Public Health M.S. - Courses

This course introduces the history and evolution of our health care system.  The structure and function of healthcare organizations, internally and with one another, is examined in depth. A systems approach to administration and management is covered within the health care context.  The organization of health services is reviewed with an overview of the interaction among, the integration of, the major health care subsystems: primary; secondary; tertiary; long-term; palliative; special populations/disorders.  Delivering health care in a systematic and integrated framework is stressed throughout the course.

The structure and function of the healthcare finance system in the United States is reviewed, and students study the various sources of funding, both private and public, as they flow through third-party payers to the care providers/facilities.   The course approaches finance within individual health care organizations from a managerial framework by focusing on decision-making that is driven by management functions.  The unique aspects of healthcare and non-profit financing are also major themes of the course.  Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course will introduce you the big-picture population perspective of the determinants of health and disease and the tools available to protect and promote health. It will explore the full range of options for intervention including the use of the healthcare system, the public health system and society-wide systems. The student will discover the origins and development of the modern public health system; the relationship of public health to the overall health system; how the system is organized at the federal, state, and local levels; its core functions and how well these are currently being addressed. Population health is an important way of looking at the world, whether you are going into public health as a profession, a clinically oriented health profession, law, international affairs, or a range of other professions. Students will learn through case-studies, example, and vignettes. This course is about providing the student with frameworks for learning and applying these frameworks to real situations and thought-provoking scenarios.

Why are some people in some countries so much healthier than others? This course will explore the factors that explain the unequal distribution of health and disease in the world. The course will begin with an introduction to the language of global health: the burden of disease, epidemiology, cost-effectiveness, and health systems. It will then analyze the rationale for and modes of intervention to improve global health by exploring a number of high-profile topics, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, access to pharmaceuticals, human resources for health, and maternal and child health. Entry Course

This module is an introduction to quantitative research methods in general and health care research methods in particular.  First, an overview of research is given with attention to various purposes and approaches.  Next, the components of the quantitative research process are studied; including the research problem, review of the literature, methodology, human subjects concerns, collection of data, analysis, results of the data, and conclusions.  Statistical software is introduced as a tool to analyze, interpret and present data.  Emphasis is on understanding the concepts of statistical analysis, choosing appropriate tools, and procedures to use in a given context, using the computer to carry out the procedures, and then interpreting the computer results within the given context.  Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course will explore how we study health in relation to behaviors. The focus will be on how the principles of human behavior can be applied to public health. Using epidemiology then to assess and study these behaviors and their outcomes can allow researchers to obtain qualifiable data. Data can then be used to develop a program or initiative. Students will explore complexities of such studies, ways to minimize these complexities, and how to use this knowledge to prevent and control disease in human populations. Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course addresses Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement and Risk Management in health care from a systems thinker's point of view. The conceptual framework for the course is twofold in nature: 1) Continuous Quality Improvement/Total Quality Management (CQI/TQM) and Outcomes Assessment, currently the most comprehensive and well-established framework for Healthcare Quality Management, and 2) Risk Management, which is the most effective way of preventing adverse quality of care issues. Topics included in the course are 1) the history of Quality Management  in healthcare from 1900 to the present, including the roles of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), 2) a brief introduction to the principles of systems thinking and their application in the healthcare setting, 3) the Principles, Processes and Tools of Quality management, 4) an overview of other approaches to Quality Management (e.g., Six Sigma in Health Care, Re-engineering, ISO 9000) and how they fit into the CQI/TQM framework, 5) the history of Risk Management in health care, 6) Risk management techniques such as risk reduction, informed consent, the medical record as evidence of quality care, reporting adverse occurrences, and communicating with distressed or angry patients/families, and 7) the introduction and use of these concepts and tools in real healthcare settings today.  Student will choose one course – either GHLH 5550 or GBUS 5650. Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150.

Project management has been proven to be the most effective method of delivering products within cost, schedule, and resource constraints. This intensive and hands-on course gives you the skills to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget while giving the user the product they expect. You will gain a strong working knowledge of the basics of project management and be able to immediately use that knowledge to manage work projects effectively. At the end of the course, you will be able to identify and manage the product scope, build a work breakdown structure, create a project plan, create the project budget, define and allocate resources, manage the project development, identify and manage risks, and understand the project procurement process. Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course deals with the specialized issues associated with the emergency response — those issues that are not commonplace or part of the everyday procedure. Topics include emergency medical services in mass casualty, biological chemical and radiological incidents. The course also covers unique topics in emergency medical services, to include the employment of services in complex contingencies, such as those faced when fire, police, terrorist, and other emergencies co-exist with the need to provide medical services on-scene and post-disaster. This course is designed to give students an opportunity to look beyond day-to-day issues of public health and safety and explore unusual response situations. It will cover overall disaster response and the operational problems that confront responders at every disaster scene. The issues that arise when caring for large numbers of victims will be discussed. In this age of terrorist threats, we will discuss the unique aspects of the response to scenes involving weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological and radiological events. Perhaps most importantly, students will have the opportunity to learn through the use of actual case studies. In this course, students earn the following training and certificates: Citi Training: Biomedical (Biomed Basic); FEMA ICS-100.c: “Introduction to the Incident Command System”; FEMA IS-200.c: “Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response”; FEMA IS-317.A: “Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs)”; FEMA IS-700: “NIMS, an Introduction.” Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course introduces all of the fundamental elements of informatics; health information systems, health records systems, and information technology.  The clinical and administrative information needs and use of computer tools of a healthcare organization are covered.  Students will study the interrelationships between administrative data and clinical systems.  Students will study the differences between and Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Electronic Health Record (EHR), and a Personal Health Record (PHR).  The course also covers the role and function of Health Information Exchanges (HIE) such as a Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO).In addition this course is designed to meet the needs of student in health communication as well as those in the clinical and administration health professions.  Students will learn the core concepts of planning a communication frameworks as well as strategies for reporting, communication for policy and advocacy, and health literacy and numeracy.  Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150.

Biostatistics is an innovative field that involves the design, analysis, and interpretation of data for studies in public health and medicine. Biostatistics experts arrive at conclusions about disease and health risks by evaluating and applying mathematical and statistical formulas to the factors that impact health. This course provides an introduction to selected important topics in biostatistical concepts and reasoning. This course represents an introduction to the field and provides a survey of data and data types. Specific topics include tools for describing central tendency and variability in data; methods for performing inference on population means and proportions via sample data; statistical hypothesis testing and its application to group comparisons; issues of power and sample size in study designs; and random sample and other study types. While there are some formulae and computational elements to the course, the emphasis is on interpretation and concepts. Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This course presents a review of the formation of governmental policy at all levels and how it impacts and regulates health care delivery in the United States.  Administrative compliance to health care regulation is a key focal point of the course.  Laws governing the relationship between patients and health care providers/organizations are reviewed.  Health care law is examined through study of case law that directly impacts the administration of health care services and facilities. Pre-req or concurrent course: GPHT 5150

This is the capstone research course in the public health program.  All other required courses must be completed before registering for this course.  This course reviews strategic thinking and planning from a systems perspective. Students will integrate the knowledge and information from their previous coursework and employ strategic planning tools, techniques, and data for the development of an integrative research experience.  The course culminates in the development of comprehensive business plan in a healthcare industry sector selected by the students.  Students may work independently or petition the instructor to produce a team-developed business plan. Part I of Capstone Project. Pre-req GPHT 5150, GPHT 6400  and GHLH 5200; May be taken concurrently with GPHT 5450, GHLH 5600,  GHLH 5550 or GBUS 5650, GPHT 5900, GPHT 6100, GHLH 6000

This course prepares health care professionals to lead change and drive the transformation of healthcare organizations in the 21st century.  The elements studied are an achievement orientation, managing ethically, values-based leadership, community service, innovation, relationship building, accountability, and process and project management. Part II of Capstone Project.  Pre-req GPHT 5150,  GHLH 5200, GPHT 5450, GPHT 6400, GPHT 5900, GHLH 5050 and GHLH 6900; May be taken concurrently with GHLH 5550 or GBUS 5650, GPHT 6100, GHLH 6000,and GHLH 5600