Community and Behavioral Health Subtrack (42 s.h.)

Objective

The Community and Behavioral Health subtrack prepares public health practitioners for a variety of positions related to community development, health program implementation, and health education. Students learn how to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions that are directed toward identified public health problems in populations. Bachelor’s level training in the social and behavioral sciences is good preparation for this program, but current students come from a variety of educational backgrounds.

The practicum requirement has been fulfilled in the past with organizations or agencies that are actively addressing public health concerns with intervention programs. Past sites have included the Johnson County Public Health Department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa City Family Planning Clinic, and the University of Iowa Department of Pediatrics.

Graduates of the CBH subtrack are able to:

1. Identify the major socio-behavioral phenomena, which impact the health of the public and understand the mechanisms by which they impact health.
2. Work effectively with communities in defining and addressing important public health concerns.
3. Design, implement and evaluate community-based behavior interventions to prevent disease and/or promote health.
4. Critically assess the scientific basis for preventive interventions.
5. Plan and conduct program evaluations to assess quality and effectiveness of public health interventions.
6. Communicate effectively with a broad range of groups utilizing state of the art communication media.

Prerequisite

An undergraduate degree is required. The cumulative grade point average should be a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Although no specific major is required, prerequisite coursework includes one semester each of college algebra and biology.

MPH Core Courses (18 s.h.)

The following course work is required for all MPH students. Students are expected to earn ≥ B- (2.67) on each core course and must earn a ≥ B (3.0) cumulative grade point average on all core courses. When necessary, a student may repeat courses to achieve this standard.

Practicum Requirement (3 s.h)

The experience from this course, including a final written report and an oral presentation, constitutes the final examination for the MPH.

Pre-Requisite:

Students should complete all Core Courses prior to registering for the Practicum. In special circumstances, students may request to take a Core Course concurrently with the Practicum.

For additional information, regarding the practicum experience, please visit the practicum website.

Required Courses (12 s.h.)

Students choose a minimum of 12 s.h.

Elective Courses (9 s.h.)

Students choose 9 s.h. In addition to the list of the required courses above, the courses below are recommended as electives: