M.S. in Prevention Science and Community Health

Overview

The Master of Science degree program in Prevention Science and Community Health is a 33-credit hour program that is intended to train the next generation of researchers and practitioners who are committed to reducing the mortality and morbidity attributable to behaviorally-based, preventable causes of illness, disorder, and death; and promoting health and well-being, in the United States and internationally. Our focus is on the community as the primary domain for intervention development, implementation, and evaluation. Students are trained in the fundamentals of prevention science, including (a) the assessment of risk and protective factors that predict and modify health and behavior outcomes; (b) the development of preventive interventions that target these risk and protective factors; and (c) the implementation and evaluation of these interventions. Students in the program will develop skills in translating prevention research into demonstrable preventive action, and to successfully partner with communities and organizations for the implementation of evidence-based preventive interventions with fidelity and sensitivity to communities’ diversity and unique strengths.

The focus of this program is in line with the seven priority areas of the U.S. National Prevention Strategy (e.g., tobacco-free living, preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use, healthy eating, active living, injury and violence-free living, reproductive and sexual health, and mental/emotional well-being), as implemented through the Strategy’s strategic directions of creating healthy and safe communities, eliminating health disparities, providing clinical and community prevention services, and empowering people. The program is in intended to prepare students for research or technical positions in government, industry, academia, or private institutions, as well as to pursue future doctoral studies in medicine and public health.

Admission Requirements

·       Application - Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS. 

·       Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.

·       Standardized Test Scores – The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for the MS in Prevention Science and Community Health program.  

·       English Proficiency Exam – International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS/requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or from select English-speaking countries..

·       Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.

·       Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.

·       Letters of Recommendation – Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.

For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.

For further information, please contact:

Ginelle Solis, EdD, MPA
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-7246
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu

Curriculum Requirements

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The MS Thesis requires an individual investigation of a current public health problem and allows the student to demonstrate competency in the development and implementation of a research question. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor and the thesis committee during their investigation. The master's thesis requires 6 credits, and its process, requirements, format and deadlines follows the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) requirements of the Graduate School. Students should register for 1-3 credits to complete the proposal and form a committee in one semester, and register the remaining master's thesis credits in a later semester to defend the thesis and complete all requirements.

Plan of Study

The Master of Science in Prevention Science and Community Health curriculum consists of required coursework in prevention science and public health, required coursework in statistics/research methodology, credit hours in elective coursework (chosen in consultation with the program advisor), and required credit hours dedicated to proposing and completing a research thesis. The average time to completion is 2 years.

Below is a Sample Study Plan - students will work with their mentor to develop a personalized plan:

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Master's Thesis:  EPH 810 section 01, Proposal must be completed prior to enrolling in EPH 810 section DEF, Defense. The 810 Master Thesis follows the ETD requirements from Graduate School.

Mission

The mission of the Graduate Programs in Public Health is to develop leaders who can generate and translate knowledge into policy and practice to promote health and prevent disease in human populations.

Goals

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Prevention Science and Community Health (MS-PSCH) degree, all graduates will be able to:

• Apply epidemiologic methods to the measurement and study of prevention science;
• Describe the origins, foundations, and standards of prevention science;
• Design and carry out theoretically-grounded research studies that contribute to the literature on risk and protective factors, and identify their mechanisms of influence associated with health and behavior outcomes across the lifespan;
• Explain evidence-based preventive interventions and how to apply prevention science to the design, implementation, adaptation, and evaluation of preventive interventions;
• Integrate knowledge of research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, and multi-method, multi-agent assessment methods commonly used in prevention science into research activities;
• Communicate research findings and conclusions (written and oral) in a clear and concise manner;
• Describe the importance of diversity and contextual issues such as culture, identity, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marginalization, poverty, inequality, and religion in research and applied activities. 

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in the presentation of prevention science and related areas.
• Students will develop and demonstrate the ability to make scholarly contributions to the field.
• Students will demonstrate mastery of research competencies.