The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Genetics curriculum involves public health coursework, practicum, and culminates in a research-based thesis.
Starting in Autumn 2023, students in the IPHG MPH program are given the option of following one of two tracks to complete the MPH Core requirements. In Track 1, students take all the MPH Core courses as they are laid out on the core website. In Track 2, students register for all the MPH Core courses with the exception of PHI 512 in their first quarter. Instead of PHI 512, students in Track 2 register for EPI 512 and BIOST 511. Track 2 students register for the remainder of the MPH Core courses, and are highly encouraged to take EPI 513 in their second quarter of study.
Learn more about the MPH in Public Health Genetics Curriculum:
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Courses
Sample Schedule
Course listed on this page are based on a two-year, full-time course of study. Only required courses are listed in the sample schedule. For questions about less than full-time study, please contact our admissions team at phgadmit@uw.edu.
Year 1 Autumn - Track 1 (14 credits)
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHI 511 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PHI 512 | Analytic Skills for Public Health | 7 |
| PHG 512 | Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues in Public Health Genetics | 3 |
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
Year 1 Autumn - Track 2 (15 credits)
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHI 511 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| EPI 512 | Epidemiologic Methods I | 4 |
| BIOST 511 | Medical Biometry I | 4 |
| PHG 512 | Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues in Public Health Genetics | 3 |
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
Year 1 Winter (13 credits) - Tracks 1 & 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHI 513 | Analytic Skills for Public Health II | 3 |
| PHI 514 | Determinants of Health | 3 |
| PHG 513 | Basic Concepts in Pharmacogenetics and Toxicogenomics | 3 |
| PHG 523 | Genetics and the Law | 3 |
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
Year 1 Spring (14 credits) - Tracks 1 & 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHI 515 | Implementing Public Health Interventions | 4 |
| PHI 516 | Public Health Practice | 3 |
| PHG 511 | Genetic Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHG 527 | Social Science Research Methods | 3 |
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
Year 2 Autumn (8-12 credits) - Tracks 1 & 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHG 595 | Master’s Practicum | 4 |
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
PHG 700 or | Master’s Thesis Master’s Thesis | 1-9 3 |
Year 2 Winter (4-10 credits) - Tracks 1 & 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
| PHG 700 | Master’s Thesis | 1-9 |
Year 2 Spring (4-10 credits) - Tracks 1 & 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHG 580 | Interactive Seminar | 1 |
| PHG 700 | Master’s Thesis | 1-9 |
Additional Requirements Not Tied to a Specific Quarter
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Practicum experience – generally completed the summer between year 1 and 2 | ||
| Electives (not listed above) | 6 |
Notes
- Courses and timing are subject to change.
- Sample schedule is provided as a guide. Individual students’ schedules will vary.
- MPH students must complete a minimum 63 credits.
- MPH students must complete a minimum of 9 credits of Master’s Thesis credits.
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Degree Competencies
Upon satisfactory completion of a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Genetics, graduates will be able to:
- Meet the competencies established by the School of Public Health (SPH) and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for all MPH students.
- Meet the core competencies established by the Institute for Public Health Genetics for all Public Health Genetics (MPH) students in knowledge areas A and B:
- Knowledge Area A: Genomics in Public Health
- Apply knowledge of inheritance and genomic advances, including cellular and molecular mechanisms and technical developments, to understanding the etiology of a variety of rare and common, complex diseases and health conditions
- Apply epidemiological and statistical approaches to the study of risk factors and diseases with genetic component
- Identify interactions among genes, environmental factors, and behaviors, and their roles in health and disease
- Describe how genetic principles and genomic technologies apply to diagnosis, screening, and interventions for disease prevention and health promotion programs
- Knowledge Area B: Implications of Genetics for Society
- Identify the impact of genomics on the public health activities of assessment, policy development and assurance
- Apply methods to address ethical implications of the use of genetic information and technologies in public health
- Describe legal concepts and the role of the law in the development of policies relating to genetics and genomics; and identify legal implications of the application of genetics and genomic technologies in public health
- Apply knowledge of key social science concepts in analysis of the political, social and cultural forces that influence the research and clinical application of genetic and genomic technology in public health
- Analyze in interaction and impact of market forces and public policy on the development and delivery of genetic services
- Knowledge Area A: Genomics in Public Health
- Translate knowledge and skills from Public Health Genetics and SPH/CEPH MPH competencies to evidence-based public health practice.
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Practicum
MPH students work with a practicum faculty adviser to identify a practicum site that incorporates the student's specific interests, desired professional skills set, and MPH core competencies. The practicum project is a work product that is requested by the site, not the student.
Learn more about MPH practicum
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Master's Thesis
MPH students complete a research-based thesis under the direction of a faculty thesis chair and committee.
See past student projects
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Accreditations & Affiliations
Through the MPH coursework, practicum experience and thesis research, you’ll achieve competencies established for all MPH graduates by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accrediting body for schools and programs of public health.
These foundational competencies include areas such as evidence-based approaches to public health, planning and management to promote health, policy, leadership, and systems thinking.
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