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Master of Public Health

Public health is defined as the practice of helping members of society live healthier, longer lives.  Public health is both an art and a science, and is practiced by multidisciplinary teams of professionals whose training spans a wide array of medical, social, and physical sciences.   Public health focuses on the general health of communities through efforts to monitor the spread of diseases, initiatives, (both clinical and policy-oriented) to prevent disease and disability, and by promoting healthy lifestyles through education and community engagement.

The blended learning Master of Public Health is a 42 credit program that focuses on rural health, health promotion and prevention, disease state management, and related activities of interest to public health care practitioners and policy makers.

 

Sample Plan of Study

Required Core Courses:

Additional Courses:

Total Credits : 42

 

Specialization Areas

American Indian Public Health

The American Indian Public Health specialization of North Dakota State University’s Master of Public Health program addresses important issues facing a significant and underrepresented sector of our society. With this track of study, your work will have an impact; you will make a difference.

American Indians endure some of the worst public health disparities in the nation. For example, in the Northern Plains, including North Dakota, the Native population has the highest death rates due to diabetes, cancer, infant mortality, unintentional injuries, suicide and other diseases. Risk factors and social determinants include high rates of poverty, inadequate nutrition, historical trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, smoking, substance abuse and other circumstances that need to be confronted in the public health arena.

In addition, unique American Indian health policy considerations and the federal trust responsibility to provide health services to the Native population are poorly understood among most public health leaders.

NDSU offers the only Master of Public Health program in the nation with a curriculum specifically designed to prepare graduates to work with and improve the health of American Indian populations.

* New option to begin Fall 2013. Blended learning format.

American Indian Public Health Track Electives:

Choose three credits from the following.

 

Health Promotion

Based on a socio-ecological model of health, the Health Promotion specialization explores contemporary health promotion at individual, group, organization, community, and population levels.  Core study concepts include foundations, values and principles of health promotion; the assessment of health needs; and the planning, implementing, and evaluating efforts to promote healthy behaviors; and advocacy for health in a variety of settings.

The Health Promotion specialization of North Dakota State University’s Master of Public Health program prepares health professionals to be public health leaders working in a variety of settings. 

Areas of expertise in the track include nutrition, physical activity, systems/policy, obesity and substance abuse prevention.  The Health Promotion track provides students with unique opportunities to study issues and concepts relevant to lifestyle behavior modification in the context of promoting health and preventing chronic disease.

Students will acquire appropriate background knowledge and experience in an epidemiological approach to public health problems relating to key lifestyle health factors.  The Health Promotion track is appropriate for health educators, community health educators, exercise scientists, dietitians, extension education professionals, health care and social services professionals, and any other professional who desires to learn how to improve the health and well-being of populations.

Health Promotion Track Electives:

Choose six credits from the following.

 

Community Health Science

The Community Health Science specialization is designed for health professionals who are interested in strengthening their biomedical knowledge and skills in applying public health principles for enhancing the health of communities. This track is excellent for pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other health professionals involved in all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) of disease and health risk prevention efforts. It prepares practitioners for diverse roles in assessing, designing and evaluating public health interventions in conjunction with interprofessional health teams and health-care systems. Students will learn how to engage their community with sensitivity to the social context, and to plan, implement, and assess the outcomes of public health interventions at the individual, family, community, or systems level.

Community Health Science Track Electives:

Choose five credits from the following.

Infectious Disease Management

Infectious disease management is designed to develop knowledge and expertise in the areas of infectious disease pathogenesis with an emphasis on microbial pathogens, and the application of modern technologies and epidemiologic skills to prevent and control problems arising from infectious diseases. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of zoonotic disease (diagnosis, prevention and management), the investigation of emerging infectious diseases, and enhancing the public response to a bioterrorism event or biosecurity emergencies.  Pathogen recognition, pathogen management and methods of disease prevention and mitigation will be areas of focus. Students who apply for the track must have completed at least an introductory course in microbiology.

 

GRADUATE FACULTY

For information about graduate faculty for this program as well as their current research interests, visit the Master of Public Health bulletin page.

 

Admission

Apply for admission
View Getting Started Guide

For current admission requirements, visit the Master of Public Health bulletin page.

 

Tuition and Fees

View tuition and fees for the Master of Public Health program.

 

Contact Information

NDSU College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences
Phone: 701-231-6549
Email: stefanie.meyer@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/publichealth

NDSU Distance & Continuing Education
Phone: 1-800-726-1724 or 701-231-7015
Email: ndsu.dce@ndsu.edu

NDSU Graduate School
Phone: 701-231-7033
Email: ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/