Online Master of Public Health Degree Program | WGU (2024)

Public Health Policy and Advocacy prepares learners to approach public health in the political landscape. Policy can affect the health of groups ranging in size from individual organizations to entire nations and even the globe, making this an especially powerful and complex tool for the public health specialist. Learners in this course compare international healthcare systems, describe the policy-making process, evaluate a policy for its impact, and advocate in favor of a public health policy. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Health Education & Promotion provides learners with a thorough understanding of this multifaceted field, delving into its core concepts, philosophical underpinnings, and fundamental principles. The curriculum explores various teaching methods tailored to the dynamic landscape of health education, equipping learners with versatile tools to effectively communicate health-related information. Learners develop an appreciation for the importance of promoting well-being and preventative measures, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social aspects of health. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and practical applications, this course aims to cultivate not only a strong foundation in health education, but also essential communication skills vital for disseminating health information in diverse contexts. Learners emerge from the course with a comprehensive skill set, ready to engage in the vital work of educating and empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions for a healthier future. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Public Health Graduate Capstone enables students to investigate a public health issue in their local or home community and recommend new approaches to address that issue. Students practice the skills they have honed over the Master of Public Health program to design one that improves public health through education. Students control the process from research and discovery to program design, ultimately justifying their approach to potential stakeholders. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Public Health Core Functions and Essential Services builds foundational knowledge by exploring the ethical dimensions, intervention techniques, and educational strategies crucial for effective public health practice. Participants delve into the historical underpinnings, philosophy, and core values of public health, gaining insights into ethical principles guiding decision-making. The course equips students with the skills to design and implement impactful public health programs, emphasizing strategies tailored for health disparities and equity. The course navigates current issues and trends, providing a forward-looking perspective. Integrating discussions on core functions and the 10 Essential Services, the course fosters a holistic understanding of prevention science across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in population health, including health promotion and screening. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Environmental Health provides learners with foundational knowledge, covering the relationship people have with their environment, the risk management choices that are made, and the resulting associations that affect the health and physical well-being of individuals, communities, and susceptible populations. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Global Health prepares students to identify and analyze global health as a field. Students in this course will consider how globalization has affected the health of various groups of people throughout the world. Likewise, students will also examine how economic and environmental factors have different effects on different groups globally. The course presents the student with knowledge of various global initiatives and international organizations that strive to promote health and well-being and reduce health disparities. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and skills by drafting an advocacy statement promoting the successful efforts of a global health organization. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Public Health Leadership and Administration enables students to apply leadership principles for public health leadership positions. This includes engaging, organizing, and leading diverse groups, as well as addressing ethical issues in the field of public health. Students also apply negotiation and mediation skills to address challenges they may face in the organization or community. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health provides an overview of social and behavioral determinants and their association with health behaviors, health outcomes, and health disparities. Learners examine the strategies to mitigate social determinant barriers and apply public health theories and models to elicit behavior change and to bridge the health disparity gap. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Public Health Assessment, Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation explores the key components, concepts, and approaches for the public health assessment and planning process. In this course, students will apply evidence-based practices to conduct a community needs assessment, design a health promotion program, and develop implementation and evaluation plans. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Public Health Finance and Funding offers students a field-specific approach to acquiring the budgetary skills needed to secure funding for public health programs and manage it in prudent ways. Students learn to navigate various funding sources, such as government grants and cooperative agreements, and philanthropic organizations. Students learn to create budgets using government documentation both for managing funds and for persuading funding organizations of the value of projects. Finally, students conduct a variance analysis—the process by which budgets are evaluated for feasibility after programs have launched. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Biostatistics and Analysis introduces learners to the role that biostatistics has in public health, predicting public health outcomes and influencing decisions made with policies. Learners will examine the sources and methods of collecting public health information, analyze and interpret quantitative data in research studies, and make inferences on the effectiveness of health program interventions and policies. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Principles of Epidemiology offers an in-depth exploration of foundational principles and methodologies crucial for discerning and interpreting health and disease patterns in populations. Learners engage with core epidemiological concepts, encompassing measures of disease frequency, study designs, and principles of causation. Emphasizing practical applications, the course equips learners with analytical skills and theoretical foundations essential for conducting epidemiological research and contributing to evidence-based public health practices. Delving into a diverse range of topics, participants cultivate a robust understanding of epidemiological principles and their real-world applications, facilitating a seamless integration of knowledge into public health practices. There are no prerequisites for this course.