The Department of Public Health offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students in the department learn about health issues among diverse populations; factors influencing the health of individuals, families, and communities; health literacy; and cultural competence, with a predominant focus on health promotion.
Academic service-learning provides the framework for the undergraduate program. The program partners with more than 120 local and regional public health agencies, non-profit organizations and other health settings in which our students provide important service work while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Courses with service opportunities begin freshmen year and culminate senior year with the 400 hour Capstone Internship requirement.
Opportunities to participate on research teams led by faculty members exist for undergraduate and graduate students.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH)
The 30-credit public health core provides foundational public health knowledge and skills important for entry-level public health practice or post-graduate study. In addition to the public health core, a 15-credit concentration in Addiction Prevention, Community Health Education, Health & Society, or Healthcare Management provides tailored career-related training.
Undergraduate Public Health/Business Dual Degree
Eligible undergraduate students can pursue a dual degree with the Whitman School and prepare for a range of careers in the public and private sector, social organizations, health care leadership, federal and local agencies, non-profit management, consulting and as founders at transnational NGOs.
Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) Dual Degree
In the master of public health (MPH) and master of business administration (MBA) dual degree program with the Whitman School, students prepare to be versatile, multidisciplinary and future-leading thinkers who will meet important challenges related to public health and business.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
The MPH is a 42-credit hour graduate program designed to provide students with core knowledge, research, and practice skills necessary for the advancement of evidence-based public health. The program’s global health concentration emphasizes an evidence-based understanding of complex determinants of population health combined with practice and evidence-based strategies for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies in global settings. These applied competencies are acquired in relevant coursework and reinforced by application during an international practicum placement.
Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
The Master of Science in Public Health is a 42 credit hour graduate program designed to provide students with core knowledge and research skills necessary for the advancement of evidence-based public health. Within the MSPH, there are two tracks. The Global Health track introduces students to health issues in the context of the global community providing students with exposure to theory, research and applications in both the US and international settings. The Biostatistics track provides students with training in both introductory and advanced biostatistics – applying multiple different analytic methods to the analysis of public health data.
Accelerated Public Health, BSPH/MPH
The 150-credit accelerated B.S. Public Health/MPH program provides students the opportunity to complete a bachelor degree in Public Health (BSPH) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in five years, as opposed to six years if the degrees were completed separately. The B.S. Public Health/MPH program substitutes 15 credits of graduate public health coursework for 15 credits of similar undergraduate public health coursework.
Accelerated Public Health, BSPH/MSPH
The B.S./M.S. in Public is a 150 credit hour, 5-year academic program that provides students with an accelerated pathway to an advanced degree in public health. Students gain core knowledge, research, and practice skills necessary for the advancement of evidence-based public health, while eliminating redundancy if the degrees were completed separately. Students complete an internship experience, a specialization track in either global health or biostatistics, and a master thesis. The bachelor degree is awarded at the completion of year 4 and the master degree is awarded at the completion of the 5th year of study.
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Addiction Studies – Online
The 12-credit Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Addiction Studies examines the intersectionality of substance use and addictive behaviors with emphasis on prevention, policy, and sustainable recovery. The CAS in Addiction Studies is designed for students from professions and disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, Communications, Education, Law, Marriage and Family Therapy, Neuroscience, Public Administration, Public Health, Psychology, and Social Work.
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Global Health
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Global Health is a 15-credit hour graduate program providing students applied skills in global health policy and health delivery. This program emphasizes evidence-based strategies for implementing and evaluating health programs in global settings. The CAS in Global Health can be offered in combination with any graduate degree, or pursued as a stand-alone Certificate. It is particularly useful in providing students in technical or terminal degrees with global health credentials to help them pursue their careers in a global setting. A practicum concluding the program provides students direct field experience.
Addiction Studies Minor
This 19-21 credit minor in Addiction Studies prepares students for employment in addiction prevention programs and services. Upon completion of the minor, students will have met the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) education training requirements for Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS) and Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP). Supervised work experience (2,000 hours for CPS; 4,000 hours for CPP) and a passing score on the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) exam is required before full certification is awarded by OASAS.
| Information Subject to Change | |||||
| Course | Credit Hours | Offered Fall | Offered Spring | Offered Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHP 318 Dynamics of Addiction | 3 credits | M/W 5:15-6:35 | M/W 5:15-6:35 | Online | |
| PHP 321 Prevention in Addiction Services | 4credits | T/TH 3:30-4:50 | |||
| PHP 436 Ethics in Addictions Services | 3 credits | M/W 2:15-3:35 | |||
| PHP 405 Cognitive Behavioral Stress Reduction | 3 credits | T 5:00-7:45 | |||
| PHP 406 Clinical Assessment Evaluation | 3 credits | T/TH 5:00-6:20 | |||
| PHP 407 Motivational Interviewing | 3 credits | M/W 2:15-3:35 | |||
| PHP 408 Addictions Cultural Context – OR– | 3 credits | T/TH 3:30-4:50 | |||
| PHP 412 Global Perspectives in Alcohol and Other Drug Policies | Study Abroad: every other May (even years) | ||||
| PHP 409 The Impact of Addictions on Families | 3 credits | M/W 3:34-5:05 | |||
| PHP 436 Ethics in Addictions Services | 3 credits | M/W 2:15-3:35 | |||
Certified Prevention Professional/ Certified Prevention Specialist (CPP/CPS)
Public Health Minor
This minor addresses personal behaviors, environmental factors and social conditions that affect the quality of personal and public health. It is intended to increase the capacity of the individual to adopt health-benefiting behaviors and lifestyles. The minor requires completion of 18 credits, including 12 credits above the 300 level. To be admitted into the minor, a student must submit a Declaration of Minor form to his or her faculty advisor, the Health and Wellness Minor coordinator, and the Dean’s office in his or her home college.
Healthcare Management Minor
The Minor in Healthcare Management provides students experience to understand healthcare delivery in the U.S. and globally. The elective courses allow opportunity to develop broad competencies relevant to health program management. The minor is designed in part for students interested in exploring careers in healthcare management or for post-graduate study in healthcare administration.