MHS/Ph.D. Dual Degree Program
Catalog and Curriculum
MHS/Ph.D Dual Program Courses
The Master of Health Science degree will be awarded after completion of 41 credits. The combined total credits across both portions is 92.
| course name | credit hours |
|---|---|
| MHS 5203: Writing for Allied Health Professionals This course entails the study and practice of writing style used in allied health: scientific writing. Scientific writing is a different format than other kinds of writing used as an undergraduate. It is more precise and succinct, which is different from the way we speak to each other. Scientific writing is written for an audience with the purpose of informing or possibly persuading the audience. American Psychological Association (APA) style and standard English formatting will be reviewed. The papers written in this course will give the student a foundation for all MHS courses. |
3 |
| MHS 5510: Research Methods This course is designed to enable participants to develop skills in reading and critically evaluating published research using the scientific model. The advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods will be compared and contrasted. Research articles will be collaboratively analyzed to develop an appreciation of potential methodological problems and their implications for evidence based professional practice. |
3 |
| MHS 5908: Applied Statistics Good decision-making in healthcare is enhanced through empiricism, where formal processes are used to ask pertinent research questions, review the professional contributions of others, develop appropriate methodologies, obtain reliable and valid data, organize data into formal data sets, conduct suitable statistical analyses, and make informed judgments. This course provides background in both theory and practice in statistics and research methods, in part to prepare students for the many activities associated with clinical research. |
3 |
| MHS 5906: Development Research Project This course provides the student the opportunity to assimilate the skills required to communicate in academic settings both orally and in writing. The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, the course will acquaint the student with the guidelines that will assist in creating well-crafted academic communication. Second, it will provide the opportunity to practice communication skills and receive feedback from colleagues and instructor. The primary focus of the course is the thesis process. |
3 |
|
MHS 5995 - MHS 5998: Thesis I - IV Thesis II - In this course the student will carry out the proposed research (under the instructor’s supervision) and conduct data analysis, which will culminate in a summary paper of the student’s research findings. Thesis III - This course is dedicated to the formal writing of the student’s thesis under their professor’s supervision. Once the instructor accepts the paper 2 other faculty members on the student’s thesis committee will review it. Thesis IV - In this course the student prepares for oral defense of their thesis and revision of the manuscript of their thesis. |
12 |
| DHS 8090: Health Policy Everyone involved with health care (including consumers, providers, payers, special interest groups, elected officials and administrators) is affected by health policy. The course examines health policy issues confronting public/private health organizations and specific groups. Assignments review processes influencing the development and implementation of policies including topics related to health insurance reform, government supported programs, quality care and population based issues. Each week, the student evaluates information available through internet sites and reference texts to develop a paper demonstrating an understanding of the assignment topic and participates in discussion topics. analyze, synthesize, propose and/or evaluate. |
4 |
| DHS 8810: Global Epidemiology This course emphasizes the underlying concepts of the epidemiologic approach as it relates to pertinent global health issues. The student will be introduced to principles and methods of epidemiologic research. These include study designs, measures of frequency, association, impact and sources of error. Application to global health and public health strategies for disease prevention, surveillance and controls are discussed. |
4 |
| HPH 7410: Qualitative Research In HPH 7410 we will focus primarily on the knowledge and skill competencies you will need to design and conduct qualitative research successfully. In this pursuit we will immerse ourselves in the epistemological, theoretical, ethical, methodological, and procedural understanding of qualitative research, apply this knowledge to the conceptualization and conduct of qualitative research, report the findings of the research in the form of a research article, and appraise the quality of such qualitative research products. Upon completion of the course you will have demonstrated that you have mastered the basic competencies needed to create, plan, and complete a qualitative research dissertation. |
3 |
| HPH 7400: Quantitative Research Design This course will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the basic methods and approaches used in health-related research. A major emphasis of the course will be on the conceptualization and design of research studies. The course will cover ethics, formulation of research questions, study design, reliability, validity, sampling, measurement, and interpretation of research findings. It will prepare students to critically evaluate published literature, and to design sound research studies. The course will be both theoretical and applied. Students will be challenged to apply the theoretical concepts presented in the classroom and in the readings to design a study to address a health related issue of their choice. |
3 |
| HPH 7220: Research Ethics This course introduces students to ethics concepts as they apply to questions and challenges in conducting research with human subjects. The aim is to increase students' awareness of and ability to reason through ethical issues that arise in human subjects research. The course will draw upon historical examples, codes, declarations, and other sources of ethical guidance including discussions of contemporary controversies in human subjects research. |
3 |
| course name | credit hours |
|---|---|
| DHS 8030: Community Health Promotion and Disease Prevention This course develops the knowledge and skills needed to work with communities to improve health status of the community. Major topics will include health promotion and disease prevention. Special emphasis will be placed on the "Healthy People 2010" initiatives. |
4 |
| DHS 8080: Conflict Resolution in Health Care This course examines and analyzes the nature and dynamics of human conflict within civil societies. Emphasis is placed upon conflicts within and among governments and public sector agencies and between the health provider, patients and medical institutions. Students will be expected to take an active role in the course and develop their own strategies for dealing with conflict. |
4 |
| DHS 8170: Leadership in Health Care This course explores the various methods of leadership and management, both in and out of healthcare, and their impact on productivity, profitability and employee satisfaction. Critical analysis of the different types of leadership and management theories is given and the need for developing a leadership plan is explored. The student is expected to gain knowledge of the various types of leaders and systems and will be required to research and develop a paper on a specific leadership topic. |
4 |
| DHS 8810: Evidence-Based Medical Practice This course emphasizes the underlying concepts of the epidemiologic approach as it relates to pertinent global health issues. The student will be introduced to principles and methods of epidemiologic research. These include study designs, measures of frequency, association, impact and sources of error. Application to global health and public health strategies for disease prevention, surveillance and controls are discussed. |
4 |
| HPH 7300: Biostatistics I The application of quantitative techniques has expanded rapidly in medical decision-making. The emphasis on evidence based health care means that health care workers must be able to evaluate the results from published health care research studies. This course is the first of two courses designed to provide students with the knowledge of quantitative techniques. The course will cover descriptive statistics, parametric group comparison statistics, basic non-parametric statistics, and provide an introduction to linear modeling. |
3 |
| HPH 7310: Biostatistics II The aim of this course is to enable students to appreciate the richness of statistical science and to invite them to the concepts of probabilistic thinking. Statistics is the science of the future. Any technique that they are going to learn will help them to understand the unknown better, and in turn it will increase their success in other courses and in future professional careers. Principles of statistical inference build upon the course of Fundamentals of Biostatistics. As such, a prerequisite for enrolling in this course of Fundamentals of Biostatistics. The goals of this course are threefold: (1) introduce the basic concepts of probability as well as methods for calculating the probability of an event, (2) assist students in developing and understanding of probability theory and sampling distributions, and (3) familiarize students about inferences involving one or two populations, ANOVA, regression analysis, and chi-square tests. |
3 |
|
HPH 7500: Philosophy of Science OR HPH 7600: Grant Writing HPH 7600: This course is designed to provide writing experiences which prepare the learner for manuscript and grant proposal submissions. This introductory experience into the grant process from proposal to funding to management will include project management, funding sources, and funding challenges. Other course requirements include a research proposal (manuscript) that is ready for submission for publication and development of a dissertation proposal. |
3 / 3 |
| HPH 7700: Tests and Measurements The course provides a foundation in the basic principles of measurement error with a focus on how to assess and control for error through research design methods and statistical analysis. Students will explore test construction and parsimonious data analysis methods to develop an understanding for designing instruments and assessment tools. Topics in the course will also include survey implementation, sampling, data collection, follow-up, and ethical issues. A focus on issues specific to measurement error in the medical science will also be examined throughout the course. |
3 |
| HSP 9001: Behavior Theories in Health Science The purpose of this course is to understand health behavior theories to make decisions on appropriate theories that will guide dissertation research questions and methodology, data analysis and interpretation. This course presents behavior theories commonly used in the analysis of health care sciences research data. Emphasis is on understanding and applying these concepts and techniques to dissertation and other research data through writing in APA style. |
3 |
| HSP 9002: Survey Methodology This course introduces students to a set of principles of survey methodology that are the basis of standard practices in the field. The course provides guidelines for developing survey objectives, designing survey studies, sampling respondents, and administering surveys. Emphasis is on the skills and resources needed to design and conduct a survey. |
3 |
| HSP 9007: Research Practicum Research Practicum requires students to conduct a research activity under faculty member supervision. |
3 |
| HSP 9008: Comprehensive Exam The comprehensive examination is a written examination students will take after completion of all required course work and before dissertation phase of the PhD program. The exam will be offered twice a year, onsite. The exam will take a holistic approach and encompass all learning objectives from the program: research, evidence-based medicine, ethics, diversity, conflict resolution, and global health. Students must pass the comprehensive exam in order to move forward to the dissertation phase. |
1 |
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HSP 9011, 9012, 9013, 9014, 9015 and 9016: Dissertations More information can be found here: Dissertation Process |
12 |