Community Health Sciences
The Community Health Sciences specialization is appropriate for healthcare professionals, educators, professionals in Extension education and human and social services. The NDSU MPH program prepares you to become a leader in public health and use evidence to improve population health at the community level. The skills taught in this specialization prepares students to determine health needs in the community by collecting and analyzing data as well as using data to build programs to effectively improve health at the community level. The specialization explores contemporary health promotion in conjunction with inter-professional health teams and health-care systems for individuals, groups, organizations and communities using a policy, systems and environmental approach.
Upon completion of the specialization, students are encouraged to obtain certifications that facilitate career goals such as Certified in Public Health (CPH) or Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Specialization in Community Health Sciences prepares graduates for careers within healthcare or community organizations to prevent and manage high burden health problems, such as chronic diseases.
Admission into the Community Health Sciences specialization requires sufficient academic course work or experience in health sciences, community health, health education, a health profession, psychology, or social sciences. Applicants should address their education and work experience qualifications in their letter of application.
Students will take the required foundational Master of Public Health courses, including Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health Management and Policy, Environmental Health, Community Health Leadership, and Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health. In addition, students will be required to complete the Master of Public Health Integrated Learning Experience and Applied Practice Experience — each focused on Community Health Sciences. The 18-credit specialization curriculum is described below.
Required Courses
Core courses (12 credits) and electives (6 credits)
Fall
- PH 711: Integrating Primary Care and Public Health (3 Credits)
- PH 725: Promoting Health through Policy, Systems, and Environment (3 Credits)
Spring
- PH 700: Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness (3 Credits)
- PH 722: Applied Community Health (3 Credits)
Elective Courses
Choose 6 credits of electives from the courses listed on the Program Electives page
2024-2025 Community Health Science Sample Full-Time Plan of Study
2023-2024 Community Health Science Sample Full-Time Plan of Study
2022-2023 Community Health Science Sample Full-Time Plan of Study
2021-2022 Community Health Science Sample Full-Time Plan of Study
Maternal and Child Health Subplan (6 credits)
Subplan Courses
- PH 781: Foundations in Maternal and Child Health (3 Credits)
- PH 782: Introduction to Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (2 Credits)
- At least one credit of an approved Maternal Child Health elective:
- PH 761: Injury Prevention (1 Credit)
- PH 785: Women's Health (2 Credits)
Complete MPH Course Offering Schedule
Community Health Sciences Faculty
- Ramona Danielson, PhD, Assistant Professor
- Andrea Huseth-Zosel, PhD, Associate Professor
- Mary Larson, Ph.D., MPH, LRD, CDE, CHES, Associate Professor
- Mark Strand, PhD, CPH, Professor