Mission Statement
The mission of this program is to prepare graduates to work in the challenging fields of health promotion and disease prevention, with a focus on health communication, community organization and development, health education, health advocacy and evaluation of related public health campaigns. In addition, students receive training in relation to evaluation and research methodologies. The MPH program provides those interested in working among disadvantaged populations within the United States and in developing countries the opportunity to build such learning experiences directly into the MPH degree program.
Program Description
The solution to many of today's public health problems requires some type of behavioral change. Increasingly, health practitioners are looking to the field of health education and health communication for methods to adapt behavioral science principles to the solution of selected health problems. The program is designed to prepare graduates to work in the challenging fields of health promotion and disease prevention, with a focus on health communication, community organization and development, health education, health advocacy and evaluation of related public health campaigns. In addition, students receive training in relation to evaluation and research methodologies. The MPH program provides those interested in working among disadvantaged populations within the United States and in developing countries the opportunity to build such learning experiences directly into the MPH degree program. To this end, students receive training that will enable them to demonstrate skills in:
- analyzing a health problem from a behavioral point of view;
- planning health education/communication programs for specific populations and in a variety of settings;
- collaborating with others in planning, implementing and evaluating programs;
- selecting and using appropriate and ethical health education and communication methods;
- coordinating health education services and providing consultation, training, and technical assistance in health education or communication;
- identifying, obtaining, and managing resources to implement and evaluate health Education and Communication programs;
- carrying out research and evaluation of health Education and Communication programs.
Program Competencies
It is expected that students will acquire the core public health competencies through successful completion of the school core courses. The expected terminal knowledge and skills provided by the program and expected of the student in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences will vary by student because of the self-direction inherent in this program. It is expected, however, with the guidance by an advisor, that students will be well-versed in planning and evaluating community programs (GCHB 6110 and GCHB 6120), have the knowledge and skills required for community-based work, and obtain hands-on experience in community-based work by completing a community-based practicum.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:
- Incorporate knowledge of the Public Health core areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health systems management, and the biological, social, and cultural aspects of health and disease in addressing and solving problems. (EPID 6030; BIOS 6030; GEHS 6030; GHSD 6030; TRMD 6010; GCHB 6030)
- Assess individual and community needs for health education/communication. (GCHB Courses: 6110, 6120, 7130, 6210, 6220, 6350, 6360, 6800, 6820)
- Plan health education/communication strategies, interventions, and programs. (GCHB Courses: 6110, 7130, 6210, 6220, 6260, 6350, 6360, 6810, 6820)
- Implement health education/communication strategies, interventions, and programs. (GCHB Courses: 6110, 7130, 6210, 6220, 6260, 6350, 6360, 6800, 6810, 6820)
- Conduct evaluation and research related to health education/communication. (SPHL 9980, GCHB Courses: 6120, 7130, 6820)
- Administer health education/communication strategies, interventions, and programs. (GCHB Courses: 6100, 6120, 6210, 6220, 6260, 6800)
- Serve as a health education/communication resource person. (SPHL 9980; GCHB Courses: 6120, 6800)
- Communicate and advocate for health and health education. (GCHB Courses: 6100, 6120, 7130, 6210, 6220, 6260, 6350, 6360, 6800, 6820)
Admissions Requirements
1. General MPH admission requirements of the School
2. Accepted by the Admission Committee of the GCHBS Department
3. Favorable review on exceptional border-line cases by HEDC faculty
In addition to the general admission requirements of the school, the applicant's career goals must be consonant with the educational objectives of the program, namely public health work centered in community programs.
Program Requirements
The program of study leading to the MPH degree in Health Communication/Education requires 45 credits, with the exception that students with substantial professional experience in health education or communication may graduate with a minimum of 42 credits. The program requires the satisfactory completion of the School Core Requirements, the Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences requirements, and the HEDC programmatic requirements, including a 300-hour practicum, and a culminating experience.
SPHTM Core Requirements (18 credits)
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BIOS 6030
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Introduction to Biostatistics
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3
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GEHS 6030
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Survey of Environmental Health Sciences
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3
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EPID 6030
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Epidemiologic Methods I
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3
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GHSD 6030
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Principles of Health Systems Admin & Mgmt
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3
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TRMD 6010
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Biological Basis of Health and Disease
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3
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GCHB 6030
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Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health
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3
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SPHL 9980
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Practicum
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0
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SPHL 7950
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Culminating Experience (PHA or Culminating Exam)
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0
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GCHB Core (2 Classes) (6 credits)
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GCHB 6110
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Planning of Health Education Programs
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3
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GCHB 6120
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Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Education and
Communication Programs
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3
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HEDC Specialty Requirements (At least 6-7 credits):
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GCHB 6180
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Formal Qualitative Methods
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3
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GCHB 6210
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Health Communication Theory and Practice
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3
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GCHB 6220
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Community Organization
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3
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GCHB 6260
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Introduction to Social Marketing
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3
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GCHB 6800
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Training Methods for Health Professionals
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3
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GCHB 7130
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Research Methods
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3
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HEDC Electives (At least 5 credits):
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GCHB 6100
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Intro to Public Health Policy
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3
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GCHB 6150
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Taiwan Strategies to Community Health Practices
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2
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GCHB 6160
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Intro to Mgmt of Comm Based Orgs
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2
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GCHB 6230
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Collaborative Competency as a Tool for Capacity Building
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3
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GCHB 6360
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Human Sexual Behavior
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2
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GCHB 6470
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Issues in Adolescent Health
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3
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GCHB 6500
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Violence as a Public Health Issue
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3
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GCHB 6510
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Essential Issues in MCH
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3
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GCHB 6760
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Public Nutrition: Policies and Programs
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2
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GCHB 6770
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Food & Nutrition Policy
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1-2
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GCHB 7820
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Program Planning, Resource Development, & Grants
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2
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General Electives:
Chosen with advisor approval, minimum 9 credits.
Sample Schedule
Click here to see a Sample Schedule
Practicum
Students must also complete the School practicum requirement. It is recommended that students in this program carry out a 300-hour field practicum related to health education or communication for their practicum. Students with substantial professional experience in health education or communication may elect other practicum options in consultation with their advisor, but are still required to meet the School's 60-hour field requirement. Examples of opportunities include:
- Children's Hopsital
- Trans-act of NOLA
- Reach 2010-A & the Heart of NOLA
- Planned Parenthood
CHES Certification
Students who intend to apply for national health education certification (CHES) must complete at least 20 credits in Health Education courses and the practicum to meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Culminating Experience
Students in the Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences can choose one of two options for their culminating experience:
1. Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination consists of two parts: Part A – a school-wide examination based on core competencies, as well as cross-cutting competencies, established by the American Schools of Public Health; and Part B – a departmental-specific examination based on principles and concepts of Community Health Sciences, as covered in the required departmental core courses.
2. Public Health Analysis
The Public Health Analysis is an in-depth written report that considers a topic of relevance to public health practice. It involves a thorough review of the literature, discussion, and recommendations for public health policy and practice. The content and format of the report are described in school and departmental guideline documents.
Information on both options can be found from the link listed below as SPH Academic Policies and Guidelines.
Please visit the links below for details:
PHA Sample 1
PHA Sample 2
School of Public Health Academic Policies and Guidelines
For more information, contact us at 504-988-5391 or chs@tulane.edu
