Degree Programs
Degree Programs in Society, Human Development, and Health
As described below, the department offers both 80-credit and 42.5-credit master of science (SM) programs, a dual-degree master's program for nurses, and a doctoral program leading to the doctor of science (SD) or doctor of public health (DPH) degree. Within both the doctoral program and the 80-credit master's program, students may follow a concentration in maternal and child health (MCH). For information about schoolwide requirements for master's and doctoral degrees, see Degree Programs, Admission, and Enrollment.
Master of Science in Society, Human Development, and Health (80-credit and 42.5-credit programs)
The 80-credit, professional SM program prepares students for a variety of positions in community, public, and private settings. These roles include the design, management, and evaluation of programs, particularly health promotion and disease prevention programs, health communication programs, and those providing services to women, youth, and children. Other roles include work in research, public policy, and advocacy. Students in the MCH concentration are prepared for careers in maternal and child health practice, research, planning, policy development, and advocacy.
Recent graduates have taken such positions as the evaluator on a violence prevention program for adolescents, associate director of public health and research at Georgetown University, assistant medical director of the Rhode Island Health Department, and intern in the Presidential Management Program, Office of the Budget for Health and Human Services; others have gone on to earn doctoral degrees.
Applications are encouraged from students who have a strong social sciences and/or natural sciences background, public health experience, and defined public health goals. Solid mathematics and writing skills and successful experience with course work requiring critical reading and writing, drawing of inferences, and rigorous analysis are crucial. Previous graduate work is not required.
Students must earn at least 20 credits in departmental courses. They are not required to declare an area of interest within the department but are encouraged to take course work in all four. In addition to fulfilling HSPH, SHDH, and practice core requirements, students are expected to delineate professional goals and to develop an area of expertise. They often focus on a subject area (such as AIDS; addiction; cardiovascular or cancer risk reduction; the health of children, adolescents or women; and mental health) and/or a skill area (such as program design and evaluation, communication, policy analysis, or marketing). Students must complete a practicum, which consists of skill development in a practice setting, a seminar, and a final paper.
Students in the MCH concentration elect one of two focus areas, each of which has specific requirements in addition to the basic master's degree curriculum. The epidemiology focus is for those wishing to develop research skills for work in research, advocacy, or policy organizations; the MCH program planning and policy focus is geared toward those interested in policy formulation or program design and management.
The 42.5-credit SM program is intended to prepare students for research careers in public and private agencies. Applicants eligible for the 42.5- credit program are established practitioners or investigators holding prior master's or doctoral degrees in the social/behavioral sciences, health care, or a public health field. Students in this program must fulfill the schoolwide requirements and earn 15 credits in departmental courses. They should work closely with their advisers to develop a study plan to meet their particular academic and career goals.
Master of Science in Society, Human Development, and Health (HSPH 42.5-credit program) and Parent-Child Nursing or Women's Health (Simmons College 40-credit program)
This professional, dual-degree program, which requires that 42.5 credits be earned at HSPH and 40 at Simmons, is designed to prepare nurse practitioners for leadership roles in child, youth, women's, or school health programs. Recent graduates have taken such positions as director of clinical services for the Family Planning Association of Maine and staff director for the World Health Organization Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood Program.
Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing, a license to practice nursing, and the equivalent of at least three years of full-time nursing experience. International nurses with equivalent backgrounds are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of both HSPH and Simmons College.
Students enroll in half-time study at both Simmons College and HSPH for two academic years, in addition to studying at Simmons for one summer session. The curriculum of the HSPH portion of the program is the same as that for the 42.5-credit SM program. Continued matriculation is dependent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress in both programs.