Public Health
Department of Public Health
Health Interim Chairperson: Dr. Leigh Greathouse
Associate Chairperson: Dr. Beth Lanning
Residential Graduate Programs:
Director, PhD in Public Health: Dr. Kelly Ylitalo
Director, MPH in Community Health Science: Dr. Beth Lanning Director
MPH in Epidemiology: Dr. Liang Wang Director
MPH in Environmental Health Science: Dr. Bryan Brooks
Online Graduate Program:
Director, MPH Online: Dr. Jasmine Opusunju
The Department of Public Health is home to all accredited public health degree programs (undergraduate and graduate) at Baylor University. Students in these programs are prepared for public health practice and research in a variety of work settings. Our graduates promote health in local and global settings as they work in government-sponsored public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, corporate wellness programs, and population health programs in healthcare settings.
Initial Contacts
All components of the graduate degree program are the ultimate responsibility of the Graduate Program Director (GPD) and Chairperson of the Department of Public Health. However, each degree option is directed by a different director. Students should contact the specific program director listed above for information about that program.
Degree Options
At the graduate level, we offer a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Health degree. The MPH degree program contains three majors (and two accelerated degree option) from which students may choose in the on-campus program and one major in the online program.
On-Campus Options
- MPH in Community Health Science
- Accelerated degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Health/MPH in Community Health Science
- MPH in Epidemiology
- MPH in Environmental Health Science (in partnership with the Department of Environmental Science)
- Accelerated degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science/MPH in Environmental Health Science (in partnership with the Department of Environmental Science)
The Ph.D. in Public Health degree program contains two concentrations (specialization) from which eligible students may choose: Epidemiology or Social and Behavioral Health Science. The Ph.D. program is an on-campus (residential) program only.
Online Option
Public Health (PUBH)
PUBH 4320 Men's Health and Wellness (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Focuses on issues specific to men's overall health and wellness, concepts of multiple masculinities, men's body image and the portrayal of men in media. This course is available to men and women.
PUBH 4321 Human Sexuality (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
A health education course in which basic concepts of human sexuality are analyzed and discussed. The course is designed to help students better understand the influences that affect the complex nature of human interaction and to provide accurate information needed to help develop responsible decision making skills.
PUBH 4327 Dying and Death Education (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
A course of death education designed to help students develop constructive attitudes, values, and practices. This experience will nurture an appreciation of the connection between life and death.
PUBH 4331 Intervention Design in Public and Community Health (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Public Health major, minor or consent of instructor
PUBH 4340 Global Health (3)
Overviews global health issues and the role of health education and public health worldwide.
PUBH 4341 Cross-Cultural Health Communication (3)
Overviews cross-cultural communication concepts/strategies used in health education to assess health needs and communicate health information. Designed for field-based international or local culture-specific settings.
PUBH 4355 Human Diseases (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in PUBH 3350
Basic principles of pathophysiology and mechanism of diseases affecting the human body, including basic principles of epidemiology with emphasis on the causation and effects of disease on human populations.
PUBH 5001 Professional Seminars in Public Health (0)
Orients students in the Baylor Master of Public Health program to the degree program purpose, requirements, and opportunities. Includes concepts and practical guides for developing professional skills and preparing to enter the public health workforce.
PUBH 5121 Public Health Immersion I (1)
Interprofessional experience with graduate students and professionals from diverse sectors to assess community needs and assets in order to generate collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to community health.
PUBH 5122 Public Health Immersion II (1)
Students engage in literature reviews and data collection to facilitate the development of a graduate project proposal for field-based practice.
PUBH 5199 Non-Thesis Degree Completion (1)
To fulfill requirements for non-thesis master's students who need to complete final degree requirements other than coursework during their last semester. This may include such things as a comprehensive examination, oral examination, or foreign language requirement. Students are required to be registered during the semester they graduate.
PUBH 5220 Public Health Immersion Experience (2)
Interprofessional experience with graduate students and professionals from diverse sectors to assess community needs and assets in order to generate collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to community health. Literature reviews and data collection facilitate the development of a graduate project proposal for field-based practice.
PUBH 5302 Foundations of Environmental Health Science (3)
Cross-listed as ENV 5302
See ENV 5302 for course information.
PUBH 5315 Theoretical Foundations of Public Health (3)
Theoretical models and concepts of social and behavioral health. Theory-based approaches to public health education and health promotion.
PUBH 5329 Current Topics in Public Health (3)
Current health issues and directed study to provide appropriate graduate-level experience in health-content areas.
PUBH 5334 Foundations of Public Health (3)
Foundational concepts, principles, and practices of public health and population health.
PUBH 5337 Public Health Concepts in Epidemiology (3)
A foundational course in study designs and descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods.
PUBH 5338 Methods in Epidemiology (3)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 5337
This course provides an in-depth study of common methods used by epidemiologists to obtain valid measures of associations of exposures and outcomes. Basic principles of causal inference, the identification and control of confounding and effect measure modification, and regression-based methods will be covered. In addition, the course covers survival analysis and an overview of methods to handle missing data.
PUBH 5347 Global Health Epidemiology (3)
An in-depth study of the application of epidemiology to improve global health through a multidisciplinary approach. Topics include utilizing epidemiological tools to help generate evidence on interventions; determining how social and economic factors influence the spread/distribution of diseases, particularly in low-income settings; estimating disease burden; and translating epidemiologic evidence to policy.
PUBH 5348 Applied Data Analysis for Epidemiology and Population Health (3)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 5337 and PUBH 5300 or equivalent
An applied computer analytic course designed to provide a foundational background in health-related data management and analysis using SAS software. Topics include primary data collection, importing and managing data sets, creating and modifying variables, univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and introduction to linear and logistic regression models.
PUBH 5350 Assessment and Planning in Public and Community Health (3)
Principles, models, and methods of assessment and program planning in public health.
PUBH 5358 Global Public Health (3)
Global Public Health is an introductory course for graduate students in community/public health and allied health fields to provide a foundation in key global health concepts. Topics include global health determinants and trends, global health economics and system, culture, grassroots community development, and specific global health issues. Class lectures are interspersed with active learning exercises and in-class practice problems.
PUBH 5360 Evaluation in Public and Community Health (3)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 5350
Program evaluation and measurement concepts and practical applications in public health.
PUBH 5370 Physical Activity and Public Health (3)
This course introduces and explores the social and behavioral epidemiology of physical activity in public health, including outcomes, influences, and promotion for individuals, various settings, communities, and the population at large. In addition, this course will develop an understanding of policy and advocacy as it pertains to physical activity promotion.
PUBH 5377 Principles and Philosophy in Health, Human Performance and Recreation (3)
Bases of principles, the evolution of principles and philosophies, and the interpretation and application of principles to program development and conduct.
PUBH 5378 Administration and Leadership in Public Health (3)
Public health policy and systems thinking. Administrative and leadership approaches to developing and managing fiscal and human resources in public health programs.
PUBH 5379 Research Methods in Public Health (3)
Developmental theory, investigation and gathering of data, statistical analysis and evaluation, and research reporting as these relate to research in public health.
PUBH 5380 Determinants of Health & Health Equity (3)
This course provides an overview of health disparities and inequities in the U.S., based on the social determinants of health, and prepares students to be effective practitioners by approaching public health practice with a focus on equity and the root causes of health outcomes. Factors such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health communication, urban and rural contexts, the built environment, and cultural competency are also examined.
PUBH 5390 Public Health Policy and Practice (3)
This course introduces students to health care policymaking and the impact of decision-making processes on health care delivery in the United States. Students utilize a health in all policies framework to examine current health care policies and understand the significance of equity to advance public health policy and practice.
PUBH 5399 Epidemiology Capstone (3)
This course pursues the integration of epidemiology competencies through an independent research investigation and publication of findings. Students conduct independent data analyses, make written and oral presentations of findings, and practice peer review to simulate a professional research and practice experience.
PUBH 5699 Community Health Capstone (6)
Students integrate public health and community health competencies into a culminating experiential learning project.
PUBH 5V40 Community Health Capstone - MPH@Baylor (1-4)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 5121, PUBH 5122, PUBH 5315, PUBH 5334, PUBH 5337, PUBH 5350, PUBH 5360, PUBH 5378, PUBH 5379, and STA 5300
Students in the online MPH in Community Health program (MPH@Baylor) complete a combination of a 150-hour (minimum) applied practice experience (i.e., internship) and an integrated learning experience (i.e., culminating experience) as an end-of-program capstone where they apply knowledge gained to a real-world setting, while continuing to gain practical experience and develop professional competencies in a public or community-based setting.
PUBH 5V70 Special Topics in Public Health (1-6)
Opportunities for intensive, in-depth study of areas of public health of special professional interest and need to the student. Supervision and support is given by selected resource persons.
PUBH 5V74 Professional Literature Seminar in Public Health (1-6)
Supervised readings in public health. May be repeated once.
PUBH 5V75 Seminar in Public Health (1-3)
Seminar topics in Public Health.
PUBH 5V90 Public Health Internship (6-7)
Full-time experience in an agency, corporation, or hospital for on the job training in a professional field.
PUBH 5V94 Public Health Practicum (3-4)
Part-time experience in an agency, corporation, or hospital for exposure to various professional areas of employment.
PUBH 5V99 Thesis (1-6)
Credit received when thesis approved. A total of six hours will be required
PUBH 6101 Mentored Teaching in Public Health I (1)
Doctoral students in public health are assigned to an experienced public health instructor as a teaching mentor and a course taught by the mentor. They observe the mentor in each class period, assist with various teaching aspects, develop and teach some course lectures and class activities, and obtain feedback from the mentor.
PUBH 6102 Mentored Teaching in Public Health II (1)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 6101
Doctoral students in public health are assigned to an experienced public health instructor as a teaching mentor and a course taught by the mentor. They co-teach the course and assist with various teaching aspects, lecture and lead class activities and projects, and help revise course materials for future use.
PUBH 6300 Mentored Public Health Research (3)
Doctoral students in public health work with their faculty mentors on various aspects of research (e.g., literature review, study design/instrument development, study implementation, data analysis/interpretation, manuscript development, grant and report writing). Projects are specific to the student’s research interests and needed skills. Students enroll in this 3-hour course in each of 3 semesters for a total of 9 credit hours.
PUBH 6321 Advanced Theory & Practice in Behavioral Health I (3)
Advanced study of sociobehavioral theories and applications in public health research. Focus on societal-level influences, social structures, sociocultural factors, and individual attitudes and beliefs. Procedures for developing and validating quantitative and qualitative instruments that assess health behaviors and related theoretical constructs examined. Adapting measurement approaches to address cultural and sociodemographic factors included.
PUBH 6322 Advanced Theory & Practice in Behavioral Health II (3)
Pre-requisite(s): PUBH 6321 Advanced skill development for the examination and construction of measurements related to behavior change constructs and theories
Building upon PUBH 6321 Advanced Theory & Practice in Behavioral Health I, content focuses on additional methods of theory testing, assessment design, scale validation for different populations, and application to community based participatory research (CBPR).
PUBH 6331 Advanced Epidemiologic Methods (3)
Study of methodologic issues and epidemiologic applications in public health and medicine. Includes causation and causal inference, measures of occurrence, measures of effect and measures of association, concepts of interaction, validity and precision in epidemiologic studies, design strategies to improve study accuracy, applications of stratified analysis methods, social epidemiology, meta-analysis, and emerging ethical issues in research.
PUBH 6332 Advanced Epidemiologic Data Analysis (3)
Study of advanced epidemiologic data analysis: underlying principles and assumptions, practical application, and correct interpretation of epidemiologic multivariable models. Includes exploratory and descriptive statistical methods, linear regression, logistic regression, survival analysis, repeated measures and longitudinal data analysis, generalized linear models, causal inference, predictor selection, missing data, and complex surveys.
PUBH 6370 Grant Writing and Research Ethics in Public Health (3)
Focus on grant writing process, seeking and securing funding, and grant management. Students apply advanced methods from their respective public health concentrations to write external grant proposals appropriate for their proposed lines of public health research and participate in the peer-review of proposals drafted by other students. Ethics, principles, and regulations applicable to prevention and public health research are also addressed.
PUBH 6380 Seminar on Professional Writing in Public Health (3)
Development of technical writing skills among students pursuing a Public Health doctorate. Students learn writing and manuscript development basics and work with their faculty mentors to write literature review/research-focused manuscripts designed for publication.
PUBH 6V00 Graduate Research (1-10)
Pre-requisite(s): Graduate standing
For research credit prior to admission to candidacy for an advanced degree. Credit will be given for the amount of work done. May be repeated for credit through 45 hours.
PUBH 6V99 Doctoral Dissertation in Public Health (1-12)
Pre-requisite(s): Instructor consent
Must have completed all required courses and passed qualifying exam. Doctoral students in public health gain approval of a written dissertation and research, analyze, write, and defend their dissertation. A total of 12 credit hours of dissertation work is required and counts toward the degree. These credits are commonly divided across multiple semesters and only begin after students have successfully completed all course work and passed their doctoral qualifying examinations.