Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

What is Chronic Disease Prevention & Control?

The MPH program, with a concentration in Chronic Disease Prevention & Control curriculum consists of 42 semester credit hours and is a non-thesis professional degree program. The program accommodates both traditional and non-traditional students yet ensures graduates attain public health competencies identified by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and competencies specific to our concentration (UTC MPH Competencies).

Our program strives to ensure that they receive the highest level of academic and logistical support in graduating in a timely fashion. Students engage in a tight knit, learning community and develop bonds with other cohort members. These relationships serve as the foundation for professional networks that extend beyond the classroom and significantly enhance their future career development and professional advancement. While core classes meet face-to-face, several elective courses are available online to allow for greater flexibility and freedom in designing a customized program of study.

The list of required courses are available in the UTC MPH Program of Study.

The list of required courses for the Extended Option can be found in the UTC MPH Program of Study Extended Option 

Program Details

Foundations in Public Health

In the first semester, students undertake the Foundation in Public Health series of courses, which is a critical nine-credit hour compliation of three courses providing a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base essential for a public health career. Taught by instructors from various UTC campus disciplines, the integrated curriculum encompasses key public health principles and methods. Simultaneously, students engage in the 1-credit integration of Science and Practice seminar, fostering collaborative problem-solving through case studies and integrated projects. This seminar enhances practical application of scientific knowledge to address real-world public health challenges. 

• Foundation in Public Health I - Exposure to Public Health Practice and Chronic Diseases
• Foundation in Public Health II - Health Systems and the Environment
• Foundation in Public Health III - Principles of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
• Integrating Science & Ethics in Public Health Practice

Concentration Courses

After completing the Foundation in Public Health courses, students are engaged in 18 credit hours (6 courses) of training related to public health over their second and third semesters. Nine credit hours (3 courses) are dedicated to content related directly to chronic disease prevention and control while an additional nine credit hours (3 courses) are dedicated to methodology essential for work in the field of public health.

• Chronic Disease Epidemiology & Control (3 cr)
• Physical Activity & Public Health (3 cr)
• Public Health & Community Nutrition (3 cr)
• Principles of Health Promotion & Communication Strategies (3 cr)
• Program Planning, Implementation & Evaluation (3 cr)
• Inclusion & Diversity in Community Engagement (3 cr)

Integrated Learning Experiences

The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is a required, semester-long course (3 credits) offered each spring that serves as a culminating capstone experience for MPH students. The ILE provides students the opportunity to work with a community partner of their choice, integrating skills developed over the course of their program of study on an independent, final project.

As part of the ILE, student work with their community partner to identify a public health need and develop specific deliverable(s) that they complete for their community partner (i.e., survey, reports/reviews, intervention development and adaption). With guidance from the course instructor, students work with their community partner to demonstrate mastery of fundamental public health competencies while working as a part of an interdisciplinary team.

Public Health Exposures

In your MPH program, you'll have the chance to gain practical experience through a series of exposures that take you into various public health settings. These hands-on opportunities allow you to observe and participate in a real-world situations across different sectors of society. As you navigate these experiences, you'll build a portfolio of your encounters, bridging the gap between your classroom learning and its application in the field. 

With a focus in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, part of your program involves a three-credit-hour Public Health Exposure (PHE) Course. This course exposes you to a different public health domains, introducing you to various agencies and their roles in understanding behavioral health and health promotion. To earn credit, you'll need to accumulate 60 hours in the field, with each 20 hours equating to one credit hour. While you can complete these hours any semester, it's recommended to wait until at least the second semester of the program before enrolling in the PHE course. These field experiences act as a vital link between your academic preparation and your future practice in public health. 

Potential settings for the public health exposures include:

• Hospital setting (i.e., population health, community health promotion)
• Community health clinics (i.e., free community clinics, Federally-Qualified Health Centers)
• Public health departments
• School systems
• Worksite wellness
• Insurance companies
• Non-Profit agencies