University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
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Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Department of Public Health Sciences
1960 East-West Road
Biomedical Sciences D-104M
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-5818
Fax: (808) 956-8577
E-mail: pubhlth@hawaii.edu
Website

Alan Katz, MD
Graduate Chair (MPH, MS)
E-mail: katz@hawaii.edu

Kathryn Braun, PhD
Graduate Chair (DrPH)
E-mail: kbraun@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

Master of public health (MPH)

MS in public health

Doctor of public health (DrPH)

Dual Degree with business administration or nursing

 
Graduate Faculty
 
List of Faculty
 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
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PUBLIC HEALTH
 

Quick Links:
Application Deadlines
| Admissions Requirements
Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — January 15
D —January 15
No spring admission
 
Individual graduate programs may have priority consideration deadlines. Applicants are advised to contact the graduate programs for such dates. Any available funding support is limited and often awarded well in advance of the application deadlines.

Applicants who apply after the application deadlines MUST consult with the graduate programs before submitting an application. Application fees are non-refundable and may not be used for an application submitted at a later date.

I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Ways to Apply
Apply online or download PDF application forms.

Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and 2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements. Send all program specific documentation requirements directly to the graduate program.

GRE Scores
Refer to program specific requirements (see link above) to determine if the GRE is required by the graduate program. Click here for information on the GRE and when it is required by the Graduate Division. Official GRE scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
TOEFL Scores - 550/79 or above for the Master's programs and 600/250/100 or above for the PhD program
TOEFL is required of most applicants who are non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions. Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
 
 
Program Overview
 

The Department of Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers graduate programs leading to the master of public health (MPH), the master of science (MS) in public health, and the doctor of public health (DrPH). All three programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Master's Programs
Students enrolled at the master's level may choose one of the two specializations below:

Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, distribution and control of disease in a population. A basic tenet of epidemiology is that diseases do not spread randomly in the population. Determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with diseases and measuring the magnitude of their occurrences form the basis of public health policy and disease control measures. Once implemented, such measures are evaluated by public health professionals using a variety of epidemiological and biostatistical methods.

The specialization in epidemiology instills knowledge and skills in epidemiological methods, biostatistics, the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, and the epidemiology of chronic and infectious diseases. The curriculum includes a core of required basic and public health courses covering topics such as environmental health, health care delivery and organization, health education, and health behavior. Students may select electives in nutrition, genetics, environment, aging, AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Course work in specialized statistical applications is also available. In addition, students receive advanced-level training in chronic and infectious disease epidemiology, advanced biostatistics, and research design. During the field work or thesis research portion of the program, students participate in ongoing epidemiological research programs throughout the university.

Social and Behavioral Health Sciences
Over the last hundred years, chronic diseases have replaced infectious diseases as the leading causes of death in almost every developed country. Most chronic diseases have been linked to poor lifestyle choices such as physical inactivity, poor diet, unsafe sexual practices, substance abuse and excessive sun exposure. Such diseases are often preventable with lifestyle modifications.

Students who select this specialization study the biological and social theories of health behaviors, interventions (biological, behavioral, social and environmental) that decrease premature mortality, and the planning and evaluation of health promotion programs. Students also learn about the role of behavioral modification in the prevention of infectious diseases in both developing and developed countries.

Doctor of Public Health
The DrPH program prepares students to lead programs and conduct independent investigations addressing public health topics relevant to culturally diverse groups, with a special focus on those in Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific region. The program focuses on translational research and emphasizes community-based participatory research methodologies.

Translational research is the investigation of how to transform successfully scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into community applications to reduce incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Community-based participatory research in health is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves investigators and members of the community in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. This approach increases the likelihood that interventions will be embraced by the community and that community members will gain knowledge, skills, and other benefits from the research.

Candidates who successfully complete the DrPH program will be able to collaborate with community partners to identify and address public health issues as well as conduct independent research, train public health workers, and demonstrate expertise in the following areas: health disparities, cultural competency, evidence-based public health practice, and community-based participatory research.

Dual Degree Programs
The public health program participates in official Dual Degree programs at UHM. For more information, contact the graduate chair.

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

MS Requirements
MS students follow Plan A (thesis). Depending on the specialization and the student's background, the program requires a minimum of 30 credits (epidemiology) or 34-40 credits (social and behavioral health sciences) of course work, six credits of thesis research, a written thesis and defense of the thesis.

MPH Requirements
MPH students follow Plan B (non-thesis). The program requires 42 credits (including three credits of field work).

DrPH Requirements

  • 55 credits of course work (39 credits for students with a MPH)
  • portfolio
  • conference presentations
  • journal publication
  • comprehensive exam
  • dissertation
  • final oral exam / defense of dissertation

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/ph.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
clinical research, disaster management and humanitarian assistance, epidemiology, gerontology, global health and population studies, nursing, nutritional sciences, public administration, urban and regional planning
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2009-11-16
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.