School of Public Health
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Academic Requirements
The Master of Public Health Program (MPH) is currently offered as a part-time or full time program.
An MPH degree candidate must complete the proposed School of Public Health core requirements as well as the track requirements. The number of credits required for successful completion of the program is 42.
All students must complete a Culminating Experience that integrates theory and practice. The SUNY Downstate Medical Center School of Public Health is well situated to offer potential students a broad range of Culminating Experiences through collaborative arrangements with an array of public and private hospitals, community-based organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies.
Writing Placement Exam
All students accepted into the MPH program are required to pass a Writing examination. The purpose of the examination is to determine student proficiency in writing and expressive abilities. Students who pass the examination are exempted from taking a required two credit course, PUBH 5100 (Formerly URBA 5003): Writing with Power.
Math Placement Exam
All students accepted into the MPH program are required to pass a Math Placement examination. The purpose of the examination is to determine student proficiency in mathematics and statistical abilities. Students who pass the examination are exempted from taking a required one credit course, PUBH 5101 (Formerly URBA 5004): Mastering Math.
MPH Core Requirements
All students for an MPH must complete 21 credits of core requirements, which provide the basic knowledge in major areas of public health.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
BIOS 5200 (Formerly: URBA 5101)
|
Principles of Biostatistics
|
3
|
| CHSC 5200 (Formerly: URBA 5103) |
Health Behavior and Risk Reduction |
3 |
| CHSC 5201 (Formerly: URBA 5201) |
Introduction to Public Health: Theory & Practice |
3 |
| EOHS 5200 (Formerly: URBA 5104) |
Issues in Environmental Health
|
3 |
| EPID 5200 (Formerly: URBA 5102) |
Principles of Epidemiology |
3 |
| HPMG 5200 (Formerly URBA 5105: Principles of Health Systems Management) |
Health Care Organization & Finance |
3 |
| PUBH 6500 |
Field Experience |
1 |
| PUBH 6001 (Formerly: URBA 5504) |
MPH Culminating Experience |
2 |
|
|
Total
21 |
Track Options:
- Biostatistics
- Community Health Sciences - Urban And Immigrant Health
- Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy And Management
MPH Degree Track in Biostatistics
The primary objective of the MPH in Biostatistics is to provide a strong foundation in Public Health with a focus on quantitative methods. Students choosing this track should have a strong aptitude for quantitative reasoning and methods with a focus on public health.
Track Objectives
Apply basic probability theory and statistical methods to public health, biomedical and clinical research questions.
Design experimental and observational studies in public health, biomedical and clinical research.
Use statistical computer packages to organize and analyze data and report results
Present the results of statistical analyses in both written and oral form to scientific and the lay audiences.
Review and critique statistical methods and interpretations presented in published research studies, presentations and reports.
Determine and identify the necessary data and data structures that are best suited to address public health issues, program planning and program evaluation.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues related to the issues of biostatistics in public health.
Biostatistics Track Core Requirements
All students enrolled in the Biostatistics track must complete the track core requirements listed below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
Pre-requisite Courses |
BIOS 5201
(Formerly: URBA 5317) |
Categorical Data Analysis |
3 |
Biostatistics and Epidemiology |
| BIOS 5202 |
Applied Regression Analysis |
3 |
|
| BIOS 5203 |
Survival Analysis
(Formerly: Time Series Analysis) |
3 |
|
| BIOS 5204 |
Statistical Computing |
3 |
|
| |
|
Total
12 |
|
Biostatistics Electives
Students have a choice of electives to be completed the requirements for an MPH student(s) must complete 9 elective credits.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
Pre-requisite Courses |
BIOS 5300
|
Introduction to Sampling
|
3
|
Biostatistics and Epidemiology |
| BIOS 5301 |
Survey Research Methods |
3 |
Categorical Data Analysis and Statistical Computing |
| BIOS 5302 |
Advanced Experimental Design |
3 |
Biostatistics, Applied Regression Analysis and Epidemiological Research Methods |
| BIOS 5303 |
Nonparametric Statistics |
3 |
Statistical Computing, Categorical Data Analysis and Applied Regression Analysis |
| BIOS 5304 |
Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials |
3 |
Applied Regression Analysis |
BIOS 5310
(Formerly: URBA 5502) |
Independent Study |
1-3 |
|
MPH Degree in Community Health Sciences - Urban and Immigrant Health
This program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify major behavioral, social, and cultural factors that impact the health of resident and immigrant individuals, their families, and their communities in urban settings. Students will work collaboratively on developing goals and strategies for modifying those factors, and on designing assessments to determine the effect of these efforts. A focus of training involves gaining an understanding of and skills needed to address issues that disproportionately impact urban and immigrant populations. Course and fieldwork target theory and methods for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs aimed at reducing the burden of major health problems.
Track Objectives:
Identify individual, biological, social, community, organizational, and policy-level determinants of public health problems;
Determine major diseases, disorders, and conditions, and health disparities among urban and immigrant populations;
Describe the processes involved in identifying public health priorities in a community and collaborating effectively to prioritize goals and objectives;
Employ methods to integrate culturally competent approaches into public health practice
Understand major methods and designs for evaluating public health interventions;
Effectively communicate verbally and in writing issues as they relate to the practice of public health behavioral and social interventions.
Community Health Sciences - Urban and Immigrant Health Track Core Requirements
All students enrolled in the Urban and Immigrant Health track must complete the track core requirements listed below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
Pre-requisite Courses |
CHSC 5202 (Formerly: URBA 5202)
|
Issues in the Health of Immigrant Populations
|
3
|
|
| CHSC 5203 (Formerly: URBA 5203) |
Sex, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Health |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5205 (Formerly: URBA 5206) |
Urban Health Issues |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5206 |
Program Planning and Evaluation |
3 |
Health Behavior and Risk Reduction |
|
|
Total
12 |
|
Community Health Sciences - Urban and Immigrant Health Track Core Requirements Electives
Students must complete 9 elective credits to satisfy the requirements for an MPH degree. Three courses may be chosen from the list below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
Pre-requisite Courses |
| CHSC 5204 (Formerly: URBA 5205) |
Community Organization |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5300 (Formerly URBA 5310) |
Introduction to Research |
3 |
Health Care Across the Lifespan |
| CHSC 5301 (Formerly: URBA 5303) |
Human Sexual Behavior |
3 |
Health Care Across the Lifespan |
| CHSC 5302 (Formerly: URBA 5311) |
Social Marketing |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5303 (Formerly: URBA 5304) |
Issues in HIV Prevention |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5304 (Formerly: URBA 5318) |
Planning Pediatric & Adolescent Intervention |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5305 (Formerly URBA 5305) |
Issues in Adolescent Health |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5306 (Formerly URBA 5603: Understanding Health Behavior) |
Psychosocial and Behavioral Epidemiology |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5307 |
Early Child Development: A Public Health Perspective |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5308 |
Public Health Preparedness and Response to Emergencies |
3 |
|
| CHSC 5310 (Formerly URBA 5502) |
Independent Study |
1-3 |
|
| CHSC 6020 |
Field Experience in Maternal and Child Health |
1-3 |
|
MPH Degree in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
Environmental health science is concerned with the study of the adverse impacts of physical, chemical, and biological agents in the environment on human health. To characterize the interface between human health and the environment, it is necessary to utilize a set of tools and methods to quantify or categorize exposure. The goal of the Environmental Health Track of the MPH at SUNY Downstate is to introduce students to the basic tools and competencies to identify, assess, and manage environmental health problems.
Track Objectives:
Characterize the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.
Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues.
Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.
Identify the tools for assessment, prevention, and control of environmental hazards that threaten human health and safety.
Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures. Discuss the general mechanisms of toxicity and toxic response to foreign chemicals in the body.
Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues related to problem solving in the environmental health sciences.
Develop a testable model of environmental insult.
Environmental & Occupational Health Track Core Requirements
All students enrolled in the Environmental & Occupational Health track must complete the track core requirements listed below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
EOHS 5201
|
Introduction to Management, Policy and Law
|
3
|
| EOHS 5202 |
Occupational Health |
3 |
| EOHS 5203 |
Built Environment & Public Health |
3 |
| EOHS 5205 |
Risk Assessment and Communication |
3 |
|
|
Total
12 |
Environmental & Occupational Health Electives
Students must complete 9 elective credits to satisfy the requirements for an MPH degree. Three courses may be chosen from the list below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
EOHS 5300 (Formerly:URBA 5306)
|
Injury and Violence Prevention |
3
|
| EOHS 5301 |
Principles of Industrial Hygiene |
3 |
| EOHS 5302 (Formerly:EOHS 5049: Women Health and the Environment) |
Women's Health Policy: Epidemiology & the Environment |
3 |
| EOHS 5303 |
Health Effects of Air Pollutants |
3 |
| EOHS 5304 |
Case Studies in Environmental Health |
3 |
| EOHS 5305 |
Principals of Food Safety |
3 |
| EOHS 5310 (Formerly: URBA 5502) |
Independent Study |
1-3 |
| EOHS 7204 |
Organization of Work, Occupational Stress, and Health |
3 |
MPH Degree Track in Epidemiology
This program will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out epidemiologic investigations of major public health issues affecting urban and immigrant populations. Didactic training and fieldwork emphasizes skill in the planning and implementation of epidemiologic study designs; the collection and analysis of data; the interpretation and presentation of findings and discussion of public health implications.
Track Objectives:
Identify types and sources of data used in epidemiologic research.
Describe trends and patterns of disease incidence, prevalence, burden of major diseases (both new and emerging) and factors affecting health status of immigrant and urban populations, and indicate major etiologic and prognostic factors for the same.
Interpret results of an epidemiologic study, including the relation to findings from other epidemiologic studies, limitations of the study and public health implications.
Understand the strengths and weaknesses of major methodological and analytical techniques used in epidemiology;
Appreciate the policy implications of epidemiologic research.
Develop testable hypotheses and set out relevant research questions and design and develop a feasible research proposal.
Exhibit practical skills, including subject selection, data collection, study logistics, construct a data set and analyze it using existing statistical software.
Prepare a paper for presentation or publication.
Communicate epidemiologic findings to lay and professional audiences.
Epidemiology Track Core Requirements
All students enrolled in the Epidemiology track must complete the track core requirements listed below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
Pre-requisite Courses |
EPID 5201
|
Epidemiologic Research Methods |
3
|
|
| EPID 5202 |
Infectious Disease Epidemiology |
3 |
Biostatistics, Epidemiology |
| EPID 5203 (Formerly: URBA 5302) |
Chronic Disease Epidemiology |
3 |
|
| EPID 5204 (Formerly: Statistical Computer Applications in Epidemiology) |
Biomarkers and Epidemiology |
3 |
|
|
|
Total
12 |
|
Epidemiology Electives
Students must complete 9 elective credits to satisfy the requirements for an MPH degree. Three courses may be chosen from the list below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| EPID 5300 |
Cancer Epidemiology |
3
|
| EPID 5301 |
Reproductive Epidemiology |
3 |
| EPID 5302 |
Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS |
3 |
| EPID 5303 |
Nutritional Epidemiology |
3 |
| EPID 5304 (Formerly: EOHS 7304) |
GIS and Public Health |
3 |
| EPID 5305 |
Epidemiology of Aging |
3 |
| EPID 5310 (Formerly: URBA 5502) |
Independent Study |
1-3 |
MPH Degree Track in Health Policy and Management
The goal of this track is to prepare students to be leaders in the area of health policy and management. The over $2 billion spent on health care in the United States requires serious and competent stewardship. It is imperative that those who will be managers of health institutions and organizations and those who will develop and implement policy changes understand how the system came to be; how it currently operates and functions; and the likely scenarios for change in the future and their implications. This track seeks to produce individuals within the field of public health who can provide leadership in health care organizations and institutions; and who can plan and evaluate management and policy strategies for health organizations and institutions.
Track Objectives:
To understand how the health care system in the United States is organized, financed, and managed.
To understand how the health care system in the United States differs from those in other countries both advanced and developing and to understand the burden of health care.
To understand the different roles and functions of the various elements of the health care system in the U.S. including the public health system, the acute care system, the long term care system, and the mental health system.; and to understand the points of convergence and difference between these systems.
To grasp the historical and political development of health and health care in the United States to prepare students for changes that might occur in the future.
To understand and effectively communicate health management strategies and health policy approaches to important constituencies such as staff, government leaders, legislators, trustees and directors, media sources and the larger health policy and management community.
Health Policy and Management Track Core Requirements
All students enrolled in the Health Policy and Management track must complete the track core requirements listed below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| HPMG 5202 |
Health Care Advocacy and Politics |
3 |
| HPMG 5203 |
Health Management Concepts |
3 |
| HPMG 5204 (Formerly: Access, Availability and Quality of Care) |
Access, Cost and Quality of Care |
3 |
| HPMG 5205 |
Health Economics |
3 |
|
|
Total
12 |
Health Policy and Management Electives
Students must complete 9 elective credits to satisfy the requirements for an MPH degree. Three courses may be chosen from the list below.
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| HPMG 5201 |
Health Policy in the Delivery System |
3 |
| HPMG 5300 |
Health Care Finance |
3
|
| HPMG 5301 |
Tools of Government |
3 |
| HPMG 5302 |
Pharmaceuticals and the Health Care System |
3 |
| HPMG 5303 |
Managing in Complex Organization |
3 |
| HPMG 5304 |
Health Care Reform |
3 |
| HPMG 5305 |
Organizational Change in Health Care |
3 |
| HPMG 5310 (Formerly: URBA 5502) |
Independent Study |
1-3 |
CULMINATING EXPERIENCE
All MPH students entering the program as of Summer 2009 must complete a 1-credit Field Experience and a 2-credit Culminating Experience.
PUBH 6500: Field Experience 1 credit
This course is an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom directly in a fieldwork experience. After completion of an online module on professionalism, the student will work at an approved external site, typically a local or state health agency or a local organization under the supervision of a public health professional. If a student is able to do a placement only in his or her regular place of employment, the assignment must extend beyond or be something other than his or her regular work duties and allow application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.
PUBH 6001: Culminating Experience 2 credits
The Culminating Experience allows the student to demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and skills in a Final Project similar to some aspect of practice as a public health professional. The faculty uses the Culminating Experience to judge whether the student demonstrates proficiency in the competencies required for public health practice.
PUBH 6000: Culminating Experience Planning Seminar 1 credit
For those who matriculated before June 2009, the CE Planning Seminar gives students an opportunity to create a plan for their Culminating Experience. The CE may take several forms based on the student’s academic interests, the track in which he/she is enrolled, and his/her plans after graduation.
Non-Health Professional Student Requirement
In addition to the MPH Core Requirements, Track Core Requirements, and Electives students who are non-health professionals must complete the following course:
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| PUBH 5102 (Formerly URBA 5002) |
Health Care Across the Lifespan |
3
|
TOTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS: 30 (for health professional students) or 33 (for non-health professional students)
Course Exemptions
1. |
The course listed under “Non-Health Professional Student Requirements” is waived for students who are pursuing a concurrent degree in a health profession at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. |
2. |
Individuals who do not meet these criteria but who wish to receive course exemptions must demonstrate competency in the areas of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, pathophysiology, as well as clinical competency, by taking and passing a written examination in each course: Health Care Across the Life Span – 3 credits. |
3. |
Those who wish to take the exemption examination must pay a fee of $50.00 per credit of the course from which they are exempting. If the individual passes the examination, she or he will have those credits applied to the total number of credits required for successful completion of the course of study. Those who do not pass the examination, must take that course and pay the full tuition for the course as well as the exemption examination fee of $50.00 per credit. |
Professional Development Courses.
(All entering students are required to take placement exams in writing and mathematics. Students who pass these exams are exempted from each of the following courses respectively.)
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| PUBH 5100 (Formerly: URBA 5003) |
Writing with Power |
2 |
| PUBH 5101 (Formerly: URBA 5004) |
Mastering Math |
1
|
Transfer Credits
Please note that only a total of six (9) credits can be transferred in or exempted for the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health.
—Nine (9) credits of approved course work that has not been used to complete a degree at another university can be transferred to credits for the SUNY Downstate MPH degree, OR
—Six (6) credits of an approved course that has not been used to complete a degree at another university and three (3) credits of a passed exemption examination for non-health professionals in the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate.
Credit transfers must be approved by the Program Dean or Vice Dean. The student must furnish
official, written proof of the course content equivalency.
