Portland-State-University 2021-2022 Bulletin

MPH in Public Health Practice (online)

Students in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health MPH in Public Health Practice acquire broad knowledge about and perspectives on public health policy and practice, with particular emphasis on improving primary healthcare accessibility and quality for underserved populations based on the concepts and principles of primary health care defined by the World Health Organization (universal coverage, service delivery, public policy, leadership, and stakeholder participation). To support working and distance students, coursework for the MPH in Public Health Practice program may be completed entirely online. Online MPH students are fully matriculated into the School of Public Health and have the option to complete some of their courses in person. Graduates are employed by state and local governmental agencies, non-profits, and community organizations.

Program Competencies

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

  • Assess, analyze and synthesize the health status of vulnerable populations

  • Identify, develop and manage interventions to promote and protect the health of populations at risk

  • Lead and participate in interprofessional efforts to address health inequities with community partners

  • Conduct, participate in or apply research which improves the health of a population

  • Assess and integrate cultural beliefs and practices into public health interventions

  • Develop & apply effective communication strategies across multiple sectors of the community  

  • Apply program planning and quality improvement principles in the development, management and/or evaluation of population health services.

  • Demonstrate basic skills in development of a grant proposal. 

  • Employ techniques to manage human, fiscal, and other public health resource

Core Required Coursework (22 credits)

Bsta 525Introduction to Biostatistics

4

Epi 512Epidemiology I

4

ESHH 511Concepts of Environmental Health

3

HSMP 574Health Systems Organization

3

PHE 512Principles of Health Behavior

3

Exam Certified in Public Health Examination

0

CPH 502Integrative Experience and Paper

1

CPH 509APractice Experience

4

Program Required Courses (25 credits)

Interprofessional Education course

1

 

CPH 511Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice

3

or

PHE 520Qualitative Research Design

3

  

CPH 521Social Determinants of Health

3

CPH 522Communicating Public Health Data

3

CPH 528Management Practice and Quality Improvement in Health Care and Public Health Organizations

3

CPH 535Professionalism, Ethics & Systems Thinking in Public Health

3

CPH 536Community Based Participatory Research

3

 

CPH 538Public Health Program Evaluation

3

or

HSMP 588Program Evaluation and Management In Health Services

3

 

CPH 550Public Health Program Planning

3

Elective Courses (9 credits)

Electives Recommended for Online Students

CPH 507ACurrent Issues in Public Health

3

CPH 515Geographic Information Systems for Public Health

3

CPH 523Primary Health Care and Health Disparities: Global Perspectives and Program Development

3

CPH 526Epidemiology of Aging & Chronic Disease

3

CPH 531Social Context of Public Health Policy

3

HSMP 579Health Information Technology and Systems Management

3

PHE 545Men's Health

4

PHE 553Women's Reproductive Health

4

Total Credit Hours: 56

For more information and instructions on how to apply visit the MPH in Public Health Practice (online) web page.