The social and behavioral health emphasis prepares professionals from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and interests (e.g., medicine, nursing, allied health, social work, psychology, dentistry, physician assistant, health education, nutrition, etc.) to assume public health positions. Students in this emphasis have an interest in maintaining and improving the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
The social and behavioral health emphasis uses a multidisciplinary approach and focuses on social, cultural, political, and economic factors that influence health status and health related behaviors of individuals and groups. The curriculum concentrates on strategies for the promotion of health and the prevention of disease in populations through public health policy and interventions in the context of social structure, community, family, and health care systems. Traditionally, program graduates have assumed positions in both public and private work settings. The MPH program can serve as preparation for doctoral studies.
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