Public Health (P_HLTH)

P_HLTH 1000: Introduction to Careers in Public Health

Acquaints students with the Public Health profession including educational preparation, public health careers, current issues, trends, and research. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

P_HLTH 2050: Gender and Public Health

(same as WGST 2050). Addresses issues of gender and public health in the US and abroad. Considers how race, class, gender, sexuality, and geopolitical context may impact health. May focus on specific health issues. May be repeated for credit (up to 6 hours) with different semester themes.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 2200: Introduction to Public Health and Health Promotion

Public Health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. It is an exciting, dynamic, interactive, and collaborative field, which encompasses many disciplines. P_HLTH 2200 focuses on the basic tenets of public health, and the basic structures of the US public health system. We will concentrate on the core domains of public health, which include epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral science/health education, environmental science, disaster preparedness, and health policy. In this course, you will be challenged to consider the complex web of factors that determine and affect health status. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 2250: Public Health Communication

How can communication create healthier communities? Why are some health promotion messages more persuasive than others? What are the best ways to communicate scientific findings? In this course, we will focus on public health communication theory and practice. The course will emphasize the following learning objectives: understand how to educate the public about health issues; understand and apply theories of health promotion; understand and evaluate health policy; understand, analyze, and write about health issues; examine and analyze health communication channels; and understand and apply best practices of health literacy and numeracy. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 2310: Health Issues in Aging

This course focuses on promotion and maintenance of the health and well-being of the older adult population. Current trends and needs of the ever changing and diversifying older adult population are discussed. The physiological and psychological domains, socio-cultural influences, legal and ethical issues, and health care resources pertaining to older adults in relationship to their health and quality of life are explored. Assessments, problems and strengths, interventions, and outcomes specific to the older adult population are discussed. Opportunities are provided for interaction with the older adult population through service learning. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3300: Public Health Principles, Practice, and Education

(same as HLTH_SCI 3300). Public Health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. This course focuses on the basic structures of the Public Health system in the U.S. and provides an introduction to the factors that influence and shape that system. Among others, factors include socioeconomic, financing, politics and global issues. Students in this course will be challenged to consider the complex web of factors affecting the health of communities. The course will explore: health needs assessments, examining relationships among behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that enhance or compromise health, examining factors that influence the learning process, and examining factors that enhance or compromise the process of health education. Graded on an A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during pre-registration

P_HLTH 3310: Social and Behavioral Health Theory and Practice

(same as HLTH_SCI 3310). Social and Behavioral Health (SBH) is the core discipline of public health that focuses on the factors that influence individuals' and communities health actions and decisions. This course will take both a theoretical and a practical approach to understanding SBH. Students will gain an understanding of theory and develop practical skills to apply theories to real world health issues. Readings, assignments, and discussions will focus largely on ways to understand and change health behaviors and various individual, relational, community, and social-level influences on health. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during pre-registration

P_HLTH 3400: Global Public Health and Health Care Systems

(same as PEA_ST 3401). An introduction to public health in a global context, with an emphasis on understanding how disparities in socioeconomic status, differences in political and national health care systems and the work of international organizations impact health in communities around the world. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during Pre-Registration

P_HLTH 3450: Introduction to Epidemiology

(same as HLTH_SCI 3450). Epidemiology is the basic science of Public Health, focusing on the study of distribution and determinants of health-related states and events. The purpose of this course is to gain a basic understand of Epidemiology principles and methods and how to use these as a framework in assessing and addressing population health issues. Employing a mix of lecture, discussion, and assignments, students will explore the epidemiological investigation process, the etiology of disease, disability, and death, how to identify population subgroups with increased risk of disease, disability, and death and how to contribute to the development and evaluation of public health programs and services that improve the health of subgroups at risk and the general population. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3460: Introduction to Public Health and Emergency Preparedness

Introduces public health emergency preparedness procedures, including procedures for natural and technological disasters; terrorism; emerging threats; and methods to address these from planning and response perspectives. Includes domestic and international public health emergency contexts, and integrates knowledge and skills learned from other courses within the Health in Crisis: Human Rights, Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Assistance. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3560: Public Health and Environmental Justice

This course is designed to give students an overview of the connection between environmental justice and public health work. Students will use current and past events as a foundation for learning about environmental health disparities faced by minorities and indigenous communities. Looking through the lens of public health, students will tackle difficult topics such as social justice, environmental racism, and climate change as it relates to minority and indigenous communities. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3600: Health Promotion Programs I: Assessment and Planning

(same as HLTH_SCI 3600). Health promotion planning is the development and implementation of a well-researched and tailored intervention to increase the health status of an individual and population. This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to health promotion planning and assessment by integrating a solid theoretical foundation of the discipline with hands-on experience in assessing needs, assets and capacity for health education, health education and project planning, funding, intervention development, implementation of health education projects, and evaluation. Special attention placed on implementing health education and promotion programs that are tailored to the particular population in need as well as specialized for the appropriate setting be it school, work, health care clinic, or the community. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration
Corequisites: P_HLTH 3610

P_HLTH 3610: Health Promotion Programs II: Implementation, Evaluation, and Communication

(same as HLTH_SCI 3610). This course builds on topics covered in Health Promotion Programs I: Assessment and Planning. It will provide a comprehensive introduction to the implementation, evaluation and communication required for successful health promotion programs by integrating a solid theoretical foundation of the discipline with hands-on experience in the implementation of health promotion program, developing an evaluation and communication strategies for successful health education and health promotion programs in a variety of community-based settings. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration
Corequisites: P_HLTH 3600

P_HLTH 3620: Public Health Promotion and Program Planning

Health promotion in our communities continue to be a challenge. Knowing that a well-designed and implemented public health promotion program can save many lives, successful health promotion programs are essential. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to public health promotion, program planning and assessment. Students will gain a theoretical foundation of the discipline with hands-on experience in assessing needs, assets and capacity for health education, health promotion and project planning, funding, and intervention development. Special attention is placed on assessment and planning of health education and promotion programs that are tailored to high risk populations and specialized for the appropriate community-based setting. Additionally, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the implementation, evaluation and communication required for successful health promotion programs by integrating a solid theoretical foundation of the discipline with practical experience in the implementation of health promotion program, developing an evaluation and communication strategies for successful health education and health promotion programs in a variety of community-based settings. Graded A-F only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 3660: Chronic Disease and Public Health Approaches

The epidemiology of major chronic diseases of high income countries will be reviewed including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, neurological diseases, and selected other conditions. In addition students will examine emerging non-communicable disease epidemics in low-and middle-income countries. Methodologic issues related to the study of these diseases, disease surveillance and strategies for prevention will also be covered. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3700: Health Care in the United States

(same as HLTH_SCI 3700). Overview of financing, structure, and outcomes in the U.S. health care system. Contemporary health care issues, policy, and politics will be addressed. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; Restricted to Public Health Majors during pre-registration

P_HLTH 3760: Infectious Disease and Public Health Approaches

In this course students will be able to define the basic concepts of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Identify past, present, and future infectious disease threats. Students will describe the basic methods of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and identify host factors, infectious agents, and transmission factors. By the end of the course students will be able to discuss and identify basic approaches to control and prevention of infectious disease. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3800: Public Health Research Methods

This course provides an introduction to the basic quantitative and qualitative research techniques used in public health, health education and promotion, and the health professions. This course is no longer considered writing intensive but will still include writing and presentation components. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 3860: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Health

(same as HLTH_SCI 3680). This class is designed to help students think critically about the identification and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States. Students will explore current research and debates surrounding the definition, prevention and treatment of ASD in the United States. In addition to learning about the presentation and treatment of ASD, they will also be introduced to concepts in public health, psychology, psychiatry, and health services research. We will also discuss the history of our beliefs about ASD and how these beliefs have influenced policy, systems, services and treatment over the last century. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3960: Public Health, Drugs and Policy

This course is a tool to provide basic understanding of the role of legal and illegal drugs of abuse on people and the addictive processes. Using this information, the major focus will be to understand the problems and opportunities for treatment and prevention relevant to current and past policy issues. The public health implications of several Missouri and national policy decisions in treatment and prevention will be a major focus. An additional major focus will be on legal drugs of abuse - alcohol, tobacco and caffeine - which cause most of the mortality and morbidity due to drug use. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 3965: Strategies for Effective Peer Education in Public Health

(same as WGST 3960, HLTH_SCI 3965). Course designed to promote effective presentation skills on a variety of health topics, specifically sexual health. Students will engage in experiential practice and skill building surrounding cultural competency, difficult discourses, discussion facilitation and behavior management. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 1
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent

P_HLTH 4001: Topics in Public Health

Organized study of selected topics. Subjects will vary from semester to semester. Grading option is determine by topic and instructor. This course may be graded either A-F or S/U.

Credit Hour: 1-6
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4002: Public Health Study Abroad

This course is designed for students to explore various public health issues through the global lens of study abroad. Public health is a diverse career field that touches every aspect of life and connects a global community through the mission of serving the public good. Public health issues are intertwined and complicated by culture, governments, and environmental systems. Each study abroad trip will uniquely address issues specific to the country of origin. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-6

P_HLTH 4085: Problems in Public Health

Individual study, topic/problem varies by instructor. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-6
Prerequisites: Instructor's Consent

P_HLTH 4115: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on COVID-19: The Effect of Epidemics on our Health and Social Worlds

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 7115). The recent coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the interdisciplinary challenges and perspectives on our health and social world. In response, the Department of Public Health has drawn experts from across MU to develop Interdisciplinary perspectives on COVID19: The effect of epidemics on our health and social worlds, a 1-credit S/U course open to undergraduate and graduate students. There are no prerequisites or prior knowledge needed. Each week of the 8-week course will include 3-4 brief discussions from a diverse collection of expert faculty, providing their disciplinary perspective on questions such as What is Covid-19?, Why are some people at greater risk of health or economic consequences than others?, What are the impacts of Covid-19 on the Missouri and national economy?, Why is this all so hard?, and What are the ways forward? Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

P_HLTH 4200H: Introduction to The Research Process and Evidence Base - Honors

(same as HLTH_SCI 4200H). This course provides an introduction to the basic quantitative and qualitative research techniques used in public health, health education and promotion, and the health professions. Conducting research, making medical decisions based on research findings, and using and interpreting research and evidence in practice settings all represent potential outcomes for students selecting a career in public health or the health professions. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Health Sciences Majors with junior or senior standing. Honors eligibility required

P_HLTH 4200HW: Introduction to The Research Process and Evidence Base - Honors/Writing Intenisive

(same as HLTH_SCI 4200HW). This course provides an introduction to the basic quantitative and qualitative research techniques used in public health, health education and promotion, and the health professions. Conducting research, making medical decisions based on research findings, and using and interpreting research and evidence in practice settings all represent potential outcomes for students selecting a career in public health or the health professions. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Health Sciences Majors with junior or senior standing. Honors eligibility required

P_HLTH 4200W: Introduction to The Research Process and Evidence Base - Writing Intensive

(same as HLTH_SCI 4200W). This course provides an introduction to the basic quantitative and qualitative research techniques used in public health, health education and promotion, and the health professions. Conducting research, making medical decisions based on research findings, and using and interpreting research and evidence in practice settings all represent potential outcomes for students selecting a career in public health or the health professions. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4350: Principles of Environmental Health for Public Health

This course is an introduction to Environmental Health as it relates to Public Health. Students will learn about the effects of environmental factors on a population's health and identify the connections between human health, animal health, and ecosystem health. Students will explore the role governments play in environmental health and identify the how globalization affects global burdens of disease. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4420: Gender, Culture, and Politics: Gender in the Heartland

(same as WGST 4420). 'Gender and the Heartland' explores the relationships between gender, culture, and rurality in the American heartland. Drawing on a range of ethnographic, demographic, and biographical materials, the class contextualizes the life experiences and outcomes for those situated, or who identify, as rural, and considers the gendered dimensions of health and well-being, leadership and civic engagement, and economic opportunity. The course also focuses on developing skills to critically and competently consume secondary demographic and economic data sources such as U.S. Census Bureau products, as well as population health and economic data sources. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 4485: Ethics in Public Health

This course provides an overview of the basis for ethics in public health. Ethical concepts, theories, and approaches that apply to public health practice will be presented. Specific topics include paternalism, confidentiality, informed consent, justice, and resource allocation. Ethical issues in the public health arena will be explored; with an emphasis on the social determinants of health and APHA's "health in all policies" approach. Legal and policy factors will also be considered related to ethical decision-making. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4500: Health Care Management

(same as HLTH_SCI 4500). Examines various management concepts as they relate to the unique environment of health care. Concepts include planning, decision making, budgeting, staffing, organizing, and motivating for working with individuals or teams. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health majors

P_HLTH 4610: Race, Ethnicity, and Health: An Intersectional Examination of Health Inequalities

(same as WGST 4610). This course brings public health into conversation with issues of race/ ethnicity, gender, and black feminism. As both public health and women and gender studies are interdisciplinary fields, we will draw on a range of literature including health policy and promotion, epidemiology, education, feminist science studies, medical sociology, and medical anthropology. We will challenge categories of race, gender, and health. In particular, class discussions will focus on (1) reviewing formative health and sociologic theories and concepts related to health and illness (2) gaining a more in-depth and critical understating of the health status and health outcomes of persons as they intersect across race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality (3) discussing possible explanations and solutions for these health disparities from a behavioral science perspective. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Students during early registration

P_HLTH 4610H: Race, Ethnicity, and Health: An Intersectional Examination of Health Inequalities - Honors

P_HLTH 4620: Climate Change and Human Health

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 7620). This course explains the history of climate change as well as the environmental, economic, and geopolitical factors that further accelerated it. In addition, it focuses on the current status and both the immediate and long term public health ramifications of climate change around the globe. It also affords the opportunity to assess the efficacy of what has been done before as well as current efforts by the international community to slow it down. Finally, it will focus on the current public perception as well as how the perpetuation of the status quo is perceived as an existential threat to humanity. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during preregistration
Recommended: P_HLTH 4350

P_HLTH 4630: Health and Human Migration

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 7630). Public health professions have considerable interest in understanding the unique health concerns of immigrants in order to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life in this specific population and in the population as a whole. This course will be based on readings in the peer-reviewed literature, discussion in a seminar format, observations/interviews, and guest speakers on topics of importance when considering issues of public health particular to immigrant communities. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 4900: Seminar in Health Education

(same as HLTH_SCI 4900; cross-leveled with P_HLTH 7900). This course provides students pursuing careers in health education/promotion and public health with the opportunity to synthesize their relevant coursework and prepare for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1
Prerequisites: Open to public health students during pre-registration. Senior standing required

P_HLTH 4960: Qualitative Approaches to Understanding Public Health Problems

This course will define and describe the use of qualitative approaches to explore and solve public health problems. It will also provide opportunity for collecting, analyzing and working with qualitative data from a variety of data collection methods and using multiple analysis approaches. Discussion of analyzing photograph and video data will also provide students with insights on how best to analyze these types of data. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4970: Public Health Capstone: Digital Storytelling

One of the primary tasks of the public health professional is to translate scientific evidence into sound programs and policies. To do this successfully, the public health practitioner must understand how to weigh and interpret evidence and how to communicate the meaning of that evidence to a variety of stakeholders, including policy makers and community members. This capstone will focus on the practical and ethical challenges inherent in public health practice through a focus on communication and storytelling. Students will choose a public health topic and conduct a literature review, conduct interviews with key stakeholders, develop a story proposal and a completed digital story that reflects current evidence and diverse viewpoints. In addition, through exercises, readings and reflection papers, they will explore their own relationship to the issue of choice, explore unfamiliar points of view on the topic and grapple with the ethical challenges of advocacy and representation. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during early registration

P_HLTH 4975: Emerging Issues in Public Health (Public Health Capstone Option)

In this capstone course, students will apply what they have learned throughout the program to generate solutions for an emerging issue in public health (e.g. opioids). The course is taught using Open Educational Resources (OER) and is based on current resources and materials. Research (i.e. epidemiology), practice, interventions, policy, and evaluation will be addressed with readings, reports, articles, films, and podcasts. Students are allowed to take this course more than once, but no more than twice with a different topic of study. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Restricted to Public Health Majors during preregistration

P_HLTH 4975H: Emerging Issues in Public Health (Public Health Capstone Option) - Honors

P_HLTH 7001: Topics in Public Health

Selected topics of interest related to Public Health.

Credit Hour: 1-3

P_HLTH 7115: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on COVID-19: The Effect of Epidemics on our Health and Social Worlds

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 4115). The recent coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the interdisciplinary challenges and perspectives on our health and social world. In response, the Department of Public Health has drawn experts from across MU to develop Interdisciplinary perspectives on COVID19: The effect of epidemics on our health and social worlds, a 1-credit S/U course open to undergraduate and graduate students. There are no prerequisites or prior knowledge needed. Each week of the 8-week course will include 3-4 brief discussions from a diverse collection of expert faculty, providing their disciplinary perspective on questions such as What is Covid-19?, Why are some people at greater risk of health or economic consequences than others?, What are the impacts of Covid-19 on the Missouri and national economy?, Why is this all so hard?, and What are the ways forward? Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

P_HLTH 7140: Public Health Statistics

This course will cover basic sampling methods and parametric and nonparametric statistics, appropriate for answering questions arising in public health research. There will be computer exercises involving data. This course meets specific Council on Education for Public Health accreditation competencies. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, College algebra (or equivalent course or permission of the instructor)

P_HLTH 7150: Principles of Public Health

This course provides an overview of public health, including concentration areas of public health systems, epidemiology, social and behavioral determinants of health, environmental health, and public health policy. Case studies from local, state, national and international public health issues are incorporated into each segment, culminating in a discussion of the future of public health.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7160: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health

This course is designed for those interested in health issues from a global perspective. It explores contemporary issues, problems, and controversies in global health through an interdisciplinary perspective. This course will follow a lecture and case study discussion format. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7620: Climate Changes and Human Health

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 4620). This course explains the history of climate change as well as the environmental, economic, and geopolitical factors that further accelerated it. In addition, it focuses on the current status and both the immediate and long term public health ramifications of climate change around the globe. It also affords the opportunity to assess the efficacy of what has been done before as well as current efforts by the international community to slow it down. Finally, it will focus on the current public perception as well as how the perpetuation of the status quo is perceived as an existential threat to humanity. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7630: Health and Human Migration

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 4630). Public health professions have considerable interest in understanding the unique health concerns of immigrants in order to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life in this specific population and in the population as a whole. This course will be based on readings in the peer-reviewed literature, discussion in a seminar format, observations/interviews, and guest speakers on topics of importance when considering issues of public health particular to immigrant communities. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7751: Psychosocial Function and Older Adults

(same as ARCHST 7650, F_C_MD 7751, BBME 7751, H_D_FS 7751, NURSE 7751, P_HLTH 7751 and SOC_WK 7751). This course takes an Interdisciplinary approach to understanding the psychosocial function of older adults and explores approaches to alleviate disabling conditions that interfere with psychosocial function and quality of life in old age. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7800: Public Health Campaign Successes and Failures

Explains public health campaigns from assessing needs to planning and implementing interventions, as well as taking lessons learned from previous public health campaigns to create strategies that increase the likelihood of success and reduce the chance of failure. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7850: Mental Health Policy

This course is an introductory survey of the principles and practice of mental health policy, beginning with its early history and continuing to the present day. Topics will include the nature of mental illness, its incidence and prevalence, mental health stigma, policy concerns related to mental health finance, the process of policy making, involvement of mental health care consumers in the policy process, and mental health in health policy reform. The needs of special populations including the homeless, persons in the criminal justice system, ethnic/minority groups, persons living in rural areas and veterans will be examined as well as needs specific to children and the elderly. Students are also expected to understand mental health policy considerations related to current health care reform and ethical issues in the practice of mental health policy. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7900: Seminar in Health Education

(cross-leveled with HLTH_SCI 4900, P_HLTH 4900). This course provides students pursuing careers in health education/promotion and public health with the opportunity to synthesize their relevant coursework and prepare for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

P_HLTH 7952: Research Methods in Public Health

This course is designed to introduce students to the process of research as a sequence of events, systematically organized to further knowledge. A scientific and conceptual stance to knowledge development is emphasized, along with the importance of the empirical approach in establishing relationships between theories, concepts, and behavior phenomena. May be repeated for credit.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 7960: Qualitative Approaches to Understanding Public Health Problems

(cross-leveled with P_HLTH 4960). This course will define and describe the use of qualitative approaches to explore and solve public health problems. It will also provide opportunity for collecting, analyzing and working with qualitative data from a variety of data collection methods and using multiple analysis approaches. Discussion of analyzing photograph and video data will also provide students with insights on how best to analyze these types of data. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8001: Topics in Public Health

Selected topics of interest related to Public Health.

Credit Hour: 1-3

P_HLTH 8085: Problems in Public Health

Guided readings, intensive study of an area in Public Health related to special interest of student or an area in which the student needs to strengthen.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: instructor's consent. May be repeated for credit

P_HLTH 8090: Masters Thesis Research

Leads to preparation of masters thesis. May only be repeated for credit for six hours. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 3-6
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 8980. Instructor's consent required

P_HLTH 8120: Applied Epidemiology in Community Assessment

The purpose of this course is to enable students to gain skills and abilities in assessing population groups and determining their priority public health problems. Students will consider a variety of strategies for empowering and mobilizing populations in collaborative public health efforts. Communication skills are key to the community assessment and intervention process, particularly in translating epidemiological data to lay audiences, and advocating for action. Students will be challenged to communicate public health issues effectively both on-line and in writing. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites or Corequisites: P_HLTH 7952
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 8420, Graduate level Statistics (STAT 7020 or STAT 7410)

P_HLTH 8150: Human Health and the Environment

This graduate level course will address threats to public health related to environmental factors including biological, physical and chemical factors. Subjects will include environmental contamination and remediation, zoonotic disease food and water quality. This course will include recorded lectures with optional synchronous participation. Lectures will be recorded live and students will have the option to virtually attend live lecture, but this will not be required. Lecture recordings are archived for students to view at their convenience. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8160: Introduction to Public Health and Food Safety

Introduction to Public Health and Food Safety addresses historical public health aspects of food safety and covers the key incidents that have driven changes in our modern public health policies, laws, and safe food practices. In addition to learning how to identify the signs and symptoms of food-related illnesses, students will learn how public health officials conduct an investigation in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak and which surveillance methods are currently used to detect and track cases. The course will analyze the burden of foodborne illnesses, including emerging and contemporary trends.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8260: Emergency Preparedness

An overview of current national guidance and basic assessment of the current health care system level of readiness focusing on the critical role of the health care system for community, regional, state, and nationally based emergency preparedness efforts. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8270: Storytelling in Public Health and Public Policy

Storytelling for public health and public policy offers students an opportunity to become familiar with the literature and theoretical frameworks underlying the use of narrative and digital storytelling in public health and policy advocacy and public health interventions focused on behavior change. Students will review case studies of effective narrative communication and practice elements of effective storytelling in a variety of print and digital platforms. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8300: Health Care in the United States

(same as PUB_AF 8172). Overview of financing, structure, and outcomes in the U.S. health care system. Contemporary health care issues, policy, and politics will be addressed. May be repeated for credit. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8350: Veterinary Public Health Policy

An overview of the veterinary public health system. Students will distinguish and evaluate roles, policies, and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 7150 or P_HLTH 7160

P_HLTH 8400: Clinical Veterinary Regulatory Medicine and Public Health

(same as V_M_S 8400). The goal of this course is to familiarize the student with clinical aspects of veterinary public health/regulatory medicine. Must be enrolled in MPH (veterinary public health concentration) or DVM curriculum.

Credit Hours: 2

P_HLTH 8420: Principles of Epidemiology

This course is intended to provide a general introduction to the course epidemiological concepts and methods as grounded in the essential services of public health. The focus of the course is on developing critical thinking skills and providing a foundation in applied epidemilogic competencies. May be repeated for credit. Graded on A-F only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: graduate level statistics

P_HLTH 8470: GIS for Public Health

The purpose of this course is to understand the capacity and limitations of geographic information system (GIS) in public health. The guiding principle of developing the course is the practical aspects of using GIS while understanding the basic science behind mapping. The course is based on a weekly format of brief narrated lectures, readings and assignments similar to what you would have in a classroom. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8620: Emerging Zoonoses Diseases

This course will enhance student understanding of epidemiology and ecology as it relates to emerging and established zoonotic diseases. Risk factors for the emergence of and mechanisms for control and prevention of zoonotic diseases will be discussed. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 8420 or V_PBIO 8455 and P_HLTH 8150

P_HLTH 8625: Data Analysis for Health Researchers

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the systematic approach to data analysis, statistical computing, correct interpretation and presentation of results. Note that mathematical equations or their derivations forms are not emphasized. However, candidates taking this course are required to have a basic understanding of the epidemiologic and statistical principles and data analysis. The course is not expected to convert you into an expert data analyst within 16 weeks but upon completing the course, you will have acquired skills needed to analyze and interpret cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies by cross tabulations, stratification, and regression. In addition, you will be able to build and interpret findings from complex multivariable models after controlling for confounding. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 8420 or V_PBIO 8455, STAT 7020

P_HLTH 8675: Strategic Health Communication

Funding for public health is at historic lows, meaning to create change more must be done with less. One of the best ways to facilitate change is through strategic health communication. By making messages easy to understand, developing campaigns to create behavior, attitude and/or belief change, and understanding how to utilize the concepts of social marketing, public health professionals can break away from the old way of doing business to make a difference in our society. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8767: Epidemiology of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

This course is designed to provide a basic overview of epidemiology by exploring issues regarding various vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and immunization program policies. Participants will learn about VPDs, while gaining skills in epidemiology, the science of public health. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8920: Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health

(same as PSYCH 8920). This course will take both a theoretical and a practical approach to understanding health-related behavior and the field of public health. Students will gain an understanding of theory and empirical research in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as developing practical skills in critically evaluating research and in applying scientific evidence to address real world health concerns.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8953: Evaluating Global Public Health Programs

This course is designed to prepare students to evaluate global public health programs, preferably in developing countries. Students will identify a global public health issue, find one or more global health intervention or prevention programs, evaluate the programs using principles of evaluation research methods, and suggest implications for global public health promotion. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: P_HLTH 7952 or P_HLTH 8420

P_HLTH 8970: Public Health Capstone

As an integrating experience, the Public Health Capstone will allow students to articulate and share what they have learned in coursework and to supplement previous learning by exploring areas of knowledge the students identify as most relevant to their readiness for professional practice. It will enable students to test theoretical knowledge against real life practical experiences, and to integrate and refine basic and advanced concepts, values, and methods acquired during the professional education.

Credit Hours: 3

P_HLTH 8971: Veterinary Public Health Capstone

This capstone experience provides a unique set of opportunities and responsibilities. It is generally scheduled after completion of at least 2 semesters of the MPH curriculum and is designed to serve as a capstone experience integrating previous coursework and experiences. Exceptions to the requirement of completion of 2 semesters of MPH coursework will be granted for students who have completed or concurrent degree. Examples of relevant preparatory coursework will include epidemiology and veterinary public health. As an integrating experience, the capstone will require students to apply knowledge in an independent manner, integrate knowledge into cohesive production, and communication the results of this experience.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: completion of at least 2 semester of MPH curriculum

P_HLTH 8980: Public Health Internship

The field experience, or internship, is an opportunity for the student to test many of the theories, concepts, and information about public health learned during the first year and translate them into practice. Using the internship site as the "organizational laboratory," the student begins to develop the necessary professional skill sets for becoming a successful public health professional. The current knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences will continue to develop and grow as each student becomes a life-long learner and practitioner of public health. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99

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University of Missouri

2024-25 Catalogs

Public Health (P_HLTH)

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