Degree Programs
Master of Public Health Program
Doctor of Public Health Program
Dual Degrees

Degree Plan Forms

The goal of the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is to prepare students to be effective public health professionals. Public health professionals work in a variety of organizations and agencies to contribute the common aim of promoting and protecting health in human populations. Students in the M.P.H. program elect a concentration in one of eleven areas. The areas of concentration include behavioral sciences, biostatistics, clinical research, community health, environmental health, epidemiology, health informatics, health management, health policy, occupational health practice and social sciences.

Department of Biostatistics
Karan Singh, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2173, ksingh@hsc.unt.edu

Biostatistics see curriculum
The biostatistics concentration is intended for students wishing to pursue careers in local, state, and federal health agencies; health and medical centers; research institutions; health and pharmaceutical industries. The M.P.H. degree in biostatistics is a professional degree that is designed to train students in data management, statistical analysis, interpretation, and presentation of analytical results using computing technology. The courses in the program emphasize the methodology and procedures of statistical analysis and research designs. In addition to a wide variety of exciting applications, there are excellent career opportunities in biostatistics. Applicants to this program are expected to have a background in college algebra and calculus.

Clinical Research see curriculum
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in clinical research is primarily designed for those who are currently working in the health care professions. The program is for professionals who wish to prepare for roles in clinical research, health care research, medical database management, or statistical consulting in medical or public health settings. The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) is oriented toward applied clinical research, outcome measurement, and applied biostatistics.

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2362, ejohnson@hsc.unt.edu

Environmental Health see curriculum
The environmental health concentration accommodates students with various backgrounds and interests, who desire careers related to the environmental aspects of public health. Specifically, this area of concentration provides the expertise and experience to analyze, monitor, interpret and mitigate the effects of chemical and physical contaminants, and microbial pathogens in water, air, soil, and food on public health. It prepares students in the M.P.H. program for technical and administrative jobs in the governmental and private sectors.

Occupational Health Practice see curriculum
The occupational health practice concentration is intended for students interested in applied occupational health program design, development and management. This concentration is not a clinical or medical program. Graduates will be prepared to practice occupational health in a variety of settings with a multidisciplinary approach to the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of occupational health programs and services. The occupational health practice concentration is primarily designed for those individuals who are currently working in an occupational setting, who requires an M.P.H. for eligibility for board certification or for those who are interested in exploring the science of occupational health. The program is for individuals who wish to augment, enhance, or expand their current training or who wish to prepare for roles in health occupational health, including, but not limited to, the following areas: safety professionals, industrial hygienists, health practitioners (physicians, nurses, physician assistants) and human resource personnel (program management and procurement). This concentration is also designed for public health or occupational health professionals who wish to become knowledgeable in occupational health research, occupational health data management, and applied occupational health programs or management.

Department of Epidemiology
Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-5029, ejohnson@hsc.unt.edu

Epidemiology see curriculum
The epidemiology concentration is designed for students seeking to acquire skills in the fundamental methods of disease investigation and prevention in large populations. Concentration courses emphasize basic and advanced epidemiologic principles and their application to current problems in public health and related disciplines. Students in the epidemiology concentration are expected to use appropriate methods to plan, implement, and conduct epidemiologic research. Students are also expected to critically evaluate research methodology to assess validity and potential sources of bias. Skills in computer use and statistics acquired in the public health program are used to analyze, interpret, and disseminate the results of epidemiologic investigations.

Department of Health Management and Policy
Jeff Talbert, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2242, jtalbert@hsc.unt.edu

Health Informatics see curriculum
The M.P.H. degree in Health Informatics is primarily designed for those who are currently working in the clinical or public health professions, and those who are interested in exploring the science of health computing. The program is for professionals who wish to prepare for roles in health computing industries, including but not limited to the following areas: clinical data management; health systems evaluation, development and analysis; geographic information systems (GIS) applications in health; and telemedicine of telehealth in medical or public health settings. The Master of Public Health is oriented toward applied data processing and applications, health information system design and development, and other applied informatics in health settings. This concentration is offered jointly by the Department of Health Management & Policy and the Department of Biostatistics.

Health Management see curriculum
The health management concentration is designed to prepare students with competencies needed for careers in health management. The curriculum addresses health systems, quantitative methods, health economics and finance, managed care, and other areas central to management in both private and public sectors. The concentration provides instruction in professional competencies commonly found in schools of business, management, or public administration.

Health Policy see curriculum
The health policy concentration is designed to prepare students with competencies needed for careers in health policy analysis and policy development. The curriculum addresses health systems, quantitative methods, health economics and finance, managed care, state and national policy, and health law. The concentration provides instruction in professional competencies commonly found in schools of public administration and public policy.

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Harvey Brenner, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2371, hbrenner@hsc.unt.edu

Behavioral Sciences see curriculum
The behavioral sciences concentration will concentrate on fundamental psychological and psycho-physiological processes that underlie health behaviors, with a specific focus on stress, quality of life, and overall emotional well-being. The application of theories in this concentration will be toward: (1) substance abuse and addictive behaviors, especially tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use; (2) prevention of major illnesses, especially psychiatric illnesses, obesity, cardiovascular illnesses, malignancies, metabolic diseases, injuries and disabilities. This will differentiate health behaviors that are the psychological foundation of risk factors for major illnesses.

Research methods will emphasize multivariate procedures common to behavioral analysis as well as techniques useful for small group analysis, and community interventions using quasi-experimental designs, especially as pertaining to management of population health risk factors. Major attention will be given to cultural, ethnic, gender-based and economic disparities in health of population groups from the perspectives of psychology, psycho-physiology and social psychology.

Community Health see curriculum
The community health concentration prepares professionals from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and interests (e.g., medicine, nursing, allied health, social work, social sciences, psychology, dentistry, physician assistant, health education, nutrition, etc.) to assume public health positions. The community health concentration uses a multidisciplinary approach and focuses on social, cultural, political, and economic factors that influence health status and health-related behaviors of individuals. The community health concentration emphasizes the role of social, economic, cultural, and behavioral factors in disease prevention, promotion of health, vulnerability to disease, and interaction with health care systems. The curriculum concentrates on strategies for the promotion of health and the prevention of disease in populations through public health policy and interventions in the context of social structure, community, family, and health care systems. Traditionally, program graduates have assumed positions in public health as well as both public and private health care.

Social Sciences see curriculum
The social sciences concentration is designed to develop familiarity with basic social theories that influence our understanding of health, including theories in social anthropology, medical sociology and health economics. These theoretical perspectives will be focused on health problems of the principal cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic and regional population groups in the United States and the global health setting. In this concentration there is a major focus on quantitative research methods and population dynamics as a basis for illuminating the socio-cultural, economic, and political factors that influence the distribution of health and healthcare.

Doctor in Public Health (Dr.PH.) Program
Concentrations: Biostatistics / Epidemiology / Health Management and Policy / Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree in Public Health Practice is an indication of distinguished scholarly accomplishment and practice in the professional field of public health. The goal of the Dr.P.H. program is to prepare students for leadership roles in the professional practice of public health in governmental, private and not-for-profit organizations. Enrollment into the program is limited to applicants who have satisfactorily completed an M.P.H. degree or equivalent prerequisite requirements. Preference may be given to those with professional public health work experience. Students in the Dr.P.H. program elect an area of concentration in biostatistics, epidemiology, health management and policy, or social and behavioral sciences.

Department of Biostatistics
Karan Singh, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2173, ksingh@hsc.unt.edu

Biostatistics see curriculum
This concentration is designed for health professionals who would like to become leaders in public health, especially in biostatistics and related areas. The Department of Biostatistics coordinates the concentration. Graduates will be able to develop their careers in academia, public health institutions, or healthcare facilities. The graduate of the concentration will understand public health policies and practices, will identify key elements of quantitative nature for decision-making, and will be able to plan and evaluate health systems and public health programs by using biostatistical methodology. The student will also have the opportunity to learn about community health measurements, as well as the design and management of health data systems. The concentration provides the expertise and experience to plan, develop, and evaluate public health programs. The student will also gain biostatistical knowledge and skills to be able to plan and conduct applied biostatistical research as an independent researcher or member of research teams in public health and other biomedical sciences that use experimental and observational techniques. A doctoral dissertation for the concentration is required, providing the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during coursework and other academic activities. The dissertation is expected to analyze and propose solutions to a problem with implications for public health practice, often by translating and applying new theoretical and technical advances to current problems in public health. The graduate of this program can undertake professional, managerial or leadership position in governmental or private institutions such as public health departments, academic settings such as schools of public health, epidemiologic research institutions, hospitals and other medical facilities, health care, and pharmaceutical companies.

Department of Epidemiology
Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-5029, ejohnson@hsc.unt.edu

Epidemiology see curriculum
This concentration is designed for health professionals who would like to become leaders in public health, specifically in epidemiology and other related areas. The Department of Epidemiology coordinates this concentration. Graduates will be able to develop their careers in academia, public health institutions or health-care facilities. They will understand public health policies and practices, identify key elements for decision-making, and be able to plan and evaluate health systems and public health programs by using epidemiologic methodology. This concentration provides the expertise and experience to plan, develop, and evaluate epidemiologic surveillance systems. Students will also gain the epidemiologic knowledge and skills to be able to plan and conduct applied epidemiologic research as independent researchers or as members of research teams. A doctoral dissertation is required providing the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during coursework and other academic activities. The dissertation is expected to analyze and propose solutions to a problem with implications for public health practice, often by translating and applying new theoretical and technical advances to current problems in public health. Graduates of this program will be able to undertake professional, managerial or leadership positions in public health departments or academic settings, such as schools of public health, epidemiologic research institutions, hospitals or other medical facilities.

Department of Health Management and Policy
Jeff Talbert, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2242, jtalbert@hsc.unt.edu

Health Management and Policy see curriculum
This concentration is designed for health professionals who want to become leaders in health management and policy in the public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit, health sectors. The Department of Health Management and Policy coordinates this concentration. The graduate of this program will understand and apply skills relevant to health policy development and analysis, management practices, and health services research. Two research papers and a dissertation will provide the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained during coursework and a residency practice. The dissertation is expected to analyze and propose solutions to health management or policy problems by applying new theoretical or analytic advances to current problems in health care. Graduates will be able to start or develop their careers in state or federal government health programs, academia, or health care provider organizations.

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Harvey Brenner, Ph.D., Department Chair
817-735-2371, hbrenner@hsc.unt.edu

Social and Behavioral Sciences see curriculum
The concentration in social and behavioral sciences in public health is designed for social and health professionals that want to prepare themselves in research, teaching and public health practice, and other leadership positions involving the design, development and evaluation of public health programs, as well as application of social and behavioral sciences to the development of intervention strategies for health promotion and disease prevention. The first part of the coursework training is focused on the core knowledge of public health, development of leadership skills, and the study of ethical and economic issues in public health. The concentration courses include quantitative and qualitative research methods as applied to social and behavioral sciences in public health. The program also relies on theoretical perspectives in sociology and psychology. Students may also further develop their training in medical anthropology, health education, latino health, community health, social marketing and health communication by taking further elective coursework and research. One research paper and a dissertation will provide the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained during coursework and a residency practice. Graduates will be able to develop their careers in state or federal government health programs, academia, or health care provider organizations.

Dual Degree Programs
D.O./M.P.H.    Doctor of Osteopathis Medicine/Master in Public Health 

M.S./M.P.H.  Master in Science-Applied Anthropology/Master in Public Health-Health Management & Policy

M.S.N./M.P.H.  Masters of Science in Nursing/Masters in Public Health-Community Health

The UNT Health Science Center School of Public Health offers three dual degree programs: M.S.N./M.P.H. in Health Management & Policy, M.S. in Applied Anthropology/M.P.H. in Community Health, and the D.O./M.P.H.. The students in these programs are evaluated and admitted separately to each school and must meet all requirements for each degree separately. Admission to one program does not assure admission to the other. Students completing a dual degree program receive diplomas and transcripts from each of the participating schools. Thus, they are not joint degree programs where one diploma lists both schools, but rather dual degree programs.

In each of the following programs, students must complete the M.P.H. core curriculum, which includes a course in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health management and policy and social and behavioral sciences. With the use of transfer credit and dual credit, students are required to complete 45 semester credit hours, which includes 3 SCH of practice experience and 6 semester credit hours of a culminating experience (thesis or non-thesis option).

D.O./M.P.H. Dual Degree see curriculum
The primary goal of the D.O./M.P.H. program is to provide clinical professionals with specialized public health training to develop, integrate, and apply culturally competent social, psychological, and biomedical approaches to the promotion and preservation of health. Physicians with training in public health may work in a wide range of positions in public, private, or academic settings. The M.P.H. degree offers the physician a significant advantage when seeking jobs which involve planning and managing health systems, performing clinical research, determining the causes of disease, or planning and implementing disease control strategies. Physicians with the M.P.H. degree work in health departments, federal agencies, managed care and other health provider organizations, schools of public health and medicine, in the private practice arena, and in many other federal and international agencies. See Powerpoint Presentation
Combining the two degrees, medicine and public health:

• fosters a better appreciation of the interplay between community factors and individual behaviors on the health status of patients;
• creates a better understanding of the basis of treatment and treatment outcomes for individual patients; and
• provides an understanding of the delivery of health services, including the economic and legal aspects.
  

M.S. in Applied Anthropology/M.P.H. in Community Health see curriculum
The School of Public Health and the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Texas have developed a cooperative agreement that allows students to pursue the M.P.H. and a graduate degree in anthropology. The dual degree program in Applied Anthropology and Public Health offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration in public health, anthropology and social science research and practice. Medical anthropology is a field that uses anthropological theories as a framework to understand public health issues. Its emphasis on social and cultural influences on health, illness, and healing are central to the shared goals of improving health and social justice to eliminate local and global disparities. This program prepares students for careers in research, public health, and public policy planning relating to health and health care in the U.S. or in an international setting. Students pursuing an M.S. in Applied Anthropology may count their approved concentration courses in public health as part of their major field in anthropology. The following curriculum outlines the dual degree requirements:

M.S.N./M.P.H. in Health Management & Policy see curriculum
The M.P.H./M.S.N. i s a cooperative program offered by the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health and the University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing (UTA-SON). The Health Management & Policy concentration is oriented toward nursing professionals who want to supplement their training with practical public health experience specifically geared toward management and policy.

Thirty (30) SCH are completed within the School of Public Health and fifteen (15) SCH will be transferred in from the M.S.N. curriculum as dual credit coursework. The M.P.H. curriculum consists of four components. These include: (1) the core masters curriculum which provides knowledge, skills and experience in the area of public health; (2) the departmental/concentration curriculum which provides knowledge, skills and experience in the area of health management and policy; 3) the practicum which allows the student to apply their knowledge in the field of health management and policy in a public health setting; and 4) the culminating experience of Thesis or Capstone/Professional Report in the concentration area which provides an in-depth research opportunity for nursing professionals in the field of health management and policy.

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