*Course schedules are subject to change due to last minute updates
Summer 2025 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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Fall 2025 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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Winter 2026 Planning Schedule
Last updated 7.23.2025
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Spring 2026 Planning Schedule
Last updated 7.23.2025
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 520 – Qualitative Research Design
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 520 | 3 |
Course Information
Presents the philosophical and theoretical bases supporting the development of alternate research paradigms in human inquiry. Essential characteristics of three major alternate paradigms (interpretivist, constructivist, and critical theory) are introduced. Validity, reliability, and related concepts are examined from the perspective of each paradigm. Alternate strategies for inquiry are presented and ethical considerations related to qualitative forms of inquiry are addressed. Recommended prerequisite: graduate standing.
PHE 521 – Quantitative Research Design & Analysis
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 521 | 3 |
Course Information
Introduction to quantitative research design and statistical analysis. Emphasis on development of a research proposal. Topics include descriptive research, experimental and quasi-experimental research, univariate statistical procedures, and methods for planning and writing a research report.
Prerequisite
BSTA 525 – Intro to Biostatistics
Epi 512 – Epidemiology I
PHE 522 / 622 – Health & Social Inequalities
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 522/622 | 3 |
Course Information
Introduction to historical and theoretical foundations for social epidemiology; investigates the conceptualization and measurement of different social determinants of health using a lifecourse approach; explores how the “embodiment” of social forces influence disease processes; and examines different actions (i.e., behavioral, clinical, social, legislative and political) used to eliminate health inequities within our local, national and international communities.
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the PHE 622 section.
PHE 532 / 632 – Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) – Epidemiology
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 532 / 632 | 3 |
Course Information
Covers the history of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework, the trends that drive and result from DOHaD processes. It will explain epigenetics and other mechanisms which through priming influence lifelong health.
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered as PHE 632 to doctoral students.
PHE 540 – Mass Communication For Public Health
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 540 | 3 |
Course Information
The ways population health is characterized in the mass media matter for our societal understanding of how health is produced, maintained, and put at risk. But, which mass media are we considering –and are we missing any in our assessments? And, when we say “health communication,” which strategies are we referring to? As public health communicators, we need to know how to assess this rapidly changing landscape so we may both deeply understand how “health” is being constructed for audiences, and so that we may more effectively enter debates and help broaden them. In this fast-paced graduate survey course, we will explore the many ways population health is characterized via mass media, both from within public health and without. We will look at what is required to more fully engage with broad audiences across media environments and understand the contexts in which messages are exchanged. And, we will assess the effectiveness of differing approaches for a range of goals.
Prerequisite
PHE 512 – Health Behavior for Public Health or equivalent
PHE 541 – Media Advocacy & Public Health
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 541 | 3 |
Course Information
Provides students with an understanding of the role of media advocacy in advancing public health policies to promote health. The course uses lectures, group exercises, and case studies to illustrate basic concepts and skills related to media advocacy. Topics covered include: gaining access to the news, framing issues from a public health perspective, and the use of paid advertising to advance policy. Content areas include tobacco, violence, handguns, suicide, alcohol, and other public health issues.
Prerequisite
PHE 512 – Principles of Health Behavior
PHE 546 – Urban & Community Health
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 546 | 3 |
Course Information
Examines the social factors associated with urban health and quality of life, such as social class, gender inequalities, and racism. Emphasis will be placed upon community development and collective responses to the maintenance of health rather than upon individualized health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
PHE 550 – Health Promotion Program Planning
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 550 | 4 |
Course Information
Addresses practical applications of health promotion theories. Presents examples of planning, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion programs in a variety of settings as guides for the development of health promotion programs.
PHE 557 – National Long-term Care Policy
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 557 | 3 |
Course Information
This course examines the need for long-term care services and the risk factors associated with utilization of them as well as familiarizing students with the financing and delivery mechanisms in long-term care, both public and private. The policy issues in current long-term care initiatives are explored.
PHE 558 – Perspectives on Aging
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 558 | 3 |
Course Information
An introduction to the field of gerontology is presented from the perspectives offered by multiple disciplines, including sociology, psychology, biology, economics, political science, and demography. Stereotypes of aging and theoretical frameworks for understanding aging are examined, as are normal age-related changes, the impact of social, political, and economic conditions on the process of aging, and the myriad consequences of a growing population of elders.
PHE 559 – Economics of Aging
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 559 | 3 |
Course Information
Objectives are (1) understand the roots of income inequality between the aged and non-aged; (2) review the economic and policy factors that influence the decision to retire; (3) understand the political economy of old age income support in the U.S. and abroad; (4) explore the history, operation, and policy questions of our major public pension system, social security; and (5) discuss private pensions in relationship to U.S. income maintenance policy.
PHE 560 – Mental Health and Aging
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 560 | 3 |
Course Information
Focus on a psychological approach to mental health and aging. The physical and social environments of older people, as well as the individual’s physical and psychological condition, strongly affect the mental health and quality of life of older people. It is the goal of the course to be useful to people who work with older adults and their families, or to people who want to understand the changes that may be happening for older members of their own families. Guest speakers from the field of geriatric mental health will supplement the readings and course assignments.
PHE 562 – Global Aging
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 562 | 3 |
Course Information
The rapid, unprecedented aging of the world’s populations is resulting in myriad changes that will affect societies, cultures, economies, families, and individuals and their daily lives. Students will learn about broad global trends related to the aging of the world as well as aging in particular countries and regions.
PHE 563 – Service Learning in Nicaragua: Enhancing Communities for an Aging Society
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 563 | 3 |
Course Information
Rapid aging in Nicaragua’s population will cause changes affecting individuals, families, communities, culture and economies. Students will attend class at PSU and travel to Nicaragua to learn about living conditions and support structures in place for older Nicaraguans and participate in service-learning projects to improve the lives of Nicaraguan elders.
Prerequisite
PHE 562
PHE 619 – Mentored Teaching Experience
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 619 | 4 |
Course Information
Each student will be paired with a Community Health faculty member to shadow one term of teaching of either an UG or an MPH level Community Health class.
PHE 623 – Doctoral Seminar in Health Research
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 623 | 1 |
Course Information
Research seminar required for first- and second-year doctoral students in the community health PhD program. Students learn about critical evaluation of health research, hypothesis generation, the publication and review process, grant application process, and development an independent research program.
Permission not required.
PHE 626 – Teaching and Learning in Health Promotion & Social Work
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHE 626 | 3 |
Course Information
This course focuses on pedagogical theory and practice in professional settings. Students develop skills to design, evaluate, and implement effective curriculum and instruction across settings: academic classrooms, community contexts, and research projects. Topics include educational theory, course design, learning and teaching strategies, assessment, and scholarship of teaching and learning.
Cross Listed Courses
SW 626 – Teaching and Learning in Health Promotion & Social Work
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
PHE 534 / 634 – Social Epidemiology Methods & Theory
PHE 534 / 634
3
Course Information
Surveys social epidemiology practice including measurement, study design, analysis and translation for researching behavioral, social, economic, and cultural determinants of population distributions of health outcomes. The course emphasizes the application of social epidemiology methods tightly coupled to theory salient to community health practice & policy.
Prerequisites
Epi 512 – Epidemiology I
BSTA 525 – Introduction to Biostatistics
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered as PHE 634 for doctoral students.