Degree Programs

M. S. - Community and Behavioral Health

Degree Description and Learner Objectives

Provides an overview of community and behavioral health as an area of study, while encouraging students to specialize in an area of interest. Prepares individuals for community and behavioral health research positions, or to begin the Ph.D. degree program in Community and Behavioral Health.

Graduates of the M.S. degree program will be able to do the following:

Know and understand basic concepts and theories of social and behavioral science related to public health.
Understand appropriate social and behavioral science research design and methodology, and analytical strategies in relationship to public health.
Effectively communicate research findings to the scientific community.
Evaluate and interpret both qualitative and quantitative scientific literature.
Understand how to affect individual, organizational, and systems change.
Design, implement and evaluate evidence-based public health interventions.
Participate in an original research project that makes a contribution to the body of knowledge of public health.

Prerequisites

A baccalaureate degree is required. Prior coursework in the social sciences is desirable.

Supervision of an M.S. program

It is necessary for all M.S. students to be matched with appropriate department faculty who are available to advise their program of study and chair their thesis committee. Prospective students should begin this matching process by speaking with the Interim Graduate Program Coordinator, Brenda Schropp, brena-schropp@uiowa.edu or 319-384-1470, about which faculty members are currently available for the advisement and thesis chair roles. The Graduate Program Coordinator will suggest personal contact with likely advisors as needed. Acceptance into the M.S. program will be in part dependent on the identification and agreement of an appropriate and available advisor and thesis chair.

MS Curriculum

During their first semester, students will work with their academic advisor to develop a Plan of Study that will satisfy both the students' individual goals, and the requirements listed below. In addition to the courses below, students are required to attend departmental seminars.

College of Public Health Core

9 s.h. required

171:161	Introduction to Biostatistics	3 s.h.
172:101	Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	3 s.h.
173:140	Epidemiology I: Principles	3 s.h.

Behavior and Social Sciences Core

9 s.h. required

172:106	Designing and Implementing Interventions	3 s.h.
172:110	Community Development in Public Health	3 s.h.
172:130	Social Determinants of Health	3 s.h.
172:150	Health Behavior and Health Education	3 s.h.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
172:240	Health Communication (same as 036:240)	3 s.h.
172:242	Persuasion and Health	3 s.h.
172:246	Health Communication Campaigns (same as 036:279)	3 s.h.
113:185	Medical Anthropology	3 s.h.

Research Methods Core

6 s.h. required

172:181	Evaluation I: Theory and Applications	3 s.h.
172:282	Evaluation II: Design and Methods	3 s.h.
172:183	Qualitative Research for Public Health	3 s.h.
172:285	Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health	3 s.h.
171:162	Design and Analysis of Experiments in the Biomedical Sciences	3 s.h.
07P:249	Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models	3 s.h.
07P:252	Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods	3 s.h.

Content Area Electives

5 s.h. required. Students should select elective courses in consultation with their advisor. The following is a list of suggested courses.

170:101	Introduction to Public Health	3 s.h.
170:171	Problems in Public Health	3 s.h.
172:115	Community Preventive Programs and Services	2 s.h.
172:122	Maternal, Child, Family Health: An Overview	3 s.h.
172:131	Anthropology and International Health (same as 113:184, 152:184)	3 s.h.
172:133	Anthropology of Women's Health (same as 113:133)	3 s.h.
172:144	Physician-Patient Communication (same as 036:161)	3 s.h.
172:160	Substance Use and Misuse in America	3 s.h.
172:161	Substance Abuse and Mental Health	3 s.h.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
172:270	Independent Study in Community and Behavioral Health	Arr
172:271	Research in Community and Behavioral Health	Arr
174:200	Introduction to Health Care Organization and Policy	3 s.h.
174:212	Health Economics I	1 s.h.
174:213	Health Economics II	3 s.h.
174:242	Federalism and Health Policy	3 s.h.
175:197	Environmental Health	3 s.h.
044:112	Mapping American Cities and Regions	3 s.h.

Thesis

6 s.h. required

172:300	Thesis/Dissertation Hours	Arr

Total Semester Hours (minimum)	35 s.h.

Master's Thesis Defense

The master's thesis defense is an oral presentation of the purpose, methods, and results of the thesis research. A specially formed committee will thoroughly examine the student's area of knowledge associated with the context of the work.

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