Rutgers School of Public Health

Urban — Global Public Health

Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition (45 credits)

The MPH in Public Health Nutrition concentration will prepare students to improve the nutrition and health of populations locally and globally. Dietary risk factors are the number one contributor to the global burden of disease, contributing to undernutrition, overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related, non-communicable diseases. Through innovative coursework and a practicum, the MPH in Public Health Nutrition concentration will train diverse and skilled students and professionals who will be able to assess the nutritional and dietary needs of communities and design and evaluate programs and policies aimed at addressing those needs. This concentration is offered in partnership with the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences in the Rutgers School of Health Professionals.

Competencies

Competencies for the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition (45 credits)

Each Cconcentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Public Health Nutrition will be able to:

  • Analyze local and global food systems;
  • Assess the nutritional status of communities;
  • Demonstrate the use of evidence-based research in practice to study the relationships between diet, nutrition and health outcomes across the life span;
  • Develop an evaluation framework for a population-based nutrition intervention or program;
  • Utilize culturally appropriate assessment methodologies to identify and prioritize diet and nutritional problems for diverse population groups; and
  • Apply research methodology, interpretation of research literature, and integration of research principles into evidence-based public health nutrition practice or policy.

Curriculum

Curriculum for the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition (45 credits)

Students seeking the MPH in Public Health Nutrition degree must complete 45 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

  • CORE COURSES (18 credits)
    • PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
    • PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health (required for students enrolled for Fall 2018 and after)
  • PRACTICUM (3 credits) -- For Students Enrolled Fall 2018 and After
    • PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits)
    • PRAC 0716 - Capstone
  • REQUIRED COURSES (18 credits)
    • UGPH 0630 - Global Food Systems and Policy
    • UGPH 0670 - Global Food & Culture
    • NUTR 5300 - Nutrition across the Lifespan
    • NUTR 5513 - Global & Public Health Nutrition
    • NUTR 6490 - Nutritional Epidemiology
    • SBHS 0652 - Program Planning and Evaluation (formerly SBHS 0651)
  • OTHER REQUIREMENTS (0 credits) -- For Students Enrolled Fall 2018 and After
    • Students are required to complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation (0 credits)
  • RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits)
    • Courses in public health nutrition as approved by advisor: 3 credits from approved list of courses at School of Public Health and 3 credits from approved list of courses at School of Health Professions