Dr.P.H. Core Course Descriptions

Curriculum Requirements  Course Descriptions   Dr.P.H. Handbook (pdf)   Field Practicum Capstone Guidelines 

CPH 901 PUBLIC HEALTH DOCTORAL PROFESSIONAL COLLOQUIUM (1)

The Public Health Doctoral Professional Colloquium is a one hour seminar course designed as the integrative introduction, consideration, and capstone for the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree. The colloquium is designed to link theory and practice, in the five public health core disciplines (epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, health enhancement, and management and practice). The colloquium will emphasize the integration and application of new knowledge and theory, and analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills to address the public health problems of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the nation. This will be accomplished through directed readings, guest presentations, case analysis, field trips, and discussion of current issues. In addition the colloquium will be the forum for discussion and presentation of the required doctoral dissertation or problem-based project paper requirement of all Dr.P.H. students. Course will continue through each semester of the professional years for a total of 6 credit hours.

CPH 910, TOPICS IN ADVANCED EPIDEMIOLOGY: LECTURE AND LABORATORY (3)

Provides the student with an introduction to advanced epidemiologic content areas as well as methods designed to meet the research and practice needs of health professionals. A series of topic-driven lectures, discussions, applied problem sets and case studies will focus on the application of epidemiologic principles used in disease research and intervention studies. This course is taught with a corresponding laboratory each week that emphasizes the content of the course with applied applications using the microcomputer or small group discussions. Problem sets will require the use of statistical and epidemiologic software for the microcomputer. Some content areas of the course will use the Do-Epi software developed by the CDC for teaching epidemiology and computing.

CPH 911 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)

SPH 911 is an advanced course in one of the five content areas of public health. All students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters’ degree level, and the advanced course at the doctoral level. The Professional Seminar in Epidemiology is designed as the opportunity to link academic work in epidemiology with application in public health practice, and to prepare the student for a leadership role in public health. This will be accomplished through readings, case studies and exercises, and individual research relevant to the discipline and the profession of public health.

CPH 920 (PM 770) ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (3)

Is the first required Environmental Health course in one of the five content areas of public health for DrPH candidates. All students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters degree level. This Professional Seminar in Environmental Health is designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the principles upon which the Environmental Health field relies. This will be accomplished through text and journal readings, case study, and discussion of the core, emerging, and controversial issues in environmental and public health.

CPH 921 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (3)

An advanced, elective course that develops depth in one of the five content areas of public health. All students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters degree level, and the advanced course at the doctoral level. The Professional Seminar in Environmental Health is designed as the opportunity to link prior academic work in environmental health with application in public health practice, and to prepare the student for a leadership role in public health. This will be accomplished through readings, case studies and exercises, and individual research relevant to the discipline and the profession of public health.

CPH 930 ADVANCED TOPICS IN BIOSTATISTICS (3)

Addresses advance topics in biostatistics for the public health professional. Content emphasizes biostatistical concepts over methodology to prepare students for generalist public health positions. Course topics will address public health problem solving using study design, vital statistics, data, large health surveys, and an overview of multivariate statistics including multiple regression, logistic regression, longitudinal data, survival analysis, and recursive partitioning. Prerequisites: STA 570/580 or equivalent and one semester of calculus.

CPH 931 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN BIOSTATISTICS (3)

Professional Seminar in Biostatistics is an advanced course in one of the five content areas of public health. All students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters’ degree level, and the advanced course at the doctoral level. The Professional Seminar in Biostatistics is designed as the opportunity to link academic work in biostatistics with application in public health practice, and to prepare the student for a leadership role in public health. This will be accomplished through readings, case studies and exercises, and individual research relevant to the discipline and the profession of public health.

CPH 940 HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIORS: MODELS AND APPLICATIONS (3)

Will use both classic and up-to-date works on models of health-related behavior, including the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Reasoned Action, Social Learning Theory, and Protection Motivation Theory, discussing development of hte models, similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses, and suggestions for future model development. Students will assess the extent to which the models explain behavior and behavior change empirically, and how useful they may be (or not be) in the development of primary and secondary prevention interventions, including those implemented within clinical practice. Behaviors to be discussed will include HIV-related risk behaviors, licit and illicit substance use, eating practices, exercise, and other heart disease-and cancer-related behaviors.

CPH 941 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN HEALTH BEHAVIOR (3)

Because Professional Seminar in Health Enhancement is an advanced course in one of the five content areas of public health, all students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters’ degree level and the advanced course at the doctoral level. This course is designed as the opportunity to link academic work in health enhancement with application in public health practice, and to prepare the student for a leadership role in public health. This will be accomplished through readings, case studies and exercises, and individual research relevant to the discipline and the profession of public health.

CPH 950 THE WELL MANAGED PUBLIC HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION (3)

Addresses effective senior management of public and private organizations focusing upon public health. Effective management processes will be addressed through lectures, readings and case studies applying the concepts to public health organizations.

CPH 951 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT (3)

An advanced course in one of the five content areas of public health. All students enrolling will have completed the prerequisite introductory course at the masters’ degree level, and the advanced course at the doctoral level. The Professional Seminar in Public Health Management and Practice is designed as the opportunity to link academic work in public health management with application in public health practice, and to prepare the student for a leadership role in public health. This will be accomplished through readings, case studies and exercises, and individual research relevant to the discipline and the profession of public health.

CPH 996 PUBLIC HEALTH PROJECT RESEARCH (0-12)

Residence Credit for the Doctoral Degree. May be repeated indefinitely but may be taken for 0 credit hours for only one semester, while completing major project paper.

CPH 997 FIELD PRACTICUM (2 & 4)

The purpose of the field requirement is to encourage exposure to professional public health practice and the application of didactic knowledge and problem solving in the field. The two doctoral field experiences are required of all students regardless of prior work experience. Doctoral Field Experience I (two hours) will be an introductory one semester, experience for a total of 120 contact hours. Doctoral Field Experience II (four hours) will be an advanced one semester, experience for a total of 240 hours. The field experience time periods are set as minimum expectations; it is assumed that some students will elect to expand their field work activities.

CPH 998 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEATLH: RESEARCH METHODS IN PH

Focuses on the concepts and methods of health services and public health research. It is structured around the stages of proposal development, including conceptualization of the research question and testable hypotheses, review of the literature, research design, development of measures, data collection and analysis.

CPH 998 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH: (SUBTITLE REQUIRED) (3)

Addresses contemporary topics of significance to the field of public health. Offered as a formal classroom study of specific topics and problems. May be repeated to a maximum of eight semester hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

CPH 999 DIRECTED STUDIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Study and research on contemporary and specific topics and problems of significance to the field of public health, and the interests of individual students. Offered as an independent study course with consent of instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of eight semester hours. Topics, objective, assignments, readings, and grading criteria will be developed by the instructor for each Special Topics in Public Health offering.