MPH Courses
BSHE 500 (2) Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health
Provides the student with basic knowledge about the behavioral sciences as they are applied to public health. Content includes an overview of each discipline and current issues for students who are not enrolled in the BSHE MPH Program.
BSHE 512 (3) Medical Sociology
Surveys sociological and social/psychological research in selected areas of medical sociology. Familiarizes the student with dominant theoretical orientations and associated empirical research.
BSHE 516 (3) Behavioral Epidemiology
Provides the student with basic knowledge about epidemiological applications in a behavioral area. Content stresses ways in which behavioral research differs from other applications of epidemiology with respect to approaches to measurement, terminology, and analytic methods.
BSHE 517 (2) Adolescent Health
Introduces the major issues in adolescent health, such as physical and psychosocial growth, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and violence and abuse. In addition, the course examines adolescent health services and adolescent health care-seeking behavior and presents students with the major theoretical perspectives regarding adolescent health from an interdisciplinary point of view.
BSHE 520 (3) Theory in Behavioral Science and Health Education
Introduces the basic principles and functional areas of health promotion and education. Describes prevalent educational and psychological theories of learning and behavior change used by health educators in a variety of work settings. Explores considerations for incorporating health promotion and education activities into the design of local, regional, national, and international public health programs. Students plan activities for health promotion and education.
BSHE 522 (3) Principles of Curriculum and Instruction in Health Education
Introduces methods used by education practitioners in designing health interventions. Presents decision-making models for health education strategies selection for specific target populations. Explores techniques in group facilitation, mass communication, behavior modification, classroom instruction, and organizational development. Students begin and conduct activities for health promotion and education.
BSHE 524 (3) Community Needs Assessment
Encompasses the development of data about the health status, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, motivation, and health practices of a population or community and its socioeconomic environment.The instructor facilitates the student application of assessment methodology to a community project.
BSHE 530 (3) Conduct of Evaluation Research
Covers all aspects of evaluation research, including formative process, outcome evaluations, and issues related to the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. The instructor facilitates the student application of evaluation methodology to a community project.
BSHE 532 (3) Quantitative Analysis
This data analysis class provides the student with the skills necessary to identify and analytically investigate research questions from existing databases and to create new databases. In addition, students will learn how to present data and report results.
BSHE 538 (3) Qualitative Research Methods
Focuses on the acquisition of interpretive, behavioral, and analytic strategies that social scientists use to understand social reality. Students are expected to undertake their own qualitative studies, as well as to learn the philosophical underpinnings of the method. Classic ethnographic studies, particularly those with applicability to public health, serve as models for learning techniques and conducting research.
BSHE 539 (3) Qualitative Data Analysis
Allows students to develop mastery of a variety of practical techniques and theorectical approaches to qualitative data analysis, including the use of qualitative data analysis software (Maxqda). Students will be given the option of conducting lab exercises on an expanaded set of secondary data or students' own data that was collected as part of their MPH of PhD thesis research.
BSHE 540 (3) Behavioral Research Methods
Provides students with the fundamental language, concepts, and constructs associated with the scientific approach, including inductive and deductive reasoning, the role of theory, problem definition, and hypothesis formulation. Provides instruction in the design, implementation, and analysis of health behavior research studies. The theory and analytic strategies for various research designs, including choice of comparison groups, as well as examples of appropriate applications, are presented.
BSHE 542 (2) Measurement in Health Behavior Research
Provides the student with information and skills related to basic measurement issues involved in assessing variables in health behavior research.
BSHE 544 (3) Survey Methods
Covers the basic methods necessary to implement a sample survey, including survey design, sampling techniques, questionnaire design, interviewer training, coding, editing and management of data, and descriptive data analysis and presentation.
BSHE 545 (2) Introduction to Population Dynamics
Provides an interdisciplinary perspective on population processes and contemporary population issues. The course focuses on theory in the areas of fertility, mortality, and migration. Other topics covered are population composition, age structure, population and development, and population policy.
BSHE 550R (3) Theory-Driven Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Presents an in-depth look at a selected theory of behavior change, from development of the theory to its application in research and design of interventions. Theories selected are from among those currently used within public health and vary by instructor.
BSHE 554 (2) Social Marketing in Public Health
Provides students with an overview of concepts and strategies used in social marketing and public health information campaigns. Emphasis is placed on developing skills to create consumer-oriented public health intervention efforts. These skills include formative research, audience segmentation, and channel analysis, and the application of behavioral theory.
BSHE 555 (2) Public Health Communication
Introduces the study of public health communication including its theoretical foundations, organizational models, and strategies for intervening at multiple levels with diverse populations.
BSHE 556 (2) Mass Media and Public Health
This seminar will explore the dissemination of health information through news, popular entertainment, product advertising, and the Internet. This course will not deal with traditional mass media campaigns; instead, it will survey the literature on both positive and negative "real world" media messages related to a wide array of public health topics, exploring both impact and relevant regulatory issues. The seminar will also examine public health strategies, including media advocacy and entertainment education, to help shape media content.
BSHE 560R (1-3) BSHE Seminar
Explores and analyzes selected topics in health education and promotion. Topics have included: grant proposal writing, global program planning, health advocacy, and global health education.
BSHE 565 (1) Violence as a Public Health Problem
Introduces students to the concept of violence as a public health problem and focuses on the epidemiology, surveillance, and prevention of interpersonal and self-directed violence.
BSHE 567 (2) LGBTQ Public Health
This course will focus on the possible benefits and costs of public health organizations' approach to consider the LGBTQ populations as special health populations with distinctive needs like those based on race, gender, or age. This course will explore key issues in LGBTQ health including analyzing public health for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons.
BSHE 568 (2) Human Sexuality
This course is designed to provide an overview of human sexuality for future public health professionals. Through discussion, interactive learning experiences, and course assignments, students will gain knowledge, increased comfort, and personal insight about such topics as sexuality in the media, language and communication, sex research, gender identity and gender roles, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, assault, and abuse, family planning and contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and sexuality education
BSHE 571 (2) Issues in Women's Health
Examines current and historical influences on women's health throughout the life span. Anthropological, epidemiological, sociological, and political factors relating to specific health issues are presented. In addition to gender, the variables of race and class are examined as they affect women's health.
BSHE 572 (1) Health Care Issues in Minority Populations
Examines the causes and effects of the growing disparity in the health status of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans compared with the general population of the United States. Examines the major contributors to this disparity: cancer, cardiovascular disease, chemical dependency, infectious disease (including AIDS), diabetes, homicide, and infant mortality. Discusses disease prevention and health promotion strategies to help reduce morbidity and mortality.
BSHE 575 (1) Journal Club: Problems in Public Health
This student-led seminar will address current public health problems, especially as they relate to behavior and health education, through a close reading of recent journal articles on crucial issues facing public health practitioners. Topics to be examined are open but might include issues such as obesity, Type II diabetes, HIV/AIDS, addiction, smoking, and mental health and public health.
BSHE 577 (2) The Role of Faith Communities in Health Care
Examines the roles of faith communities in the provision of health care, both domestically and internationally. Emphasizes contemporary, existing programs, although historical connections will be considered.
BSHE 578 (2) Ethics in Public Health
Examines ethical rules, principles, and theories as they relate to public health practice and the delivery of health services through individual and institutional providers.
BSHE 579 (3) Applied History of Public Health
This course examines issues of population health affecting behavioral sciences and health education in historical and comparative perspective. By calling on the tools and disciplines of public health, students will reach a more complex understanding of how particular population health issues have been understood in different times and places and what those responses may illuminate about strategies for current and future responses.
BSHE 581 (1) Strategies in Stress Reduction
This course is designed to explore sources of stress and coping methods to prevent a wide range of physical and psychological diseases that have been correlated with stress. Students will examine models of stress, coping mechanisms, physical and psychological symptoms of stress, sources of stress, and stress prevention and reduction. This course should assist individuals in identifying personal sources of stress and coping techniques as well as providing a foundation for work in the field of public health.
BSHE 583 (1) Mindfulness and Health
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to define mindfulness, describe its benefits for physical mental health, critically evaluate related literature, and perform mindfulness exercises.
BSHE 585 (1) Introduction to Public Mental Health
This course is designed to provide an overview of mental health issues from a public health perspective. It covers the concepts of mental illness versus mental health, describes the burden of mental illness, discusses diagnosis of prominent mental illnesses and their prevention, and addresses racial and ethnic disparities. Students also complete an experiential exercise to give them some perspective on what it is like to have a mental illness.
BSHE 586 (2) Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorder
The goals of the course are to increase knowledge about the prevention of mental and behavioral disorders, including substance abuse, and the promotion of mental health. This will be accomplished through classroom presentations and discussions, associated readings, and exposure to actual interventions in the community.
BSHE 587 (2) Substance Abuse
Introduces the study of substance abuse including current research methodologies, epidemiology, and the impact of substance use and abuse on both the individual and the community.
BSHE 588 (3) Addiction and Behavior
This seminar explores the construction, meaning, and impact of addiction and addictive behaviors from a multidisciplinary perspective. Particular attention will be given to the putative neurobiological mechanisms associated with addiction and consciousness altering substances and behaviors. The seminar is designed to enable student collaboration across disciplines and stages of education.
BSHE 589 (3) Mental Illness, Public Health, and American Culture in Interdisciplinary Perspective.
This seminar explores the construction and origin of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, multiple personality disorder, eating disorders, attention deficit, Tourette syndrome, and addiction. All these syndromes will also be viewed in the context of an increasing public health concern with mental health and mental illness. Attention will be paid to the putative neurobiological and psychiatric mechanisms associated with these disorders.
BSHE 590R (4) Capstone Seminar
There are two types of capstone seminars: the Program Planning capstone and the Special Topics capstone. In the Program Planning capstone seminar, students apply basic program planning skills, including problem analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, implementation and evaluation. In the Special Topic Capstone seminars, students critically examine the concepts, theories, and methods applied to study a particular health outcome and evaluate related interventions. Regardless of the capstone format, students will undertake an independent project that will result in a final 30-50 page paper and an oral presentation.
BSHE 591M/EH 580 (2) Injury Prevention and Control
Introduces injury as a public health problem. The epidemiology and surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation of unintentional and intentional injuries will be discussed, with particular emphasis placed in injury research methodology and injury prevention programs. Case studies will explore the interaction of public policy and epidemiology in the prevention and control of injuries.
BSHE 591W (1) Thesis Mentorship
This course introduces the thesis as a unique scholarly contribution to public health research, practice, and instruction. Organized as a directed study with the thesis chair, the course provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop and refine research questions, conduct a review and analysis of the public health knowledge base, select a theory or organizing framework, formulate a plan for data collection and an IRB application, and draft the initial three chapters of their project.
BSHE 595R (0) Practicum
Enables students to apply skills and knowledge in an applied setting through a supervised field training experience in a public health setting that complements the student's interests and career goals.
BSHE 597R (VC) Directed Study
Provides the opportunity to pursue a specialized course of study in an area of special interest. Complements rather than replaces or substitutes for course work.
BSHE 598R (VC) Special Projects
Provides an opportunity to participate at advance levels on specific scholarly research and developmental projects.
BSHE 599R (3) Thesis
Enables students to apply the principles and methods learned in an academic setting through the preparation of a monograph embodying original research applicable to public health, incorporating a proposition that has been successfully evaluated with appropriate analytical techniques and is potentially publishable or has potential public health impact.
PhD Courses
BSHE 721 (4) Applying Theory to Public Health Research and Practice
This course provides the student with advanced knowledge about the role of behavioral sciences applied to public health. Content includes an examination of behavioral theories and approaches that: 1) presently shape our understanding of health behavior 2) form the basis for most research agendas in health behavior, and 3) comprise "best practice" in health education and health promotion programs.
BSHE 725 (4) Health Promotion Interventions
The purpose of this course is to provide doctoral students with a deep understanding of the conceptual frameworks, values, and assumptions underlying a range of intervention strategies for solving public health problems. The course will also examine intervention design, implementation, and evaluation across various levels of social ecology.
BSHE 728 (4) Advanced Research Design and Analysis
This course is designed to introduce advanced research designs and statistical analysis. More specifically the course will: 1) provide students with an understanding of current research techniques including research design, sampling, data collection and analysis, scale development, reliability and validity; 2) enable them to develop a preliminary research proposal for their dissertations; and 3) provide them with a "working" knowledge of statistics as they are typically applied in prevention sciences research settings. An emphasis will be placed on the application and interpretation of various statistical techniques (e.g., ANOVA, MANOVA, factor analysis, path analysis, and logistic regression).
BSHE 730 (2) Hierarchical Linear Modeling
This course is designed to provide doctoral students with theoretical and applied knowledge of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). Foundational knowledge of HLM is taught by extending knowledge of regression analysis to designs involving a nested data structure. This course also includes instruction in programming in and interpretation of the output for computer software for conducting HLM. Furthermore, advanced topics such as HLM for ordinal outcome variables and dyadic data will be presented.
BSHE 760R (1) Professional Development Seminar
This seminar will address a variety of topics of importance to the professional behavioral scientist in public health.
BSHE 797R (VC) Directed Study
Provides in-depth exposure to an advanced special topic not covered in regular courses.
BSHE 798R (VC) Special Projects
This course is designed for students to participate at advanced levels on specific scholarly research or developmental projects. Students will work independently as a statistical consultant and will collaborate with other researchers in a variety of settings.
BSHE 799R (VC) Dissertation Research Hours