Eastern Tennessee State University

 

eastern-tennessee-state-universityEast Tennessee State University Public Health Degree Programs

Eastern Tennessee State University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable MPH Online Degrees in the East

Over the next ten years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that positions for public health professions are expected to grow by 18 percent, much faster than positions in other industries. The average annual salary for public health administrators averages almost $100,000 per year. Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree while some require advanced degrees. Eastern Tennessee State University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in public health that are designed to prepare people for careers as public health administrators.

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Health a concentration in Community Health. The Community Health concentration prepares students to become effective health educators and community health specialists. The program requires 120 credit hours and some of the courses required include in the concentration include:

  • Behavioral Change Theory for Public Health
  • Cultural Competence and Spirituality in Healthcare
  • Lifespan Health Promotion
  • Personal and Community Wellness
  • Service Grant Writing

Eastern Tennesee State University offers a Master of Public Health with five concentrations. Students may choose from:

  • Biostatics
  • Community Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental Health
  • Public Health Administration

The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics provides students with an understanding of the quantitative field that collects, manages and analyzes public health data. Students gain basic analytical methods and the use of statistical software. These individuals are able to analyze data so that public health prevention and control methods can be used to promote health and prevent disease. Courses required for the concentration include:

  • Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis
  • Categorical Data Analysis
  • Clinical Research: Design and Analysis
  • Intermediate Biostatistics
  • SAS Programming with Research Applications in Public Health

The Community Health concentration is for those who wish to enter public health practice in population-focused health education and promotion. Students are able to develop, implement and evaluate community-based interventions while also working with organizations and community partnerships. Courses required for the concentration include:

  • Community Health Assessment
  • Consulting and Implementation of Health Programs and Services
  • Health Communication
  • Health Program Planning and Evaluation

The Environmental Health concentration is designed for those who want to understand the interrelationships between biological, chemical and physical factors in the environment. Students become proficient in the assessment of community environmental health using data they collect, analyze and report. Students develop an understanding of investigating, monitoring and managing environmental problems. Courses for the concentration include:

  • Environmental Health Administration
  • Environmental Health Practice
  • Public Health Law
  • Seminar
  • Toxicology

Those who wish to gain an understanding of the basic science of public health will benefit from the Epidemiology concentration. The program allows students to study health, illness, and injuries to gain a better understanding of risk factors and causes. Graduates are able to use this information to prevent disease and control activities that could lead to injury or disease. Courses required for the concentration include:

  • Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
  • Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
  • Intermediate Biostatistics
  • Intermediate Epidemiology
  • SAS Programming with Research Applications in Public Health

The concentration in Public Health prepares students to discuss main issues facing, the financing of and the delivery of health services in this country. They are also able to apply legal and ethical principles to issues of health service management as well as to analyze health policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Students gain knowledge in strategic planning and marketing as well. Courses for the concentration include:

  • Data-Informed Decision-Making in Health Administration
  • Healthcare Accounting and Finance
  • Human Resource Management in Health Organizations
  • Quality Improvement in Health Services

Doctor of Public Health

East Tennessee State University offers a Doctor of Public Health degree with concentrations in Community Health, Epidemiology or Health Management and Policy. The program offers an advanced professional degree that prepares graduates with strong competencies in administration, advocacy, problem-solving, research, and communication. Courses required for the Community Health concentration include:

  • Advanced Qualitative Methods in Community Health Research
  • Advanced Theoretical Modeling and Survey Development
  • Intervention Design in Public Health
  • Organizing Communities for Health Action

All concentrations must also complete a field experience.

Courses required for the Epidemiology concentration include:

  • Advanced Multivariate Epidemiologic Data Analysis
  • Applied Epidemiologic Analysis
  • Field Epidemiology
  • Risk Behavior Epidemiology

All concentrations require a practicum as well as the research and defense of a dissertation.

About East Tennessee State University

The East Tennessee State Normal School opened in 1911 with just 29 students who registered the first day. At the time, the school offered a four-year high school and two-year normal school curriculum which consisted of education, English, history, science, languages, industrial training, agriculture, and the training school.

Over the years, the school expanded curriculum and, in 1925, the name of the school changed to East Tennessee State Teachers College. The school received accreditation from the American Association of Teachers Colleges in 1926. The name changed again in 1930 to the State Teachers College, Johnson City.

In 1936, at the height of the Great Depression, the state considered closing the school, considering it an “unnecessary luxury,” but chose to let it remain open. In 1941, enrollment dropped by 10 percent as students left school to enlist in the Armed Forces as part of World War II. In 1943, the name was changed again to East Tennessee State College. At the end of World War II, enrollment grew significantly as soldiers returned home to take advantage of the GI Bill. The school became East Tennessee State University in 1963.

Today, there is an enrollment of 15,000 attending from 45 states and 75 foreign countries.

East Tennessee State University Accreditation Details

East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the Association that indicates excellence in education. It also indicates that the school has the resources to meet its stated goals and objectives. Programs at the school are also accredited by the following organizations:

  • ABET
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
  • American Dental Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

East Tennessee State University Application Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program must apply to the Department of Public Health for admission. The process is competitive and is separate from admission to the University. They must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 credit hours of college coursework. They also must be within eight credits of completing the general education core curriculum.

Applicants to the Master of Public Health Community in all concentrations must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and satisfactory scores on the GRE. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities as well as official GRE scores must be provided. GRE scores must be within the last five years. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Applicants who hold a master’s degree or higher do not need to submit GRE scores.

Applicants for the Doctor of Public Health requires evidence of successful completion of a Master of Public Health degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must provide a personal essay and official GRE scores. Three letters of recommendation are also required.

East Tennessee State University Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition is $9,491 per year for in-state students and $28,673 for out-of-state students. Graduate tuition is $10,603 for residents and $26,185 for out-of-state residents.

Financial aid is available and almost 90 percent of students receive federal, state or private financial aid. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the form must be renewed on an annual basis. Undergraduates may be offered grants, scholarships or loans. On-campus students may be offered work-study. Graduate students may be offered fellowships or assistantships if they attend on campus as well as loans.

The mission of East Tennessee State University is to provide a student-centered community of learning, providing a high standard of education that prepares them for their chosen career.