Master of Health Science

The professional MHS program in Population, Family and Reproductive Health is intended for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who are interested in issues related to the Department's three track areas:

• Child and Adolescent Health & Development
• Population and Health
• Reproductive, Perinatal and Women's Health

Graduates of the MHS program in PFRH go on to careers in positions with such organizations as the Census Bureau, government ministries, nongovernmental health organizations, state and local MCH agencies, managed health care organizations, research institutions, health care delivery organizations, advocacy groups and academic institutions. The curriculum is designed to make students marketable upon graduation by integrating practical knowledge and skills in the areas of program design and evaluation; advocacy; and policy with specialized knowledge in a specific area related to population, family and reproductive health. Program requirements allow flexibility so that students may tailor their academic program to concentrate in their primary area of interest within the department. The professional MHS program in Population, Family and Reproductive Health offers the following degree options:

One-Year MHS
The one-year MHS program is designed for individuals with at least two years of full-time public health experience who are currently working in their intended field of interest and wish to strengthen their skills and knowledge base, improving their potential for career advancement. Students entering the program with part or all of a medical, law, or other professional degree with no hands on public health experience will be expected to complete a practicum (2 credits) during their course work. Students may complete their practicum during any academic term or during the January Intercession. There is a part-time option available for working professionals who qualify for the one-year MHS program.

Components of the MHS program include a set of core departmental courses that provide a common theoretical foundation for the work of the entire department. These courses include: biological/developmental; demographic; and social science foundations. MHS students in Population, Family and Reproductive Health will also complete a core set of courses determined by the area of study they have selected. All professional MHS students within the Department will be required to complete an MHS Essay and Presentation. The goal of this requirement is to facilitate the culmination of knowledge gained throughout the academic year within the broader context of public health practice. Given the public health practice prerequisite for the one-year program, additional field experience is not required.

One-Year MHS Requirements

Two-Year MHS
The two-year MHS program is designed for individuals without prior public health work experience or whose public health work experience is less than two years. This program is similar to the one-year program in course requirements, but the second year includes a four- to six- month supervised internship. The internship provides the opportunity to integrate formal classroom teaching with practical experience in the student's chosen field. There is no part-time option available for the two-year MHS program.

Components of the MHS program include a set of core departmental courses that provide a common theoretical foundation for the work of the entire department. These courses include: biological/developmental; demographic; and social science foundations. MHS students in Population, Family and Reproductive Health will also complete a core set of courses determined by the area of study they have selected. All professional MHS students within the department will be required to complete an MHS Essay and Presentation. The goal of this requirement is for the MHS Essay and Presentation to be a culminating experience where students put their academic year and internship in prospective within the broader context of public health.

Two-Year MHS Requirements