Curriculum

Concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice

Health Equity and Social Justice Concentration

The Health Equity and Social Justice Concentration addresses the evaluation and implementation of programs and policies that promote health equity and well-being among disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The curriculum emphasizes training in conceptual and methodological aspects of promoting health equity and social justice. Students will complete courses in health equity that cover relevant concepts and frameworks, methods and approaches, implementation and evaluation of programs, and policies and practices.

Through the concentration students learn about innovative epidemiological, social and behavioral tools to assess population health and influences upon it, and students acquire skills relevant to the design, implementation and evaluation of health programs designed to benefit the poor and marginalized groups, including the development and management of intersectoral partnerships.

This concentra­tion is well suited to those seeking leadership positions in agencies concerned with plan­ning and implementing projects designed to meet public health needs.

Concentration Directors

The DrPH Health Equity and Social Justice concentration directors are:

Please click their links to learn more about their research interests, departmental and center or institute affiliations, and contact information.

Concentration Competencies

1. Critically evaluate issues relating to health equity and social justice in analysis of public health programs and policies.
2. Apply theoretical frameworks to identify social determinants of health that promote or compromise health equity and health disparities in disadvantaged groups.
3. Apply methods to measure social determinants of health and their relation to health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
4. Apply social justice principles to inform strategies and policies to promote health equity in communities.
5. Evaluate the implementation and sustainability of health programs at the interpersonal, intrapersonal, organizational, social/environmental, and political levels.

Concentration Curriculum

Students are expected to complete a minimum of 27 credits of concentration-specific courses. These courses broadly address pedagogy under the following categories:

  1. Concepts, philosophical bases and methodological issues in HESJ
  2. Design and implementation of interventions (programs, policies and practice) for addressing HESJ issues
  3. Research and evaluation methods applicable for HESJ
  4. Conceptual and philosophical basis electives for HESJ

*Courses taken to fulfill foundational requirements may not be applied to fulfill concentration requirements.