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Public Health - M.P.H. and Ph.D.

COLLEGE: College of Public Health
DEPARTMENT: 126 Lowry Hall
Tel: 330-672-6500
E-mail: publichealth@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/publichealth
 
DESCRIPTION: The Master of Public Health in Public Health consists of five concentrations: Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Biostatistics trains students in the quantitative science of health data collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation. Graduates are equipped use statistical methods to design and analyze health-related surveys and experiments for the purpose of improving health. The college’s faculty research interests include applying biostatistical analysis to better understand critical health problems such as adolescent substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, cancer and Alzheimer' disease. Graduates in biostatistics are in demand at hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, state and local health departments, federal health agencies and biotechnology companies to analyze the effectiveness of new drugs and interventions, identify risk factors for disease and develop effective prevention strategies.

Environmental Health Sciences is designed to (a) help students understand how environmental factors including biological, physical and chemical factors affect the health of a population; and (b) gain knowledge and skills to develop practical strategies for mitigating the effects of harmful environmental hazards. Graduates learn how to conduct laboratory analysis of environmental contaminants, develop plans to prepare communities to respond to manmade and natural disasters, incorporate health promoting principles into urban design, and develop safety plans for companies. Students benefit from the college’s faculty research expertise in bio-preparedness, microbiology, pesticides and occupational health and safety. Career opportunities in environmental health sciences include positions in research and clinical laboratories, environmental protection agencies, manufacturing companies, emergency management agencies and state and local health departments.

Epidemiology trains students to analyze the distribution and determinants of disease, disabilities and death in populations. Graduates are able to apply quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate disease outbreaks, determine causal relationships between environmental and biological factors and conduct studies to project health trends in populations. Students in this specialization benefit from public health faculty research agendas in bio-preparedness, public health surveillance systems, chronic disease, cancer and infectious disease epidemiology. Career opportunities for graduates include research positions in universities, medical schools and pharmaceutical companies; disease prevention specialists in hospitals; and surveillance managers in state and local health departments.

Health Policy and Management trains students to address public health risks and develop effective health services delivery models. It is an interdisciplinary program that incorporates health services research, health policy analysis and health care planning and management. Given the active research of the college’s faculty in identifying service gaps and in developing evidence-based practices and policy analysis, students emerge with strong skills in health care organization management, alternative models of service financing and strategies for improving services. Career opportunities for graduates include administrative and management positions in hospitals, clinics, state and local health departments, nursing homes and mental health facilities; policy analyst positions in health planning organizations and governmental agencies; and planning and management positions in health maintenance organizations and health insurance companies.

Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the theoretical basis of health behavior in populations across the life course and how to apply theoretical principles to design effective behavior change strategies. Graduates are able to design and evaluate public health interventions intended to improve health for families, workplaces, communities and law enforcement/criminal justice settings. The active research of the college’s faculty, particularly in the areas of violence and substance abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS and alcohol and tobacco use provides students the opportunity to work on large-scale externally funded prevention research. Students are prepared for careers in health education and promotion; program design and evaluation; and curriculum development for state and local health departments, corporate wellness programs, hospitals, international health agencies, mental health centers and non-profit organizations.

The Ph.D. in Public Health consists of a concentration in Prevention Science. Future doctoral concentrations in Epidemiology and Health Policy Management are pending approval by the Ohio Board of Regents.

Prevention Science is an interdisciplinary program aimed at promoting adaptive health behavior in populations across the life course. Graduates of this program will be able to design and evaluate public health interventions and have expertise in a variety of theoretical and substantive perspectives for the purpose of conducting research within systems of the family, health and education, workplace, community, law enforcement/criminal justice settings and social welfare. The active research of Kent State University's College of Public Health faculty, particularly in the area of violence and substance abuse prevention, will provide students the opportunity to work on large-scale externally funded prevention research.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
 M.P.H.: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, official transcript(s), goal statement, three letters of recommendation and acceptable GRE score or other standardized graduate admission exam (GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, PSAT, MAT or Miller's Analogies). GRE scores may be waived for significant graduate education or professional experience as determined by graduate coordinator.

Ph.D.: Master's degree from an accredited college/university in related discipline with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, acceptable GRE score or other standardized graduate admission exam with a quantitative components (may be waived for significant graduate education or profesisonal experiences as determined by graduate coordinator), personal statement and resume, three letters of recommendation, TOEFL score (if applicable), required interview with faculty.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
 		M.P.H.: Minimum 45 total credit hours.

Ph.D.: Minimum 90 total credit hours.
CULMINATING REQUIREMENT:
 M.P.H.: Students are required to complete two components: (1) 300 hours of Placement at an approved public health agency, under the guidance of a qualified preceptor; and (2) a final portfolio/report and a seminar presentation integrating theory and practice.
THESIS/
DISSERTATION:
 		M.P.H.: None

Ph.D.: Required (30 credit hours)
PROGRAM FEE: None