Pathway Options
Pathways provide students an opportunity to pursue a course of focused study.
Most pathway courses are available via distance OR partial distance. A course taken via partial distance means that 1 or 2 days of on-campus attendance is required. These days occur on the Thursday prior to the start of each of the regular on-campus seminars in October, December, February and April.
The Course Description List will describe appropriate courses for your focus of study.
- 5-6 pathway or focused elective course credits
- 3 practicum credits
(Practicum projects typically deal with issues related to the pathway area and must be approved by the EXDP Practicum Advisor.)
The Community Practice Pathway is designed for public health practitioners in state and local public health agencies, voluntary health organizations, community clinics, and others wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in community-based practice. Two core courses in community health development and policy development emphasize skills training in cultural competency, community assessments, how public policy around medical care and public health is developed and by whom, and the complex array of factors that affect public policy.
The pathway in Environmental Health is designed for professionals with some experience in the field, but is also appropriate for those who are more advanced. The coursework covers environmental health regulations and their implementation by government agencies, and the principles/impact of toxicology on our society. Professionals with an advanced understanding/experience of environmental health systems are encouraged to work individually with Environmental Health faculty on issues of importance to them.
The pathway in Global Health is designed for professionals who want to understand the determinants of health conditions in developing countries. This understanding may be used to better understand the state of health for the majority of the world or to prepare a professional to work in the health field in resource-poor settings. The first course covers social, political, economic and environmental determinants in depth, and is recommended, but not required before taking the second course. The second course provides an overview of child health in developing countries.
The pathway in Health Education is designed for professionals with experience in school and other community settings. Although not required, health education program management or health teaching experience is desirable. Students take two courses in health education emphasizing: needs assessment and policy analysis; health education program planning, implementation, and evaluation; and learning theory and communication skills. Students successfully completing the requirements of the Health Education Pathway with a MPH degree will qualify to sit for the national exam that earns one the designation as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
The pathway in Maternal and Child Health is available to students who are interested in advanced study of maternal and child health issues. Two of the courses emphasize the study of maternal and child health problems from both health services and epidemiologic perspectives, and encourage analysis of local problems and the use of home-site data systems for practicum, thesis or project, and course-related work. A third course option provides an overview of child health in developing countries-this course is also appropriate for those interested in Global Health.
- HSERV 542/EPI 521
Epidemiology of Maternal and Child Health Problems - HSERV 541
Topics Maternal and Child Health I - GH 545
Child Health in Developing Countries
The pathway in Nutrition is available to students who are interested in an advanced introduction to nutritional sciences and an integrated biomedical and social approach to obesity.
The pathway in Policy is for professionals who are looking for is an understanding of how the policy process works and how it has played out (or is playing out) around specific issues. Students taking the second course should bring a relevant issue to analyze and explore potential policy options.
The Focused Electives Pathway allows students to select electives and design a course of study that meets their own educational needs.
Concurrent MEDEX students and MEDEX graduates have different requirements and should consult with EXDP staff.
