Concentrations

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers our students flexibility regarding their interests and career aspirations. The diversity and complexity of today's public health concerns require professionals to have a broad base of knowledge, skills and experiences. To help our students expand their studies, we offer the following MPH degree concentrations.

Public Health Methods

The Public Health Methods concentration equips students to manage public health problems by acquiring skills to reduce disease and disability at the community level. The concentration is appropriate for those who are entering the field, currently employed in public health, allied health or administration fields as well as for clinicians. Students will graduate with an extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods, and analytical software to support and guide public health programs and healthcare. This program can be completed full or part-time.

Coursework Overview

Foundational Courses (24 Credit Hours)

• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Biostatistics
• Principles of Environmental Health
• Social & Behavioral Dimensions of Public Health
• Public Health Policy
• Public Health Foundations
• Public Health Research Methods
• Program Planning & Evaluation

Concentration-Specific Courses (12 Credit Hours)

• Advanced Epidemiology
• Advanced Biostatistics
• Advanced Qualitative Methods
• Advanced Analytical Software

Applied Practice Experience (3 Credit Hours)

Elective(s) (Minimum of 3 Credit Hours)

Integrative Learning Experience - Comprehensive Exam

In their final semester, students take a comprehensive exam – an integrative learning experience – that incorporates all of the coursework and subject matter they have learned in the program.

Global Health and Translational Science 

The Global Health and Translational Science concentration focuses on understanding and developing solutions to global health problems. The concentration is intended for students and clinicians interested in a career focused on research, global health fieldwork, and clinical product development.

Students will graduate with core public health skills and a keen understanding of how interventions are advanced from the laboratory to global communities. Students will work closely with faculty and staff within the Upstate Institute for Global Health and Translational Science who have designed, administered, and evaluated clinical and translational global health solutions. This program can be completed part-time but full-time is preferred. Students accepted into the Global Health & Translational Science track will complete the full MPH within 15 months, beginning in the Summer semester.

Institute of Global Health and Translational Science

The Institute of Global Health and Translational Science (IGHTS) has two major international platforms, in Kenya and Ecuador, supported by Upstate faculty and staff, and has a wealth of experience sending public health and medical students to these sites for research, service, and field practicum experiences. Students will work with IGHTS faculty who have designed, administered, and evaluated clinical and translational global health solutions. Students will appreciate the indicators and drivers of global health problems and better understand the requirements and processes to develop comprehensive (interdisciplinary, intersectoral) solutions to global problems

INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE

Coursework Overview

Foundational Courses (24 Credit Hours)

• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Biostatistics
• Principles of Environmental Health
• Social & Behavioral Dimensions of Public Health
• Public Health Policy
• Public Health Foundations
• Public Health Research Methods
• Program Planning & Evaluation

Concentration-Specific Courses (9 Credit Hours)

• Introduction to Global Health
• Research and Development for Global Health
• Advanced Epidemiology
• Applied Practice Experience Pre-Departure Modules

Applied Practice Experience (3 Credit Hours)

All MPH students at Upstate have access to a common pool of potential Applied Practice Experience (APE) sites. Students in the GHTS concentration will have the opportunity to apply their classroom training in Global Health and Translational Sciences by engaging in an appropriate Applied Practice Experience that matches their career goals and aptitudes. We offer opportunities to work with the local refugee community and to partner with Upstate’s Institute for Global Health and Translational Science (IGHTS) to use clinical research to promote public health outcomes. Additionally, we offer opportunities to receive APE credit at international practice sites to students, based upon aptitude, career goals, and interests. (Please note that there are additional expenses associated with International Applied Practice Experiences beyond the cost of tuition.)

Elective(s) (Minimum of 6 Credit Hours)

Integrative Learning Experience - Comprehensive Exam

In their final semester, students take a comprehensive exam – an integrative learning experience – that incorporates all of the coursework and subject matter they have learned in the program.

Population Health for Clinicians

The Population Health for Clinicians concentration focuses on the impact that public health issues and social determinants have on patient and community health and healthcare. The concentration is intended for learners from clinical backgrounds, such as nursing and medicine. Students will graduate with a broader understanding of public health principles, social determinants, and how to apply evidence and public health principles to a clinical setting. Entry into the Population Health for Clinicians concentration typically requires concurrent admission into either Upstate's MD or Public Health Scholars program and is intended as a degree to be awarded alongside Upstate's MD degree, resulting in dual degree conferral (MD/MPH)

Coursework Overview

Foundational Courses (24 Credit Hours)

• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Biostatistics
• Principles of Environmental Health
• Social & Behavioral Dimensions of Public Health
• Public Health Policy
• Public Health Foundations
• Public Health Research Methods
• Program Planning & Evaluation

Concentration-Specific Courses (9 Credit Hours)

• Public Health and Biopsychosocial Primary Care
• Systematic Reviews
• Randomized Controlled Trials

Applied Practice Experience (3 Credit Hours)

Elective(s) (6 Credit Hours)

Integrative Learning Experience - Comprehensive Exam

In their final semester of the MPH study, students take a comprehensive exam – an integrative learning experience – that incorporates all of the coursework and subject matter they have learned in the program.