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Master of Public Health

E172 General Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 384-5991

 

 

  

Health Communication Subtrack (42 s.h.)

Objective

The Master of Public Health subtrack in Health Communication will provide concentrated learning opportunities in Heath Communication for students who desire an MPH degree.

The MPH subtrack in Health Communication will provide 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. However, the MPH serves a different audience of students then the MS. Unlike the more academic MS degree, MPH degrees are often desired by clinicians, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists and dentists, and other professionals who do not aspire to pursue a doctoral degree. The MPH subtrack in Health Communication will offer these students an opportunity to select a concentration in Health Communication, in addition to the numerous other concentrations that MPH students can pursue.

Graduates of this MPH program will be able to do the following:

  1. Know and understand basic concepts and theories of social and behavioral science related to public health.
  2. Understand appropriate social and behavioral science research design and methodology, and analytical strategies in relation to public health.
  3. Evaluate and interpret both qualitative and quantitative scientific literature.
  4. Understand how to affect individual, organizational, and systems change through communication.
  5. Recognize and implement effective evidence-based public health interventions including communication campaigns.

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 course work should include a semester of college algebra.

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 official practicum website.

Health Communication Core (12 s.h.)

036:371 Communication Theory [Fall] 3 s.h.

172:140/

019:160

 Media and Health [Fall] 3 s.h.
172:240 / 036:270 Health Communication [Su.] 3 s.h.
172:242 Persuasion and Health [Spr.] 3 s.h.
172:246/ 36G:379 Health Communication Campaigns [Spr.] 3 s.h.

Community and Behavioral Health Core (9 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.

172:202/

113:202

 Ethnographic Field Methods [Fall/Spr. - variable] 3 s.h.
044:106 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems [Fall/Spr.] 3 s.h.

Summary of Hour Requirements
MPH Core 18 s.h.
Practicum 3 s.h.
Required Health Communication courses 12 s.h.
Required Community & Behavioral Health courses 9 s.h.
Total 42 s.h.
 
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