CSU MPH Focus Areas
Animals, People and the Environment Focus Area
Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration
Global Health and Health Disparities Focus Area
Health Communication Focus Area
Health and Exercise Science Focus Area
Public Health Nutrition Focus Area
Animals, People and the Environment Focus Area
Throughout the world, human societies are inextricably linked with animals, be they wild or domestic, whether for food, work or companionship. While some health professionals focus solely on health in humans, public health is hugely impacted by interactions between animals, people, and their environment. Access to a variety of expertise pertaining to animals, such as routine management and production, animal wellbeing and welfare, ethics and the human-animal bond, animal population issues, zoonotic diseases, food safety, and veterinary medicine is a critical aspect of public health. CSU has unique, internationally recognized programs to provide both classroom and practical education opportunities in this important area of public health.
Within the generalist MPH the focus in Animals, People and the Environment prepares graduates for a variety of careers in national, state, and local public health agencies including a variety of governmental and non-governmental agencies and health care agencies, and academia. These include opportunities in the U.S. and internationally.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
Course Requirements
To fulfill the Animals, People and the Environment (APE) focus area requirements students need to take a total of 15 credits within the focus area including 3 credits in Food Safety and 6 credits of Other APE Core.
Food Safety – Minimum of 3 credits
HACCP Meat Safety (ANEQ 5670 – 3 credits) (Spring; T,Th 3-3:50)
OR
*Food Animal Production and Food Safety (VSCS 6480 – 2 credits) (MPH/DVM: VS 648) (Spring;
Th 8-9:40)
OR
Topics in Meat Safety (ANEQ 6600 – 1 credit) (Fall, Spring; F 3-3:50 – prereq of ANEQ 567) WITH
Current Issues in Food Safety (FTEC 5740 – 2 credits) (Spring; T,Th 11-11:50)
Other APE Core – Minimum of 6 credits
Advanced Issues in Agriculture (AGRI 5000 – 3 credits) (Fall; T,Th 10-10:50 + Recitation TBD)
Issues in Animal Agriculture (VSCS 5700 – 2 credits)
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases / Zoonoses (ERHS 5330 – 3 credits) (Spring even yrs)
Advanced Veterinary Epidemiology (VSCS 5810 – 3 credits) (Spring odd yrs; T,Th 9-10:45)
Introduction to Epidemiologic Simulation Modeling (inquire with CSU)
Animal Production Systems (AGRI 6340 – 3 credits) 6-week intensive (contact focus area lead faculty about alternative course times)
Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security (FSHN 5000 – 2 credits) (Fall; W 2-3:50)
*MPH/DVM Only: Veterinary Preventive Medicine (VM 714 – 4 credits)
*MPH/DVM Only: Bacteriology and Mycology (VM 637 – 4 credits)
APE Electives
Issues in Manure management (ANEQ 5480 – 4 credits) (Fall even yrs; MW 2-2:50, Th 2-4:50)
Molecular Approaches to Food Safety (ANEQ 6760 – 3 credits) (Fall odd yrs)
Principles and Mechanisms of Disease (MIPO 5550 – 3 credits) (Fall; MWF 3-3:50)
Applied Logistic Regression (ERHS 6420 – 3 credits) (Spring even yrs; T,Th 9:30-10:45)
Foundations of Ecology (ECOL 5050 – 2 credits) (Fall; T,Th 11-11:50)
Food Biotechnology (FTEC 5720 – 2 credits) (Spring odd yrs; T,Th 9-9:50)
Managing Human-Wildlife Conflicts (FWLD 5650 – 3 credits) (Spring; M 1-1:50, W 1-3:40)
Independent studies (VSCS 7955)
Critical Evaluation of Scientific Literature (VSCS 6020 – 2 credits) (Time dependent on student)
Fundamentals of Epidemiology (VSCS 7960 – 2 credits) (Fall; W 3-5)
Perspectives in Global Health (PSCH 5170 – 3 credits) (Spring even yrs; W 10-12:50)
Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology (FWHN 6400 – 2 credits) (Fall; T 2-3:40)
Public Communication Campaigns (JTCM 6140 – 3 credits) (Fall; M 6-8:50pm)
Human-Environment Interactions (ANTH 5300 – 3 credits) (Fall odd yrs)
*MPH/DVM Only: Emerging Infectious Disease (VM 707; 1 credit)
*MPH/DVM Only: Clinical Toxicology (VM 751; 2 credits)
*MPH/DVM students can transfer up to 10 credits of approved DVM coursework into their MPH coursework
**Course days/times are subject to change
***Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration
Thirteen million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes. Reducing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, in children alone, mostly in developing countries. Workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses remain at unacceptably high levels and involve an enormous and unnecessary health burden, suffering, and economic loss amounting to 4–5% of GDP. According to World Health Organization and International Labor Organization estimates for the year 2000 there were 2.0 million work-related deaths per year. WHO estimates that only 10-15% of workers worldwide have access to a basic standard of occupational health services. Environmental and Occupational Health professionals have made important contributions to prevention and control of exposure to chemical, physical, and biological stressors that cause illness, injury, or impaired well-being among workers or citizens of the community.
Within the generalist MPH program the focus in environmental and occupational health prepares graduates for a variety of careers in governmental and non-governmental agencies, health care settings, private industry and consulting, labor, and academia.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration Requirements:
Required Environmental and Occupational Health Courses:
Environmental /Occupational Epidemiology (ERHS 6580) (Spring odd yrs; 3 credits; T,Th 2:30-1:55)
Fundamentals of Toxicology (ERHS 5020) (Fall; 3 credits; T,Th 12:30-1:45)
Industrial Hygiene (ERHS 5260) (Fall; 3 credits; T,Th 3:30-4:45)
Advanced Occupational Health (ERHS 5360) (Spring; 3 credits; MWF 10-10:50)
Recommended general elective courses for specific interests: (students may take other CSPH courses for general electives)
Industrial Hygiene Laboratory (ERHS 5270) (Spring; 1 credit)
Industrial Hygiene Control Methods (ERHS 6360) (Spring; 3 credits; MWF 3-3:50)
Occupational Noise Control (ERHS 6560) (Fall; 3 credits; T,Th 11-12:15)
Aerosols and Occupational Health (ERHS 7260) (Fall; 3 credits; M 11-11:50, W 11-12:15)
Occupational Safety (ERHS 5280) (Spring; 3 credits; MWF 11-11:50)
Principles of Ergonomics (ERHS 5400) (Fall; 3 credits; M 3-5:40)
Ergonomics in Product and Process Design (ERHS 5410) (Spring; 3 credits)
Occupational Health Psychology (PSCY 7920)
Environmental Health Risk Assessment (ERHS 6480) (Spring even yrs; 3 credits)
Radiological Physics and Dosimetry (ERHS 5300) (Fall; 3 credits; MWF 9-9:50)
Principles of Radiation Biology (ERHS 5500) (Spring; 5 credits; MWF 2-3:25)
Radiation Public Health (ERHS 5610) (Fall, Spring; 2 credits; Th 10-11:40)
Radiological Physics and Dosimetry II (ERHS 6300) (Spring; 3 credits; MWF 9-9:50)
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
The use of epidemiology in the surveillance and control of threats to individual and community health is an integral part of routine public health practice. Epidemiologists have made important contributions to understanding the origins and risk factors for the major causes of human morbidity and mortality and developing preventive strategies for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, occupational illnesses and other conditions including injuries. Changing environmental conditions, exposures to new technologies and altered human behaviors may lead to important threats to human health. CSU faculty is actively involved in environmental and occupational epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, infectious disease, injury, nutritional and veterinary epidemiology.
Within the generalist MPH program the focus in epidemiology prepares graduates for a variety of careers in national, state, and local public health agencies including governmental and non-governmental agencies and health care agencies.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
Epidemiology Concentration Requirements:
Required Epidemiology Courses (6-7 credits)
Two of the following:Applied Logistic Regression (ERHS 6420) (Spring even yrs; T,Th 9:30-10:45; 3 credits)
Advanced Epidemiology (ERHS 6400) (Spring; T,Th 9:30-10:45; 3 credits)
Advanced Veterinary Epidemiology (VSCS 5810) (Spring odd yrs; T,Th 9-11; 3 credits)
Epidemiology Elective Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Research-oriented courses:Advanced Epidemiology (ERHS 6400) (Spring; T,Th 9:30-10:45; 3 credits)
Advanced Veterinary Epidemiology (VSCS 5810) (Spring odd yrs; T,Th 9-11; 3 credits)
Applied Logistic Regression (ERHS 6420) (Spring even yrs; T,Th 9:30-10:45; 3 credits)
Applied Linear Models (EDRM 7010)
Applied Longitudinal Analysis (EDRM 7030)
Biostatistics for Qualitative Data (ERHS 5420) (Fall; T,Th 12:30-1:45; 3 credits)
Biostatistics for Quantitative Data (ERHS 5440) (Spring; T,Th 11-12:15; 3 credits)
Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (STAS 5110)
Topic-oriented courses:Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (ERHS 6580) (Spring odd yrs; T,Th 12:30-1:20; 3 credits)
Emerging Infectious Diseases – MPH/DVM Only (VM 707)
Epidemiology of Health and Physical Activity (HESC 6450) (Spring, T,Th 12-1:15; 3 credits)
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses (ERHS 5330) (Spring even yrs; MWF 3-3:50; 3 credits)
Epidemiology Research Seminar (ERHS 6930) (Fall/Spring)
Fundamentals of Epidemiology (VSCS 7960) (Fall)
Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology (FSHN 6400) (Fall; T 2-3:40; 2 credits)
Veterinary Preventive Medicine – MPH/DVM Only (VM 714)
Recommended general elective courses: (students may take other CSPH courses for general electives)Applied Multivariate Analysis (STAS 5600)
Applied Longitudinal Analysis (EDRM 7030)
Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II (STAS 5120)
Quantitative Spatial Analysis (STAS 5230)
Applied Linear Models (EDRM 7010)
Principles and Mechanisms of Disease (MIPO 5550)
Food Animal Production and Food Safety (VSCS 6480)
Perspectives in Global Health (PSCY 5170)
Women’s Health (PSCY 5150)
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
Global Health and Health Disparities Focus Area
One of the greatest achievements in the twentieth century is the social transformation leading to improved living conditions for a large majority of humans. Extraordinary increases have been seen in increased life expectancy and a lowered in risk of infectious disease for a large majority of the world population. However, more than a billion humans have not benefited from the advances because they still live in poverty. Reducing the high rate of morbidity and mortality suffered by the poor will require focusing on interventions that can achieve the greatest improvement in health. This focus area is designed for students who intend to study, identify, and solve public health problems in both a domestic and global environment.
Within the generalist MPH the focus in global and health disparities prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in a variety of public and private settings including but not limited to community health centers, community agencies, health departments, and NGOs.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
Global Health and Health Disparities Focus Area Requirements:
A total of 15 credit hours of coursework under this focus area with a minimum of 9 credit hours from the focus area core.
Focus Area Core (Minimum of 9 credits)
Perspectives in Global Health – PSCH 5170 (3 credits; Spring even yrs; W 10-12:50)
Anthropology and Global Health – ANTP 5710 (3 credits; Fall even yrs; W 3-5:50)
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses – ERHS 5330 (3 credits)
Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology – FSHN 6400 (2 credits; Fall; T 3-4:00)
Women, Health and Culture – ANTP 5200 (3 credits; Spring odd yrs; M 1-3:50)
Medical Anthropology – ANTP 5400 (3 credits; Spring even yrs; W 3-5:50)
Women’s Health – PSCH 5150 (3 credits; Fall odd yrs; W 10-12:50)
Culture and Mental Health – ANTP 5450 (3 credits; Spring odd yrs; Th 2-4:50)
Mind, Medicine and Culture – ANTP 5470 (3credits; Spring even yrs)
Focus Area Electives
Public Communication Campaigns – JTCM 6140 (3 credits; Fall; M 6-8:50pm)
Health Communication – JTCM 6300 (3 credits; Spring; T 3-5:50)
Communication in Technology Transfer – JTCM 6600 (3 credits)
International Development Seminar – IEOO 6920 (3 credits; Fall; T 6-8:50pm)
International Nutrition (prerequisite coursework may be required) – FSHN 6610 (2 credits; Fall even yrs; Th 1-2:50)
Culture and Environment – ANTH 515 (3 credits)
Anthropology and Sustainable Development – ANTH 529 (3 credits; Fall; Th 2-4:50)
Human Environment Interactions – ANTH 530 (3 credits)
Seminar in Sociological Policy Analysis – SOC 662 (3 credits; Fall; T 3:30-6:20pm)
Global Inequality and Change – SOC 669 (3 credits)
Communication and Global Diversity – SPCM 534 (3 credits; Spring odd yrs; T,Th 9:30-10:45)
Historical Trauma and Health in Native American Populations (UNC course)
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
Health and Exercise Science Focus Area
Leaders who understand the physiological as well as public health implications of physical inactivity are needed to help battle such problems as obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases including poor mental health. As the Centers for Disease Control notes, “The public health community will need to strengthen its leadership role if improvements in population levels of physical activity are to occur.” Physical activity is important to both our physical and mental health; however, despite this, most of the U.S. remains sedentary.
Within the generalist MPH the focus in health and exercise science prepares graduates for a variety of careers including state and local health departments, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations such as the American Heart Association, community organizations, as well as schools, worksites and the medical community.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
**Prerequisite coursework for the Health and Exercise Science focus area includes:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology/Anatomy
- Exercise Physiology
The prerequisite coursework does not need to be completed prior to application into the MPH Program, or prior to initial enrollment in the MPH program. Students should be aware that undergraduate level coursework (below 500 level) cannot be applied to the number of credits needed for completion of the MPH degree.
Health and Exercise Science Focus Area Requirements:
Required courses: 9 credits
Epidemiology of Health and Physical Activity/Epidemiology of Chronic Disease (HESC 6450 – 3 credits)
(Spring; T,Th 12-1:15)
Health Promotion Program Design – 3 credits NEW COURSE -(offered Spring and Fall)
Practicum – (HESC 6861- 3 credits) (either in Applied or Research /Measurement) (Spring, Fall and Summer)
Elective Courses: 6 credits (2 classes) – choose from the following:
Applied :
Stress Management (HESC 6560 – 3 credits) (Spring and Fall)
Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription (HESC 5200 – 3 credits) (Spring; T,Th 3:30-5:10)
Independent Study – Health (HESC 6950 – 1-18 credits) (Fall, Spring and Summer)
Group Study (HESC 6960 – variable credits) (Fall, Spring and Summer)
Research/Measurement :
Exercise Bioenergetics (HESC 6100 – 3 credits) (Fall; MWF 1-1:50)
Exercise and Nutrition (FSHN 5600 – 3 credits) (Spring; MWF 2-2:50)
Regulation of Energy Intake (FSHN 6750 – 3 credits) (Spring; T,Th 9:30-10:45)
Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology (HESC 6030 – 3 credits) (Fall; MWF 11-11:50)
Independent Study – Exercise Science (FSHN 6951 – 1-18 credits) (Fall, Spring and Summer)
Group Study (HESC 6960 – 1-18 credits) (Fall, Spring and Summer)
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
Health Communication Focus Area
A focus on health communication prepares the future public health professional to employ scientifically based communication strategies toward the goal of improving health on both the individual and community levels. Effective communication is a necessary element in all domains of health care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health communication is especially critical in eight contexts: "(1) health professional-patient relations, (2) individuals’ exposure to, search for, and use of health information, (3) individuals’ adherence to clinical recommendations and regimens, (4) the construction of public health messages and campaigns, (5) the dissemination of individual and population health risk information, that is, risk communication, (6) images of health in the mass media and the culture at large, (7) the education of consumers about how to gain access to the public health and health care systems, and (8) the development of telehealth applications." For more details on how health communication fits into the Healthy people 2010 objectives please see:
http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/HTML/Volume1/11HealthCom.htm
The generalist MPH with a focus in Health Communication prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in a variety of public and private settings including but not limited to governmental health agencies, non-profit groups, the health care and medical community, and health-specific communication and media organizations.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
Health Communication Focus Area Requirements:
The Health Communication Focus Area requires students to obtain proficiency in communication theory and research methods as well as in an organized cognate area.
Required Courses (Minimum of 6-7 credits)
Core requirements include a general communication theory course and a theory of health communication course. There are two sets of core courses to choose from, one more relevant to interpersonal-level clinical health communication, the other more relevant to community-level public health communication.
Interpersonal-level (6 cr):Theories of Interpersonal Communication (SPCM 5320)(Fall; Wed 6-8:30pm; 3 credits)
Communicating in Health Clinics (SPCM 5380)(Spring; 3 credits)
Community-level (7 cr):Process and Effects of Technical Communication (JTCM 5010) (Fall; T,Th 4-5:40; 4 credits)
OR
Communication Theory (SPCM 5390) (Fall; 3 credits);
AND
Health Communication (JTCM 6300) (Spring; T 3-5:50; 3 credits)
Cognate (Minimum of 9 credits)
In consultation with your advisor, select courses that combine in a reinforcing manner to serve your goals for intellectual and professional development.
Public Communication Campaigns (JTCM 6140) (Fall; M 6-8:50pm; 3 credits)
Information Design (JTCM 6610) (Fall; W 6-8:50pm; 3 credits)
Corp. and Institutional Media Production (JTCM 5440 – 3 credits) (Fall even yrs; T,Th 12-1:50)
Telecommunication (JTCM 6400) (Spring; M 3-5:50; 3 credits)
Public Relations Management (JTCM 6500) (Spring; M 6-8:50pm; 3 credits)
Communication in Technology Transfer (JTCM 6600) (Spring; Th 6-8:50pm; 3 credits)
Communicating Science and Technology (JTCM 6620) (Spring; T 6-8:50pm; 3 credits)
Communication and Global Diversity (SPCM 5340) (Spring; T,Th 9:30-10:45; 3 credits)
These core courses may also be taken as electives cross-emphasis:
Health Communication (JTCM 6300) (Spring; T 3-5:50; 3 credits)
Communicating in Health Clinics (SPCM 5380) (Spring; 3 credits)
Theories of Interpersonal Communication (SPCM 5320) (Fall; Wed 6-8:30pm; 3 credits)
Processes and Effects of Technical Communication (JTCM 5010) (Fall; T,Th 4-5:40pm; 4 credits)
Communication Theory (SPCM 5390) (Fall; 3 credits)
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director
Public Health Nutrition Focus Area
Appropriate nutrition is recognized as one of the key pillars underlying human health and well-being. Given the global public health issues of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases, food safety, and malnutrition, well-trained public health nutrition professionals are needed both in the U.S. and abroad. Public health nutrition is a discipline focused on promoting health and lowering disease risk by improving nutritional status in populations. Examples of public health nutrition approaches include developing and implementing policy changes to help ensure availability of nutrient dense foods among underserved populations, raising nutritional awareness in specific groups via social marketing, developing nutritional interventions via community based participatory research, modifying generic dietary recommendations to more specifically address nutritional needs of high risk population groups, developing local, sustainable food production strategies to tackle international health issues related to nutrient deficiencies, etc.
Within the generalist MPH the focus in public health nutrition prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in a variety of public and private settings including but not limited to community health centers, community agencies, health departments, and NGOs.
To see the faculty in this focus area click here
To see a sample schedule for this focus area click here
**Prerequisite coursework for the Public Health Nutrition focus area includes:
- Biology
- Physiology
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Mid-level course in Human Nutrition
The prerequisite coursework does not need to be completed prior to application into the MPH Program, or prior to initial enrollment in the MPH program. Students should be aware that undergraduate level coursework (below 500 level) cannot be applied to the number of credits needed for completion of the MPH degree.
Public Health Nutrition Focus Area Course Requirements:
Focus Area Required Courses: 13 credits
FSHN 5500 Advanced Nutritional Sciences I, 3 credits (Spring; MWF 9-9:50)
FSHN 5510 Advanced Nutritional Sciences II, 3 credits (Fall; MWF 9-9:50)
FSHN 6200 Advanced Community Nutrition, 3 credits (Spring; M 3-3:50 and W 3-4:40)
FSHN 6400 Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology, 2 credits (Fall; T 3-4:00)
FSHN 5250 Nutrition Education Theories and Practice, 2 credits (Fall; T 10-11:40)
Focus Area Electives: 2-3 credits (1 class) – choose from the following:
FSHN 5000 Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security, 2 credits (Fall; W 2-3:50)
FSHN 6502 Recent Developments in Human Nutrition- Macronutrients, 2 credits (Fall every other yr; time varies)
FSHN 6750 Regulation of Energy Intake 3 credits (Spring every other yr; 9:30-10:45)
FSHN 5600 Exercise and Nutrition, 3 credits (Spring; MWF 2-2:50)
FSHN 5200 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy, 3 credits (Summer; T,W,Th 10-11:40)
FSHN 6600 Women’s Issues in Lifecycle Nutrition, 2 credits (Spring; T 1-2:40)
FSHN 6610 International Nutrition, 2 credits (Fall; Th 1-2:50)
FSHN 6920 Seminar, 1 credit (Fall and Spring; times vary)
FSHN 6951 Independent Study – Food Science, 1-18 credits (Fall, Spring, Summer)
FSHN 6950 Independent Study – Nutrition, 1-18 credits (Fall, Spring, Summer)
FSHN 6501 Recent Developments in Human Nutrition – Protein, 1 credit
FSHN 650 C Recent Developments in Human Nutrition – Genomics, 1 credit
*Course days/times are subject to change
**Students may petition to have other courses allowed to count toward their focus area and should contact the MPH Program Coordinator or Director