Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Campus Director: Teresa Sharp, Ph.D.
Location: Gunter Hall 1300
Telephone: 970.351.2997
Fax: 970.351.1255
Website: unco.edu/nhs/colorado-school-public-health/
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is the primary professional degree in the field of public health, training students for a variety of public health areas. The program provides a broad, multidisciplinary focus on the factors that influence population health from behavioral risk to environmental exposures to socioeconomic and health policy. Students acquire knowledge, skills and practical experiences that prepare them for professional activities, including: epidemiological and health services research; community needs assessment; environmental and occupational health; health policy; health promotion; and administration of public health programs. Graduates find work in research settings, health care settings, industry, government health agencies, community-based organizations and foundations, and global health. Physicians, veterinarians, nurses and other health care professionals also comprise a portion of the MPH student body, acquiring graduate training in public health to enhance their understanding of the preventive measures and underlying causes of disease.
The future of public health, a field dedicated to improving the health of populations, depends on the collaboration of educators, researchers, policy makers, communities and citizens. The Colorado School of Public Health, collaboratively formed by the University of Colorado Denver, Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado, is the first and only school of public health in the Rocky Mountain region. Combining transferable courses, faculty and resources, the collaborative school allows students to access specializations, research and service centers located at the three universities.
The MPH with concentrations in Community Health Education and Global Health-Community Health Education offered at UNC aims to prepare students to work with diverse populations and work within communities to prevent disease and develop positive, healthy lifestyles. Because of the great latitude within the field of community health education, the program allows students to tailor their program to emphasize special interests in public health. The Community Health Education and Global Health-Community Health Education concentrations are designed to prepare students to serve as administrators or practitioners in a variety of health education settings. The curriculum is based upon the Council of Education for Public Health's accreditation guidelines.
Students who seek public health training have varied backgrounds and levels of experience, though many students have a bachelor's degree in a biological or sociological science. In addition, a significant number of students are currently employed while seeking professional training and advancement. Approximately 30-40% of students have a prior graduate or professional degree, including fields such as nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, law, social work, and various laboratory sciences.
Students in the Community Health Education track are prepared to work in population based programs-helping prevent disease and developing positive health lifestyles.
CU Denver, on behalf of the School, will confer the professional degrees (MPH, DrPH) with each Party's signature and seal shown on the diploma. Final recommendations about students' eligibility for graduation will be made by the Dean of the School or designee, who will forward the recommendations as specified in the policies of the CU Board of Regents, CSU Board of Governors and UNC Board of Trustees.
Registration: In those terms when students are enrolled in courses at the University of Colorado Denver and/or Colorado State University, with no registration at the University of Northern Colorado, a registration placeholder, MPH 599, will be added to the student record. MPH 599 is a course under the authorization of the University of Northern Colorado as part of the Master of Public Health exchange program.
Degree Requirements — 42 Credits
Required Major Credits — 33 hours
| CH 509 | Behavior Change Theories | 3 |
| CH 520 | Foundations in Public Health | 2 |
| CH 530 | Strategies for Community Health Promotion | 3 |
| CH 535 | Effective Community Health Engagement | 3 |
| CH 550 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| CH 610 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| CH 612 | Statistical Applications in Public Health | 3 |
| CH 620 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| CH 635 | Policy, Advocacy, Leadership & Management in Community Health | 3 |
| CH 686 | MPH Masters Project | 2 |
| CH 693 | MPH Practicum | 2 |
CH 520: This course is offered through CSPH as PUBH 6600.
Select one of the following courses:
| CH 615 | Methods in Public Health Research and Evaluation | 3 |
| SRM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 3 |
Required Elective Credits — 9 hours
There are numerous elective courses available through UNC's Community Health Program, as well as through the Colorado School of Public Health. The elective suggestions provided below are for students who may want to focus their education in a specialization area. All elective credits are selected with consent of advisor.
Electives for Specialization Area of Coordinated School Health:
| CH 525 | Contemporary Issues in School Health | 3 |
| EDF 500 | Conceptions of Schooling | 3 |
Program Notes
Students must complete 150 practicum field hours and successfully complete a capstone experience (formal report and public presentation) which incorporates core competencies with the practicum experience. Students may also pursue a thesis option in lieu of 6 elective hours upon consultation and approval by their faculty advisor. Completion and presentation of a capstone project satisfies the completion of the comprehensive exam.
CU Denver, on behalf of the School, will confer the professional degrees (MPH, DrPH) with each Party's signature and seal shown on the diploma. Final recommendations about students' eligibility for graduation will be made by the Dean of the School or designee, who will forward the recommendations as specified in the policies of the CU Board of Regents, CSU Board of Governors and UNC Board of Trustees.
Accelerated (4+1) Master of Public Health
This degree offers a combined BS/MPH 4+1 degree option where students can complete their BS in Health Sciences and their Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education degrees in five years. This is possible by taking some of the MPH graduate courses as an undergraduate, and having those courses apply to both degrees.
Accelerated Master of Public Health Admissions
Before entering into the MPH, students will apply for the MPH program in Community Health Education or Global Health/Community Health Education through the SOPHAS Express online platform. Students apply in Fall of Year 4. Requirements for applying include: undergraduate cumulative GPA >3.0, three (3) letters of recommendation (at least two from faculty), personal statement; some public health related experience (paid, volunteer, or internship) is beneficial.
Accelerated Master of Public Health Timeline
In years three and four of the program, students in the 4+1 MPH Program must choose STAT 451 and 9 of the 12 CH credits listed below to complete the BS and MS in 5 years. Only students who have been accepted into the 4+1 program are eligible to apply these courses toward the undergraduate degree.
Outline for degree completion of the Accelerated B.S. and MPH:
Fall Semester, Senior year
Apply for admission to the MPH program
STAT 451 Intermediate Applied Statistics (3 credits)
One 500-level graduate MPH course (CH 509, CH 530, CH 535, or CH 550) (3 credits, double-counted)
Spring Semester, Senior year
Two 500-level graduate MPH courses (CH 509, CH 530, CH 535, or CH 550) (6 credits, double-counted)
Summer after Senior year
CH 520 Foundations in Public Health
One or two MPH Electives (3-6 credits)
Notes:
CH 520: This course is offered through CSPH as PUBH 6600
Fall Semester, fifth year
CH 612 Statistical Applications in Public Health (3 credits)
CH 615 Methods in Public Health Research and Evaluation (3 credits)
CH 635 Policy, Advocacy, Leadership & Management in Community Health (3 credits)
One 500-level graduate MPH course (CH 509, CH 530, CH 535, or CH 550) (3 credits)
Spring Semester, fifth year
CH 610 Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
CH 620 Epidemiology (3 credits)
One or two MPH Electives (3-6 credits)
Summer, fifth year
CH 686 MPH Masters Project (2 credits)
CH 693 MPH Practicum (2 credits)