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:
- Identify the major socio-behavioral phenomena, which impact the health of the public and understand the mechanisms by which they impact health.
- Work effectively with communities in defining and addressing important public health concerns.
- Design, implement and evaluate community-based behavior interventions to prevent disease and/or promote health.
- Critically assess the scientific basis for preventive interventions.
- Plan and conduct program evaluations to assess quality and effectiveness of public health interventions.
- 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.
| 170:101 |
Introduction to Public Health Practice [Su./Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 171:161 |
Introduction to Biostatistics [Fall/Spr./Su.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:101 |
Intro to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention [Fall/Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 173:140 |
Epidemiology I: Principles [Fall/Spr./Su.] |
3 s.h. |
| 174:102 |
Introduction to the US Healthcare System [Su.]
or |
3 s.h. |
| 174:200 |
Introduction to Health Care Organization and Policy [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 175:197 |
Environmental Health [Fall/Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
Practicum Requirement (3 s.h)
| 170:299 |
The MPH Practicum Experience [Fall/Spr./Su.] |
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.
| 172:106 |
Designing and Implementing Interventions [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:130 |
Social Determinants of Health [Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:150 |
Health Behavior and Health Education [Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:181 |
Evaluation I: Theory and Applications [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:183 |
Qualitative Research for Public Health [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:185 |
Communicating with the Community [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:240 |
Health Communication [Su.] |
3 s.h. |
| 173:233: SCA |
Evidence-Based Nutrition Policy [Su.] |
3 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:
| 044:106 |
Foundations of Geographic Information Systems [Fall/Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:110 |
Community Development in Public Health
[Not to be offered in the near future] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:115 |
Community Preventive Programs and Services [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:122 |
Maternal, Child, and Family Health: An Overview
[Spr. - even years] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:131 |
International Health: Anthropology Perspective
Practices [Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:133 |
The Anthropology of Women's Health
[Fall/Fall/Off - not offered 2010] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:135 |
Health Disparities & Cultural Competence [Spr.] |
2-4 s.h. |
| 172:140 |
Media and Health [Fall] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:161 |
Substance Abuse and Mental Health [Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
172:173/
113:185 |
Medical Anthropology [Fall] |
3 |
| 172:170 |
Special Topics [Variable - Fall/Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
172:202/
113:202 |
Ethnographic Field Methods [Spr.] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:242 |
Persuasion and Health [Spr.] |
3 s h |
| 172:246 |
Health Communication Campaigns [Spr.] |
3 s h |
| 172:270 |
Independent Study in Community and Behavioral
Health [Fall/Spr./Su.] |
arr. |
| 172:282 |
Evaluation II: Design and Methods [Spr. - odd years] |
3 s.h. |
| 172:285 |
Research in Community and Behavioral Health
[Spr. - even years] |
3 s.h. |
Summary of Hour Requirements |
| MPH Core |
18 s.h. |
| Practicum |
3 s.h. |
| Required courses |
12 s.h. |
| Electives |
9 s.h. |
| Total |
42 s.h. |
|
