Department of Behavioral and Community Health

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. (Desmond Syllabus)

HLTH 652 Quantitative Research Methods I in Public Health

Covers intermediate statistics and procedures in health-related research for doctoral students. The course focuses on the applied level of statistics rather than theoretical with the emphasis on 1) how to apply statistical models, 2) how to perform the analysis with available software, and 3) how to interpret findings. (Wang Syllabus)

HLTH 653 Quantitative Research Methods II in Public Health

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. (Wang Syllabus)

HLTH 665 Health Behavior I

The psychological, social psychological, and sociological theories of health behavior. The relation of health knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behavior to preventive, illness, sick-role, and health utilization behaviors. (Sharp Syllabus)

HLTH 666 Health Behavior II (Preq HLTH 665)

An advanced course with intensive training in health behavior research and the opportunity to carry out original research in health behavior. Patient-provider interaction, patient cooperation with medical treatment and other social and psychological influences on health care. (Feldman Syllabus)

HLTH 670 Public Health Informatics & Communication

Explores the use of current technology and communication techniques in the areas of public health research, planning, intervention and evaluation. (Holt Syllabus being developed)

HLTH 688 Special Problems in Health Education

Independent study.

HLTH 710 Methods & Techniques of Research

Provides an overview of research design and methodologic issues in health education. Through lecture, reading, and several exercise, students will acquire an understanding of the research process. Issues include those of experimental and non-experimental designs, and both qualitative and quantitative data collection strategies. The course is designed as an examination of several research issues, particularly those related to reliability and validity of measurement and design, instrumentation and data collection methodology. (Beck Syllabus)

HLTH 711 Advanced Methods of Research (Preq HLTH 710)

Quantitative techniques, advanced research methods and design issues. (Boekeloo Syllabus)

HLTH 712 Applied Research Methods in Behavioral and Community Health

This course is designed to build on the research skills obtained in 710, Methods and Techniques in Research, and other fundamental research methods and statistics courses. Methods and problems that are commonly encountered in health education research will be discussed including the 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.

HLTH 742 Professional Writing & Presentations

Acquaints students with a variety of types of professional writing required of public health professionals, including: grant proposals; journal articles; textbooks; presentation proposals and papers; and theses and dissertations. The scope of the course includes both the form and content of a range of technical documents as well as the processes of writing, peer review, and critique. (Atkinson Syllabus)

HLTH 775 Program Planning & Evaluation (Preq HLTH 710)

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. (Beck Syllabus, Feldman Syllabus, Rath Syllabus)

HLTH 780 Community Health

Overview of public health organizations, programs and policies, including their structure and function, and their ability to change with changing community health needs.

HLTH 785 MPH Internship

The internship experience provides an opportunity to apply previously acquired skills and knowledge to the planning, conduct, and evaluation of community health education and public health in a professional setting. Emphasis is placed on the internship as a capstone event, drawing upon the student’s collective academic experiences to date. The setting of the internship will depend upon the student's background and career goals. Contact Anne Anderson-Sawyer, Internship Coordinator, for more information, aasawyer@umd.edu, 301-405-2518. (Anne Anderson-Sawyer Syllabus). To view the Graduate Internship Manual, click here.

HLTH 786 MPH Project

Refer to the MPH Project Guidelines (Faculty Advisor)