From Dateline (December 9, 2003)
Master of Public Health Degree Program
Approved
Cal State Fullerton soon
will be the first and only Orange County institution to offer a
master of public health degree. Students interested in earning the
advanced degree can do so beginning next fall.
“Each semester, we have
125-150 students enrolled in our undergraduate health science program.
Many of them would like to continue their studies and this new MPH
program will allow them to do so,” said Kathy Koser, chair
and associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion. “Because
most of the classes will be offered during the evening hours, this
program allows practicing professionals to return for this advanced
degree.”
The MPH degree combines the study of biological,
physical, psychological, economic and social forces that affect
individuals and their health.
“This curriculum was developed
to meet national accreditation standards set by the Council for
Education for Public Health,” added Roberta Rikli, dean of
the College of Human Development and Community Service.
“Our goal is to develop
knowledgeable, skilled health professionals who are proficient in
disseminating and applying knowledge that can help in disease control
and management,” said Shari McMahan, associate professor of
kinesiology and health promotion. “We also want to train students
to promote healthful practices while being mindful of the cultural,
economic and societal status of individuals and groups.”
The MPH program offers an interdisciplinary approach,
offering classes from a wide field of studies, including nursing,
biology, environmental studies, political science, health science,
chemistry and management.
To better meet student and community needs, the program
is divided into four specialty tracks: health promotion, environmental
and occupational health, gerontological health and nursing leadership.
“This allows our students to focus on
those areas that are of particular interest to them,” said
McMahan. “When we were first developing the program, we conducted
a needs assessment that highlighted these four areas. We also have
faculty members with expertise in these fields.”
The health promotion track will prepare students
to assess individual and community health needs, plan effective
health education and health promotion programs, and manage and supervise
health education programs in a variety of settings.
Graduates from the environmental and occupational
health track will be able to recognize safety and health hazards
in the workplace, serve as a safety/health professional within a
management structure, and recommend protective equipment or practices
to minimize illness and injury.
The gerontological health track prepares students
to provide direct services to older adults; plan and manage health
and social service programs; advocate for services, resources and
health policies for older adults; and evaluate community programs
for senior citizens.
Students from the nursing leadership track will utilize
research and theory to direct and provide high-quality health care;
analyze data collected to identify trends and formulate expected
outcomes; advocate for healthcare programs and practices to benefit
families, individuals and communities; and improve community-based
healthcare delivery services.
The program’s designers estimate that
it will take most students about 2 1/2 years to complete their studies.
Graduates will most likely find positions in government agencies,
hospitals and healthcare institutions, non-profit organizations
and the private sector, said McMahan.
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