Courses

This course is an analysis of nutrition issues concerned with health and disease among the population. Biochemical, physiological and socioeconomic interactions will be evaluated as they relate to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs and research that affect the population as a whole. (3 units; Fall)

This course will introduce students to current and emerging issues in public health such as HIV/STD transmission, poverty, globalization, gun control, healthcare access, obesity, and others. Students will be expected to describe these controversies and discuss differing perspectives. Psychosocial and behavioral factors as they relate to these issues will be examined as well as the review and discussion of evidence-based prevention and intervention efforts. (3 units; Fall)

This course introduces leadership theories and principles and how they can be applied to public health. Students are introduced to different leadership styles and practices in preparatin for leadership and management roles in the field of public health. Through leadership analysis and case studies students will become familiar with leadership skills and competencies as well as applications in the diverse settings of public health. (3 units; Spring)

This course reviews various approaches to health promotion and disease prevention intervention strategies. The course is intended to be practical in nature, focusing on the logistics of intervention development and delivery and how these might vary across settings, behaviors, strategies/theories, and populations. Examples of intervention creation, delivery and effectiveness will be provided and the practical considerations necessary to produce, deliver, monitor, and disseminate an intervention with demonstrated effectiveness will be emphasized. (3 units; Summer)

This course examines the nature and extent of poverty primarily in the U.S. but with a comparative perspective (developed countries in Europe). It considers possible causes and consequences, and the antipoverty effects of existing and proposed policies. (3 units; As Offered)

This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills pertaining to the functions of strategic planning and marketing in the health care setting. These will be applied to the health care manager whose responsibilities center upon management functions other than an assignment as a planning or marketing specialist. Areas to be covered include an analysis of strategic planning and marketing theory emphasizing strategic planning concepts in an era of regulation and competition and a marketing orientation to designing the services offered by the health care organization. (3 units; As Offered)

Students explore and analyze current ethical issues such as biomedical research, insurance statutes, and demand management. Students survey the extensive legal foundations of health care, and apply current case law to contemporary situations. Topics include legal aspects of legislation, patient rights, data security, professional liability, and labor relations. (3 units; As Offered)

In this core course in financial management, students will learn the fundamentals of budgeting and accounting for public, health, and not-for-profit organizations. Through readings, lectures, real-world case studies, and assignments, students will gain an understanding of how to use financial information in organizational planning, implementation, control, reporting, and analysis. In addition, students will have the chance to develop their spreadsheet skills by using Excel to perform financial calculations and create financial documents. (3 units; As Offered)

This course provides an introduction to research methods that examines two major approaches in research paradigms. The course will study in depth different types of quantitative research designs such as experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive approaches and students will initiate a research project that investigates behavior, knowledge, or attitudes factors that help students to understand the complexity of behavior change through the use of qualitative and quantitative data. Prerequisite: HSC 544 or STA 544. (3 units; Summer)

This course will provide students with an in-depth review of principles of research and analytic methods. Emphasis will be placed on conceptualization of research questions, evaluation of research designs, sample size, issues related to potential threats to validity, and analyticical plans. Course topics will include collection of primary data and the use of secondary data. Students will develop their thesis/project proposal and will be expected to implement their proposed research throughout the course. (3 units; Spring)

This Capstone course is designed to be a culminating exercise for students to reflect upon, evaluate, and assimilate knowledge and experience they gained by participating in a research or project opportunity prior to or concurrent with this course. Following Research Methods, sequentially, this course continues the student’s development of the research and reflective experience initiated in Research Methods. Students in the capstone will prepare a presentation (both oral and written) that focuses on that experience. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. (2 units; Fall/Summer)

The practicum course consists of a minimum of 150 hours of structured and supervised professional experience in an international setting in which students will receive academic credit. As a working partnership between students and public health agencies, the practicum offers students hands-on experience in an area of public health with the goal of furthering students’ practical experience while enhancing the work of public health. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate an integration of coursework into a real-world, international setting. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director.(3 units; Spring/Summer)

The practicum is a structured and supervised professional experience with an approved agency for which students receive academic credit. As a working partnership between students and public health agencies, the practicum offers students hands-on experience in an area of public health with the goal of furthering students' practical experience while enhancing the work of public health. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate an integration of coursework into a real-world setting. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair. (3 units; Spring/Summer)