MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Master of Public Health in Adolescent Health
In January 2001, Case Western Reserve University
began offering what is believed to be the country's first adolescent
health concentration in a master of public health (M.P.H.) degree
program, as well as a certificate program in adolescent health.
The Center for Adolescent Health, which is housed in Case Western
Reserve University's School
of Medicine will coordinate both programs.
Case's M.P.H. program was
the first in Northeast Ohio and the third in the state when the
University began offering it in 1999. The M.P.H. degree is designed
to prepare students to address the broad mission of public health,
defined as "enhancing health in human populations, through organized
community effort."
Through the new track, students will be able to develop expertise in public health issues related to adolescents. The program will provide opportunities for participants to network with others interested in the well-being of adolescents and will capitalize on and strengthen the ties already existing through the center's more than 100 affiliated agencies and programs.
The M.P.H. program's adolescent health concentration is a 36-hour program culminating in a nine-credit field placement carried out over one to three semesters. Students can complete the program in two years on a full-time basis or five years on a part-time basis. Applicants must already possess an undergraduate degree and must have taken the Graduate Record Exam.
In addition to the new adolescent health track, the program also has tracks in health services research, urban health, health care policy and administration, health promotion/disease prevention, biostatistics, and epidemiology. The opportunity exists to also create a dual track focus with adolescent health.
The certificate program is a
12-month non-degree program featuring three concentration courses
and a six-credit internship. Applicants must either already
hold an undergraduate degree or have substantial experience
working with adolescents. Students may be able to apply course
credits completed for the certificate to other degree programs.
Classes meet in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate
the schedules of working professionals.
Three new courses specific to adolescent health are offered: Adolescent Development; Legal, Ethical and Policy Implications; and Evaluation and Research.
Ellen Rome, M.D. who teaches the Adolescent Development class, is a 1988 graduate of CWRU's School of Medicine and holds a Masters of Public Health. She is certified in adolescent medicine and is currently the Director of Adolescent Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
For general information about the M.P.H. program visit the M.P.H. website at www.casemph.org
