SPH Introduces MS in Population Health Research.

From the global implications of climate change to the compounding effects of substance misuse, today’s public health challenges require advanced research that informs sustainable solutions and improves health outcomes.

The School of Public Health has launched a new Master of Science in Population Health Research degree program designed to equip the next generation of researchers with a solid foundation of the theory and practice of public health research. The program offers four specialization areas: climate and health, epidemiology, global health, and translation and implementation science, along with the opportunity to customize the degree.

The MS in Population Health Research degree can be completed in 12 months as a full-time student, or up to 24 months as a part-time student, with the flexibility to take courses online.  Students are no longer required to submit GRE scores for any degree program at SPH.

No matter which specialization they choose, students will acquire the tools and experience needed to secure a competitive advantage in the public health workforce as research consultants, clinical research specialists, health outcomes research analysts, and more.

“The new MS program is flexible and designed to build highly specialized research skills for in-demand careers,” says Lisa Sullivan, associate dean for education. “All students will learn state-of-the-art research methods for population health, develop power skills for successful professional practice, and engage in a mentored research experience to build professional confidence.” Graduates will be able to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, develop and test hypotheses, design, conduct, and translate research findings for public health action.  

The epidemiology specialization enables students to design and conduct research studies to identify risk factors for disease and targets for intervention, while the climate and health specialization prepares students to work in multiple sectors on climate plan strategies that improve health.

“Climate change is one of the greatest threats that we will face globally in the 21^st century, but has also has been described as one of the greatest global health opportunities of the 21^st century,” says Jonathan Levy, chair and professor in the Department of Environmental Health. “The climate and health specialization is one of the only programs in the United States that provides students with the methods necessary to evaluate the health benefits of climate mitigation and adaptation measures.”

Students studying translation and implementation science can expect to gain skills in implementation science research, organizational change theory, and community-engaged research, while those immersed in global health will acquire the analytical and technical skills to advance global health research and reduce the global burden of disease.

“This global health program builds on the expertise of our exceptional faculty, who are thought leaders in their respective fields, including in HIV/AIDS, global impact evaluation, and the growing burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases,” says Patricia Hibberd, chair and professor in the Department of Global Health. “It prepares students for a diverse set of careers in academia, international organizations, ministries of health, foundations, and the private sector.”

Click here to learn more about applying to the MS in Population Health Research degree program.

—Jillian McKoy