Drexel University School of Public Health View Book

www.publichealth.drexel.edu

What is Public Health?

Public health is community health. Public health isthe science of protecting and improving the healthof communities through education, promotion ofhealthy lifestyles and research for disease and injury prevention.

Public health is powerful. It helps protect the healthof entire populations, from a local neighborhoodto an entire country. In fact, public health researchhas led to major health improvements includingclean drinking water, automobile safety, workplacesafety and decreases in an array of diseases dueto vaccinations and hygiene practices.

Advances in public health have saved more livesthan any single medical intervention. Simply put,public health creates safer and healthier placesand populations.

Our Mission

The Drexel University School of Public Health improves the health ofcommunities and populations through innovative education and trainingprograms, cutting-edge research and scholarship, and cooperative partnershipswith other civic, business and academic institutions committed to solving ourworld’s most difficult health challenges.

The School of Public Health prepares professionals who can develop,implement and evaluate strategies to address the wide range of public healthprograms plaguing the world today, from bioterrorism to malnutrition, violenceand healthcare inequality. Our belief is that professionals can best meet theneeds of today and tomorrow with a blend of scientific rigor coupled with real-world know-how and practical application of all disciplines of public health.

The Drexel University School of Public Healthblends rigorous science and meaningful service. Our students are immediately immersed into hands-on, community-collaboration, andexperience a flexible, creative and collegial learning experience. Drexelis the only fully-accredited School of Public Health in Philadelphia andfull member of the Association of Schools of Public Health. It’s one ofthe nation’s most vibrant and culturally diverse schools.

Experiential learning is a hallmark of Drexel University. The School ofPublic Health provides hands-on opportunities for students along withincredibly high-quality academics. We maintain deep, meaningful tiesto the community, and our location, in the heart of one of the country’selite health sciences centers, provides rich opportunities forcollaboration with leading biopharma, pharmaceutical and health carecompanies. As part of a top-tier comprehensive research university,students can also benefit from collaborating with scholars at Drexel’scolleges of Law, Business, Engineering, Information Science andTechnology, Medicine and others.

Our students graduate having already made a meaningful difference in thousands of lives, and are prepared to confront the complex challenges facing public health professionals today.

“Providing a superior

education combined

with real-world

experience is our top

priority. At Drexel,

you don’t just learn it…

you live it.”

www.publichealth.drexel.edu 1

Authentic Community EngagementWhen it was founded, the School of Public Health was initially dubbed the“school without walls” to reflect our relationship to surrounding communities.It is a description and a charge that remains the hallmark of our programs.

Our curriculum employs a blend of problem-based learning and traditionalclassroom experiences – all of which integrate the core disciplines of publichealth. In addition to participating in rigorous academic programs andcutting-edge public health research, students participate in a five-weekpracticum project in the 1st year and a comprehensive Community-BasedMaster’s Project during the 2nd year.

The school’s curriculum reflects a commitment to solving societal issues,and community work is naturally embedded in our programs. Studentslearn to work effectively with and within diverse communities andneighborhoods. We give students the analytical skills critical to healthprofessionals in fostering productive community partnerships andenhancing a population’s health status.

COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING

The faculty and administrators at the School of Public Health believestudents should be involved in the community as soon as possible. In fact,our students spend more than 70,000 hours working in more than 300community-based settings to solve practical, real-world problems. Thiswork is carried out at community organizations, local, state and federalgovernment agencies, hospitals, private companies and non-profitfoundations in Philadelphia, across the country and overseas.

DEGREES

The school offers nine degrees, plus a certificate in epidemiology and biostatistics.

Visit our website for our latest degree offerings.

2 www.publichealth.drexel.edu

F IRST-YEAR PRACT ICUM

At the end of the first year of the master’s program, students spend 120 hours working with one of our many partners in the community,immersing themselves in the challenges public health professionals faceevery day.

COMMUNITY-BASED MASTER’S PROJECT (CBMP)

The CBMP is the culminating experience of full-time second year MPH,JD/MPH and MD/MPH students. Students spend approximately 12 hoursper week gaining public health practice experience at a community site,working as an integral part of the organization. Together with a facultyadviser and community preceptor, each student identifies an issue ofsignificance, develops the methodology to address the challenge anddevises a solution. Students must complete and defend a master’s thesis,and present their work. Some students may go on to publish their results,or gain employment at the host agency.

OUR PARTNERS

The School of Public Health works collaboratively with communitypartners to help address today’s most pressing public health concerns.The school partners with hundreds of organizations and gives students abroad choice that can meet all interests. A sampling of our partners includes:


• Action AIDS

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health

• Fox Chase Cancer Center

• US Public Health Service, Health and Human Services Region III

• Pharmaceutical companies

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Food Trust

• Maternity Care Coalition

• 11th Street Family Center

• Family Planning Council of SEPennsylvania...and many more!

“Established as the

‘School without Walls,’

the school has been

bridging the gap between

academia and the

community since its

inception – forming a

true partnership

between professors,

students, the Philadelphia

community and be-

yond.”


The Drexel AdvantageDrexel University is committed to meeting the often competing demandsof the professional community while providing an applied education.Some of the distinct advantages of a Drexel education include:

TOP PR IVATE UNIVERSITY

Drexel University ranked sixth amongnational universities in the U.S. Newslist of "Up-and-Comers," thoseschools making "the most promisingand innovative changes in the areasof academics, faculty, student life,campus, or facilities." Drexel also consistently ranks among the top tier of universities for technology and research.

ONE UNIVERSITY,

MANY D ISC IPL INES

Students learning at Drexel can takeadvantage of the many differentacademic disciplines at the university. As a student at the School of PublicHealth, you can benefit from scholarsat Drexel’s colleges of Law, Business,Engineering, Information Science andTechnology, Medicine, Nursing andHealth Professions, and others.

LOCATION, LOCATION,

LOCATION

Students advance their careers inpublic health while enjoying theacademic and social benefits of livingin the City of Philadelphia – one of thenation’s most diverse and culturallyrich regions. The school’s diversity ensures that unique perspectives arerepresented throughout learning experiences. In addition, Philadelphiais one of the country’s elite health sciences centers, providing rich opportunities with leadingbiopharma, pharmaceutical andhealth care companies.

ONE OF NAT ION’S

MOST GREEN SCHOOLS

The Princeton Review, Sierra Cluband Green Building Council citedDrexel University as one of thenation’s most environmentally responsible schools.

NAT IONALLY RECOGNIZED

FOR STUDENT SERV ICE

Drexel University was named to aprevious President’s HigherEducation Community Service HonorRoll, the highest possible recognitionfor its commitment to volunteering,service learning and civicengagement.

“Drexel offers students

the opportunity to

learn and work in the

vibrant, diverse and

historical Philadelphia

community.”

RENOWNED FACULTY,

MEANINGFUL RESEARCH

Each student will work closely withour world-renowned faculty onleading research. Faculty membersat the school are on the cuttingedge of research for a wide-varietyof public health concerns, includingautism, urban violence prevention,child hunger, healthcare equality,HIV/AIDS, community health,cancer, environmental/occupationalhealth and more.

R IGHT DEGREE AND

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

The school offers several academicprograms to match individualinterests and fit busy schedules.From full-time students to anexecutive program, the School ofPublic Health can jump start careers in public health. Ourgraduates have found meaningfuland important careers across the nation.

CENTER FOR GRADUATE

STUDIES – SACRAMENTO

The School of Public Health offersits Executive MPH program atDrexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. The part-time program features the best ofonline and in-classroom learningfor working professionals.


“Our innovative

programs integrate

real-world practice

with traditional

classroom learning.

This community-

collaborative approach

provides students with

the critically necessary

hands-on experience

to meet today’s public

health demands.”


Expertise in All Areas Our leading research translates into the improved health and well-being of populations. Drexel addresses the five core areas of public health –biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health servicesadministration and social and behavioral sciences – through fourdepartments. In addition, comprehensive research centers give facultymembers and students the opportunity to target research on specific areas of public health practice that meets students’ unique strengths and interests.

DEPARTMENT OF B IOSTAT IST ICS

AND EP IDEMIOLOGY

The department applies and developsapproaches to understanding thedistribution and determinants of disease in human populations, including thedescription, analysis and interpretation ofhealth data. Faculty research areas includeaging, biostatistical and epidemiologicmethods, cancer, cardiovascular disease,environmental disease determinants,infectious disease, neurodevelopmentaldisorders, nutrition, obesity, physicalactivity, psychiatric conditions, and socialdeterminants of disease.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY

HEALTH AND PREVENTION

The department integrates public healthwith human rights to understand andprevent disease, disability, death and healthinequities. Students are trained to identifyand analyze the political, economic,cultural, social, psychological andbiological determinants of health, and tocollaborate with communities to design,implement and evaluate preventionprograms. Department research focuses onmaternal and child health, substance abuse,LGBT health, public health ethics and usingcommunity-based participatory researchmethods to prevent child and youthproblems, HIV/AIDS, tobacco use andtobacco-related chronic diseases.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

The central theme of the department's activities is prevention, focusing on initiatives to measurably decrease the burden of environmental and occupationalhealth hazards, particularly among the disadvantaged. Research within the department focuses on airbornecontaminants, lung disease, asbestos,patient and workplace safety, injuryprevention, emergency preparedness andcounter-terrorism, and more.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

MANAGEMENT AND POL ICY

The department focuses on the leadershipand policy aspects of health care and publichealth in order to improve community andpopulation health. Students receive amultidisciplinary education in health carepractices, operating systems, finances,politics and policy analysis. They leaveprepared to assume management andpolicy roles at all levels of government andadministration. Faculty research within thedepartment focuses on urban violence andtrauma, nutrition and hunger, poverty,healthcare administration and policy, organizational structure, health disparities,the use of technology and more.

“The ability to interact

with Drexel's engaging

faculty allowed me to

not only learn the

fundamentals of public

health but also allowed

me to delve deeper

by applying these

concepts. With Drexel's

problem-based learning

method, I acquired

the necessary skills

to pursue a fulfilling

career in public

health.”

AUTISM PUBL IC HEALTH

RESEARCH INST ITUTE (APHRI)

APHRI is the nation's first autism researchcenter focused on public health science. TheInstitute’s research is intended to discoveravoidable causes of autism spectrumdisorders, develop approaches that will helpchildren with autism receive services morequickly and efficiently, and more.

BIOSTATIST ICS SERV ICE CENTER

The Biostatistics Service Center offers professional, high quality data analysis,biostatistical computing and datamanagement services on a wide range ofbiomedical and public health interests.

CENTER FOR NONVIOLENCE

AND SOCIAL JUST ICE

The Center for Nonviolence and SocialJustice was founded in the belief that ahuman society can evolve to be nonviolentand socially just. By creating sanctuary in our society, the personal, social, economic and multigenerational wounds caused bysustained exposure to violence can behealed for the public’s health and welfare. The goal of the center is to transform currentpolicies, systems and practice toward a moretrauma-informed model.

CENTER FOR PUBL IC HEALTH

READINESS & COMMUNICAT ION

Through training, research, evaluation, andinformation sharing, the Center for PublicHealth Readiness & Communication serves toenhance community resilience and the abilityof public health and healthcare professionalsand their public safety partners to meet theneeds of all communities in times of disasterand public health emergencies. Within thecenter is the school’s National ResourceCenter on Advancing EmergencyPreparedness for Culturally Diverse

Communities, which serves as aclearinghouse of resources to eliminatedisparities for culturally diverse communitiesacross all phases of an emergency.

CENTER FOR PUBL IC

HEALTH PRACT ICE

The Center for Public Health Practice is the overarching entity for research,scholarship, and strategic consulting inpublic health practice. The center serves tobring together the resources of the schoolwith public health practitioners and toengage public health organizations andacademia in partnership to improve thehealth of our communities. A major initiative ofthe CPHP is the Pennsylvania Public HealthTraining Center, operated in collaborationwith the University of Pittsburgh.

CENTER FOR HUNGER-FREE

COMMUNIT IES

The Center for Hunger-Free Communitiesworks with partners from public and private organizations, universities and thecommunity to find science-based solutions to hunger and economic insecurity; report on and monitor the health consequences ofpoverty and hunger; engage those who haveexperienced poverty as full partners indeveloping research, programs and policies that work; and establish and support opportunities for an ongoing national dialogue on poverty.

“At Drexel, students

learn and apply the

core principles of

public health directly in

the community. Living

public health is what

sets Drexel apart.”


Rewarding CareersOur graduates have established an excellent track record and serve in keypositions at hospitals, community-based organizations, governmentagencies and businesses. Other graduates have continued their doctoralstudies or have been awarded fellowships, particularly with federal agenciessuch as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The core competencies that you gain in both the full-time and ExecutiveMPH Program will enable you to respond to the current and projected futurehealth demands of the United States and the world. Recent graduatesobtained jobs in a wide range of positions and organizations, including:

• HIV/AIDS assistant program director

• Database manager, national electronicdisease surveillance for CDC

• District epidemiologist

• Epidemiology program coordinator,Merck

• Cancer center health educator

• Maternal and child health epidemiologist

• Public administration analyst, Institute for Health Policy Studies

• Geriatrics program director

• Group health co-op project manager

• Evaluation specialist, Pennsylvania Governor’s Office for Children

• Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith Scholarship,University of Glasgow, Scotland

• Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), CDC

• Medical University of South Carolina,DMD/PhD Program

• Compton Foundation/Population Reference Bureau (PRB) International Fellowship

Begin the JourneyVisit our web site at www.publichealth.drexel.edu for details about our programs, admission criteria, faculty and research, plus the schedule for our information sessions. We also can send you a packet of specific information about each program.

TO APPLY

Contact the School of Public Health.You can also apply online at www.publichealth.drexel.edu.

To apply to the full-time MPH program, submit your application through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) at www.sophas.org.


Why Choose Public Health?

Public health professionals help make safer and healthier places to live and work. Despitemany important public health interventions, new public health issues continue to emerge: the possibility of a bird-flu pandemic, post-hurricane devastation of social infrastructure,HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence, substance abuse issues and disaster preparedness.

The School of Public Health was founded with a firm belief that professionals can best meet these needs with the knowledge and application of all disciplines of public health. Our approach has forged strong educational and research programs built on synergisticpartnerships with communities and the organizations that serve them to help make adifference in the lives of vulnerable populations.

This brochure is accurate at the time of printing and is subject to change without notice.

Please refer to http://publichealth.drexel.edu for the most updated information.

The Benefits of an Accredited School of Public Health

The School of Public Health is fully-accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and a full-member of the Association of Schools of Public Health.Accreditation by CEPH attest to the high quality and integrity of our academicprograms. Students are assured of receiving a well-rounded graduate education.Accredited Schools of Public Health must provide degree programs in at least each ofthe five core public health areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health,behavioral sciences/health education, and health services administration. AccreditedSchools of Public Health must also offer at least three doctoral degrees, in addition tomaster’s degrees. This creates rich research opportunities for all students. Inaddition, a public health education at our school allows students to apply for publichealth internships and fellowships sponsored by federal agencies and offers studentassistance resources that are available only through accredited schools.

DREXEL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Bellet Building, 1505 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 • (215) 762-4110 www.publichealth.drexel.edu [email protected]

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DREXELPUBLICHEALTH

@DREXELPUBHEALTH

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/DREXELPUBLICHEALTH

Drexel University School of Public Health View Book

Documents

Transcript of Drexel University School of Public Health View Book