Graduate Bulletin

Community Health Education, M.P.H.

COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 15

Spring: October 15

Applications are evaluated together after the deadline.

Note: Students submitting international transcripts or other materials are encouraged to apply at least one month earlier than required deadlines.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with academic competence. If the applicant has been out of school for a long time, please make sure letters are from professional colleagues and that they address academic abilities, such as writing and research. Dual degree students should have at least one letter that speaks to their interest in public health.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

Applicants are reviewed for undergraduate coursework in mathematics and/or statistics, social science, and writing.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

Including: Nursing, medicine, pre-medicine, social work, anthropology, sociology, psychology, biology, public policy, or public health.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and describe  your: interests in public health and Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements. All relevant public health experience is important to highlight. You also may include any statement regarding expectional circumstances regarding previous academic performance.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. While the program takes a portfolio approach to admissions, a score of 500 or higher on each of verbal and quantitative test is desired.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 620 on the paper-based test or 260 on the computer-based test.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate credits from an accredited M.P.H. program may be transferred into the M.P.H. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The M.P.H. Sub-Committee makes recommendations for transferring credits to the program advisor based on review of course materials provided by the student. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9 semester hours.

Test Waivers:

Graduates with terminal degrees from U.S. medical schools, foreign trained physicians who have obtained liscensure to practice in the United States, and Ph.D.s may not need to submit GRE scores.

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Required and elective courses in the M.P.H. program are offered on satelite campuses and through on-line courses. The full M.P.H. program currently is available only at Main Campus.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. and on line courses. Full-time students usually complete the program within two academic years. Part-time students usually take three to four years to complete their degree.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 45

Required Courses:

PH 502 Statistical Methods in Public Health, PH 510 Epidemiology, PH 520 History and Bioethical Issues, PH 526 Models for Teaching Health and Patient Education, PH 529 Contemporary Environmental and Public Health Issues, PH 534 Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior, PH 550 Public Health Program Planning, PH 651 Public Health Program Evaluation, HM 501 Health Care Organization and Management. MPH Capstone Experience (9 semester hours) PH 940 MPH Capstone Seminar, PH 941 MPH Fieldwork I, PH 942 MPH Fieldwork II Three electives must also be taken with at least one taken within the department.

Internship: No internship is required, but students may opt for an internship as part of their MPH fieldwork.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

Fieldwork Practicum:

The fieldwork practicum is the capstone experience of the MPH educational program and takes place during the students' final year in the program. The practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply the theory and skills learned in the classroom. Particular skills targeted include: reviewing and critiquing research literature, managing background data, selecting appropriate interventions based on theory and previous evaluation activities, project planning and implementation, developing tools and systems necessary for project completion, collecting and analyzing data, time management, and interpersonal skills. A final report is prepared and defended.

The practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to apply skills acquired in course work with strong academic and field supervision by agency preceptors. The MPH Fieldwork  sequence (PH 940-942) is assessed by the Fieldwork Coordinator through review of sequence, monthly reports of activities, written papers, oral presentations in seminar and individual advising sessions. In addition, the field preceptor is required to make two written evaluations of the student's performance, as well as to monitor weekly activities by "signing off" on log sheets. During an on-site visit in the first semester, the Fieldwork Coordinator and field preceptor formally assess the student's progress and determine if there is need for additional course work or consultation to complete the project. This evaluation point is critical for helping students plan their final semester of work in the program. All MPH candidates have an oral examination of their project. The examining committee includes the Fieldwork Coordinator, field preceptor and another faculty member selected jointly by the student and the Fieldwork Coordinator. The MPH Program Director also participates in the review of the projects.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/publichealth

Department Information:

Dept. of Public Health
1700 N. Broad, Room 304
Philadelphia, PA 19122
publichealth@temple.edu
215-204-8726

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Ms. Joyce Hankins
joyce.hankins@temple.edu
215-204-7213

MPH Program Director :

Dr. Brenda Seals
brenda.seals@temple.edu
215-204-6780

Chairperson:

Dr. Alice Hausman
alice.hausman@temple.edu
215-204-5112

About the Program

The M.P.H. Program in Community Health Education responds to the growing need for community-oriented educators for health promotion and disease prevention. The program's mission is to train practitioners capable of functioning in a wide range of health-related settings including public health departments, voluntary health agencies, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, clinics, schools, and work sites. The Program aims to prepare public health practitioners to identify and assess the needs of populations; plan, implement, and evaluate programs to address those needs; and otherwise assure that needs of diverse populations are met to improve their overall health status. The health education needs of the region are diverse. Our program extends its mission to serve as a resource for diverse health promotional activities through faculty and student public service, research, and collaboration with other health-related institutions and organizations.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Required and elective courses in the M.P.H. program are offered on satelite campuses and through on-line courses. The full M.P.H. program currently is available only at Main Campus.

Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. and on-line courses. Full-time students usually complete the program within two academic years. Part-time students usually take three to four years to complete their degree.

Department Information:

Dept. of Public Health
1700 N. Broad, Room 304
Philadelphia, PA 19122
publichealth@temple.edu
215-204-8726

Ranking:

While M.P.H. programs are not ranked by the accrediting body, U.S. News & World Report ranked Temple's M.P.H. program in the top 20 graduate programs in community health, based on average reputation scores.

Accreditation:

The M.P.H. is fully accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health. Achieving accreditation in 1985, Temple's M.P.H. program is one of the longest established accredited M.P.H. programs in community health in the country.

Areas of Specialization:

Faculty members specialize and offer substantial coursework in the following areas: public health policy, program planning and evaluation, substance abuse, cancer, tobacco cessation, mental health, emergency preparedness, international health, epidemiology, health communication, women's health, and environmental health.

Job Placement:

Program graduates have positions in a wide range of health-related settings including state and local public health departments,community based organization, voluntary health agencies, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, clinics, schools, and work sites. Graduates are employed as HIV/AIDS Coordinators, Infection Control Coordinators, Project Directors, Evaluation Specialists, Marketing Specialist, Research Directors, Prevention Specialists and Environmental Health Specialists, Senior Health Educators and as Adjunct Faculty and Consultants. Virtually all students are placed within 3-6 months of graduation.

Affiliation(s):

The M.P.H. program has research affiliations with national and international associations such as the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM), ECRI, and UNESCO. Locally, the progam has long standing research affiliations with the Fox Chase Cancer Center, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, PHMC, The Ford Trust, The Health Federation and with numerous other community health agencies.

Interdisciplinary Study:

Interdisciplinary coursework, research, and interactions are encouraged to give students as broad a perspective as possible to excel in the complex, diverse and dynamic state of public health. Through associations with the Center for Women's Health, Center for Obesity Studies, C-PREP, ANTCAR and others, students have access to over 100 faculty at Temple University and additional regional scholars who are actively involved in programs, research, and teaching in public health.

Study Abroad:

A six semester hour course studying healthcare delivery in Costa Rica is offered each summer in the first session.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Students may opt to take the CHES exam.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are restricted to taking the following courses: PH 502, PH 510, PH 520, PH 534, PH 529, and any elective. Those interested in taking courses as a non-matriculated students must speak with the professor before registering. If accepted to the program, a maximum of 3 of those courses may be applied toward the degree program. Exceptions to this policy relate to formal certificate programs.

Financing Opportunities

Some fellowship opportunities are available on an annual basis. Students whose Fall applications are complete prior to or at the application deadline are reviewed for eligibility. The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant (TA) include either teaching a course or assisting faculty members in classroom (field, observatory), laboratory instruction, preparing apparatus or material for demonstration, conducting tutorials and discussion sections, and grading. Research assistantships carry a variety of responsibilities, ranging from conducting literature reviews to coordinating public health studies. Specific duties depend on the research project and team. Most assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition remission (up to nine credits per semester). Assistantship application forms should be requested from publichealth@temple.edu. Applications should include a statement of previous teaching and/or research experience, areas of interest, and future goals and a curriculum vitae. Assistantship applications are requested throughout the year as opportunities arise at various times. However, applications for annual assistantships should be submitted by March 15. Applications should be directed to Dr. Alice Hausman, Temple University, Department of Public Health, 1700 N. Broad, Room 304, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Other Financial Opportunities