MPH in Community and Behavioral Health

The MPH in Community and Behavioral Health prepares public health practitioners for a variety of positions related to community development, health program implementation, and health education. Students learn how to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions that are directed toward identified public health problems in populations. Bachelor’s level training in the social and behavioral sciences is good preparation for this program, but current students come from a variety of educational backgrounds.

Graduates of the CBH Program of Study are able to:

  • Articulate the historical and contemporary interrelations among determinants of health
  • Summarize community-engaged research and practice methodology
  • Utilize the strengths/assets of a community to address health inequities.
  • Use ethical, culturally informed, and participatory processes to implement health promotion action.
  • Develop appropriate, realistic, and measurable goals and objectives for health promotion action.
  • Analyze differences in perspectives and values among stakeholders/decision-makers that affect health equity
  • Adapt evidence-based theory-guided approaches and interventions to rural contexts.

Examples of careers include:

  • Health Educator
  • Program Manager, State Public Health Department
  • Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Coordinator
  • Director, County Public Health Department
  • Policy Advisor

A typical student completes the MPH in two years. The following is a sample plan of study based on a full-time student starting in the Fall. Please work with your advisor to choose a plan that works best for you.

Course No.Course NameHours
 Fall 112 s.h.
CBH:5220Health Behavior and Health Education3 s.h.
CPH:6335Research Methods in CBH3 s.h.
CPH:5100Intro to Public Health*3 s.h.
EPID:4400Epidemiology I: Principles*3 s.h.
 Spring 112 s.h.
CBH:4105Intro to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention*3 s.h.
CBH:6205Designing and Implementing Interventions3 s.h.
BIOS:4120Intro to Biostatistics*3 s.h.
HMP:4000Intro to US Healthcare Systems*3 s.h.
 Fall 29 s.h.
CBH:6230Health Equity and Social Justice3 s.h.
CBH:5305Evaluation: Approaches and Applications3 s.h.
CPH:5203Interprofessional Education & Practice for MPH Students0 s.h.
OEH:4240Global Environmental Health*3 s.h.
 Spring 29 s.h.
CBH: xxxxCBH Elective 3 s.h.
CBH:xxxxCBH Methods option3 s.h.
CPH:7800MPH Practicum3 s.h.
MPH degree total42 s.h.
*Denotes MPH Core Course that must be completed prior to enrolling in CPH:7800.

Course No.Course NameHours
 Methods – Pick 1 
CBH:5235Community-Based Participatory Research (Fall)3 s.h.
CBH:5310Qualitative Research for Public Health (Spring)3 s.h.
Courses not picked can also be used as electives.
Course No.Course NameHours
CBH:4140Feminist Activism and Global Health3 s.h.
CBH:5350Foundations of Maternal and Child Health3 s.h.
CBH:5435Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention3 s.h.
CBH:5440Prevention and Intervention of Mental Health Disorders3 s.h.
CBH:6115Ethnographic Field Methods3 s.h.
CBH:6405Global Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health3 s.h.
CBH:6415Independent Study in Community and Behavioral HealthARR
HMP:6360Non-Profit Organizations Effectiveness I3 s.h.
SOC:6420Seminar: Select Topics in Deviance & Control3 s.h.
URP:6253Healthy Cities and the Environment3 s.h.
URP:6260Transportation Policy and Planning3 s.h.
Students will work with their faculty advisor to select electives.

AreaHours
MPH Core18 s.h.
CBH Required18 s.h.
CBH Electives3 s.h.
Interprofessional Education & Practice0 s.h.
MPH Practicum3 s.h.
Total42 s.h.