Falk College has announced a master of science in public health (M.S.P.H.). Available beginning this semester, the degree prepares graduates for research careers in a variety of local, national and international public health settings. Unlike applied training in public health offered by master of public health (M.P.H.) or other health-related master’s degree programs, the M.S.P.H. focuses on research methods and biostatistics competencies in concert with mentored research culminating in a thesis. With the rapid increase in accessible health information and the proliferation of global health initiatives, graduates will be well-positioned for careers in these growth fields.
Public health faculty come from diverse backgrounds with extensive experience in the Caribbean, Canada, East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, offering students valuable exposure to issues and lifestyles of these cultures. (Photo by PATH/Laura Newman)
Public health faculty come from diverse backgrounds with extensive experience in the Caribbean, Canada, East Asia, Africa and the Middle East, offering students valuable exposure to issues and lifestyles of these cultures. The variety of faculty disciplines offers students in-depth knowledge from multiple perspectives. With a deliberate focus on research methods and biostatistics, complemented by mentored faculty research and a thesis project, the 42-credit program will position graduates to meet a research and analytic need that continues to grow.
The program includes two core areas of study. In the public health core, students will gain skill in the development and evaluation of global health programs, examine social and behavioral determinants of health and apply epidemiologic principles to global public and environmental health issues. In addition to this public health core, a research and statistics core provides students with the tools needed to conduct a mentored independent research project. Additional details about the M.S.P.H. are located in the .
Students in the program select one of the following two tracks of study:
The Biostatistics Track involves advanced study of biostatistical tools (e.g., logistic regression, meta-analysis, survival analyses and geographic information systems) and the application of these tools to a novel research question developed by the student working with a faculty advisor.
The Global Track incorporates some of these analytic skills to the study of global health issues such as cultural health norms and practices, historical experiences of ethnic groups and culturally determined patterns of dealing with issues of health, illness and disability. Students will complete an independent research thesis under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
For more information about the new master of science in public health, as well as other programs in Falk College’s public health portfolio, including a bachelor of science in public health, master of arts in addiction studies, master of science in global health and certificates of advanced studies in addiction studies and global health, contact the Falk College Office of Admissions at 315.443.5555 or falk@syr.edu, or visit the website, .
