Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS)

The Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh is dedicated to understanding the social and behavioral factors that influence public health. The primary educational mission of the Department is to prepare students for positions of responsibility and leadership in public health practice, research, and training. Our students learn to employ the most current theories and strategies in approaching a range of public health challenges. They develop skills in community development in public health, community health assessment and planning, and in health education and health communication. They learn how to design programs and policies and conduct community-based research, and to work as part of inter-disciplinary teams on a variety of projects. These educational and practice experiences prepare our graduates to move into leadership positions at the local, national, and international levels.

The department has a world-class faculty that is involved in teaching, research, and community service on the local, national, and international level. We collaborate with local and regional public health systems, and many of the leadership staff in these organizations also have faculty appointments and teach classes in the department.

Contact Information

Robert M. Goodman, PhD, MPH, MA, Chair

208 Parran Hall

412-624-3100

E-mail: rmg16@pitt.edu

www.bchs.pitt.edu

For additional information concerning specific degrees, contact the following: MPH—Martha Ann Terry, 222 Parran Hall, 412-624-5887 or materry@pitt.edu; MPH/PhD in Social Work—Eileen Tuccillo, 209 Parran Hall, 412-624-3102 or phsw@pitt.edu; DrPH—Patricia Documet, 223 Parran Hall, 412-624-1601 or pdocumet@pitt.edu; Admissions and Registration—Natalie Arnold, 227 Parran Hall, 412-624-3107 or narnold@pitt.edu.

Admission: All Applicants

Financial Assistance

Although resources for master's students are limited, the program makes every effort to assist students in accessing some level of financial aid. Small grants and awards are available from the department, the Graduate School of Public Health, and from the University and many BCHS students have been successful in competing for these. In addition, there are typically a small number of Graduate Student Assistant and Graduate Student Researcher positions available for full-time students. There are also opportunities for paid field practicum positions, and many students are able to supplement their income through part-time employment on public health-related service or research projects being conducted within the graduate school, the University, or in the community.

Graduate Programs

Educational programs of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences build upon a common body of public health knowledge and social/behavioral science concepts, theories and applied research methods. The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program prepares students to assess the health status and needs of populations, develop public health interventions and to evaluate these interventions as well as develop recommendations for improvement. Students learn and practice assessment and research skills in the context of social and behavioral change at the individual, organizational, and community levels with an emphasis on social ecology and social justice. Three joint program options are also available. A program with the School of Social Work, the MPH/PhD in Public Health Social Work, trains social workers for leadership positions in public health systems with a focus on maternal and child health and prepares them for research and teaching posts. Students also have the option to receive the MPH and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of International Development (MID) through a joint program with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, or an MPH and a PhD in anthropology in cooperation with the School of Arts and Sciences.

Students in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program address advanced problems in public and community health and develop a strong background in research methods, allowing them to pursue a career such as teaching in schools of public health or other professional schools or conducting research in a variety of settings.

Students may also pursue a certificate program to complement their area of study. (See section on degree requirements for list of certificate programs.)

Research Focus

The Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences has an extensive array of funded research and training projects. BCHS faculty and staff are skilled in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the Department is particularly well known for its community-based participatory research strategies designed to improve the health and welfare of communities.

• Diabetes and Chronic Disease Prevention
• Cancer Control
• Health Disparities and Minority Health
• Public Health and Aging
• Maternal & Child Health
• Rural Health Issues
• Tobacco Use and Substance Abuse Prevention
• HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Global Health

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• National Institute on Aging (NIA)
• Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S.
• Department of Health & Human Services (HRSA)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Local and National Philanthropic Organizations

Requirements for Master's Degrees

Master of Public Health (MPH) Requirements

The MPH Program is a 47-credit program requiring students to complete the GSPH core courses (17 credits), the departmental core courses (18 credits), and elective courses (at least 12 credits). The departmental core includes courses covering subject areas in the following categories: social/behavioral theory and concepts; applied social/behavioral research methods; program planning; community health assessment; and experience in applying social/behavioral theories and methods. School core courses include Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Environmental Health, and Health Policy and Management.

Electives are selected from a range of courses that focus on particular issues, policies, or programs that have a social/behavioral emphasis. Students are required to complete a practicum in a public health setting and prepare an essay or thesis that demonstrates the ability to synthesize and analyze applications of social/behavioral health science concepts and methods in a public health setting through a particular policy or programmatic directive and/or intervention.

MPH/PhD in Social Work Requirements

Students in the MPH/PhD Public Health Social Work Program must complete 45 credit hours of academic course work that includes a field practicum and an MPH essay. Required courses include the GSPH core, the BCHS department core, and electives, which must include maternal and child health courses. For details on the requirements for the PhD component of this joint degree, in the School of Social Work's section of this bulletin.

MPH/PhD in Anthropology Requirements

MPH students enrolled in the MPH/PhD program in anthropology may fulfill the course work requirements for both BCHS and anthropology and earn both degrees for a total of 87 credits. The PhD dissertation can be used to meet the MPH essay/thesis requirement. The practicum requirement is met through fieldwork.

MPH/MPA and MPH/MID Requirements

The MPH/MPA or MPH/MID program requirements are such that students must meet minimum requirements for both the GSPH and the GSPIA. Students take the required core for each of the schools and additional required courses in both degree tracks. See general MPH requirement above and the MPA and MID requirements in the GSPIA section of this bulletin.

Doctor of Public Health Degree Requirements

The minimum credit requirement for the DrPH Program is 72 credits of completed course work and independent research. Twenty-four credits may be awarded for a previously earned master's degree. Twelve (transfer or advance standing) credits may be allowed for graduate work taken after earning the master's degree. All students must complete a common core of courses in the following categories:

1. Social and Behavioral Issues in Public Health (8 credits)
2. Analytical perspectives on health services (17–19 credits)
3. Integrative Seminar (2 credits)
4. GSPH core courses (105)
5. A minimum of two dissertation credits also must be earned.

Students take a preliminary (qualifying) examination at the end of the first year of full-time course work and a comprehensive examination when the student has completed all of the required course work. Following successful completion of the dissertation overview, the student is admitted into candidacy and begins dissertation study under the direction of a dissertation committee. The dissertation and oral defense of the dissertation must be completed within five years of the comprehensive examination. See General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees for further information.

Certificates/Specialized Study

The Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences offers opportunities for certificates or specialized study in the following areas:

• Public Health and Aging
• Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Wellness

Public Health and Aging (specialized study)

The program is designed for students interested in careers in public health, long-term care and aging services with a focus on the multi-disciplinary nature of Gerontological public health. A minimum of 15 credits is required for the certificate, including required courses, BCHS 2532 Dimensions of Aging: Culture and Health; and BCHS 2533 Issues in Long-term Care Services, and a total of at least 10 additional credits of approved classes.

Certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response

In today's world societies are facing a variety of threats whether from terrorists, or from man-made or natural disasters. It is extremely important that the public health workforce continues to be trained in planning, systems development, and coordination to address these potential disasters. The recent Tsunami disaster in Asia, earthquake in Pakistan, and the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the United States have demonstrated the growing need for building and sustaining the public health infrastructure.

Career opportunities in disaster preparedness and emergency response have grown dramatically in the last few years. The Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Public Health Preparedness (UPCPHP) launched the Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response Certificate Program in fall 2003. This innovative, interdisciplinary certificate program was created to provide students and professionals with a practical academic foundation in order to further strengthen the public health workforce and infrastructure. The program prepares public health agencies to respond as the primary responders in bio-terrorism incidents as well as and including other types of natural and technological disasters. The public Health Preparedness Certificate Program will prepare students to participate in agency or organization planning, training, and drilling for public health emergencies; collaborate with first responders and local, state, and federal agencies in response to public health emergencies; conduct emergency surveillance; provide leadership in public and private sector organization on preparedness activities; develop and implement crisis communications activities; and evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response systems.

Certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Wellness

The inter-departmental (BCH, EPI, IDM) Certificate Program will prepare students to collaborate and conduct independent research designed to improve the understanding of unique health concerns among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations; participate in agency or organization planning, training, and delivery of health care for LGBT populations; work with local, state, and federal agencies in developing LGBT competent healthcare providers; provide leadership in public and private sector organizations serving the health and wellness needs of LGBT populations; and evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare delivery systems to meet the needs of LGBT populations.

In the United States, public health professionals seek to address health disparities. Students enrolled in this program will be prepared to address health disparities affecting subpopulations who may be experiencing a lower quality of health and wellness, due in part, to historic discrimination, with a focus on lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender/transsexual individuals. As such, the certificate will offer courses that include information on identifying and documenting health disparities, impact of historical stigmatizing politics that contribute to development of health disparities; impact of politics and policy to improve means of addressing health disparities; design of appropriate research programs to address health disparities, theories behind intervention programs that work among disparate populations, and means to develop competency skills in working with stigmatized populations.

Graduate Course Listings

Graduate School of Public Health—Department of Biostatistics

Biostatistics is a significant tool for the study of variation in living organisms and an essential tool for the quantitative study of human growth, reproduction, morbidity, and mortality. The proper application of biostatistics requires a clear understanding of the concepts underlying statistical analysis. Training focuses on the theory and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative data related to the fields of public health and medicine. Students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a consulting practicum and in both departmental and interdisciplinary research projects. Primary areas of application include clinical trials, breast and colorectal cancer, occupational and environmental health, diagnostic radiology, psychiatric research, infectious diseases in children, and organ transplantation. Primary areas of focus for methodological research include survival analysis, stochastic models of tumor growth, statistical methods in epidemiology, longitudinal data analysis, statistical computing, outcomes research, and ROC curve analysis. The majority of students gain experience by participating with faculty as a graduate student researcher (GSR). In addition to the mainframe computer and student microcomputer laboratories provided by the University, the department maintains a microcomputer laboratory for student usage and provides microcomputers in GSR offices.

Contact Information

Chair: Howard E. Rockette, PhD

Department Office: 311 Parran Hall

412-624-3022

Fax: 412-624-2183

E-mail: biostat@pitt.edu

www.biostat.pitt.edu

Admissions

In addition to University and general GSPH requirements, admission to all Biostatistics degree programs requires two semesters of calculus, a course in biology, a basic computing course, and the Graduate Record Examination. In some cases, course deficiencies can be satisfied the first term. The MPH and DrPH degrees also require 6 credits in biology, 6 credits in social science and a professional degree and/or background in health.

Financial Assistance

The department awards approximately 25 graduate student research assistantships and three teaching assistantships each year. These awards involve an average of 20 hours of work per week and include a monthly stipend; a scholarship covering tuition and medical insurance is included in the award based on merit. First year students and foreign students are eligible. In addition, the department has been awarded three different training grants for the fall term (eight student positions) funded by the National Institutes of Health. Training grants require either U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Graduate Course Listing

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH)

The mission of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) is to study and elucidate the health effects of exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents encountered in the workplace or general environment. Intrinsic to this research mission is that fundamental information regarding actions of environmental toxicants will provide insight into basic human biology in health and disease. Accordingly, current research includes fundamental studies on free radical biology, cellular and molecular regulation of reparative response to injury, cardiopulmonary toxicology of heavy metals and particulates, molecular carcinogenesis including metabolism of telomeres and DNA damage and repair as well as integrated studies in complex disorders such as environmental induced interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Translation of these efforts in part is provided by members of EOH active in environmental policy, risk assessment, and community behavioral sciences. These efforts coincide and are coordinated with mentoring and educational programs for pre-doctoral (PhD, MS) and masters (MPH) students as well as a medical residency in Occupational Medicine.

Contact Information

Departmental Chair
Bruce R. Pitt, PhD

Bridgeside Point Suite 350

100 Technology Drive

412-624-8300

Fax: 412-383-7658

www.eoh.pitt.edu

For information on admission or registration, contact Penny Weiss at 412-383-2218 or pweiss@eoh.pitt.edu. For information on the occupational medicine program, contact Joseph Schwerha, MD, at 412-624-3155 or schwer@pitt.edu.

Admissions

Course work in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences must be documented in the undergraduate transcript. Acceptable undergraduate training includes a bachelor’s degree in the physical, chemical, or biological sciences with a minimum of two courses each in organic chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus.

Applicants for admission must also take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless the candidate already has a graduate or professional degree and waiver is approved by the department. Consistent with GSPH requirements, students are ordinarily required to have at least a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) overall undergraduate GPA, and a 3.00 GPA in the basic science courses (chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics).

Applicants for the MPH in occupational medicine must hold an MD or equivalent degree from an acceptable institution.

Financial Assistance

Financial support is available for tuition and stipend for PhD students through a graduate research assistance program from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Stipends are made available from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, and from individual research laboratories. MPH students in occupational medicine are eligible for support via a training grant in occupational medicine from the Centers for Disease Control. Additional support for students (e.g., residents) in this program is made available via the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Although master's students in the environmental health and/or environmental health risk assessment programs are eligible for support, in general it is expected that tuition and stipends for these students will be derived from external sources.

Graduate Degree Programs

Degrees Offered: PhD, MS, MPH, MPH/Occupational Medicine Residency

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Molecular Toxicology Concentration


• Master of Science
• Molecular Toxicology Concentration


• Master of Public Health
• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Environmental Health Risk Assessment
• Occupational Health (must hold MD degree)


• Certificate Programs Offered
• Environmental Risk Assessment
• Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response
• Global Health

PhD and MS Programs

The PhD in molecular toxicology specialization combines the classical subdisciplines of toxicology with rapidly emerging areas of cellular and molecular biology. This program is designed to provide students with a contemporary education in the molecular mechanisms underlying toxicological processes. The training, set in a public health context, includes biostatistics and epidemiology. It provides an understanding of how laboratory-based disciplines can be extended and applied to the study of exposed human populations. The program requires the completion of 72 credits and defense of a dissertation. Master of Science degree in molecular toxicology may be pursued and obtained along the way or independently.

Master of Public Health

Environmental and Occupational Health is a key component of Public Health. Local environmental health professionals are the "front line troops" in the public health battle to prevent disease. The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health offers an MPH degree program to provide professional education for individuals who desire positions in environmental health or who already have environmental health positions and are seeking to strengthen their professional competency.

Master of Public Health/Occupational Medicine

Physicians in the MPH Occupational Medicine Program are also eligible for our occupational medicine residency program whose clinical activities emphasize preventive approaches to lowering occupational health risks. Department faculty and students address both regional and international occupational health issues through consulting and service activities.

Certificate Programs

The certificate in Environmental Health and Risk Assessment is offered for interested students and for professionals currently employed in environmental health positions. The risk assessment certificate program provides concentrated coursework relevant to human health risk evaluation and is an efficient means for achieving proficiency in this area of environmental health.

The certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, given jointly with the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, offers an interdisciplinary specialization in emergency planning, communications, and response. It can be taken with or without the MPH.

The certificate in Global Health, offered jointly with the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, educates students about current health patterns and transitions occurring globally, as well as about the role of dynamic global environmental, political, economic, health care, and social changes to these patterns and transitions.

Program Requirements

PhD students must complete a block of departmental requirements for a total of 72 credits. Attendance and participation in departmental seminars and journal clubs is required. During the first year of study, students will take the majority of their coursework and have an opportunity to rotate in three different research laboratories. When a student has passed his preliminary exam in his second year, an independent research project is chosen. Students spend the remainder of the graduate program completing the research project and taking selected elective courses. Dissertation preparation and defense complete the PhD requirements. See General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees and Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degree for more information.

MS students will follow the same coursework as the PhD students. They will, however, finish their program with 40 credits and a thesis. The degree takes approximately two (2) years to complete. Students are also subject to a comprehensive exam. PhD students who do not progress to admission to candidacy may obtain a Master of Science with the completion of the MS requirements including a thesis.

MPH students must complete the prescribed coursework plus an independent study under the supervision of a faculty member. They are required to take the school-wide core courses as part of the required credits to complete their degree. The degree normally takes 18 months and students must register for a practicum experience. In addition, MPH students are required to write an essay that is submitted to an examination committee for approval.

MPH/Occupational Medicine

Students are physicians who must complete the minimum of 42 credits of required and elective courses and prepare a thesis, usually a research project or comprehensive review of the literature for a selected topic. Attendance and participation in departmental seminars and journal clubs is mandatory. The degree may be undertaken by physicians either independently or in conjunction with the occupational and environmental medicine residency. The residency program includes a first postgraduate year (PGY2) composed of coursework and clinical practice and a second postgraduate year (PGY3) that provides practicum experience, rich in exposure to the wide-ranging aspects of occupational health. At the end of the two years, the physician who has elected the medical residency experience is eligible to take the board examination in occupational and environmental medicine.

Certificate students in the Environmental Health and Risk Assessment program are required to take 12 credits of required courses (EOH 2104, EOH 2175, EOH 2180 and 2181, and EOH 2504) plus three (3) elective credits for a total of 15 credits to complete the certificate. Students must have a graduate degree or be pursing one concurrently to qualify for admission. Information and program requirements for the Certificate in Global Health and the Certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response may be found in the Behavior and Community Health Services section of this bulletin.

Faculty Listing

Graduate Course Listing

Department of Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the application of the scientific method to the study of disease in populations for the purpose of prevention or control. It is a key basic science of public health and preventive medicine. Epidemiologists (detectives) play a fundamental role in public health and preventive medicine by identifying variabilities in human situations that may have a critical influence on the occurrence of disease within populations.

The epidemiological method for studying a problem involves three approaches:

• Description of the frequency and determinants of a disease in a defined population;
• Evaluation of factors that may cause a disease; and
• Experimental studies of the effects of modifying risk factors on the subsequent frequency of a disease.

Delivery and evaluation of identified preventive or control measures encompass demonstration projects and program evaluations.

Contact Information

Departmental Chair

Roberta J. Ness, MD, MPH

Department Office: A527 Crabtree Hall

412-624-3054

Fax: 412-624-7397

E-mail: repro@pitt.edu

www.epidemiology.pitt.edu

For information on admission and registration, please contact the Students Services Office at 412-624-3060.

Admissions

The department accepts students with a variety of prior health-related professional degree backgrounds, prior graduate degrees, and superior students who have completed a bachelor’s degree. Students may matriculate for the MPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD degree. Major areas of focus within the department are aging, alcohol, cancer, chronic (cardiovascular, diabetes), clinical trials, environmental, infectious, molecular, physical activity, psychiatric, telecommunications, and women’s health.

Financial Assistance

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) Appointment Information: www.epidemiology.pitt.edu/form.html

Financial Assistance: www.epidemiology.pitt.edu/finance.html

Minority Student Support Information: www.cmh.pitt.edu/support.htm

Research

The faculty within the Department of Epidemiology received $28.4 million in research funds in 2005. These projects, mostly federally funded, included activity in the major areas of focus within the department. For additional information on research projects, see www.epidemiology.pitt.edu/research.html or www.epidemiology.pitt.edu/projects.html.

Degree Requirements: Master’s and Doctoral Curricula

The student’s course of study includes GSPH core courses, department core courses, electives drawn from our frequently used courses, and other appropriate selections throughout the University. The sequencing of courses is developed in conjunction with the major advisor, taking into account background, area of focus, degree program, and GSPH requirements. The minimum credit requirement is 30 for the master’s programs for health professionals and 72 for the doctoral programs. A 45-credit MPH or MS is available for students who are not health professionals. This is an 18-month program; in summer, students will be involved in a hands-on internship. Master’s students must complete a thesis or essay and doctoral students must complete a one-semester TA experience and a dissertation.

The following are the required departmental courses for students pursuing degrees in the Department of Epidemiology.

Master's Program Course Requirements

These courses are required for the 45-credit MPH in addition to GSPH core courses. The MS degree does not require the GSPH core courses with the exception of EPIDEM 2110 and BIOST 2041.

*Required course for both master's and doctoral candidates

Doctoral Program Requirements

The DrPH degree requires GSPH core courses; the PhD does not. In addition to the courses above indicated with an asterisk, doctoral candidates take additional courses required by their area of concentration plus the following:

**If no health background (must be completed in first year)

Graduate Course Listings

Departmental Core Courses

Additional Frequently Used Courses (departmental and other)

Department of Health Policy & Management (HPM)

The Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM) was created in January 2002 by the division of the former Department of Health Services Administration into two separate academic units. The Department of HPM prepares individuals to assume roles of leadership, policy development, and management within the healthcare system and public health. Its educational programs are grounded in the faculty’s contributions in advancing the state of knowledge and professional practice in institutional and system healthcare management and the development, advocacy, analysis, and implementation of health policy. The HPM faculty are engaged in interdisciplinary research addressing a range of problems relevant to public policy, organization, and management as applied to healthcare organizations and systems and in various professional and community service activities.

Contact Information

In order to obtain further information or to inquire about making application, admission, or registration about the Department of Health Policy and Management and its programs, you may contact:

For information contact Patricia Sweeney, JD, MPH or SweeneyP@edc.pitt.edu

Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Health Policy and Management offers three graduate degree programs: Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), and the Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health (JD/MPH).

The MHA program offers a graduate education relevant to both the aspiring and already practicing healthcare management/policy professional; a curriculum that anchors the program in its public health tradition while also providing the students with necessary tools, technologies, and knowledge in organizational and system management and policy analysis. Career and professional development activities are provided through the transition to professional practice component of the curriculum which includes a Management Residency, the Executive in Residence program, professional mentorship and skill development workshops, and participation in the ACHE Student Chapter and other networking and professional development opportunities.

The MPH Program in the Department of Health Policy and Management in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh provides advanced education for recent graduates, entry-level, and mid-career professionals to facilitate their career development as leaders and managers, health professionals, policy analysts, and advocates for various roles and contexts in public health and health care.

The department also offers a joint degree program with the School of Law, the JD/MPH program in law and health policy. This joint degree program was developed in recognition of the important area of intersection between the practice of law, health policy and healthcare delivery in the United States. Graduates of this program are provided the academic foundation for professional roles in public policy analysis and development, the practice of law for private clients with specialization in health law, and as in-house counsel for healthcare organizations and systems and regulatory agencies. Applicants must be admitted to the School of Law before applying to the joint degree program.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate School of Public Health requires that students apply online for all degree programs. Requirements for admission include a bachelor's degree form an accredited college or university; acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for the MHA and MPH and acceptable scores on the GRE and/or LSAT for the JD/MPH; successful completion of: Three (3) post-secondary (college/university)-level semester credits in biology; three (3) post-secondary (college or university)-level semester credits in mathematics (algebra or higher) or statistics; and 6 post-secondary (college/university)-level semester credits in social and behavioral sciences, preferably including one course in economics.

In addition, the Admissions Committee cites the following as important factors in the admissions decision: undergraduate performance, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, relevant work (or volunteer) experience, good interpersonal and communication skills. Full-time students enroll in August of each year and part-time students in August or January. Although a rolling admissions process is in place, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and prior to the end of May. International University of Pittsburgh students should apply by May 1.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is limited and allocated on the basis of merit and documented financial need. Graduate student assistant and research positions are periodically available on a competitive basis.

Academic Requirements

Requirements for the MHA Degree: In order to be eligible for graduation, students must complete 60 credit hours with a B average or better including a supervised management residency, which is typically scheduled during the summer term, prepare a scholarly master’s essay relating to the culminating experience. The curriculum includes the GSPH core courses, the required health management core, and elective credits offered within and outside the schools of the health sciences.

Requirements for the MPH Degree: In order to be eligible for graduation, students must complete 45 credit hours with a B average or better including a supervised practicum, prepare a scholarly master's essay relating to culminating experience. The curriculum includes the GSPH core courses, the required MPH core and those courses required in either the Health Policy, Health Program Management, or Agency Management concentration and elective courses offered within and outside of the schools of health sciences.

Requirements for the JD/PhD Degree: For the JD/MPH degree, students enrolled in the joint-degree program receive integrated training in law and public health over a three-and-one-half-year period. The combined credit-hour requirements for the JD and MPH degrees obtained separately is 118 credits (88 for the JD, usually completed in six full-time semesters, and 30 for the MPH, usually completed in two full-time semesters). In the joint-degree program, the two degrees are awarded for a combined total of 100 credits. The students completes the first year of law school before registering for the courses in public health. Neither degree may be granted prior to the fulfillment of all requirements for the joint-degree program.

Graduate Course Listings

Department of Human Genetics

The Department of Human Genetics provides graduate training in the fields of human genetics and genetic counseling. The mission of the department is to discover new knowledge about the genetic determinants of human health and disease through basic and applied research; to educate students, trainees, and other interested persons in that knowledge; and to apply that knowledge to improve the health of populations, families, and patients.

The human genetics curriculum provides an understanding of basic genetic mechanisms affecting human genes, chromosomes, cells, individuals, and populations in both normal and disease states. Public health applications are achieved through the detection and quantification of the effects of intrinsic factors such as age, sex, exposure to extrinsic agents such as chemical pollutants or therapeutic agents, and by understanding gene-environmental interactions in determining the distribution of health and disease in the human population. The underlying focus is on the theory and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative data.

Contact Information

Acting Chair: Ilyas Kamboh, PhD
Department Office: A300 Crabtree Hall

412-624-3018

Fax: 412-624-3020

E-mail: jnorbut@hgen.pitt.edu

www.hgen.pitt.edu

Admission

In addition to meeting the Graduate School of Public Health's general admission requirements, applicants to the department should have completed courses in calculus, biology, biochemistry, and behavioral or social science. In some cases deficiencies can be made up after admission.

For information on admission and registration contact Ms. Jeanette Norbut at 412-624-3018 or jnorbut@pitt.edu.

Financial Assistance

Some accepted students are eligible for financial aid, which may include scholarships, graduate student assistantships, and teaching fellowships.

Major Educational Areas and Programs

Courses offered by the department address the areas of human population and quantitative genetics, biochemical and molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and genetic counseling. In addition, courses aimed at genetic counseling students provide training in clinical genetics, risk communication, counseling, and ethics. Courses are also offered in public health genetics.

The principle objective of the courses in human genetics is to train students to critically examine the role of genes and genetic variation in determining the distribution of health and disease in the general population. To achieve this objective, training is provided in both experimental and statistical approaches to the direct detection or estimation of the impact of genes on the health of individuals, families and populations. Such approaches include the evaluation of the relative roles of genetic and environmental factors and their interaction in determining the distribution of disease in the population, so-called "ecogenetics." The department provides for concentrations in three areas: human genetics (MS, PhD) genetic counseling (MS), and Public Health Genetics (MPH).

Human Genetics—PhD and MS

This area is concerned with the study of the mechanisms of genetic variability and its impact on health at the population level. An important component is the study of the fraction of genetic variability that leads directly to disease or determines an individual's susceptibility to diseases caused by pathogens or adverse environments.

A PhD track in human genetics with an emphasis on genetic counseling is available to applicants with three to five years of work experience as a genetic counselor and who are certified in genetic counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG).

Genetic Counseling—MS

The objectives of the program are:

1. To provide a balanced program of study integrating courses in molecular genetics, medical genetics, and psychosocial and multicultural counseling including biomedical ethics.
2. To provide extensive direct patient contact experience in a variety of clinical placements so that the student gains an appreciation of how the practicing genetic counselor functions in different work settings.
3. To prepare students at the Master of Science level for entering the profession of genetic counseling and assuming the role of a professional in medical and academic settings.

This is a full-time, two-year program. Course work occurs in the first year and is followed by a ten-month clinical rotation at nearby hospitals. The clinical internship involves laboratory experience and direct patient contact.

Public Health Genetics—MPH

The MPH program integrates genetics and the public health science disciplines and epidemiology, pathobiology, biostatistics, environmental health and health services research, with ethics, social sciences, public affairs, economics and law, focusing on phenotypic disease prevention in populations.

Research

Research in the Department of Human Genetics includes studies of basic genetic mechanisms of segregation and recombination; family and population studies of normal and disease phenotypes; chromosome structure and chromosomal mechanisms in disease; physical and genetic mapping of genes; interaction of genes with the environment; assessment of genetic risk; community outreach regarding genetics; educational projects for the public health care professionals; the process of genetic counseling including decision making, communication, and satisfaction with clinical service; and the detection of genetic disease. Application of the knowledge is explored with research in ethics, genetic counseling and screening. The focus of faculty research is on human genetics but includes experimental studies in appropriate non-human animals and methodological work in statistical genetics..

Program Requirements

All genetics students are required to take the following courses:

MS in Human Genetics Requirements

A minimum of 36 credits is required for the MS in Human Genetics. In addition to the requirements for all human genetics MS and PhD students, the following course is required of non-counseling master's students:

In addition, students must pass a comprehensive examination, complete a research project and write a thesis.

MS in Genetic Counseling Requirements

A minimum of 37 credits is required for the MS in Genetic Counseling.

A comprehensive written examination is administered in fall term of the second year of training and an oral exam for counseling skills is administered in spring term of the second year. The 10—month clinical internship begins after the first year. The program balances studies in genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and counseling skills/intervention. The curriculum exceeds the minimum degree requirements of the Graduate School of Public Health. The program is accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). All graduates are eligible for ABGC certification.

MPH in Public Health Genetics

A minimum of 48 credits is required for the MPH. The total consists of GSPH core courses, a core of required human genetics courses, and a practicum.

Required Human Genetics Courses (in addition to those listed above for all human genetics students):

All students are required to complete a practicum, which provides an opportunity to learn how genetics is applied in a public health setting. Students must write a master’s essay, which will usually be based on the practicum experience.

New GSPH Core Course Curriculum as of Fall 2071

* For MS students

PhD in Human Genetics Requirements

A minimum of 72 credits is required for the PhD degree, including any advanced standing credits accepted from a previous graduate degree. In addition to the course requirements for all PhD students in Human Genetics, students are required to take one of the following courses:

PhD students must write and defend a dissertation which provides evidence of original scholarly research of sufficient quality to be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.

Certificate in Public Health Genetics

This program educates students about the role of genetics in public health, including the role of genetics in disease prevention and treatment, and the policy issues involved in genetic testing and screening. Any graduate-level degree or non-degree student at the University of Pittsburgh may apply for this certificate program.

Students must complete 15 credits, including 3 required credits and at least 9 more traditional classroom credits as approved by the program director. A maximum of 3 seminar, project, or practicum credits are required.

Certificate in LGBT Health and Wellness (interdisciplinary certificate)

The LGBT certificate offers a public health perspective on social, cultural, and individual factors that influence the health and well-being of LGBT communities.

Students must complete 15 credits, including 10 required courses developed for this program, and 5 elective credits from a list of approved electives. In addition, students may complete an optional practicum.

Dual degree in Genetic Counseling (MS) and Public Health Genetics (MPH)

New GSPH Core Course Curriculum as of Fall 2071

*MS students

Students interested in both genetic counseling and public health genetics can pursue both degrees in a combined 62-credits (3-year) program.

Graduate Course Listings

Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (IDM)

The mission of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology is to conduct research, teaching, and service that will enhance the control of infectious diseases in the human population. Our goals to accomplish this mission include:

1. Research programs that focus on understanding the mechanisms of pathogenesis of microbial infections at the cellular and molecular level as they relate directly to developing methods for disease prevention and treatment.
2. Integrated teaching programs that are devoted to the education and training of graduate students in various molecular, immunologic and biologic aspects of microbial pathogenesis, as well as disease control and prevention.
3. Programs that focus on population-based education and prevention for control of infectious diseases.

Features of the program include:

1. Flexible curriculum in basic, medical and prevention aspects of infectious diseases and microbiology.
2. Opportunities for involvement in top-rated research in molecular, immunologic, and biologic aspects of microbial infections.
3. Strong interaction with the microbiology and virology program at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine.

IDM offers the following degrees: Master of Science (MS), Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Contact Information

Dr. Todd Reinhart, Associate Professor

606 Parran Hall

Graduate School of Public Health

412-648-2341

E-mail: reinhart@pitt.edu

www.idm.pitt.edu

For more information on admissions and registration contact the department at 412-624-3331.

Admission

All admissions are for the fall term only. The application deadline is February 15. Applicants must submit all college-level transcripts, graduate record examination test scores, TOEFL scores (If English is not the applicant's first language), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

For MS and PhD degrees: Applicants should have a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences or a related area.

For MPH and DrPH degrees: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree. It is recommended that the applicants possess a health professional degree such as medicine, medical technology, nursing, public health, etc.

The admission criteria for IDM is detailed on our Web site.

Early admission into the MS programs

Outstanding applicants who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Pittsburgh may apply for early admission if they meet the following requirements as defined on our Web site.

Financial Assistance

Financial support consisting of a personal living stipend and tuition waiver is awarded to all doctoral students. All PhD and DrPH students must maintain full-time status, meet the course and research requirements, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 to remain in the program.

For additional information on financial assistance available for all students please visit our Web site.

Program Requirements

This section details the requirements for the MS, MPH, PhD, and DrPH degrees.

Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Degrees

See general requirements for master's and doctoral degrees of the GSPH section for details not referenced below.

General Requirements for PhD and DrPH Degrees

Course Requirement:

• Usually takes five years to complete
• Completion of school and departmental courses (please see IDM Student Handbook [PDF] for the up-to-date list)

Examinations:

• Qualifying (Preliminary) Examination: At the end of the first two terms
• Comprehensive Examination: At the end of the second year

Dissertation Overview:

• A dissertation committee is formed usually within nine months after completion of the comprehensive examination to approve the proposed topic for the student’s research.

Dissertation Defense:

• Final oral examination in defense of the doctoral dissertation by the dissertation committee.

Requirements for PhD or DrPH degrees

A listing of the requirements for the PhD or DrPH degrees in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology are available on our Web site

General Requirements for MS and MPH Degrees

Requirements for the Master's (MS and MPH) Programs

Course Requirement:

• Usually take one and a half to two years to complete
• Completion of school and departmental courses (please see IDM Student Handbook [PDF] for the up-to-date list)

Examination (for MS students only):

• Comprehensive Examination: At the end of the first two terms

Thesis Overview (MS students only):

• Usually within six to nine months after completion of the comprehensive examination

Thesis/Essay Defense:

• Final oral examination in defense of the thesis (for MS students) or essay (for MPH students) by the thesis/essay committee

MS Program Requirements

The required courses for the MS degree are listed on our Web site.

MPH Program Requirements

The required courses for the MPH degree are listed on our Web site.

Graduate Course Listing

For a complete list of the courses offered by the Department of Infections Diseases and Microbiology please visit our Web site.

Faculty Listing

For a complete listing of the faculty in the Department of Infections Diseases and Microbiology please visit our Web site.

Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health Program

The Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) offers considerable academic flexibility for those eligible for the Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health Program. This innovative program fosters leadership in public health research and practice for doctoral-level, clinically-trained health professionals.

The program is open to the following candidates:

• Physicians, dentists, and veterinarians
• Holders of doctoral degrees in the health sciences
• Advanced medical, dental, and veterinary students, considered on an individual basis

To be eligible for consideration, graduates of foreign medical and dental schools should:

• Hold a valid medical or dental license in the United States or be eligible for medical or dental licensure in the United States having passed all necessary examinations and having served required time in an approved residency program, or
• Currently be participating in a U.S. residency or fellowship program, or
• Be an outstanding candidate with appropriate clinical training and skills to justify consideration for admission, e.g., a visiting clinician who will return to his or her native country.

The Multidisciplinary MPH Program provides students with an opportunity to meet the needs of a growing number of health science professionals desirous of practicing in a public health or community-based setting where data-based concepts, preventive medicine, health promotion, public health, and evidence-based practice will be of benefit.

Contact Information

Multidisciplinary MPH Program Office

ATTN: Elizabeth-Anne Kim

130 DeSoto Street, 111 Parran Hall

Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Ph: 412-383-9711

Fax: 412-624-3013

 

Dr. Ron Stall, Director, rstall@pitt.edu

Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health Degree Program Requirements

Total Minimum Program Credits 30

*1) All elective courses must be appropriate to the MMPH program and be approved by the student's academic advisor prior to registering for the class.

2) No more than six credits may be taken in other university graduate programs.

3) Up to three credits of Independent Study may be applied toward the 30-credit requirement.