HLTH - Health
HLTH402 Disability is Not an Outcome: An Introduction to Understanding Disability (3 Credits)
With an intent to disrupt traditional understandings of disability as a health outcome to be prevented, this course will introduce students to disability as an identity, a community, a population of interest to public health professionals. To change this understanding students will explore historical representations of disability, ableism, and lived experiences of people with disabilities. Disability is a multi-layered concept that broadly describes a wide range of people. Although geared toward public health scholars, the mix of readings, discussions, and assignments will help students reflect and integrate learning into their own fields of study. The course examines factors that led to systemic oppression, and methods and strategies of moving toward a more inclusive society.
HLTH410 Honors Seminar (3 Credits)
Undergraduate majors with a strong academic record are provided the opportunity to engage in challenging educational experiences related to the social and behavioral aspects of public health. Students will learn the skills and knowledge to develop, propose, defend, and complete an honors thesis or honors project.
Prerequisite: HLTH200; and must have completed 2 other courses in HLTH.
Restriction: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5; and must have completed 45 credits before applying.
HLTH420 Effective Strategies for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
The purpose of this course is to present the interrelationships of curriculum planning, methodology and the selection and use of successful public health presentation strategies. Special problems associated with public health presentations are discussed, and students become familiar with a variety of resources as well as with planning for and implementing demonstration presentations.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in EPIB301, EPIB315, SPHL100, HLTH124, HLTH140, HLTH200, HLTH230, HLTH302, BSCI170, BSCI171, and BSCI201. Students must have successfully completed or concurrently complete HLTH364.
Corequisite: HLTH490 and HLTH391.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health department.
HLTH424 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Health (3 Credits)
The preparation of students to be knowledgeable advocates for the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Course focus is defined by the Healthy People 2020 federal health objectives for LGBT populations: data collection for research, culturally competent healthcare, bullying in schools, suicide, homelessness, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Recommended: Students should have some familiarity with basic psychology, sociology and/or epidemiology.
Restriction: This course is restricted to students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits. Jointly offered with HLTH624.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH424 or HLTH6 24.
HLTH430 Health Education in the Workplace (3 Credits)
A survey of the role of health education in work settings. Examination of occupational stress, the health effects of shift work, women's health in the workplace, health education approaches to informing workers and management, and health promotion programs in the workplace.
HLTH431 Health Literacy in Action (3 Credits)
This course introduces the concept of health literacy and develops the knowledge and skills to understand the field and engage productively about health literacy with healthcare providers, systems, and policy makers. The class explores diverse perspectives about health information and communication, and different pathways and strategies to help create the conditions for more informed and engaged individuals and communities.
Recommended: HLTH 371; or equivalent.
Repeatable to: 0 credit.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH431 or HLTH498L.
Formerly: HLTH498L.
HLTH432 Medical Terminology (3 Credits)
Provides the framework for understanding medical language and terminology used by health care professionals. Students will gain an understanding of the rules of building and analyzing medical terms from word origins and will learn correct pronunciation, definitions, and spelling for all of the body systems, major pathological conditions, common disorders, prescribed medications, and more. Whether a student is interested in learning more about the medical field or they want to acquire practical knowledge for future personal use, this course provides the foundation for understanding the language of medicine.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH432 or HLTH498T.
Formerly: HLTH498T.
HLTH434 Introduction to Public Health Informatics (3 Credits)
Provides an overview of the field of public health informatics and the influence of technology on the public's health and well-being. Emphasizes the application of various technologies and computer/internet applications to support public health research and practice, including strategies to address new and emerging threats.
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs (Community Health; Public Health Science) ; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH434 or HLTH498E.
Formerly: HLTH498E.
HLTH452 Global Health and Social Justice (3 Credits)
Evaluates the relationship between social justice and population health through critical discourse analysis of social determinants of health and applications of community-based methods for reducing population health inequities within and across national borders. The class aims to stimulate students' critical analysis to identify, describe, measure and apply consequences of injustices in population ill-health exposures and practices (policies, interventions and services). Students will apply critical thinking about how social injustices create preventable health disparities, unequal social determinants, poor environmental exposures and diseases among vulnerable populations in much of low-income countries.Jointly offered with: HLTH602.
HLTH460 Multicultural Population Health (3 Credits)
Health concerns of U.S. ethnic minority groups and factors placing them at elevated risk for disease and injury. Health education concepts and strategies to reduce disparities between their health status and the health status of the general population.
Prerequisite: HLTH140, HLTH230, or HLTH366; or permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department; or must be in the Anti-Black Racism Minor.
HLTH471 Women's Health (3 Credits)
The women's health movement from the perspective of consumerism and feminism. The physician-patient relationship in the gynecological and other medical settings. The gynecological exam, gynecological problems, contraception, abortion, pregnancy, breast and cervical cancer and surgical procedures. Psychological aspects of gynecological concerns.
Restriction: Must be in a program in the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; or must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department. Cross-listed with: WGSS471.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH471, WMST471, or WGSS471..
Formerly: WMST471.
HLTH476 Death Education (3 Credits)
Examination of the genesis and development of present day death attitudes and behavior by use of a multidisciplinary life cycle approach.
HLTH489 Field Laboratory Projects and Workshop (1-6 Credits)
A course designed to meet the needs of persons in the field with respect to workshop and research projects in special areas of knowledge not covered by regularly structured courses.
HLTH490 Professional Preparation in Community Health (3 Credits)
The development of skills necessary for joining the public health work force post-graduation, as well as assistance in obtaining an appropriate internship that will serve as a final semester, capstone experience. Students will be exposed to various relevant professional experiences, and will be afforded the opportunity to strengthen their own individual skills by selecting from a menu of skills-based learning modules that best suit their perceived needs.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in EPIB301, EPIB315, SPHL100, HLTH124, HLTH140, HLTH200, HLTH230, HLTH302, BSCI170, BSCI171, and BSCI201. Students must have successfully completed or concurrently complete HLTH364.
Corequisite: Students must also enroll in HLTH420 and HLTH391.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health department.
HLTH491 Community Health Internship (12 Credits)
Integrating theory with practice in a community health setting.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH420 and HLTH490.
Restriction: Must have completed all program requirements and be in the last semester of the Community Health degree program.
HLTH492 BS/MPH Community Health Internship (9 Credits)
Integrating theory with practice in a community health setting.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH490.
Restriction: Must be a Community Health major who has been admitted to the combined BS/MPH degree program.
HLTH498 Special Topics in Health (3 Credits)
Topics of special interest in areas not covered by regularly scheduled courses.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
HLTH602 Global Health and Social Justice (3 Credits)
Evaluates the relationship between social justice and population health through critical discourse analysis of social determinants of health and applications of community-based methods for reducing population health inequities within and across national borders. The class aims to stimulate students' critical analysis to identify, describe, measure and apply consequences of injustices in population ill-health exposures and practices (policies, interventions and services). Students will apply critical thinking about how social injustices create preventable health disparities, unequal social determinants, poor environmental exposures and diseases among vulnerable populations in much of low income countries.Jointly offered with: HLTH452.
HLTH606 Foundations of Public Health Education and Policy (3 Credits)
Examines foundations and content of two professions, health education and public health, including history, mission, terminology, philosophy, ethical principles and scientific foundations. Emerging and reemerging threats to the public's health will be discussed, as well as societal influences on health and health policy. Also addresses professional competencies and preparation, and the role of professional organizations.
Restriction: Must be in MPH: Community Health Education (Master's) program; or must be in Ph.D.: Public and Community Health (Doctoral) program.
HLTH609 Public Health Journal Club (1 Credit)
Includes discussion of recent literature from leading peer-reviewed journals on a specific psychosocial construct and health outcome, with students presenting two articles during the semester. The purpose of this course is to read and consider health constructs and outcomes from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Restriction: Must be in the Behavioral & Community Health doctoral program; or be an advanced MPH student; and permission of Behavioral and Community Health department; or permission of instructor.
Repeatable to: 4 credits.
HLTH624 Advanced Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Health (3 Credits)
The preparation of students to be knowledgeable advocates for the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Course focus is defined by the Healthy People 2020 federal health objectives for LGBT populations: data collection for research, culturally competent healthcare, bullying in schools, suicide, homelessness, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Recommended: Students should have some familiarity with basic psychology, sociology and/or epidemiology.
HLTH625 Community Assessment through Qualitative Methods (3 Credits)
A discussion of major paradigms in qualitative inquiry, an overview of the process of qualitative research, and an introduction to several qualitative research methods, including grounded theory, ethnography, phenomenology, and content analysis. Students will collect, transcribe, analyze, and present qualitative data using introductory interview and analytic techniques.
Restriction: Course will be restricted to Behavioral and Community Health graduate students.
HLTH631 Teaching PreK-8 Health Education (3 Credits)
Students will learn aspects of teaching preK-8 health education including: characteristics of preK-8 students, testing, grading, teaching lifetime skills, and effective teaching techniques using SHAPE America Standards. Students will engage in building instructional lesson plans for health education students in preK-8 grades.
HLTH632 Teaching in High School Health Education (3 Credits)
Students will learn aspects of teaching high school health education including: characteristics of high school students, testing, grading, teaching lifetime activities, and effective teaching techniques using SHAPE America Standards. Students will engage in building instructional lesson plans for health education students in high school.
HLTH635 Leadership in Crisis: Lessons from Select Public Health Issues (3 Credits)
Examine leadership successes and failures during the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism in the United States in 2020. Define a public health crisis and explore characteristics of highly functioning leaders during crises. Critically analyze current literature on leadership during these twin pandemics. Explore ways in which leaders adapt their own behavior and mobilize their workforce to respond to their constituencies to address crises. Students will critically analyze the performance of a current public health leader in a case study.
HLTH652 Quantitative Research Methods I in Public health (3 Credits)
Intermediate statistics and procedures in public health-related research for doctoral students. Focuses on applied statistics rather than theoretical, with emphasis on 1) how to apply statistical models, 2) how to perform the analysis with avialable software, and 3) how to interpret findings.
Restriction: Must be in MPH: Community Health Education (Master's) program; or must be in Ph.D.: Public and Community Health (Doctoral) program.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH652 or HLTH688R.
Formerly: HLTH688R.
HLTH653 Quantitative Research Methods II in Public Health (3 Credits)
Intermediate and advanced statistics and procedures in health-related research for doctoral students with the focus on applications of these statistical methodological methods to public health research.
Prerequisite: HLTH652.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH653 or HLTH688T.
Formerly: HLTH688T.
HLTH654 Communicating in Public Health Leadership (3 Credits)
Offers students an opportunity to understand public health leadership communication in various sectors, assess best practices in public health leadership communication, and how to implement these concepts in public health leadership communication to develop a confident and culturally aware voice. The overall aims of the course are to: (a) determine the different organizational communication forms in public health leadership; and (c) practice communication strategies to inform, engage, and persuade individuals within and outside of the organizational structure on various public health issues.
Recommended: HLTH671.
HLTH665 Health Behavior I: Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior (3 Credits)
Provides students with an understanding of the application of the social and behavioral sciences to health; addressing behavioral, social, and cultural factors that influence individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. Public health issues related to individuals and populations will be examined in terms of social and behavioral theories, empirical research findings, and methodologies.
HLTH666 Health Behavior II: Applying Health Behavior Theory (3 Credits)
Develops students' expertise in applying health behavior theory, with an emphasis on cultural appropriateness and through a social justice lens. This course will build on material learned in HLTH 665, and will involve a particular emphasis on application of health behavior theory. The course will be taught using a "hands-on" approach, giving students a skill foundation in applying health behavior theories throughout the life course of an intervention from the research question and hypothesis, to intervention development, and evaluation.
Prerequisite: HLTH665.
HLTH668 Teaching Internship in Health Education (1-6 Credits)
The MCERT Health Education internship is an intense experience that immerses interns into the life of their assigned Prek-12 school. The internship experience is designed to provide our pre-service teachers with a rich opportunity to learn the craft of teaching through close observation of experts as well as practice in the planning, delivery and assessment of instruction.
Restriction: Must be enrolled in Pre-K to 12 Health Education Master of Education program.
Repeatable to: 6 credits.
HLTH671 Public Health Communication (3 Credits)
An exploration of the the broad and diverse field of health communication including medical encounters, everyday communication about health, advertising, news, public health campaigns, community outreach, public policy, and international programs. Theories and applied efforts that have been studied and documented will be examined.
Restriction: Non-SPH students must obtain permission from the instructor prior to registering.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH670 or HLTH671 and HLTH672.
Formerly: HLTH670.
HLTH672 Public Health Informatics (3 Credits)
A basic overview of Informatics and its application in a public health setting. The major goal is for students to understand the basic tools and building blocks needed to utilize this technology in order to improve their professional productivity
Restriction: Instructor permission is required for students not enrolled in a degree seeking program in the School of Public Health. Cross-listed with: EPIB672.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH670 or HLTH672 or EPIB672.
Formerly: HLTH670.
HLTH674 Health Literacy (3 Credits)
Introduction to health literacy research, practice, and skills. The course will develop students' understanding of how health literacy is both a barrier and an asset for health. We will also examine how health literacy affects a wide range of outcomes. Students will learn the basics of health literacy concepts, models, and research methods, and discuss health literacy research and evaluation in clinical, public health, and community settings. Students will study key health topics, populations, and contexts for health literacy research and practice. The course will describe professional skills necessary for effective public health communication practice and provide opportunities to practice the skills. The implications of research for public health practice, policy, and consumer/patient interventions and behavior will be integrated so that public health practitioners and researchers are prepared to address health literacy in their future work.
Recommended: Health communication, communication, journalism, literacy, or cognitive or information sciences classes.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH688L or HLTH674.
Formerly: HLTH688L.
HLTH678 Professional Seminar for Teacher Development in Health Education (3 Credits)
The spring seminar course is an extension of the fall seminar course and spring internship course. It accompanies a full time undergraduate level teaching internship and is intended to support and extend students' field experience learning. The spring seminar course is designed to continue to provide students with the support they need to successfully meet the College of Education's Health Education programmatic requirements and the Maryland State Department of Education's PreK-12 Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Requirements. These requirements include demonstrating mastery on all of the College of Education's Foundational Competencies (FCCs) and Performance Based Assessments (PBAs) and the national edTPA, InTASC, Health Education Teacher Education Standards (HETE) and MSDE and SHAPE America Standards.
Restriction: Must be in the MCERT Health Education program.
Repeatable to: 3 credits.
HLTH688 Special Problems in Health Education (1-6 Credits)
HLTH701 Mixed Methods in Behavioral and Community Health Research (3 Credits)
A discussion of major paradigms in mixed method inquiry, an overview of the process of mixed methods research, and an introduction to several mixed methods approaches, including convergent, explanatory sequential, and exploratory sequential designs.
Prerequisite: HLTH625 and HLTH710, or equivalent non-BCH qualitative and quantitative methods courses.
HLTH709 Public Health Research Journal Club (1 Credit)
Discussion of recent research literature from top peer-reviewed journals focusing on cutting edge research issues related to public health. Examines public health research issues and their relationship to the conduct and application of public health practice.
Restriction: Must be in Ph.D.: Public and Community Health (Doctoral) program; or must be an advanced MPH Behavioral and Community Health student; or permission of instructor.
Repeatable to: 4 credits.
HLTH710 Methods and Techniques of Research (3 Credits)
HLTH711 Advanced Research Methods in Health (3 Credits)
Quantitative techniques, advanced research methods and design issues.
Prerequisite: HLTH710.
Restriction: Must be in MPH: Community Health Education (Master's) program; or must be in Ph.D.: Public and Community Health (Doctoral) program.
HLTH712 Applied Research Methods in Behavioral and Community Health (3 Credits)
Designed to build on the research skills obtained in HLTH710 and other fundamental research methods and statistics courses. Methods and problems that are commonly encountered in health education research will be discussed including examination of actual research studies. Complex behavioral research issues will be addressed with existing research data sets. With these data sets, students will develop an analytic plan and conduct data analysis.
Prerequisite: HLTH710.
HLTH742 Professional Writing and Presentations (3 Credits)
Acquaints students with various types of professional writing required of public health professionals, including: grant proposals; journal articles; textbooks; presentation proposals and papers; and theses and dissertations. Includes both the form and content of technical documents as well as the processes of writing, peer review, and critique.
Restriction: Must be in MPH: Community Health Education (Master's) program; or must be in Ph.D.: Public and Community Health (Doctoral) program.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH742 or HLTH688W.
Formerly: HLTH688W.
HLTH774 Community Health Program Planning (3 Credits)
An introduction to the development, planning, and administration of community health programs. The overall goal of this course is to develop a program and conceptualize the implementation of the intervention.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department; or permission of instructor.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH775 or HLTH774 and HLTH776.
Formerly: HLTH775.
HLTH775 Health Education Program Planning and Evaluation (3 Credits)
A systematic approach to the planning and evaluation of Health Education programs. Diagnosis of the social, psychological, educational and administrative aspects of the health education program. Program monitoring, rigorous methods of impact assessment, and the measurement of efficiency.
Prerequisite: HLTH710; and permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
HLTH776 Community Health Program Evaluation (3 Credits)
An application of basic research methods, and the evaluation of community health programs. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of a community health intervention.
Prerequisite: HLTH710 and HLTH774.
Restriction: Must be in the Behavioral and Community Health (BCHL) doctoral program; and permission of Behavioral and Community Health department; or permission of instructor.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH775 or HLTH774 and HLTH776.
Formerly: HLTH775.
HLTH778 Practical Experience in Public Health (1-4 Credits)
Practical Experience seminar providing an opportunity to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills in a health or allied health organization. Setting of the practical experience will depend upon the student's background and career goals.
Prerequisite: SPHL601, SPHL602, SPHL603, SPHL610, SPHL611, HLTH665, HLTH672, and HLTH780.
Restriction: Must be in the Master of Public Health: Behavioral and Community Health concentration in-person or online program (MBCH or MBCO); and permission of Behavioral and Community Health department.
Repeatable to: 4 credits.
HLTH780 Community Health (3 Credits)
Overview of public health organizations, programs, and policies, including their structure and function, and their ability to change with changing community health needs.
Restriction: Must be in the Behavioral and Community Health doctoral program (BCHL) or the Master of Public Health Behavioral and Community Health concentration in-person or online program (MBCH or MBCO); and permission of Behavioral and Community Health department.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH740 or HLTH780.
HLTH784 Guided Capstone Preparation Seminar (1 Credit)
The purpose of this seminar is to guide students through the major steps and deadlines associated with developing their capstone project, which is the MPH degree culminating experience. The capstone project requires that students apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their MPH program to meet the needs of a stakeholder group or person. Some examples of needs (deliverables) include: an infographic, a website, a curriculum, a lesson plan, an app, an evaluation plan, a policy brief, etc. Some examples of stakeholders: include legislators, non-profit organizations, a faculty researcher, a government (county, state or federal) agency, etc. The project is very applied in nature and the result is a deliverable that can be used immediately by the stakeholder.
Prerequisite: Must have attended a capstone project orientation session.
HLTH785 Internship in Public Health (3 Credits)
Internship and seminar providing an opportunity to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills in a health or allied health organization. Setting of the internship will depend upon the student's background and career goals.
Prerequisite: HLTH665, HLTH775, and HLTH780; or permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
HLTH786 Capstone Project in Public Health (2-3 Credits)
Capstone experience providing opportunity to apply knowledge and skills to a specific public health problem or issue. Completion of project relevant to public health under the direction of an advisor.
Prerequisite: Must have completed all required coursework; and permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
HLTH799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6 Credits)
HLTH898 Pre-Candidacy Research (1-8 Credits)
HLTH899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 Credits)