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School of Public Health

DrPH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

DrPH CORE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: Each course represents 3 credits for a total of 12.

BIOS 7200: Quantitative Research Methods for Public Health Practice (3)

This course uses an epidemiologic approach to analyze population-based studies drawn from secondary data to assist in public health decision-making. Students will work with national public datasets to address issues surrounding the analysis of epidemiologic research questions. Scientific and policy implications of the research will be addressed and the translation of results into programs and policies will be examined.

EPID 7200: Observational Study Design in Public Health Practice (3)

This advanced level course is designed to provide students with expertise in the principles and analytic methods used in epidemiologic studies. Topics covered at the introductory level are examined in more depth and breadth, with an emphasis on issues in the design, conduct and interpretation of observational epidemiologic studies. This course examines common problems in observational epidemiologic studies, including the cross-sectional, case-control and cohort study designs. Concepts of exposure and disease definitions, matching, bias, confounding, effect modification and other sources of potential errors in interpreting the validity of results from epidemiologic studies will be addressed.

HPMG 7200: Public Health Management and Ethics (3)

The Institute of Medicine has called for a public health leadership that "defines vision, focuses effort, optimizes resources, builds and sustains systems, facilitates communication and learning, fosters productive relationships and attends to success, planning, and knowledge transfer." This seminar seeks to equip students with these public health management and ethical skills across a wide range of practice settings. Emphasis will be given to cross-disciplinary approaches to addressing and resolving public health problems through the development of key management and leadership skills. Special attention is given to ethical considerations in strategic planning, decision-making and problem solving, and the requirements governing the conduct of human research. Course content will be a mix of case studies and in-class presentations from students and invited guests.

HPMG 7205: Interdisciplinary Leadership Seminar in Public Health (3)

This seminar engages students in rigorous discussion of key public health issues and challenges locally and globally. The emphasis is on developing cross-disciplinary approaches and the leadership necessary to address them. Faculty from all the core program areas will participate along with invited guests from the public and private sector. Doctoral students are encouraged to participate in the seminar throughout their graduate studies.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES CORE COURSES (12 credits)

CHSC 7201: Qualitative Methods in Health Promotion (3)

This course offers advanced training in qualitative methods and analysis. Students will explore a range of qualitative research methods, including participant observation, unobtrusive methods, in-depth interviewing, and focus groups. They will carry out hands-on observation and interviewing during the course and will receive feedback from the instructor and other class participants. Research design issues will be discussed along with the use of qualitative data for health education theory building and program planning. Readings draw on different methodological guidelines, including Grounded Theory approaches.

CHSC 7202: Methods of Community Intervention and Research: (3)

Active academic and community partnerships are vital for improvements in community health and for reducing health-related disparities.

Thie course will review key methods for engaging in community-based research, will involve students in active discussion and debate regarding current issues in the conduct of community-based research, and will provide an interdisciplinary perspective on how these approaches are applied across public health disciplines.

CHSC 7203: Program Evaluation: Theory, Practice, and Research (3)

This course focuses on the application of program evaluation models and approaches. Addresses formative and summative evaluation strategies for health promotion programs, and incorporates decision-making surrounding the use of quantitative and qualitative methods of assessment. Examines the planning of evaluation, construction of instruments and strategies of measurement, and methods of effective data collection, management, and analysis.

CHSC 7204: Seminar in Health Promotion (3)

This course is an in-depth exploration of topics and issues related to the design and conduct of health promotion programs and accompanying evaluations, with a focus on programs that seek to address disparities in health outcomes and public resource allocation. Students will develop expertise on a specified topic of interest, will develop a detailed multi-level analysis of a specific risk factor, and will critically analyze the evidence-base for programs designed to reduce identified risk factors.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES FIELD EXPERIENCE (3 credits)

PUBH 6500: Field Experience (3)

Students will gain in-depth work experience through supervised internships relevant to the student's career plans. The field practice is selected jointly by the student and the faculty advisor, and will involve opportunities to apply skills related to program planning, implementation, and/or evaluation as applied to behavior change efforts.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES ELECTIVE COURSES: 2 elective courses, at 3 credits, each for a total of 6 credits

CHSC 7300: Models and Theories of Health Behavior (3)

The course will involve an examination and critique of current and evolving models of health promotion and behavior change. An emphasis on this course will be the selection and utilization of health behavior theories to the design, measurement, and evaluation of public health interventions. Students will gain skills in the application of major individual, social, and community-level approaches to behavior change.

CHSC 7301: Psychosocial and Behavioral Epidemiology (3 credits)

This course provides an in-depth exploration into the social, psychological, and behavioral issues that influence patterns of health and health care delivery. The focus is on the integration of the biomedical, social, psychological, and behavioral factors that must be taken into consideration when public health initiatives are developed and implemented. The course will also include the application of epidemiologic methods to the study of social, psychological, and behavioral influences on health, disease, and recovery/mortality. Students will explore in depth both micro and macro level determinants of a public health issue and explore themes of social justice as it pertains to public health disparities.

CHSC 7302: Health Communication Theory and Practice (3 credits)

This course will examine how health communication theory, marketing, and theories of behavior can be utilized to construct health communications that have the greatest impact on public health. Students will gain exposure to the practice and theory involved in communication design through critiques of health promotion interventions and campaigns and through development of communications to address public health issues.

CHSC 7303: Survey Research Methods (3 credits)

This course provides students with knowledge and skills in the design, sampling, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results of surveys.

Lectures will focus on designing and assessing the items used to assess risk and protective factors and related public health outcomes. Students will have the opportunity to design measures and to assess survey data using statistical software packages.

CHSC 7304: Culture, Class, and Ethnicity in Health Promotion (3 credits)

This course is a series of experiential training exercises to develop skills for practitioners who will conduct interventions or research with target populations of various cultures, social classes, and ethnicities. Emphasis is on critical awareness of the practitioner's own values and presumptions, historical experiences of abuse in public health programs, in-depth understanding of the values and perspective of target populations, and the development of leaders from within the target population.

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ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES CORE COURSES: Four courses of 3 credits each for a total of 12 credits

EOHS 7201: Molecular Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Toxicology (3)

This course presents the techniques used in genetic and molecular epidemiology. Emphasizes the scientific basis of molecular epidemiology and provides examples of the application of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and toxicology to the study of chronic disease etiology and its public health application. Topics to be covered include fundamental concepts of genetics; study designs and methods of statistical analysis used to evaluate the role of genetic inheritance in the occurrence of human disease; techniques to determine the location of the gene(s) and allele responsible for a disease; ethical implications of genetic research and databanks; common genetic diseases and their control; and use of genetic and molecular techniques in human exposure assessment.

EOHS 7202: Advanced Topics in Risk Assessment and Management (3)

This course reviews the core foundations of risk assessment including hazard identification, dose response, exposure assessment, and risk characterization and provides practical experience in the study of risk management. Students will have the opportunity to explore in-depth how risk assessment and management serve as an interface between science and policy, and how risk communication can present ethical challenges to public health practitioners. Specific case studies will focus on risk management and communication issues in urban and immigrant populations.

EOHS 7203: Environmental Health Policy and Management Systems (3)

This course examines the social, political, and legal foundations of the policy and management of current environmental health issues. This course focuses on environmental and occupational health laws, regulations, and guidance concerning air and water pollution, pesticide and toxic chemical manufacture and use, worker protection, disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and worker and community right-to-know issues. Students will gain a thorough understanding of existing occupational and environmental health management systems and regulatory requirements and through structured assignments and presentations will understand local and international environmental and occupational health issues, environmental justice, workers compensation, and state/federal agencies in a systems framework.

EOHS 7204: Organization of Work, Occupational Stress, and Health (3)

This course provides an in-depth evaluation of current topics related to psychosocial occupational and environmental health. The application of public health principles and decision-making processes will be discussed in relation to the prevention of injury and disease, health promotion and protection of worker populations from psychosocial occupational and environmental hazards.

Environmental Health Sciences Field Practice - One practice course of 3 credits

The field experience provides depth to the core DrPH by reinforcing the didactic core coursework through structured field practice. It acts as a bridge to the dissertation research through application of research methods learned in the core courses to environmental health situations that address urban and immigrant health issues in the local community. Under the guidance of the instructor and in collaboration with community environmental health project leaders, students will have a structure hands-on experience that will call upon core skills in survey/evaluation research, monitoring and health analysis. Students will be expected to produce an environmental assessment and to communicate the findings to community participants.

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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES ELECTIVE COURSES: Two courses of 3 credits each for a total of 6 credits

EOHS 7300: Advanced Topics in Occupational Health (3)

Surveys the history of occupational health, the continuum from exposure to disease, the hierarchy of controls in the workplace, occupational health hazards, legal and regulatory issues, provision of occupational health services, and methods in comprehensive workplace health improvement. A series of case studies will examine local, national, and global issues and will provide practical up-to-date knowledge in assessing and solving occupational health problems.

EOHS 7301: Emerging Issues in Local, National and Global Environmental Health (3)

Examines current and emerging environmental health issues such as water pollution, sanitation, urban poverty, war, pollution, food security, pesticides, hazardous waste, economic globalization, global warming, and energy usage. This course will explore the connections between these issues and public policies in developing and developed countries alike as well as the implications for the health of urban and immigrant groups.

EOHS 7302: Disaster Preparedness and Response (3)

Provides a framework for the critical evaluation and management of current environmental health issues related to disaster management. Topics include disaster preparedness and response to such threats as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, infectious disease, toxic spills, explosions, and terrorist attacks. Students will be prepared for collaborative, multi-sectorial response by learning the principles of risk assessment, modern surveillance techniques, planning, preparation, public education, incident command, and mitigation through a series of case studies. The legal, ethical and financial aspects of disaster preparedness and response will receive special attention.

EOHS 7303: Environmental Health Law (3)

Examines the constitutional, legal, and historical foundations of programs and processes aimed at protecting human health and the environment and equips students to understand the organizations, forces and governmental institutions that drive formulation and implementation of public policies at the local, state, federal, and international level. Focuses on environmental and occupational health laws, regulations and guidance, including those concerning air and water pollution, pesticide and toxic chemical manufacture and use, worker protection, disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, citizen suits, and worker and community right-to-know. Addresses international environmental and occupational health issues, environmental justice, property rights, workers compensation, land use issues, state/federal responsibilities, and administrative agencies. Explores public sector perspectives including local health departments and private sector perspectives including corporate responsibility.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY CORE COURSES: Four courses of 3 credits each for a total of 12 credits

EPID 7201: Advanced Epidemiological Research Methods I (3)

This course explores the nature of causal inferences in epidemiology, and the methods by which they may be determined. Most sessions involve student presentations of relevant examples from the epidemiologic literature to illustrate concepts and methods, followed by general discussion. Topics to be covered include assessing bias, confounding and interaction, dealing with threats to validity and issues of reporting and application of epidemiologic results.

EPID 7202: Advanced Epidemiological Research Methods II (3)

This course uses the SAS statistical software package to perform advanced quantitative methods used in the analysis of case-control studies and cohort studies. Students will acquire experience with the following types of data analysis: stratification, Mantel-Haenszel methods, survival and life tables, Kaplan-Meier methods, logistic regression, Poisson regression, Cox regression (proportional hazards), and generalized estimating equations (GEE).

EPID 7203: Principles of Surveillance and Disease Control (3)

Public health surveillance is the continuous systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. Success depends upon the timely dissemination of these data to practitioners trained in interventions that prevent and control disease. This course reviews the major epidemiological surveillance programs, such as the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, and newer approaches like syndromic surveillance. Students will have hands-on experience in utilizing selected datasets and will be expected to demonstrate competence in the accessing and management database systems.
Prerequisites: BIOS 5200, EPID 7200, EPID 7202

EPID 7204: Reading Seminar in Epidemiology (3)

Issues and controversies in public health will be explored through the careful analysis of epidemiological literature, with an emphasis on analytical approaches, study strengths and limitations and implications for public health policy. Students will be expected to actively contribute to classroom discussion and will be required to participate in the selection of readings and the leading of discussions. A critical written review on a relevant topic will be required.

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EPIDEMIOLOGY ELECTIVE COURSES: Two courses of 3 credits each for a total of 6 credits

EPID 7300: Epidemiology of Communicable Disease (3)

This course reviews the use of epidemiologic methods in the assessment of selected communicable diseases of national and international importance. Students focus on methods of transmission, the role of surveillance, and methods of control and prevention. Specific disease examples to be covered will include: tuberculosis, HIV, legionellosis, SARS, influenza, measles, Lyme disease, syphilis, as well as nosocomial, food-borne, and enteric infections. The principles of controlling antibiotic-resistant organisms will receive special attention. Students use case studies to practice the skills necessary for an outbreak investigation and other common procedures in this field.
Prerequisites: BIOS 5200, EPID 5200, EPID 7204

EPID 7301: Molecular Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Toxicology (3)

This course presents the techniques used in genetic and molecular epidemiology. Emphasizes the scientific basis of molecular epidemiology and provides examples of the application of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and toxicology to the study of chronic disease etiology and its public health application. Topics to be covered include fundamental concepts of genetics; study designs and methods of statistical analysis used to evaluate the role of genetic inheritance in the occurrence of human disease; techniques to determine the location of the gene(s) and allele responsible for a disease; ethical implications of genetic research and databanks; common genetic diseases and their control; and use of genetic and molecular techniques in human exposure assessment.
Prerequisites: EPID 7201, EPID 7202

EPID 7302: Cancer Epidemiology (3)

This course reviews the concepts and methodological issues in epidemiologic studies of cancer etiology and control. Students learn the molecular and cellular basis of cancer, the role of experimental studies in assessing human risk, the classification and nomenclature of human cancer and the morphology, as well as the natural history and etiologic importance of precursor lesions. Students will examine in depth a variety of types of cancer of public health significance and discuss the role of public health practitioners in cancer control and cancer screening.

EPID 7303: Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3)

This course focuses on the epidemiologic concepts and methods appropriate to the study of chronic (mostly non-infectious) diseases and diseases of unknown etiology. Students will compare the approaches in descriptive, analytic, and experimental epidemiology for chronic disease with those for acute infectious diseases. Students will develop an extensive understanding of the epidemiologic, etiologic, pathophysiologic, and clinical features of important prevalent and emerging chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, chronic obstructive lung disease, neurologic disorders, and mental illness. The class will examine risk assessment and applied epidemiologic methods to prevent or limit specific chronic diseases.

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HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT CORE COURSES

HPMG 7201: Advanced Organization and Finance (3)

This course will examine in great detail the organization and finance of health and health care in the United States and other countries. Health care systems and networks, academic health centers, public hospital systems, and public health infrastructure will be particular areas of analysis as will managed care finance and high deductible health insurance plans.

HPMG 7202: Strategic Management and Planning (3)

This course will examine recent trends in health system development to allow students to gain a greater understanding of the external environment that is shaping health care delivery as well as the best practices in management techniques and performance. Pay for Performance (PfP) and Never Event Carve Out experiments will be examined as well.

HPMG 7203: Health Care Reimbursement (3)

This course will examine in great detail the Medicare and Medicaid programs and how they reimburse health care institutions. Particular focus will be placed on capital reimbursement, Disproportionate Share (DSH) Payments, Intergovernmental Transfers (IGT), bad debt and charity care programs, and health care charges.

HPMG 7204: Health Care Workforce

This course will allow students to understand the history and development of the physician, nursing, and allied health fields and the major issues confronting the health care workforce in the United States.

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HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ELECTIVE COURSES: 3 elective courses at 3 credits each for a total of 9 credits

HPMG 7300: Health Care Law and Ethics (3)

This course will review the fundamentals of the legal system in the United States and review major laws that relate to health care. It will cover medical malpractice issues as well as tort law and its reform. Biomedical ethical issues including stem cell research, abortion, genetic engineering, end-of-life and DNR, and other topical issues will also be covered.

HPMG 7301: Health Care Quality (3)

This course will look at ways of measuring the quality of health and medical care provided in the United States. Ways for organizations and institutions to improve quality and reduce errors will be explored.

HPMG 7302: Program Evaluation (3)

This course will teach students how to evaluate programs and policies. Students will learn how to set up and undertake and evaluation and how to evaluate the results of program evaluations to lead to better performance.

HPMG 7303: Inequalities in Health and Health Care (3)

This course will look at the growing literature on the impact of income inequalities on health care outcomes on a national and sub-national basis. The implications of growing inequalities will be examined as well as methods for reducing inequalities.

HPMG 7304: Outcomes Research Methods (3)

This course will examine the methodologies most commonly used to understand differences in health care outcomes and ways of communicating this information to patients, doctors, and the community at large.

HPMG 7305: Pharmaceuticals and the Health Care System (3)

This course will examine how the growth of pharmaceuticals impacts the health care budget and the ways in which disease is treated. The course will cover the pharmaceutical industry and its influence on the policy process, the path of drugs through the clinical trials and FDA process, and the ways in which drugs are marketed to physicians and the public.

HPMG 7306: Issues in Global Health and Health Care (3)

This course will look at health and health care in under-developed countries and study the major causes of ill health and ways of improving it. It will focus on topics such as Malaria, AIDS, Clean water supply and sanitation; and other issues. It will also examine the work of major international financing organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and global health care philanthropies such as the Gates Foundation and the Global Health Initiative.

HPMG 7307: International Health/Comparative Health Systems (3)

This course will examine the health systems of a variety of advanced and less advanced countries around the world in a comparative framework. Lessons for the United States will be stressed.

HPMG 7308: Health Care Disparities (3)

This course will examine the racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in different diseases and treatments in the United States. The focus will be on ways to remediate disparities and the role that different health organizations can play in this process.

HPMG 7309: Topics in Healthcare Organization and Management (3)

This course will examine new developments in health care organization and the management of health care services.

HPMG 7310: Health Information Technology and Electronic Medical Records (3)

This course will explore the growth of health information technology and electronic medical records. Issues of proprietary development, interoperability, promotion of use, and privacy and confidentiality issues will be discussed.

HPMG 7311: Health Care Regulation (3)

The health care system in the United States is one of the most heavily regulated of all industries. This course will examine local, state, and federal regulatory agencies and activities to give students a perspective on the dimensions of regulation and the impact of regulation on the production of services. Infectious disease reporting, CON, the FDA, EMTALA, and hospital and nursing home inspection will be covered.

HPMG 7312: Planning for Health Services (3)

This course will focus on the techniques of planning for public health and health care services. It will include analysis of population growth, need for services, alternative delivery models and their impact, and adjustments to current supply of services.

HPMG 7313: Long Term Care (3)

The long term health care system in the United States will be explored including nursing homes, home care, and assisted living and related facilities. The growth of the elderly population and the need for services will be examined.

HPMG 7314: Mental Health Care and Services (3)

The mental health care system in the United States will be covered in this course. Institutional as well as community-based services will be explored as well as new options for treatment and care.

HPMG 7315: Health Care Capital (3)

The role of capital in health care will be analyzed in this course. Means of gaining access to capital, health care capital financing, and bond and mortgage availability will be examined.

HPMG 7320: Independent Study (1-3)

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FIELD EXPERIENCE

PUBH 6500: Field Experience - 1 course of 3 credits

Provides depth to the core DrPH by reinforcing the didactic core coursework through structure field practice and acts as a bridge to the dissertation research through application of research methods learned in the core courses to actual public health epidemiological practice.

Under the guidance of the instructor and in collaboration with governmental or community resources, students will have a structured hands-on experience. Examples of potential sites are: hospital departments of infection control or tumor registries; the New York State Department of Health Zoonoses Program; the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene HIV Epidemiology Program. Students will be expected to write a written report on the experience and to make a professional presentation of their experience at the interdisciplinary Doctoral Departmental seminar.

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Qualifying Examination including Written and Oral Sections:

 

DrPH DISSERTATION

PUBH 8001: DrPH Dissertation

The DrPH dissertation is a twelve-credit experience extending, on average, over a three year period. The topic of the dissertation must address a significant public health problem in the student's specialty area.

Dissertation Development

The student, having advanced to candidacy, has one (1) year to develop his/her dissertation proposal and defend it before his/her dissertation committee and the public. The proposal must contain the following elements:

  • Study Aims and Hypothesis
  • Relevant Review of the Literature
  • Design and Methods complete with statistical analysis
  • Protection of Participants
  • Proposed Timeline

The dissertation must represent the original thinking and analysis of the student. It does not necessarily require the collection of new data; but it must demonstrate that the candidate is capable of independent scientific analysis at an advanced professional level.

Oral Presentation of Proposed Dissertation Topic: No credit

There will also be an oral presentation of the dissertation topic - no more than 30 minutes -- by the student to his/her dissertation committee and the public. The presentation will be followed by questioning from the student's dissertation committee and the public. The purpose is to ascertain that the proposed work is appropriate and that the student has the adequate knowledge of the topic and the skills to complete the work successfully.

The Dissertation:

Throughout the development, implementation, and evaluation of the dissertation project, the student should meet regularly with his/her dissertation chair (student's advisor). As necessary, the student should also meet with other members of his/her committee to review specific portions of the proposal as appropriate to their expertise. Periodic revisions should be circulated to all members of the committee upon approval of the committee chair. Revisions should be noted in a cover memo to the committee members such that they will be kept up to date.

When the study is deemed completed and ready, final approval must be received, in writing, from the chair of the dissertation committee with agreement from all members of the committee. This process must be completed at least one (1) month prior to the proposed date for the study defense. With the designated approval, the defense date will then be scheduled.

The Defense

There are two (2) portions to the defense:

  • Public presentation of the student's research, 30 minutes, with questions and comments from attendees, followed by
  • Closed session with dissertation committee, and any members of the DrPH Program faculty, to discuss any particular details of the dissertation and/or defense.

Note that the committee may either accept without change the student's study or, alternately, require additional clarification regarding key points of the study. The dissertation (study) achieves final approval when all members of the committee agree that the written dissertation and presentation have been satisfactorily completed. The student is strongly encouraged to prepare the study for submission to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

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