Skip to Main Content

Graduate Course Directory and Schedules

Summer 2024 Planning Schedule

Last updated 4.19.2024
Download Summer Planning Schedule

Fall 2024 Planning Schedule

Last updated 5.10.2024
Download Fall Planning Schedule

Winter 2025 Planning Schedule

Last updated 11.8.2024
Download Winter Planning Schedule

Spring 2025 Planning Schedule

Last updated 11.8.2024
Download Spring Planning Schedule

SPH Course Descriptions

Descriptions of all School of Public Health courses can also be found in the course catalog of the most recent edition of the PSU Bulletin.

PHE 419 – Lactation Education 2: Advanced Lactation Care

Course CodeCredit

PHE 419

4

Course Information

The second in the lactation education series. Students will develop evaluation and support techniques to address complex maternal and infant breastfeeding challenges. Attention will be given to critically understanding and utilizing evidence-informed information to guide direct lactation support and communication with the health-care team. Students will deepen knowledge of use of referrals and resources to support the parent-baby dyad. This is the second course in a sequence of three: PHE 418, PHE 419, PHE 420 which must be taken in sequence.

Prerequisite

PHE 418 – Lactation Education 1: Introduction to Human Lactation

PHE 421 – Health Coaching Strategies

Course CodeCredit

PHE 421

4

Course Information

Concepts and techniques for working with individuals and groups on improving all areas of wellness including fitness, nutrition, weight, stress, and management of life issues that affect health. Best practices for facilitating behavior change, including administering assessments, evaluating readiness for change, motivational interviewing and practice management. Students gain practical experience through live demonstrations and partner-coaching.

Prerequisite:

PHE 324 – Health Coaching Foundations

PHE 423 – Business and Aging

Course CodeCredit

PHE 423

4

Course Information

Economic and business implications of population aging, including an exploration of demographic changes, the economic reality faced by today’s older adults in work and retirement, and older adults as consumers.

Prerequisite

Upper-division standing.

PHE 426 – Advanced Topics in Health Services Administration

Course CodeCredit

PHE 426

4

Course Information

This advanced course will build upon knowledge attained in previous courses in the HSMP curriculum. Content addresses advanced discussion of topics regarding systems, policy and organization in health services administration practice. Current issues/events will be emphasized. The course employs techniques that capitalize on group participation and peer-to-peer learning to stimulate sharing of diverse perspectives and increase the participants’ level of engagement with historically marginalized viewpoints.

Prerequisite

PHE 350 – Health and Health Systems

PHE 427 – Introduction to Health Informatics

Course CodeCredit

PHE 427

4

Course Information

An introduction to health informatics, the field devoted to the optimal use of data, information, and knowledge to advance individual health, health care, public health, and health-related research. Students will learn the application of informatics skills and knowledge to health-related problems.

Prerequisite

Upper-division standing.

PHE 428 / 528 – Stress, Food and Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 428 / 528

4

Course Information

This survey course is designed to provide students with basic information concerning the interaction of biological, psychological, behavioral, social and cultural processes that function in the intersection of food, eating behaviors, and short- and long-term health outcomes. A particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of stress and social determinants on these relationships. In this course we will explore the complicated determinants of eating and physical activity behaviors and identify key leverage points for effective interventions for promoting healthy eating.

Prerequisite

Upper-division standing.

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered for graduate-level credit as PHE 528 and may be taken only once for credit.

PHE 443U – Environmental Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 443U

4

Course Information

Designed to enable the student to understand and evaluate complex environmental health issues induced by waste products generated by modern technology. Specific topics include water quality, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, occupational health, ionizing and nonionizing radiation, chemical contamination of foods, food additives, animal transmission of disease, noise, and selected current topics.

PHE 444U – Global Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 444U

4

Course Information

Critically explores global public health issues as they pertain to different populations throughout the world, such as global disease eradication initiatives, environmental and infectious diseases from an international perspective, and discusses health needs of special populations.

PHE 445 / 545 – Men’s Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 445/545

4

Course Information

The focus of this course is current men’s health issues. Students have opportunities to critically explore a broad array of men’s health concerns across the life span from a multidisciplinary perspective. Men’s health issues may include such topics as reproductive health, violence, aging, heart disease, depression, and sexuality. The class is taught in an interactive format through group discussion, presentations, and the participation of group speakers. The course focuses on the consideration and critique of current influences on men’s health including the effect of the health care system, male socialization, the impact of the social and cultural factors, and the influence of evolving technology.

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered for graduate-level credit as PHE 545 and may be taken only once for credit.
 

PHE 446U – Health Equity and Social Justice

Course CodeCredit

PHE 446U

4

Course Information

Provides an overview of the practice of community health promotion. Examines the structure of community health service delivery and the role of advocacy and activism in official/unofficial agencies and policy/decision-making processes.

PHE 448 – Health Education Techniques & Strategies

Course CodeCredit

PHE 448

4

Course Information

Introduces students to basic techniques and strategies used in planning and carrying out health education programs in a variety of settings. Special emphasis is given to scope and sequencing skills, objective writing, selection/development of health education resources/materials, and methods for and use of technology in the delivery of health education programs.

Recommended prerequisite:

PHE 350 – Health and Health Systems

PHE 450 – Epidemiology – 1

Course CodeCredit

PHE 450

4

Course Information

Introduces principles and methods of epidemiological investigation of infectious/non-infectious diseases. Illustrates methods by which properly conducted studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of disease in a population can contribute to understanding of etiologic factors, modes of transmission, and pathogenesis of disease. Recommended prerequisite: PHE 363.

Recommended prerequisite:

PHE 363 – Communicable Diseases and Chronic Health Problems

PHE 450 – Epidemiology – 2

Course CodeCredit

PHE 450

4

Course Information

Introduces principles and methods of epidemiological investigation of infectious/non-infectious diseases. Illustrates methods by which properly conducted studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of disease in a population can contribute to understanding of etiologic factors, modes of transmission, and pathogenesis of disease.

Recommended prerequisite:

PHE 363 – Communicable Diseases and Chronic Health Problems

PHE 451 / 551 – Women & Holistic Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 451 / 551

4

Course Information

Exploring the intersection of three fields –allopathic medicine, women’s health, and complementary therapies– the course examines the emerging field of integrative medicine, highlighting the contributions that women care givers and healers have made to its development. An overview of common women’s health concerns provides the opportunity to compare and contrast essential elements of holistic treatment approaches with those of allopathic medicine. Expected preparation: PHE 295 or WS 101.

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered for graduate-level credit as PHE 551 and may be taken only once for credit.

PHE 452U – Gender/Race/Class/Health – 1

Course CodeCredit

PHE 452U - 1

4

Course Information

Emphasizes how the gender-, race-, and class-based organization of society affects the health of our communities. Covers an introduction and historical framework for social inequities in health; describes disparities in health by gender, race, and class; and explores the interplay between these major social forces and the biological mechanisms that influence the occurrence of disease.

PHE 452U – Gender/Race/Class/Health – 2

Course CodeCredit

PHE 452U - 2

4

Course Information

Emphasizes how the gender-, race-, and class-based organization of society affects the health of our communities. Covers an introduction and historical framework for social inequities in health; describes disparities in health by gender, race, and class; and explores the interplay between these major social forces and the biological mechanisms that influence the occurrence of disease.

PHE 453 – Women’s Reproductive Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 453

4

Course Information

Critical review of current public health and socio-political issues in women’s reproductive health. Both national and international topics are discussed. Students apply health knowledge in identifying and seeking solutions to the issues which concern health care providers, consumers, and policy makers. Expected preparation: PHE 250 and PHE 335.

PHE 454 / 554 – Maternal & Child Health

Course CodeCredit

PHE 454 / 554

4

Course Information

This course uses a discussion-based format to address maternal and child health as a public health issue. The course will emphasize the importance of the social, political, and economic contexts for maternal and child health. Ultimately, students in this course will be exposed to the major health issues facing mothers and children today and understand how politics and social norms affect maternal and child health.

Prerequisite

Junior standing.

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered for graduate-level credit as PHE 554 and may be taken only once for credit.

PHE 456 – Health Aspects of Aging

Course CodeCredit

PHE 456

4

Course Information

Examination of health-related changes that occur with aging. Review of current scientific literature with an investigation of physiological mechanisms responsible for changes in functional capacity throughout life. Explores the role of physical activity and nutrition in healthy aging.

Expected preparation:

PHE 295 or PHE 250
Bi 302

PHE 466 / 566 – Mind/Body Health: Disease Prevention

Course CodeCredit

PHE 466 / 566

4

Course Information

An investigation of the integral relationship between body and mind and how that relationship manifests itself in health, illness, and promotes healing. Philosophical and scientific foundations of mind/body health are explored. Mind/body research and its application within allopathic medicine is examined as is research and practice in complementary fields of medicine and health care. Expected preparation: Psy 204, PHE 363.
 

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered for graduate-level credit as PHE 566 and may be taken only once for credit.

Interprofessional Education Course Schedule

Interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enhance collaboration and improve health outcomes. At least 1 credit of Interprofessional Education is required by all MPH degree programs.

Most courses with OHSU subject code IPE (Inter-Professional Education) or UNI (University Curriculum) satisfy the Interprofessional Education requirement. Other courses may also serve; consult your advisor.

For a list of IPE and UNI courses, descriptions, and their intended schedule download the spreadsheet. This list is subject to change, contact the course instructor if you would like to enroll.

Interprofessional Education