Howard University:
Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, Historically Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students.
Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, Historically Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students.
Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching and research, committed to the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world.
Research
The expertise of the faculty encompasses such research areas as: aging, asthma, health care management, health policy and planning, cancer prevention and control, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epidemiology, public health law, global health, social and behavioral science, tobacco prevention and control, mental health maternal and child health, violence, family and community medicine, and school health and wellness. The faculty is continuously assisting the Program in building relationships with other local, regional and national institutions of higher learning that are performing similar research activities. This initiative is important in order to create a network of academic centers engaged in basic and applied science which will concentrate on preventing health disparities in the focused areas such as: asthma, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
The expertise of the faculty encompasses such research areas as: aging, asthma, health care management, health policy and planning, cancer prevention and control, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epidemiology, public health law, global health, social and behavioral science, tobacco prevention and control, mental health maternal and child health, violence, family and community medicine, and school health and wellness. The faculty is continuously assisting the Program in building relationships with other local, regional and national institutions of higher learning that are performing similar research activities. This initiative is important in order to create a network of academic centers engaged in basic and applied science which will concentrate on preventing health disparities in the focused areas such as: asthma, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Program Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program was approved by the Board of Trustees and initiated in the fall of 2004. The mission of the MPH program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles in the public and private sectors of health-related organizations in an effort to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. In addition, the program’s priority is to train public health leaders from racial and ethnic minority populations to meet the emergent needs of communities of color.
This MPH Program has the distinct benefit of being at a University with a long legacy of public health leadership. One of our Professors Emeriti, Dr. Hildrus Poindexter was at the forefront of public health from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. Dr. Poindexter laid the foundation for the MPH Program’s mission of eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities at Howard by doing detailed research on rural black health, children’s health, and malaria causation. Dr. Poindexter became the first African American Medical Director for the United States Public Heath Service (USPHS). Another pioneer in public health from Howard University was Dr. Paul Cornely. He was the former Chairman of Community and Family Medicine at Howard University. Dr. Paul Cornely came to Howard University in the 1940’s as the Director of Howard University Hospital. Obtaining a faculty position in public health at Howard University, he began a career dedicated to documenting racial disparities in health care in America and exploring strategies for their elimination. He teamed up with Howard colleague and Professor Emeritus of anatomy W. Montague Cobb in orchestrating a protracted legal and political campaign against hospital segregation. He began publishing the results of surveys of segregated practices in the nation's hospitals and worked with Professor Cobb in organizing a series of national conferences focused on ending hospital segregation. This early leadership was continued by the departmental faculty. Professors Heshmat and Kaul led the initial studies documenting the prostate cancer risks in the minority community in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Dr. Bailus Walker, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health, continues to be a leading advocate for the elimination of disparities in Environmental and Occupational Health. And most recently as Associate Dean for Public and International Health, Dr. Mohammad Ahkter has consolidated this legacy in obtaining the initial funding from the Macy Foundation for our MPH Program. The MPH Program has four unique and innovative features. These features include: 1) participation of all of HU’s schools, colleges, and centers, making the program truly multidisciplinary; 2) provision of an interdisciplinary practical public health experience in the DC Metropolitan Area; 3) accommodation for (but not limited to) the working professional with public health course offerings in the evening; and 4) an emphasis on the role of public health professionals in addressing the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program was approved by the Board of Trustees and initiated in the fall of 2004. The mission of the MPH program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles in the public and private sectors of health-related organizations in an effort to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. In addition, the program’s priority is to train public health leaders from racial and ethnic minority populations to meet the emergent needs of communities of color.
This MPH Program has the distinct benefit of being at a University with a long legacy of public health leadership. One of our Professors Emeriti, Dr. Hildrus Poindexter was at the forefront of public health from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. Dr. Poindexter laid the foundation for the MPH Program’s mission of eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities at Howard by doing detailed research on rural black health, children’s health, and malaria causation. Dr. Poindexter became the first African American Medical Director for the United States Public Heath Service (USPHS). Another pioneer in public health from Howard University was Dr. Paul Cornely. He was the former Chairman of Community and Family Medicine at Howard University. Dr. Paul Cornely came to Howard University in the 1940’s as the Director of Howard University Hospital. Obtaining a faculty position in public health at Howard University, he began a career dedicated to documenting racial disparities in health care in America and exploring strategies for their elimination. He teamed up with Howard colleague and Professor Emeritus of anatomy W. Montague Cobb in orchestrating a protracted legal and political campaign against hospital segregation. He began publishing the results of surveys of segregated practices in the nation's hospitals and worked with Professor Cobb in organizing a series of national conferences focused on ending hospital segregation. This early leadership was continued by the departmental faculty. Professors Heshmat and Kaul led the initial studies documenting the prostate cancer risks in the minority community in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Dr. Bailus Walker, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health, continues to be a leading advocate for the elimination of disparities in Environmental and Occupational Health. And most recently as Associate Dean for Public and International Health, Dr. Mohammad Ahkter has consolidated this legacy in obtaining the initial funding from the Macy Foundation for our MPH Program. The MPH Program has four unique and innovative features. These features include: 1) participation of all of HU’s schools, colleges, and centers, making the program truly multidisciplinary; 2) provision of an interdisciplinary practical public health experience in the DC Metropolitan Area; 3) accommodation for (but not limited to) the working professional with public health course offerings in the evening; and 4) an emphasis on the role of public health professionals in addressing the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.
Accreditation
The M.P.H. Program has been designed to fully meet the standards for accreditation as specified by the Council for Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program is currently recognized under the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a program offering in the Howard University College of Medicine.
The M.P.H. Program has been designed to fully meet the standards for accreditation as specified by the Council for Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program is currently recognized under the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as a program offering in the Howard University College of Medicine.
Curriculum
The MPH Program has a one year curriculum consisting of 42 credit hours. This one year includes the fall and spring semesters along with one 2-session summer semester. It is required that students complete all core courses within the MPH program.
The MPH Program has a one year curriculum consisting of 42 credit hours. This one year includes the fall and spring semesters along with one 2-session summer semester. It is required that students complete all core courses within the MPH program.
Faculty
The total faculty for the MPH Program consists of 45 professionals from 40 different disciplines relevant to public health. Each faculty member has been carefully selected for their expertise. To date, over 25 individuals (Community Experts) have applied for adjunct faculty status. All of them have been involved in the development and the implementation of the program.
The total faculty for the MPH Program consists of 45 professionals from 40 different disciplines relevant to public health. Each faculty member has been carefully selected for their expertise. To date, over 25 individuals (Community Experts) have applied for adjunct faculty status. All of them have been involved in the development and the implementation of the program.
Students
The MPH Degree Program class of 2005-2006 is made up of 21 students of diverse culture who combine to represent a total of 16 disciplines.
The MPH Degree Program class of 2005-2006 is made up of 21 students of diverse culture who combine to represent a total of 16 disciplines.
Alumni
The inaugural MPH class of 2004-2005 was made up of 18 diverse students representing 11 disciplines. The alumni of the MPH Program have gone on to public health positions with government agencies, private sector companies, and academic institutions. Fifteen of the 18 alumni are currently working in a public health related field.
The inaugural MPH class of 2004-2005 was made up of 18 diverse students representing 11 disciplines. The alumni of the MPH Program have gone on to public health positions with government agencies, private sector companies, and academic institutions. Fifteen of the 18 alumni are currently working in a public health related field.
THE CONSORTIUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN
PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS
PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS