Public Health (Social and Behavioral Health), M.P.H.

Program Learning Outcomes

MPH Foundational:

1. Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice
2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice
5. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings
6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and systemic levels
7. Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health
8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs
9. Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention
10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs
12. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
13. Propose strategies to identify relevant communities and individuals and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
14. Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
16. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue
17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation to a non-academic, non-peer audience with attention to factors such as literacy and health literacy
20. Describe the importance of cultural humility in communicating public health content
21. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health
22. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative

MPH Social and Behavioral Health Specific:

1. Develop a grant proposal that addresses unmet needs of a population.
2. Analyze theories, concepts and models that are used in public health research and practice.
3. Apply theories in proposed interventions to address health issues in specific populations.
4. Demonstrate effective group facilitation skills.
5. Apply procedures for evaluation of public health programs and interventions.

Contact Information

Helen Harriff, Administrative Assistant
School of Public Health
(775) 682-8709
hharriff@unr.edu

Dr. Eric Crosbie, Graduate Director of Social and Behavioral Health
School of Public Health
(775) 682-8333
ecrosbie@unr.edu

Admissions Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words)
• Resume or CV: Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates evidence of professional and/or educational health-related experience.
• Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS test scores (required for students educated in a non-English speaking country only).
• Pre-requisites: (1) Completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics is required. Instead of a college course, Coursera Basic Statistics course (available online for free) can satisfy this requirement as well. The statistics requirement must be met before taking CHS 712 and CHS 780. (2) Students who do not have an undergraduate degree from an accredited public health program must take the Basics of Public Health course (offered online by the School of Public Health, 0 credits) before starting the MPH program.

The application deadline for the MPH program is June 1. However, to receive full consideration for graduate scholarship funding, applicants are encouraged to submit their application by February 1. Details on application components and processes can be found on the School of Public Health In-person MPH admissions process webpage.

I. Program Requirements

The MPH degree with a specialization in Social and Behavioral Health is a 42 unit minimum program that includes a core curriculum of 21 units in research methods, biostatistics, social/behavioral health, epidemiology, environmental health, and health policy and administration. In addition, all MPH students must complete a 3-unit capstone course and a 3-unit field studies course. Students must also complete 15 units of Social and Behavioral Health core courses and electives.

II. Total Units (42 units)