Core Competencies Covered on the Comprehensive Exam
All students are required to take and pass a proctored, closed-book, type-written Comprehensive Exam with a grade of 70% or better. Policies and procedures for taking the Comprehensive Exam are
set forth in the
Master of Public Health Comprehensive Exam Guide. The exam is designed to assess the student's level of mastery of the five core competency areas acquired in the MPH core courses (see areas in table below). Students will be given hypothetical situations that relate to their coursework in the MPH program and will be required to draw conclusions and make recommendations based on their knowledge of the core principles of public health.
Students are encouraged to keep their course notes from the core courses and use these as study guides alongside the
reading materials indicated below for each core course.
MPH Core Competency Areas and Related Core Courses
| Core Competency Area | Associated MPH Core Course(s) |
|---|
| Biostatistics |
STA 5176 Biostatistics
In addition to the application of biostatistics, as emphasized in one of the following:
PHC 6196 Computer Applications in Public Health
PHC 6015 Epidemiological Study Design and Statistical Methods |
| Environmental Health |
PHC 6018 Survey of Environmental Problems |
| Epidemiology |
PHC 6000 Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
In addition to the application of epidemiology, as emphasized in one of the following:
PHC 6196 Computer Applications in Public Health
PHC 6015 Epidemiological Study Design and Statistical Methods |
Health Care Policy
and Administration |
HSA 5115 Public Health Care Policy and Administration |
Social and Behavioral
Sciences in Public Health |
PHC 5410 Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health |
Required Textbooks and Other Electronic Resources in MPH Core Courses
- HSA 5115 Public Health Care Policy and Administration
- PHC 5410 Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
- DiClemente, R. J., Crosby, R. A., & Kegler, M. C. (2002). Emerging Theories in Health Promotion Practice and Research: Strategies for Improving Public Health. John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- PHC 6000 Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
- Friss, H.R., & Seller T.A., (2004). Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. 3rd Edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
- Benenson, A.S. (1990). Control of Communicable Disease in Man. American Public Health Association.
- Lilienfeld, A.M., & Lilienfeld, D.E. (1980). Foundation of Epidemiology. 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.
- Last, J.M. (Editor). (1995). A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press.
- PHC 6015 Epidemiological Study Design and Statistical Methods
- Gordis, L. (2004). Epidemiology. 3rd Edition, Elsevier Saunders.
- Friss, H.R., & Seller T.A., (2004). Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. 3rd Edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
- LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2000). Nursing Research: Methods, Critical Appraisal and Utilization. Mosby.
- Daly, J., Kellehear, A., & Gliksman, M. (1997). The Public Health Researcher: A Methodological Guide.
Oxford University Press.
- PHC 6018 Survey of Environmental Problems
- Morgan, M.T. (2003). Environmental Health 3rd Edition, Thomas-Wadsworth.
- PHC 6196 Computer Applications in Public Health
- NoruĊĦis, M.J. (2006). SPSS 15.0 Guide to Data Analysis. Prentice Hall.
- Kurland, K.S., & Gorr, W.L. (2001). GIS Tutorial in Health. ESRI Press.
- STA 5176 Biostatistics
- Zar, J.H. (1999). Biostatistical Analysis. 4th Edition, Prentice Hall.
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