COLLEGE ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to the MPH Program are subject to the same admissions
requirements as students admitted to the University’s
other masters programs. In addition to the general requirements,
applicants to the MPH Program should be graduates of health
professions programs (such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary
medicine) or hold a baccalaureate degree in a relevant engineering,
natural sciences or social sciences discipline, and have two
years of practical work experience in the health sector.
COLLEGE
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The MPH program consists of a minimum of 95 units in required
and elective coursework as specified by the program. In rare
cases, a Certificate in Public Health can be awarded after
satisfactory completion of the first year curriculum and the
approval of the Program Director for those unable to complete
the two-year program. In addition to completing the required
curriculum, students must also fulfill all university requirements,
including a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Only electives and courses specifically designated can be
taken on a Pass/Fail basis.
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
FIRST YEAR COURSES
MODULE 1 PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM SOLVING
PH201. General Principles of Public Health Problem
Solving (5).
An introduction to the diverse profession of public health
and a guiding paradigm for public health problems solving,
this course emphasizes the development of essential skills
in critical thinking and group process. Student groups will
complete an analysis of a current public health problem, including
recommended courses of action. Evaluation components consist
of individual and group participation, an individual written
critique and other written assignments, a group paper, and
a group presentation.
PH233. Data Management Systems (1).
Students will apply their knowledge of database, spreadsheet
and statistical packages to the development of appropriate
database and management information systems to process and
analyze raw data. Issues of database design, coding schemes,
data cleaning, and handling missing data will be addressed.
Evaluation is based upon graded problem sets.
PH202. Inferential Biostatistics (7).
This course introduces the major concepts of modern statistics
as applied to problems in public health and medicine. The
topics begin with an understanding of life tables and survival
curves, progress to concepts of probability and distributions,
and conclude with inferential reasoning and simple regression.
Evaluation is based on problem sets, quizzes, and examinations.
PH203. Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
(5).
This course utilizes the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework for analyzing
the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of public health
problems and the role of the individual, family, and community
in addressing public health problems. Evaluation is based
upon class participation, an examination, and a project.
EM295. Environmental Management (2)
The health of Armenia’s environment is critical to the
sustainable development of the Republic. Environmental Management
introduces the fundamental concepts of environmental science
and conservation in an Armenian context. Topics covered include
human population growth, ecosystem theory, water resources,
water pollution, air pollution, ozone depletion, global warming
and local climate change, soil degradation, energy resources,
solid waste management, and biodiversity. One field trip outside
of class will be required.
MODULE II: TECHNIQUES OF PROBLEM INVESTIGATION
PH211. Epidemiology (5).
This course introduces the principles and methods of epidemiologic
investigation of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Epidemiologic
reasoning and assessment is demonstrated through faculty lectures
and problem solving exercises. Evaluation is based upon a
mid-term and final examination.
PH213. Health Economics & Finance (6).
This course complements PH212 and consists of two components.
The first component addresses the basics of health sector
financial management, including simple budgeting, variance
analysis, and benefit/cost analysis as tools for assessing
the financial health of an organization. The second component
of the course explores the application of basic micro and
macro economic principles to the health sector. Evaluation
is based upon homework assignments, quizzes, and a project.
PH 212. Comparative Health Systems (3).
This course provides a critical comparison of the organization,
philosophy, financing, and benefits packages of predominant
health care system models. The strengths and weaknesses of
these programs will be used as bases for discussing relevance
to Armenia. Evaluation is based upon examination and a project.
PH214. Problem Investigation in Environmental Health
(5).
This course presents the broad concepts and principles used
in organizing and assessing the major environmental health
problems in developing and in industrialized countries. Field
trips are organized in conjunction with EM295. Student evaluation
is based on quizzes, examinations, and a project.
MODULE III: PROGRAM PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
PH221. Program Planning (5).
This course addresses the analytic and practical considerations
in designing and implementing a field program. Topics addressed
include manpower and facilities planning, design, and implementation
considerations, and planning for evaluation. Evaluation is
based upon a student project.
PH222. Health Services Management (5).
This course provides the practical and theoretical underpinnings
of the organization and management of health organizations.
Specific emphasis is placed on individual leadership and management
skill development. Evaluation is based upon examinations and
student projects.
PH223. Project Development and Evaluation (6).
This course provides a thorough grounding in the basic methods
of health services evaluation, focusing on research designs,
threats to reliability and validity, and instrumentation.
Emphasis is on critical analysis and assessment of study designs.
Evaluation is based upon an examination, student-prepared
evaluation protocols, and critiques of published papers.
PH224. MPH Project Planning (2).
This course allows students to formulate a preliminary project
proposal for their MPH Thesis. Students will apply the knowledge
and skills acquired during the first year curriculum to shape
and focus a tentative project proposal and implementation
plan. Evaluation is based upon successful completion of a
draft proposal. (Pass/Fail only)
SECOND YEAR COURSES
MODULE IV: ADVANCED METHODOLOGY A
PH231. Qualitative Research Methods (4).
This course provides hands-on experience in qualitative research
methods useful in formative and community-based research.
Topics include formal and informal ethnographic methods including
key informant interviews, focus groups, direct observations,
and free lists. Evaluation is based upon participation in
practical exercises, an examination, a written report, and
presentation. Note: The formative research projects will form
the basis for development of a formalized survey instrument
during PH232.
PH232. Survey Research Methods (4).
This course demonstrates the application of health survey
research methods in the field. Topics include the design,
implementation, and evaluation of a health survey instrument,
including probability sampling, questionnaire design, interview
techniques, coding procedures, and planning for the analysis
and presentation of the findings. Evaluation is based upon
an examination, participation in field projects, a written
report, and a presentation. Note: The data generated during
this exercise will be analyzed as part of PH234.
PH234. Biostatistics: Modeling and Sampling (4).
This course advances the concepts of linear regression to
a unified perspective of generalized linear models, including
multivariate regression, logistics regression, and log-linear
models. Established and recently collected data sets will
be analyzed using these methods. The course also addresses
issues of sampling, sample size, and power calculations with
respect to a number of study designs. Evaluation is based
on problem sets, quizzes, and examinations.
MODULE V: ADVANCED METHODOLOGY B
PH241. Intermediate Epidemiology (4).
This course builds upon the introductory course in epidemiology
as well as courses in survey design and sampling. Students
learn to assess the impact of bias and confounding and techniques
for mitigating those effects. Special consideration will be
given to the role of case-control studies in addressing a
variety of health and organizational problems. Evaluation
is based upon examinations and practical exercises.
PH243. Graduate Research seminar - I (2).
This course begins a structured emphasis on application of
core knowledge and critical thinking skills. Students will
critically review and discuss a number of relevant journal
articles with an orientation toward the application of these
insights to the health context of Armenia and the region.
(Pass/Fail only)
PH 244. Master’s Project Implementation - I
(10).
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students will concentrate
on implementing and completing the Masters Project defined
during course PH 224. (Pass/Fail only)
MODULE VI: SYNTHESIS
PH251. Graduate Research Seminar - II (2).
This course provides a structured emphasis on application
of core knowledge and critical thinking skills. Students will
critically review and discuss journal articles relevant to
core concepts and to on-going student projects. (Pass/Fail
only)
PH242. Training of Trainers (4).
This course prepares MPH graduates to effectively respond
to the enhanced job responsibility of providing formal and
informal in-service training to professional colleagues and
co-workers. The course will prepare students to develop objective-based
learning modules and to develop and refine effective presentation
and teaching skills. Evaluation is based upon short quizzes
and the development and delivery of a brief instructional
module relevant to the student’s professional objectives.
PH252. Master’s Project Implementation- II
(10).
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students complete
a master’s project, concluding with a paper of publishable
quality and oral presentation to faculty and relevant members
of the public health practice community. (Pass/Fail only)
