Master of Public Health

Courses

ND 501: Introduction to Public Health

Credits 2

This course provides students with an overview of the field of public health. Students explore major topics that include public health competencies, careers in public health, health disparities, cultural competence, and public health ethics.

ND 502: Principles of Epidemiology

Credits 3

ND 502 introduces the basic principles and applications of epidemiology. Epidemiology is one of the pillars of public health. This course describes the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations, and introduces students to the theory, methods, and body of knowledge of epidemiology.

ND 503: Introduction to Biostatics

Credits 3

This course introduces statistical concepts and analytical methods as applied to data encountered in biomedical sciences. It emphasizes the basic concepts of experimental design, quantitative analysis of data, and statistical inferences. 

ND 504: Principles of Environmental Health

Credits 3

This course presents concepts, principles, and applications that form the basis of environmental health. It describes the sources, pathways of exposure, and methods of control of the principal physical, chemical, biologic, and sociologic factors that impact human health in ambient, indoor and occupational environments.

ND 505: Principles of Health Behavior

Credits 3

This course examines the psycho-social, behavioral, and educational principles that determine health behavior. It describes the philosophical, ethical and theoretical foundations of health education in schools, community, worksite and hospital settings.

ND 506: Principles of Health Administration

Credits 3

ND 506 describes the application of administrative theory to health delivery, policy, and planning, and examines the structures and functions of management and their application in public health.

ND 507: Fitness and Health Promotion

Credits 2

Fitness and Health Promotion discusses the role that fitness plays in promoting personal and community health, and the challenges involved in achieving personal fitness and weight management.

ND 508: Grant Writing

Credits 2

Overview of the basic principles and practice of effective health education and health promotion grant writing. Provides guidance for identifying potential funding sources and writing a grant proposal that is ready for submission.

ND 509: Vegetarian Nutrition and Wellness

Credits 3

This course examines the role of plant-based diets and exercise in health promotion and prevention of major chronic diseases. Discussion focuses on current issues in nutrition and wellness, including complimentary alternative approaches. 

ND 510: Ethnic Food Practices

Credits 3

Introduction to major ethnic and religious food practices in the United States. Empowers students to provide culturally relevant service to individuals and communities.

ND 511: Program Planning and Evaluation in the Community and Lab

Credits 4

This course introduces principles of program development and evaluation. Students examine the development of a health promotion and education program with an evaluation component for community groups. Major topics include community needs and assets assessment, program planning, implementation and evaluation of a program. 

ND 512: Assessment of Nutritional Status

Credits 3

Techniques of individual nutrition assessment such as dietary intake and evaluation, use of computer software anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical methodologies, principles and practice in nutrition counseling in a supervised community setting are discussed in this course. 

ND 518: Health Disparities and Minority Health

Credits 3

This course is an exploration of the determinants of the disparities in health and healthcare in the 9 United States, and multi-level strategies aimed at reducing those disparities. 

ND 601: Research Seminar

Credits 1

An exploration of the determinants of the disparities in health and healthcare in the United States, and multi-level strategies aimed at reducing those disparities. 

ND 602: Capstone Research Project

Credits 3

The Capstone project is a requirement for graduation for students in the MPH program. It is an opportunity for students to work on public health practice projects that are of interest to them. Completion of the capstone project requires both written and oral components. The capstone is completed in the last semester of the program. The project is done under the direction of a capstone project advisor.

ND 603: Practicum

Credits 3

The practicum is designed to provide MPH students with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills developed during their academic program in a structured, supervised, real- world professional setting under the direction of a site supervisor (preceptor) in a public health or social service agency and program faculty. This course requires a project proposal approved by the department and a final report. Minimum: 135 hours.