L-R adds new Master of Public Health degree

Mon Feb 8 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University will begin a new Master of Public Health degree in the fall of 2010. Offered through the College of Health Sciences, the program answers a growing demand for public health professionals to address local, national and global needs.

“Lenoir-Rhyne University is very excited by the addition of this new MPH program,” said Dr. Larry Hall, LRU provost. “It continues to build upon our emphasis in the health sciences and elsewhere in locating and furnishing professional graduate programs that meet both the needs of our students and our community.”

Students will explore all aspects of public health management, from local and regional health trends to the impact of global economics and public policy on health care delivery systems. In addition to developing leadership and expertise in students, the program will provide scientific research and program development that will benefit the community at large.

“The new Master of Public Health at Lenoir-Rhyne draws on the strengths of the existing programs in Health Sciences, Liberal Studies, and the Healthcare Administration Certificate to provide a new graduate degree option,” said Dr. Michael R. McGee, chair of the School of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science and interim director of the MPH program. “National trends reflect an escalating need for professionals to manage the growing public health issues, and the new MPH reflects the university’s commitment to community, leadership and service.”

The program objectives are:

• Assess the health needs of defined populations with special emphasis on local and regional health needs in a global perspective.

• Develop, analyze and implement policies and programs to eliminate health disparities.

• Lead the process of change through the application of strategic management skills, leadership, organizational theory and information management competencies.

•  Manage the ongoing operations of not-for-profit and governmental health care organizations to achieve identified goals.

Students entering the program will have completed a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite courses in statistics, health management, and personal or community health. The curriculum includes a total of 45 credit hours covering five core areas of public health knowledge: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health science, health services administration, and social and behavioral science. Students will also go beyond the classroom by participating in research and field education, including development, implementation and assessment of public health programs directly benefiting the local community.

The Master of Public Health program is pursuing accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The program will also seek a faculty director to serve both as program coordinator and epidemiology expert for the Hickory Metro.

For more information about the Master of Public Health degree, contact Dr. Michael McGee at (828) 328-7127 or email McGee@lr.edu. The application deadline for the fall semester is July 1.

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