Courses

Students entering the program are required to attend an orientation series at the beginning of the program. This series of meetings will focus on community building, doctoral expectations, and program design, among others. Pass/Fail. (1 unit; Online)

This course examines public health and healthcare policy. Students will discuss federal, state, and local health policies, how and why policies are developed, and how research, politics, and other social factors inform the health policy-making process. Attention is paid to the status of health reform, the role of the state and federal actors, and to the budgetary implications of health care spending. Theories and methods for analyzing health policy-making will be explored, with particular emphasis on unique aspects of health policy formulation, implementation, and modification. (4 units; Online)

This course focuses on the use of SPSS computer packages for analysis of statistical data. Students focus on choosing appropriate statistical procedures for analysis and interpreting SPSS output to answer specific research questions. Attention is also paid to ANOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, ANCOVA, and nonparametric tests with emphasis on understanding selection and application of statistical procedures and interpretation of computer output. Prerequisite: HSC 715. (4 units; Online)

This course focuses on the investigation of occurrence and consequences of disease in humans. The course develops upon the knowledge and abilities acquired in Principles and Methods of Epidemiology. The course also deals with the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies by providing students with experience in the evaluation of epidemiologic evidence, the assessment of epidemiologic data, and discussion of the strategies targeted at improving study validity and efficiency. (4 units; Online)

This course focuses on administration and management within healthcare organizational frameworks. The course examines principles and methods in organizational development with special emphasis on leading and implementing successful change efforts in healthcare organizations. Prerequisite: HSC 730. (4 units; Online)

This course examines the application of quantitative methods in designing instrument, sampling, and collecting data. The course focuses on the science of quantitative research, sources of invalidity, and literature review techniques. The course also focuses on developing research questions and testing hypotheses, identifying appropriate data collection techniques, setting research goals and objectives, quasi-experimental and experimental designs, and ethics in research. Emphasis is on understanding of the use of research methods and becoming an informed reader of scientific research articles and reports. Prerequisite: HSC 735. (4 units; Online)

This is an intensive analysis of theory, practice and ethics of qualitative research in the field of public health. In this course students will gain the skills, and techniques necessary to undertake advanced independent and corporate research using this methodology. The course addresses the application of the principles and strategies of qualitative data collection, interpretation, analysis and writing for, proposals, grants, publishing, storytelling and teaching in the field of public health. Prerequisite: HSC 745. (4 units; Online)

This data analysis course shows how to solve both simple and complex real-life data problems. Basic concepts including data preparation, accessing, cleaning, modeling, modification, visualization, analysis, and interpretation of results. This course focuses on the interpretation of SPSS output to answer specific research questions. Attention is also paid to analysis of ANOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, ANCOVA, and nonparametric tests. Prerequisite: HSC 760. (4 units; Online)

This course consists of structured and supervised professional experiences. Students will demonstrate foundational public health competencies through applied practice experiences in appropriate sites outside of academic and classroom settings. Approved sites may include governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial, university, wellness-center, or for-profit settings. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. (2 units; Online)

This course examines the anthropological, behavioral, cultural, economic, policy, psychological and social processes and factors that influence health. Evaluation of various social behavioral science principles, concepts, theories, models, approaches and research is applied in assessing both the onset and solutions for addressing public health problems. Pre- or Co- Requisite: HSC 710. (4 units; Online)

This course examines implementation of evaluation of public health programs and their effectiveness. As this course is designed to be grounded in public health practice, students will complete the course with the skills necessary to develop both a program and evaluation plan. Given the importance of public health planning and evaluation occurring within the context of interdisciplinary teams, students will also discuss and practice skills required for effective teamwork. Students will locate funding sources, write and review grant proposals, analyze requests for proposals, and use technology in grant seeking. Prerequisite: HSC 725. (4 units; Online)

This course examines complex global health challenges, threats, tensions, and multiple programmatic and policy responses adopted by low and middle income countries and communities. The course addresses a number of challenges, including but not limited to the global burden and distribution of disease and mortality, the determinants of health inequalities and vulnerabilities, infectious and non-communicable disease management and prevention, vulnerable populations and family health, food and nutrition, global health systems, sustainable development, global health interventions and policy outcomes. Prerequisite: HSC 740. (4 units; Online)

This course promotes competency in the application of public health program evaluation designs and models. Use of evidence-based tools for measuring health program inputs, quality, access and program results are examined. The course focuses on methods required for the development and selection of health measurement instruments, determination of validity and reliability of evaluation tools, identification of data collection protocols and methods, analysis and interpretation of results, and dissemination of evaluation findings. Prerequisite: HSC 750. (4 units; Online)

Students are required to attend a dissertation seminar series during year two of the program. This series of meetings will focus on community building, an introduction to the dissertation process and expectations, an introduction to various research and design elements, among others. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: HSC 735. (1 unit; Online)

Students are required to attend a dissertation seminar series during year two of the program. This series of meetings will focus on community building, a continuation of the dissertation preparation process and expectations, an introduction to IRB, and an overview of the doctoral dissertation topic approval process, among others. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: HSC 781. (1 unit; Online)

This course requires students to examine, apply and design research. Students will compare appropriate theoretical models, research designs, participants, procedures, data analysis techniques, assumptions and limitations in preparation for a doctoral proposal. Students will review literature and design a research question to develop research methods that appropriately address the problem being examined. Finally, students will defend their dissertation proposals to assess their preparation and scholarship leading to dissertation development. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: RCH 710 and permission of the Program Director. (4 units; Online)

Students will be guided through the research process after completing the dissertation proposal. This will include the development and completion of the dissertation. Students will work with their dissertation advisors both individually and in small groups. May be repeated for a maximum of twelve (12) units. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: HSC 795 and permission of the Program Director. (4 units; Online)

The dissertation defense will be a public oral examination open to all members (faculty, students and invited guests) of the University community. Questioning of the candidate will be directed by the student's dissertation supervising committee. Although the defense is concerned primarily with the dissertation research and its interpretation, the examining committee may explore the student's knowledge of areas relevant to the core of the dissertation problem. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: HSC 797 and permission of the Program Director. (1 unit; Online)