Today’s master’s in public health, or MPH degree, serves as the vital key to unlocking countless, excellent career opportunities in healthcare, public health, and more. Those looking forward to completing this degree will thus be trained heavily in this specific field of knowledge. So, what exactly will some of the courses along this degree path look like? The following is a sampling of what kinds of courses an MPH student can expect.
Environmental Health
Environmental health is defined as the status of the health of a whole environment. This pertains to ecological health as well as all other elements in that environment that can ultimately affect human health. Inherently, this is a potentially massive area of study unto its own, but for MPH students, this subject will be condensed down to 1-2 courses. In this course, one can expect to learn about air quality, pollution, water and soil health, plant and animal involvement in environmental health, and plenty more.
Globalization and Public Health
Globalization is the spread and integration of people, infrastructure, and cultures across the globe. As this phenomenon grows, how is public health then affected? Are these effects limited to smaller communities, or are they equally felt in more populous areas? In the end, globalization does have some very real effects on public health for virtually all people, and this course will explain the ins and outs of it all.
Origins of Human Disease
Origins of Human Disease is an epidemiology-related course that seeks to thoroughly educate students on the diverse ways in which disease is generated and subsequently spread in individuals and entire human populations alike. Much of the information taught here is directly derived from the Center for Disease Control’s libraries of research-based academia. Students will learn about the origination as well as possible prevention elements for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Chlamydia, Cancer, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, and many others.
Cross-Sector Collaboration to Improved Public Health
There are many complexities to actually remediating diseases and other issues harmful to human and public health. One component to this framework is that of cross-sector collaboration. This course, Cross-Sector Collaboration to Improved Public Health, offers a direct look at some of the ways different companies, businesses, industries and even governments can work together collaboratively across sectors to negate public health detractors. Students will find that some rather surprising relationships can arise when real cross-sector collaboration prevails.
Social Determinants of Public Health
Social elements can often have a huge impact on matters of public health. As to these social determinants, the CDC says the following: “Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These conditions are known as social determinants of health (SDOH).” This course takes a deeper look into these very social determinants such as class, gender, economic status, race, community health, and others in the greater effort to understand public health and its betterment.
Related Resource: 10 Most Affordable MPH Degrees Online
If you are on the way to completing the MPH degree program, congratulations. This is an excellent educational path to take. On that journey, expect to encounter classes much like those mentioned here. For more information on exact curriculum requirements, it is best to inquire directly with the potential school or schools you may attend.