Health Education (HEAL)

HEAL 5750 Obesity And Eating Disorders

[3 credit hours]

Examines the issues of obesity and eating disorders. Consideration of effects on the individual as well as the public health implications. Explores causes, health and emotional impact, and treatment approaches.

Term Offered: Summer, Fall

HEAL 5930 General Seminar In Health Education

[1-3 credit hours]

A seminar to consider health problems and provide advanced study in health education. A graduate student may register for this seminar two or more times with permission of the adviser.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 5960 Political Determinants of Health

[3 credit hours]

An examination of the political determinants of health, that is, the upstream political forces and policy decisions that are the causal sources of the social conditions that lead to health inequities. This course introduces the importance of power, politics, advocacy, and policy in public health. Students will learn models of health equity and the political determinants of health and apply these to contemporary case studies with particular attention to the health effects of racism.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

HEAL 6280 Health Communication

[3 credit hours]

Designed to help students identify, analyze, and apply concepts, theories and methodologies related to health communication in various settings and at various levels of influence. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to design, communicate and evaluate effective health promotion messages.

Term Offered: Spring

HEAL 6360 Applied Survey Research In Health

[3 credit hours]

An examination of applied survey research techniques essential in conducting health-related surveys. Topics will include standard health survey instruments, sample selection, quality instruments, response rates and data presentation for publication.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 6530 Drug Use And Misuse

[3 credit hours]

Focuses on impact of drug abuse and misuse on the individual and society. Explores physiological, psychological, societal and rehabilitative aspects of substance abuse. Prevention strategies are addressed.

Term Offered: Summer, Fall

HEAL 6540 Human Sexuality

[3 credit hours]

The course examines the historical, physiological, psychological, sociological and ethical aspects of human sexuality in health and illness. Extensive emphasis is placed on reviewing the pertinent periodical literature.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 6600 Health Behavior

[3 credit hours]

Examines the role of behaviors on health status and how to influence and understand behavior through use of cognitive models and change theory. Applications through projects are emphasized.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 6720 Issues In Minority Health

[3 credit hours]

This course will be an examination of the demographic trends of racial/ethnic minorities and social, political and economic factors affecting the physical and mental well-being of minorities.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 6880 Scientific Writing In Health

[3 credit hours]

An exploration of types of program evaluation, evaluation models, data collection, types of data, data quality, evaluation reports, standard data collection instruments and ethical issues in health program evaluation.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 6900 Grant Writing In Health Sciences

[3 credit hours]

Consideration is given to funding sources, proposal guidelines, procedures for support, budgetary requirements and evaluation procedures. Students examine different types of funded projects, develop a research prospectus and grant proposal, and explore the art of politics and grantsmanship.

Prerequisites: (RESM 6320 with a minimum grade of D- and HEAL 6800 with a minimum grade of D-)

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 6930 Interdisciplinary Seminar In Health Education

[1-3 credit hours]

A seminar to consider problems and provide advanced study in several fields of education and other disciplines related to health education. Open only to advanced graduate students.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 6990 Independent Study In Health Education

[1-3 credit hours]

The student will participate in independent readings, laboratory research, field experience and other activities not suited for class instruction. May be repeated for course credit.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 8000 Professional Issues In Health Education

[3 credit hours]

This course will examine the historical and philosophical foundations underlying the health education profession. Occupational and ethical issues specific to the field of health education will be explored. Special emphasis willbe placed on becoming a culturally competent professional.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8080 Social Determinants of Health

[3 credit hours]

Social determinants of health are social conditions, factors, and systems that place people from different socio-demographic and socioeconomic group (social class, gender, race/ethnicity, and place of birth) at differential risk of poor health and premature mortality. Mechanisms through which these factors are hypothesized to influence health, such as stress and access to health resources and constraints, will be discussed, as well as the ways in which these mechanisms can operate across the life course.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8100 College Teaching In Health Education

[3 credit hours]

This course is designed to provide an overview of the issues surrounding teaching health education at the college level. The course will include information on course development, effective teaching, tenure and promotion process, and professional development.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8190 Statistical Packages for Public Health

[3 credit hours]

The purpose of this 3 credit course is to develop analysis skills using the SAS statistical package, SPSS, and R for students that already have a basic knowledge of biostatistics.

Prerequisites: PUBH 6000 with a minimum grade of D- or PUBH 8000 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8200 Methods,Materials for PUBH

[3 credit hours]

Introduces students to resource materials and methods appropriate for public health education. Students will use various mediums of instruction in direct application to public health programs.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8250 Nutritional Epidemiology

[3 credit hours]

HEAL 8280 Health Communication

[3 credit hours]

Designed to help students identify, analyze, and apply concepts, theories and methodologies related to health communication in various settings and at various levels of influence. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to design, communicate and evaluate effective health promotion messages.

Term Offered: Spring

HEAL 8310 Public Health Assessment and Planning

[3 credit hours]

This course introduces the principles of health promotion program assessment and planning. Students learn the process of community health assessment, precursors to program planning, as well as the purposes, procedures, terminology, and specific techniques in the planning process.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8320 Implementation of Public Health Programs

[3 credit hours]

This course is designed to prepare students to implement health education programs in the community. Emphasis will be placed on a variety of health education methods and strategies to plan, promote, present and evaluate health promotion activities.

Prerequisites: HEAL 8310 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring

HEAL 8330 Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health

[3 credit hours]

This course is designed to provide an introduction to qualitative research methods in Public Health. Topics include: philosophical perspectives on qualitative research; rationales for the use of qualitative approaches to understanding health behaviors and disease processes, with emphasis on vulnerable, marginalized, and low health literacy populations; study design; selection of culturally appropriate methods and measures for data collection; analytic techniques and processes; issues of reliability and validity; data interpretation and reporting results; and research ethics.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8360 Applied Survey Research In Health

[3 credit hours]

An examination of applied survey research techniques essential in conducting health-related surveys. Topics will include standard health survey instruments, sample selection, quality instruments, response rates and data presentation for publication.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8460 Health Promotion Programs

[3 credit hours]

HEAL 8510 Pathophysiology in Public Health

[3 credit hours]

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the distribution and determinants of infectious and chronic diseases that are recognized as priority public health concerns by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS); and the World Health Organization (WHO). Topics will include: etiology and epidemiology of disease; prevalence, incidence, and risk factors; best practices in prevention and control.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8520 Public Health Nutrition

[3 credit hours]

Explore the relationship between dietary intake and nutritional status and health of individuals and groups. Investigates role of dietary intake in reducing risk and treating chronic diseases. Explore public health approaches to alleviate nutritional problems.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer

HEAL 8530 Drug Use And Misuse

[3 credit hours]

Focuses on impact of drug abuse and misuse on the individual and society. Explores physiological, psychological, societal and rehabilitative aspects of substance abuse. Prevention strategies are addressed.

Term Offered: Summer, Fall

HEAL 8540 Human Sexuality

[3 credit hours]

The course examines the historical, physiological, psychological, sociological and ethical aspects of human sexuality in health and illness. Extensive emphasis is placed on reviewing the pertinent periodical literature.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8600 Health Behavior

[3 credit hours]

Examines the role of behaviors on health status and how to influence and understand behavior through use of cognitive models and change theory. Applications through projects are emphasized.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 8690 Public Health Research Design

[3 credit hours]

This course will cover the components of public health research methods. After completing the course, students will be able to write a research proposal to answer a question of interest. Additionally, students will be able to analyze evidence in order to engage in evidence-based public health practice. The course will be offered at the masters and doctoral levels with a focus on research methods utilized in public health and health education. The course is relevant for students in all majors within the M.P.H. program, and is required for students in the Health Education Ph.D. program.

Term Offered: Spring

HEAL 8720 Issues In Minority Health

[3 credit hours]

This course will be an examination of the demographic trends of racial/ethnic minorities and social, political and economic factors affecting the physical and mental well-being of minorities.

Term Offered: Fall

HEAL 8800 Evaluation Of Health Programs

[3 credit hours]

An exploration of types of program evaluation, evaluation models, data collection, types of data, data quality, evaluation reports, standard data collection instruments and ethical issues in health program evaluation.

Prerequisites: HEAL 8460 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8880 Scientific Writing In Health

[3 credit hours]

This course is designed to integrate research methods with the writing of a five-chapter thesis or dissertation, including: selecting a topic, literature reviews; research hypotheses; selecting participants; data analysis; instrument development; institutional review boards; references; conclusions, discussion, and recommendations.

Prerequisites: (HEAL 8600 with a minimum grade of D- and HEAL 8800 with a minimum grade of D-)

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8900 Grant Writing In Health Sciences

[3 credit hours]

Consideration is given to funding sources, proposal guidelines, procedures for support, budgetary requirements and evaluation procedures. Students examine different types of funded projects, develop a research prospectus and grant proposal, and explore the art of politics and grantsmanship.

Prerequisites: (RESM 8320 with a minimum grade of D- and HEAL 8800 with a minimum grade of D-)

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8930 Interdisciplinary Seminar In Health Education

[1-3 credit hours]

A seminar to consider problems and provide advanced study in several fields of education and other disciplines related to health education. Open only to advanced graduate students.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 8940 Public Health Internship

[1-4 credit hours]

A field internship designed to supplement classroom experience by providing direct insight into the operation of a public health agency through participant-observer experience.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

HEAL 8960 Doctoral Research Dissertation

[1-12 credit hours]

Graduate students may register for credit in more than one semester. Dissertation credit toward the degree program may not exceed 16 hours.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

HEAL 8990 Independent Study In Health Education

[1-3 credit hours]

The student will participate in independent readings, laboratory research, field experience and other activities not suited for class instruction. May be repeated for course credit.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall