Learning Objectives for the Master of Public Health
The MPH degree in Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) is designed to train health care professionals in the application of theories and methods of social and behavioral sciences to address public health issues. Students are provided with the knowledge to understand the importance of social and behavioral sciences for the health of individuals and communities and the skills to apply this knowledge in the analysis and formulation of public health programs and policies. These general goals are reflected in specific learning objectives for MPH students developed at the school, department, and track levels. The learning objectives identify the various concepts and skills students are expected to master through the course of the MPH program in Sociomedical Sciences.
Learning Objectives: Mailman School of Public Health
Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH degree, all graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge and skills base in the core areas of public health, with particular emphasis in a selected field of public health, and will be able to:
- Apply epidemiologic methods to the measurement of disease rates, prevention of infectious diseases, and the development and evaluation of health programs and policies;
- Apply statistical methods of estimation and hypothesis testing and explain the basics of correlation and regression for the purpose of analyzing the health of populations;
- Analyze how environmental contaminants (chemical, physical and other exposures) interact with biological systems and their effect on human populations for the purpose of evaluating risk reduction strategies;
- Assess the impact on health policy options of social, political, technological, economic and cultural forces, and apply basic management techniques to address organizational challenges to providing health care;
- Examine public health issues and responses from a social and behavioral sciences perspective and explain social, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral determinants of disparities in health status among population sub-groups; and
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills for effective practice in their selected field of study.
Learning Objectives: Department of Sociomedical Sciences
The MPH degree in Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) is designed to train health care professionals in the application of theories and methods of social and behavioral sciences to address public health issues. Students are provided with the knowledge to understand the importance of social and behavioral sciences for the health of individuals and communities and the skills to apply this knowledge in the analysis and formulation of public health programs and policies. Students in this program select one of seven tracks: Aging and Public Health, Health Promotion (Day and Evening programs), History and Ethics of Public Health and Medicine, Sexuality and Health, Social Sciences Research in Public Health, Urbanism and the Built Environment, and Global Health. Graduates of SMS complete 45 credit hours, the Good Clinical Practices Certification examination, a practicum, and a Master’s Integrative Project.
Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH program in SMS, graduates will be able to:
Describe how major theories and methods from the fields of medical sociology, medical anthropology, history, and health psychology can be used to address a variety of public health issues;
Examine public health issues from a social and behavioral sciences perspective:
- Discuss the relationships of social, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral factors to health and disease outcomes
- Explain social, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral determinants of disparities in health status among population sub-groups and related public health responses
- Distinguish a population-wide public health perspective from individual and clinical perspectives regarding determinants of health status and related responses;
Analyze public health issues from the perspective of at least one of the following fields of study:
- Explain how medical sociology examines the multiple paths by which social class (SES), ethnicity/race, gender, and organizational structure leads to states of good and poor health
- Explain how medical anthropology examines the relationship between culture and health as well as the cultural constructions of health and illness
- Explain how history examines the relationship among biological, social, political, and economic factors in the creation of health and the political response to health issues
- Explain how health psychology examines behavioral, cognitive and emotional factors and their relationship to health;
Analyze public health problems by selecting and employing appropriate research methodology from the social and behavioral sciences:
- Collect appropriate data to understand determinants of health and disease
- Apply appropriate social indicators to describe population health
- Assess strengths and limitations of various sources of data
- Assess strengths and limitations of various approaches to research and evaluation;
Discuss public health research and practice issues from an ethical perspective:
- Discuss historical and emerging ethical issues
- Identify appropriate stakeholders whose perspectives should be considered in public health endeavors
- Discuss principles and requirements for the protection of human subjects in public health research; and
Demonstrate proficiency in written, oral and visual communication skills for the purpose of:
- Communicating research and program findings into action oriented recommendations
- Reporting findings in a manner useful for informing the public about health issues.
SMS Programs
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