The MPH in Health Education and Communication prepares graduates to work in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention in order to decrease health disparities and advance health equity. Students’ training will focus on effective methods to support behavior change at the individual and community levels. Students will gain a comprehensive skillset in intervention design, evaluation, community engagement and organization, health communication, and qualitative and quantitative community-based participatory research methodologies that can be applied to any public health issue and setting. This MPH program also prepares students to successfully take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Program Competencies
Students who graduate from this degree program can expect to develop the following competencies as they successfully meet and complete the program degree requirements.
- Assess individual and community needs for health education/communication.
- Design a theory-based public health intervention or program.
- Apply health education and communication strategies to interventions and programs.
- Develop a plan to evaluate a public health intervention or program, based on a theory of change.
- Identify health education and communication resources.
- Explain how to promote health education through advocacy campaigns and policies.
The MPH Degree in Health Education and Communication requires a total of 45 credits that includes:
Course ID | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SPHTM Foundational Requirements (15 Credits) | ||
SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
Program Course Requirements (18 Credits) | ||
SBPS 6030 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health | 3 |
SBPS 6340 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programs | 3 |
SBPS 7010 | Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 |
SBPS 7220 | Community Organization: Community Work for Social Justice | 3 |
SBPS 7260 | Social Marketing | 3 |
SBPS 7100 | Public Health Policy & Practice | 3 |
or SBPS 7250 | Evidence-Based Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences | |
Electives | 12 | |
SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience 1 | 0 |
SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience 2 | 0 |
Total Credit Hours | 45 |
- 1
The Applied Practice Experience (APE) (formerly practicum) is a supervised practice experience conducted in an agency or organization external to the university to gain practical experience. The APE allows students to demonstrate attainment of at least five competencies, including at least 3 from the foundational competencies (CEPH Criterion D2). The APE is conducted after completion of the foundational courses. An APE report and poster summarizing the field experiences are required.
- 2
All students must complete an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) (formerly culminating experience) that demonstrates the synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies.
Model Course Schedule
Course ID | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 1, Fall Semester | ||
SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
SBPS 6030 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health | 3 |
Year 1, Spring Semester | ||
SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
SBPS 6340 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programs | 3 |
SBPS 7260 | Social Marketing | 3 |
Year 1, Summer Semester | ||
SPHL 9980 | Applied Practice Experience | 0 |
Year 2, Fall Semester | ||
SBPS 7010 | Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 |
SBPS 7100 | Public Health Policy & Practice | 3 |
SBPS 7220 | Community Organization: Community Work for Social Justice | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
SPHL 7950 | Integrative Learning Experience | 0 |
Year 2, Spring Semester | ||
Electives | 9 | |
Total Credit Hours | 45 |