Degree Programs

MS Subtrack in Health Communication

Degree Description and Learner Objectives

The M.S. subtrack in Health Communication will provide concentrated learning opportunities for graduate students who desire greater knowledge and skill in critically designing, evaluating, and implementing effective communication strategies and messages using mediated and interpersonal channels to effectively address the health needs of diverse audiences. Clinician-patient interaction, family communication, group and organizational communication, and mass media and web-based campaigns will be addressed.

Graduates of the program are prepared for positions in a variety of public health, for-profit and non-profit settings including local, state, and federal government agencies, community health organizations, and community-based primary care.

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, brenda-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.

M.S. 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.

Behavioral and Social Sciences

6 s.h. required. Students may choose from the following courses to satisfy the area requirement.

172:106	Designing and Implementing Interventions	3 s.h.
172:130	Social Determinants of Health	3 s.h.
172:150	Health Behavior and Health Education	3 s.h.
172:110	Community Development in Public Health	3 s.h.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
113:185/ 152:185	Medical Anthropology	3 s.h.

Research Methods

6 s.h. required. Students may choose from the following courses to satisfy the area requirement.

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/ 22S:140	Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies	3 s.h.
07P:249	Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models	3 s.h.
07P:252	Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods	3 s.h.

Health Communication Core

12 s.h. required

172:240/ 036:240	Health Communication	3 s.h.
172:242	Persuasion and Health	3 s.h.
036:371	Communication Theory	3 s.h.
172:246/ 036:379	Health Communication Campaigns	3 s.h.
019:160/ 172:140	Media and Health	3 s.h.

Thesis/Dissertation Hours

6 s.h. required

172:300

Thesis/Dissertation

Arr

Total Semester Hours (minimum)	39 s.h.

MS Thesis

A thesis will be required for students completing the M.S. subtrack in Health Communication. This thesis will follow the same procedures and guidelines as the thesis for students in the general M.S. program.

The Health Communication program is part of the Coalition for Health Communication.

For additional information on the Health Communication subtrack, please contact Dr. Shelly Campo at shelly-campo@uiowa.edu, or the graduate program coordinator, Ms. Belle Kenoyer at belle-kenoyer@uiowa.edu.

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