Community Health Sciences - Program Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the Department of Community Health Sciences foster an understanding of the psychological, social, biological, and public policy factors that influence the health of people in populations. These objectives are fulfilled through core courses, required courses, elective courses that are chosen in consultation with the academic advisor, and a practicum (for the MPH and DrPH) in a community setting. Elective courses (for the MPH) may be taken entirely within or across "clusters" in subject areas such as the following: aging and life course, child and family health, disaster planning and relief, health promotion / education, health policy, international health, population and reproductive health, public health nutrition, social and behavioral sciences, and women's health. Outcomes are evaluated by course examinations and papers, a department comprehensive examination (for the M.P.H.), a Master's thesis or a major written report and departmental comprehensive examination (for the M.S.P.H.) program, and ongoing interaction between the student and academic advisor. Fulfillment of the objectives is measured by the dissertation for students in the doctoral (DrPH, PhD) programs.

The MPH Program

All MPH graduates should be able to:

• characterize the biological, psychological, social, economic, cultural, and political factors that contribute to health problems and/or impede their resolution;
• critically read both scientific and lay literature in the field of community health sciences; and
• conceptualize, design, implement, and evaluate programs and policies to promote health in a community context.

The MPH Program for Health Professionals

In addition to the general MPH objectives, graduates should be able to:

• demonstrate organizational and personal leadership competencies in Health Education and Health Promotion policy and program development.

The MS Program

The MS curriculum emphasizes the theoretical bases of health relevant behavior and the acquisition of research skills necessary for contributing to public health knowledge.

MS graduates should be able to:

• use the basic terminology, major concepts, and logic of social research in the formulation of a viable research strategy; and
• apply statistical techniques in the analysis of health data.

The DrPH Program

The DrPH objectives include those listed under the MPH program. Additionally, DrPH graduates should be able to:

• understand the major theoretical orientations that are applied within the community health sciences;
• comprehend the relationship between theory and research method in the community health sciences;
• appreciate the confluence of theory, method and practice in the community health sciences;
• supervise and conduct health research in multidisciplinary and applied settings; and
• act in an advisory role in the interpretation of public health data for the development and implementation of public policy.

The PhD Program

The PhD objectives include those listed under the MPH program. Additionally, PhD graduates should be able to:

• understand the major theoretical orientations that are applied within the community health sciences;
• comprehend the relationship between theory and research method in the community health sciences;
• appreciate the confluence of theory, method and practice in the community health sciences; and
• develop and conduct original research that contributes to the theoretical understanding of the health-related behaviors of individuals within the context of the social structure, community, health care system, and family unit.