MPH Curriculum
Curriculum for Working Professionals
We offer a curriculum that allows students to take a combination of in-person and online classes while balancing their work and personal lives.
The advantage of in-person classes is that students can easily ask questions of faculty members and consult with other students, and communication between faculty and students and among students is more active. Since we attract faculty and students from diverse backgrounds, new ideas for projects and research often emerge from these interactions, and we value the opportunity for interaction that conversation provides.
On the other hand, online classes using Zoom (some recorded materials) are offered in all courses so that students who have difficulty commuting to the school during class hours can participate in the classes. Through the learning system (manaba), students can also submit reports and check grades online, and engage in discussions with faculty and other students on the bulletin board. These features make it possible for students who live far from the school or who cannot come to the university at the same time every week to participate in lectures.
Courses
The MPH curriculum requires students to successfully complete 7 required courses covering the 5 core disciplines and a minimum of about 5 additional elective courses selected based on their areas interest. Each course comprises 135 minutes of class time per week for 15 weeks in addition to active participation in discussion, readings, and assignments, and depending on the course, there may be hands-on activities, group projects, and exams.
*The e-learning option will require students to similarly complete readings, assignments, and exams in addition to viewing the recorded lectures.
Required Courses
Elective Courses
A generous number of elective courses in various sub-disciplines of public health are available to enhance the caliber and breadth of the educational program in this multi-disciplinary field. It is expected that students will complete a minimum of about 5 additional courses beyond the required courses from among the following:
- Public Health Research Methods
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
- Biostatistics I Practicum
- Biostatistics II
- Biostatistics II Practicum
- Health Informatics and Decision Making
- Mathematical Methods for Public Health
- Health Economics
- Organization in Public Health
- Pharmaco-epidemiology and Pharmaco-economics
- Introduction to Health Technology Assessment
- Medical Anthropology
- Medical Ethics
- Advanced Topics in Environmental Health
- Practical measurement in Environmental Health
- Environmental Psychology
- Global Health
- Global Infectious Diseases
- Maternal and Child Health
- Healthcare Innovation
- Introduction to Clinical Medicine
- Public Health Nutrition
- Courses offered by Graduate School of Nursing Sciences (up to 10 units)
Professional Knowledge and Skills
As a professional degree, the curriculum integrates training in various real world applications of the academic topics that students will learn in the MPH program. With the Master’s Capstone Project, Applied Practice Experience, MPH Seminar, and optional internship experience, students will be able to acquire both the skills and knowledge needed to perform independently in their future careers as public health professionals. In addition, as one aspect of our program focuses on the clinical application of MPH skills, students without a clinical background will find introductory medical courses useful to their future professional endeavors in the hospital, clinic, or other healthcare settings.
Master’s Capstone Project
The objective is to encourage students to apply their knowledge towards a tangible culminating piece of work that demonstrates intellectual command and critical thinking within a specific public health topic. Students will submit a master’s capstone project as part of their graduation requirement. This project may take one of a number of forms including, and not limited to, 1) a systematic review and/or meta-analysis, 2) data analysis project, 3) a detailed final report based on an internship experience undertaken during the MPH program. The capstone project will be pursued with close guidance and supervision by the students’ assigned faculty advisor and is expected to be initiated during the Spring semester of their final year. Students are required to make a final presentation of their capstone project.
Applied Practice Experience
Gaining practical experience in real-world public health activities is a vital component to the professional degree program in allowing students to use and expand their public health knowledge and develop their specific competencies of interest. Students will be expected to engage in applied practice activities outside of the academic GSPH context, which can also be linked with their Capstone Project.
MPH Seminar
In this final seminar course, students will be provided opportunities to solidify their understanding of the public health approach and refine their problem-solving skills by revisiting key foundational principles focused on evidence appraisal, systems thinking, and academic and professional communication. Activities and assignments are designed to enhance the integrative learning experiences related to the student’s Capstone project theme.