Year 1
Semester 1
This course introduces students to an overview of biostatistics and its role in the discipline of public health with an emphasis on statistical reasoning and methods. Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: College-level Statistics (i.e., Math 160) or the equivalent.
This course introduces students to an overview of the major issues in rural health. This course will also provide an understanding of the demographics, economics, policy and structure of the health care delivery systems in rural America, specifically North Carolina. Credit: 3
This seminar series is part of two semesters of seminars designed to provide insight into topical areas of public health. The seminar series provides a forum for interaction among students and faculty. Credit: 1
The course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and techniques of community health improvement and the roles of assessment and evaluation. This course emphasizes the application of statistical reasoning and methods, specifically dealing with large databases, as well as survey design, qualitative inquiry, and systems thinking tools. Credit: 3
This required course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their public health knowledge by gaining valuable skills and tacit knowledge through practical, hands-on application of content from other coursework in a real-world public health context. This course will involve a minimum of 60 hours per credit hour per semester. This course will be conducted under the guidance of a public health faculty and consultation with the preceptor. Credit: 1-3
Semester 2
This course introduces students to the United States health care system and examines the structure of the health care system including the policy process, program management and evaluation. Credit: 3
This course introduces students to an overview of epidemiology and its application to public health. This course emphasizes an introduction to the application of epidemiological methods. The primary goal of this course is to orient students to the field of epidemiology and foster an appreciation for the methods used to do observational studies in “real world” settings. Credit: 3
Prerequisite: College-level statistics course.
This course introduces students to an overview of conceptual theories that are the basis of social and behavioral sciences applied to public health, specifically health education. The course will also provide students with skills needed to understand individual and community behavior and change processes. Credit: 3
This seminar series is part of two semesters of seminars designed to provide insight into topical areas of public health. The seminar series provides a forum for interaction among students and faculty. Credit: 1
This required course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their public health knowledge by gaining valuable skills and tacit knowledge through practical, hands-on application of content from other coursework in a real-world public health context. This course will involve a minimum of 60 hours per credit hour per semester. This course will be conducted under the guidance of a public health faculty and consultation with the preceptor. Credit: 1-3
Year 2
Semester 3
This course explores understandings of the principles of community, justice, and equity. The goal of protecting the health of a population also raises fundamental questions including when to restrict the freedom of individuals in order to protect the health of the community and the duties or obligations citizens owe back to the larger community. These challenges are further compounded by the specific realities of community health in rural settings. This course examines where public health research and policy intersects with ethical issues and ethical dilemmas. Credit: 2
Prerequisite: PUBH 525 Overview of Rural Health and PUBH 580 Health Policy & Management
This course introduces students to an overview of basic concepts in environmental sciences, an understanding the health impact of various environmental exposures, and the public health approach to controlling and eliminating environmental health risks. Credit: 3
This required course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their public health knowledge by gaining valuable skills and tacit knowledge through practical, hands-on application of content from other coursework in a real-world public health context. This course will involve a minimum of 60 hours per credit hour per semester. This course will be conducted under the guidance of a public health faculty and consultation with the preceptor. Credit: 1-3
Available Courses
Available Courses
Semester 4
This course will serve as a capstone experience for public health students. Pre-requisite: All other required public health courses. PUBH 550 Perspectives in Environmental Health may be a co-requisite. Credit: 3
Available Courses
Available Courses
Available Courses
The minimum number of credits for the MSPH is 42 hours of credit. Every student must complete 32 hours of credit in the core curriculum. Additionally, students must complete 10 hours of elective credit to complete the degree requirements. While no student can earn a degree with less than 42 hours of credit, students in the dual degree programs can have up to 10 hours of relevant coursework credited toward the MSPH degree’s elective requirements. Approved dual degree elective courses can be found in the Academic Bulletin.