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Master of Public Health

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

 

 

  

Policy Subtrack (59 s.h.)

Objective

The MPH in Policy is a 59 credit hour program of study. It offers coursework and applied learning expereinces that prepare students for careers in health policy analysis, system and orgazational planning, and program evaluation. Graduates will be employed by federal, state, or local governments, professional associations, local health agencies or private agencies. They may be responsible for assessing health problems, developing policy proposals, and assuring that policies are achieving their goals. They also may work as consultants to public and private agencies to assist them in assessment, policy development, and assurance. Students are recruited from a variety of academic backgrounds including business, liberal arts and health professions.

Graduates of the MPH in Policy will:

  1. Be knowledgeable of and be able to assess the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness and factors influencing the use of services.
  2. Be knowledgeable of the social, political and economic factors related to the health and well being of populations and communities.
  3. Be knowledgeable of the organization, financing and delivery of health services.
  4. Develop skills in economic analysis, quantitative analysis, program evaluation and outcomes assessment.
  5. Understand the formulation development and analysis of health policy in the United States.
  6. Be knowledgeable of the values and ethical issues associated with the practice of public health.
  7. Be knowledgeable of the development of skills in positioning health care organizations in the context of the community.
  8. Provide opportunities for development of leadership potential including stimulating creativity, and interpersonal and communication skill development.
  9. Develop skills in the assessment of community health needs.
  10. Develop skills in assessing organizational performance, and in particular methods to assure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided.

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 [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.

Required Courses (32 s.h.)

174:144 Medicare-Medicaid [Spr. - odd years] 3 s.h.
174:201 Health Care Management [Fall] 3 s.h.
174:212 Health Economics I [Spr.] 3 s.h.
174:217

Health Insurance and Managed Care

[Spr. - odd years]

3 s.h.
174:223 Seminar in Health Care Ethics [Fall] 2 s.h.
174:237 Legal Aspects of Health and Medical Care [Spr.] 3 s.h.
174:242 Federalism and Health Policy [Spr. - even years] 3 s.h.
174:243 Health Policy [Fall] 3 s.h.
174:245 Seminar in Health Policy [Fall] 3 s.h.
06N:215 Corporate Financial Reporting [Fall] 3 s.h.
172:181 Evaluation I: Theory and Application [Fall] 3 s.h.

Elective Courses (6 s.h.)

174:140 Mental Health Services & Policy I [arr.] 3 s.h.
175:252 Theories of Environmental Policy [Fall] 3 s.h.
030:210 American Politics [Fall] 4 s.h.
091:261 Health Law [Fall/Spr.] 3 s.h.
102:221 Poverty, Planning , and Public Policy [Spr.] 3 s.h.

Summary of Hour Requirements
MPH Core 18 s.h.
Practicum 3 s.h.
Required courses 32 s.h.
Electives 6 s.h.
Total 59 s.h.
 
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