life.
- Identify connections between health and the environment.
- Explain how different areas of health are interrelated.
- Discuss the concepts of health disparity/inequality regarding health outcomes across populations.
- Define health in the public health sector.
- Discuss ethical issues that may arise in the promotion of health awareness.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2015)
Author: Edberg, M.
ISBN: 978-1449698508
Price: $54.04
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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CHE 6304 Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Assessment
CHE 6304 Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Assessment (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
Examines and discusses models and processes to plan and evaluate public health interventions. Students develop practical skills in applying health education development and evaluation issues in the areas of needs assessment, program planning, and evaluation by reading and discussing literature in the field.
Outcomes
- Assess the needs, assets, and capacity for health education.
- Analyze the theories and models that are important for planning health education and promotion interventions.
- Create a program plan that identifies the steps for health education planning.
- Discuss the three core functions of public health that relate to community health.
- Develop a model presentation for the steps in planning a health education plan.
- Explain the program sustainability tool for public health programs.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Health program planning and evaluation: A practical, systematic approach for community health (Rev: 4th ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2018)
Author: Issel, L. M., & Wells, R.
ISBN: 9781284112115
Price: $79.32
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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CHE 6305 Issues and Trends in Community Health
CHE 6305 Issues and Trends in Community Health (``3 SEMESTER HOURS``)
Description
IA synthesis of health promotion theory content and practice to provide the foundation for exploration of community health and education topics. Students complete a written project that demonstrates the students’ mastery and integration of all their previous learning in public health courses. The project provides opportunities for the student to engage in critical analysis and exploration of multiple issues, including social and environmental factors related to the professional role, function, and trends in public health.
Outcomes
- Analyze health data trends.
- Analyze the planning, organization, administration and policies of health care organizations as it relates to professional roles in public health.
- Apply the concepts and methods of social justice and social and behavioral sciences relevant to the identification and solution of public health problems.
- Evaluate the environmental factors that affect the health of a community.
- Synthesize philosophy, theory, content, and methods of community health science.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Emerging theories in health promotion practice and research (Rev: 2nd ed.)
Publisher: Jossey-Bass (2009)
Author: DiClemente, R. J., Crosby, R. A., & Kegler, M.
ISBN: 9780470179130
Price: $70.20
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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