Generalist

The online Generalist concentration provides a broad foundation in core public health disciplines, preparing students for professional roles in diverse settings such as program design, health promotion, policy development, community interventions, and disease prevention. Through course offerings in epidemiology, biostatistics, policy, administration, and leadership, students acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively improve population health outcomes, design and evaluate interventions, and engage in applied research and public health practice. Flexible elective options enable students to tailor their educational journey to match personal interests and career goals.

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Foundational and Core Courses

Complete all courses (34 credits):

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PH 801 Introduction to Public Health 3
PH 802 Biostatistics for Public Health 3
PH 803 Epidemiology for Public Health 3
PH 804 Public Health Policy and Administration 3
PH 805 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health 3
PH 806 Environmental Factors of Health 3
PH 827 Principles of Public Health Leadership 1
PH 828 Community Engagement in Public Health Practice 3
PH 843 Public Health Research Methods 3
PH 854 Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice 3
  Culminating Experience  
PH 892 Public Health Applied Practice Experience 3
PH 893 Public Health Integrative Learning Experience 3

Generalist Concentration Curriculum

Complete the Generalist Concentration course (3 credits):

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PH 853 Public Health Program/Intervention Evaluation 3

Complete one of the following elective courses (3 credits):

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PH 838 Cultural Aspects of Public Health Practice 3
PH 847 Public Health in Ghana: A One Health Perspective 3
PH 861 Introduction to Public Health Nutrition 3
PH 871 Vaccine Preventable Diseases of Public Health Importance 3
PH 873 Maternal and Child Health: A Global Public Health Perspective 3

Complete one of the following elective courses (3 credits):

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PH 808 Public Health Surveillance 3
PH 837 Poverty and Public Health 3
PH 840 Public Health Finance 3
PH 852 Outbreak Investigations in Public Health 3
PH 862 Global Pandemics and Public Health Systems, Law, and Community Impacts 3
PH 889 Applied Epidemiology Methods for Public Health Practitioners 3

MSU Course Descriptions


Concentration Competencies:

  1. Design a program evaluation to address a public health issue.
  2. Conceptualize a public health intervention using a health equity framework.
  3. Propose principles of community engagement and associated methodologies to public health practice.
  4. Investigate the relationship between environmental agents and adverse health outcomes with consideration of the social determinants of health.
  5. Analyze the ethical assumptions and implications underlying decisions in public health practice.