Curriculum

Master Programs

• Curriculum Planning Sheet Health Education
• Curriculum Planning Sheet Health Care Management

The program includes a minimum of 36-hours of course work or 12 courses.

• Core Foundation Courses - 15 credits (5 courses)
• Electives - 15 credits (5 courses)
• Practicum orThesis - 6 credits
• Comprehensive Exams (Oral and written)

Core Foundation Courses

The curriculum includes

• 4 (3-credits each) core courses in community health for a total of 12-credit hours;
• 5 (18-hours) elective courses selected from the student's emphasis area; and
• 2 (6-credits) courses as a practicum or thesis, research project.

Core Courses - 15 credits

All students must take the following core course:

• CHP 600 - Principles of Community Health
• CHP 601 - Research Design & Evaluation for Health Professionals or DNTH 515
• CHP 602 - Principles of Environmental Health
• CHP 646 - Epidemiology
• CHP 651 - Public & Community Health Admin.

Elective Courses - 15 credits

Elective courses are intended to provide you with the opportunity to develop an emphasis area and should complement the core foundation courses. To review the elective for emphasis areas, please check the programs.

Practicum or Thesis Option - 6 credits

Students must complete a six-credit practicum (CHP 669) or a six-credit thesis (CHP 698).

• CHP 698 - Thesis
• CHP 671 - Practicum

Practicum

The purpose of the practicum is for students to apply knowledge and theories in Community Health to relevant organizations or programs in the community. The student selects a practicum site with the approval of the Program Advisor and the Graduate Program Director. ). Students can select a practicum at the facility where they work, however the student and preceptor must vouch that the practicum goals and objectives are not a part of the students work responsibility. Practica consist of two 3-credit projects worth 120 hours each. Practica are generally scheduled after all coursework is complete and the competency exam has been passed. Practica can be initiated as follows:

• Student downloads practicum proposal and evaluation forms from the website. (Link)Student discuss possible opportunities with potential preceptors
  
• Student discusses potential sites with GPD.
  
• Student names a preceptor at their practicum site who will oversee and evaluate their work.
  
• Student negotiates goals and objectives for the project(s) with preceptors.
  
• Student and GPD discuss outcomes of practicum with input from the preceptor.
  
• All students will maintain a log of their practicum activities and hours.
  
• Outcomes for practica will vary but some examples are: strategic plans, policies, budgets, marketing plans, brochures, teaching plans, posters for conferences, publications. It is suggested that students complete these products in a form that can be used to develop their portfolio to be used for career development and future job searches.

In addition to applying principles they have learned in the program, students can utilize the practicum to their career advantage. Students learn under respected organization and community leaders and develop mentoring relationships with them. Students can explore sites other than their workplace to evaluate their own interests and potential to work there.