MPH Core Curriculum

1 credit hour (3 credit hours beginning Fall 2026)

Understand the history, philosophy, and values of public health, including the structure and functions of organizing governmental public health.

3 credit hours

Becoming aware of current conditions through a community assessment is the first step to evidence-based public health. This course will introduce students to the various community assessments methods used to identify and prioritize community needs, concerns, and preferences, as well as to identify community assets, and inform the development of public health interventions. Students will be able to utilize a breadth of data sources commonly used to assess population health needs, assets, and capacities that affect community health.

Topics to be covered include the introduction to planning models, stakeholder identification, coalition building, quantitative data sources, quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, analysis of qualitative data, interpreting data, and framing community issues.

3 credit hours

To appropriately address the needs of communities, we must be able to prioritize their leading health concerns. Quantitative methods allow us to examine the associations between various social, ecological, biological, and environmental factors and health outcomes, to identify populations at elevated risk for poor health outcomes, and to assess the effect of programs or policies implanted to improve health outcomes.

This course introduces students to the broad range of epidemiologic and biostatistical methods used in public health, with particular attention to how quantitative results can be communicated clearly to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

3 credit hours

This course covers how to collect and apply evidence of community needs in order to identify and prioritize programs and policies for implementation. Public health programs and policies should improve the quality of life of persons and communities through the reduction or elimination in the incidence, prevalence, and rates of disease and disability as well as the promotion of human flourishing via the preservation and improvement of community health. In doing so, programs and policies should strive to improve conditions and access to resources for healthy living for all persons.

Given the breadth and complexity of factors that influence health, public health has developed a rich toolkit to guide our efforts to improve community health. This course reviews key elements of that toolkit, including:

1. methods and theoretical tools used to collaboratively and inclusively determine community priorities for promoting health;
2. planning models and theories used to guide the development of public health programs and influence health policy; and
3. strategies to frame public health issues with the ultimate goal of informing and successfully advocating for public health policies.

From prioritizing goals and objectives to planning for successful implementation, this course explores the multiple dimensions of the successful adoption of public health policies and programs.

3 credit hours (No longer required beginning Fall 2026, and will no longer be regularly offered beginning Fall 2027.)

Applying effective management methods and principles and evaluating the impact of programs and policies to determine community cost and impact are essential components of evidence-based public health. This course includes an exploration of key management, governance, and leadership principles necessary for the successful implementation, and evaluation of public health programs and policies. Managers and organizations often operate with limited resources, thus learning how to be good stewards of financial and human resources is essential. This requires the ability to develop budgets and evaluation plans, operate within and foster interprofessional collaboration, manage conflict, and ethical decision-making. A cornerstone of good management is the continuous and rigorous determination of the consequences of one’s choices and actions; did the program or policy have the desired effect? Did it have unintended consequences?

This course introduces students to methods of process, formative, summative, and outcome evaluation, including experimental designs and participatory models of evaluation.

1 credit hour (No longer required beginning Fall 2026, and will no longer be regularly offered beginning Fall 2027.)

Developing competencies to provide effective leadership for evidence-based public health. Effective leadership for evidence-based public health requires competencies in advocacy, negotiation, communication, and collaboration, all within a “systems thinking” framework. This course includes an exploration of theoretical constructs and concepts in leadership, balanced with a series of case studies, presentations, and interviews with leaders that provide examples of the application of these leadership competencies in public health practice.

Students will learn to advocate for programs and policies, apply negotiation skills, communicate using appropriate strategies for specific audiences, collaborate through interprofessional learning experiences, and apply systems thinking to a public health issue. Students will be assessed through papers, group projects, and participation.

1 credit hour (The 0-Credit Hour is no longer offered beginning in Spring 2027. All students beginning the program Fall 2026 or later must register for the 1-Credit hour course, no exceptions.) Pass/No Pass

Developing competencies for professional practice and interprofessional collaboration in public health. This course prepares students for internships and future careers through career development activities, professional skills training, and interprofessional learning experiences with students and professionals from other health disciplines.

Students will develop skills in teamwork, professionalism, ethical practice, networking, and professional branding while exploring career resources and opportunities. Students will demonstrate these competencies through quizzes, training certifications, participation in an interprofessional team activity, reflective writing, and career enrichment activities.

Yes; your departmental program coordinator or academic advisor will be able to guide you through course planning and scheduling that fits your part-time, full-time, and online/in person needs.

Generally, no. Since the core provides the foundational skills necessary to be successful in public health practice, students should complete all core courses prior to beginning their internship.