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Overview

The Arnold School of Public Health was established by legislative action in 1974 and was fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2001. The school has as its major mission the improvement of public health status by preventing health hazards and by promoting improved health services through its education, research, and service programs. The school is mandated to improve environmental quality, to strengthen health promotion and disease control efforts, and to improve health service delivery.

An integral part of the training of students at the school is participation in research activities. Since the state is experiencing rapid demographic and industrial changes, health problems range from those of a traditional rural setting (infectious diseases, infant mortality, access to health care) to those of a modern industrial setting (impact of new industries on air and water quality and the safety of the workplace). The school has been committed to "action research" since its inception. The importance of dealing with operating programs and defined problems has led to close working relationships with human service programs, health care facilities, and governmental agencies throughout the state and region.

The Arnold School of Public Health is divided into the Departments of Health Services Policy and Management; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental Health Sciences; Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; Communication Sciences and Disorders; and Exercise Science. The school also contains the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

Degrees Offered

The Arnold School of Public Health offers programs of study leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Master of Public Health in Public Health-General (M.P.H. in P.H.-G.), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (M.P.H. in P.A./P.H.), Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.), and Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.). The Department of Exercise Science offers the Ph.D., Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.), and Master of Science degree programs; the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers study that leads to the Master of Speech Pathology, Master of Communication Disorders, and Doctor of Philosophy.

A Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health dual degree (M.S.N./M.P.H.) is offered in cooperation with the College of Nursing. A Master of Social Work/M.P.H. dual degree is offered in cooperation with the College of Social Work. A Doctor of Medicine/M.P.H. dual degree is offered in cooperation with the School of Medicine. The Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior also offers the Master of Science in Health Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Doctor of Education degrees. The latter two degrees are in cooperation with the College of Education. Certificates of School Health Education and Alcohol and Drug Studies are also administered by the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. The Arnold School of Public Health participates in the University's Gerontology Certificate Program.

For information on admission policies, curricula, and degrees offered, please consult the listings below for individual departments or find us on the Web at www.sph.sc.edu.

Readmission policy for all departments is as follows: Arnold School of Public Health students who fail to enroll in a course for 24 consecutive months must apply for readmission to The Graduate School. If a student is accepted after applying for readmission, the academic rules and standards in effect at the time of readmission will supersede those in effect at the time of initial admission.

Admission Requirements

General. Requirements for admission conform to the general regulations of The Graduate School of the University of South Carolina including satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination. In addition, applicants must submit an official transcript of their entire academic record, evidence of academic performance at a B or better level, and a brief statement of professional goals and objectives.

Master's Degrees. The foregoing general admission requirements apply to all master's programs in the Arnold School of Public Health and constitute a minimum baseline status. Applicants to the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General program must also have a professional doctoral degree from an accredited university and may submit MCAT or DAT scores in place of scores on the Graduate Record Exam. Applicants to the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health dual degree program must also be accepted by both programs. Applicants for the Master of Science degree in exercise science must have an earned baccalaureate degree in exercise science or a related discipline from an accredited institution. For detailed degree and program requirements, refer to the specific program and department of interest.

Doctoral Degrees. The general admission requirements apply to all doctoral programs in the Arnold School of Public Health. Additional requirements are listed below. For detailed degree and program requirements, refer to the specific doctoral program and department of interest.

Ph.D. Degree. Applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Environmental Health Science; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; and Health Administration should have a master's degree and a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 in the major field. Applicants requesting admission to the foregoing programs who hold a degree in a field other than public health are expected to have taken the core courses required for the M.S.P.H. degree or their equivalent. A student without a master's degree may be admitted to these programs with the approval of the department; however, additional course work may be required. Applicants requesting admission to the Ph.D. degree in exercise science must have a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related discipline from an accredited institution. A master's degree is preferred but not required. Also, a personal interview with the departmental admissions committee is recommended. Applicants for the Ph.D. program in communication sciences and disorders must have a master's degree in either speech pathology or a related area.

Dr.P.H. Degree. Applicants to the Dr.P.H. program should have a master's degree and a minimum of three years of experience in a health-related field and/or a related professional degree, e.g., M.D., D.D.S., M.N., M.P.H., or equivalent.

D.P.T. Degree. Applicants to the D.P.T. must have an earned baccalaureate degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution; all applications are formally reviewed by a faculty committee and candidates approved by the graduate director of the Department of Exercise Science.

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Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Cheryl L. Addy, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Overview

Administration of the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General (M.P.H. in P.H.-G.), Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (M.P.H. in P.A./P.H.), and the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.) degree programs are housed in the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Committees for the above programs make decisions regarding policy, procedures, admission criteria, and other matters concerning program implementation. Additional information regarding the M.P.H. in P.H.-G. and M.D./M.P.H. organization and management is available in the program handbooks. Copies are available through the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Program Admission Requirements

Master of Public Health in Public Health-General (M.P.H. in P.H.-G.). Applicants for the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General, must meet the general requirements of the University of South Carolina Graduate School. Applicants must have a professional doctoral degree from an accredited university. MCAT, DAT, GRE, or other equivalent test scores are required for all applicants.

International applicants to the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General program are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in order to meet admission requirements. Applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the University of Cambridge's IELTS Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 230 (computer-based) or 570 (paper-based), but many programs have set higher requirements. The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IELTS Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.

Applicants must include an official transcript from each school or college previously attended (all prior post-secondary school study must be represented). In addition, there must be at least three letters of recommendation and a detailed written statement indicating the applicant's area of interest and career goals, along with a current and complete resume.

Application deadlines for the M.P.H. in P.H.-G. and M.P.H. in P.A./P.H. degree programs are March 1 for both summer and fall semesters and October 1 for the spring semester.

Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of a representative from each department within the School of Public Health.

Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (M.P.H. in P.A./P.H.). Applicants to the M.P.H. in P.A./P.H. must meet the general requirements of the University of South Carolina Graduate School. Applicants must also have completed an undergraduate program with appropriate preparation in the field in which graduate work is to be undertaken. A demonstration of a broad educational background reinforced with public health interests and experiences in physical activity must be included.

Other requirements include:

• graduated with a rank in the upper half of the class (GPA>3.00)
• acceptable GRE score of at least 900, combined verbal and quantitative sections (the 2002-03 incoming class averaged 465 on the verbal section and 558 on the quantitative section)
• an official transcript from each school or college previously attended (all prior postsecondary school study must be represented)
• a minimum of three letters of recommendation
• a detailed written statement describing the area of interest and specific career goals.

Admission applications are reviewed by a faculty committee with representatives from exercise science; epidemiology; health promotion, education, and behavior; the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention; and the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.). To be admitted to the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health dual degree program, potential students must make application to and be accepted by both degree programs prior to matriculation. Therefore, applicants for the Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health must meet all entrance requirements for the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in the USC School of Medicine and the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General in the School of Public Health.

All academic requirements for the University of South Carolina Graduate School, School of Medicine, and the Arnold School of Public Health are applicable to students applying to the dual degree program. For admission requirements for the Doctor of Medicine degree program, please contact the USC School of Medicine. Degree requirements for the Master of Public Health in Public Health-General are described above.

Any student holding the M.D. or M.P.H. in P.H.-G. degree or who is currently enrolled in the M.D. or M.P.H. in P.H.-G. programs is not eligible for admission to the dual degree program.

Programs Overview

Master of Public Health in Public Health-General (M.P.H. in P.H.-G.)

The M.P.H. in P.H.-G. degree provides professionals (with a doctoral degree such as M.D., D.D.S., D.M.D., J.D., D.V.M., or D.Eng.) the academic experiences to understand and appreciate the broad range of public health issues. Combined with the understanding of the basic principles of public health is the opportunity to acquire competencies in more specialized areas. Participants may choose courses from seven disciplines: biostatistics, communication sciences and disorders, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, exercise science, health administration, and health promotion, education, and behavior.

Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (M.P.H. in P.A./P.H.)

The Arnold School of Public Health offers the M.P.H. in P.A./P.H. for health professionals who have a career interest in physical activity. The purpose of the program is to provide students with opportunities to study issues germane to physical activity and public health, acquire appropriate background knowledge and experience in an epidemiological approach to public health problems as they relate to physical activity, and develop skills integral to the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs that are intended to promote increased physical activity in populations.

The M.P.H. in P.A./P.H. is also designed for professionals working in physical activity programs within community or governmental settings. These settings may be city, county, or state health departments, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health maintenance organizations, medical clinics, etc. The degree offers physicians and Ph.D. research scientists an opportunity to learn about public health applications for physical activity.

Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.)

The M.D./M.P.H. degree is designed for future physicians who want to prepare for meeting the challenges of managed care, practicing evidence-based medicine, ensuring effective preventive medicine for their patients, and administering medical offices and/or, community, state, and federal health organizations. Students in the dual degree program must complete the total program in six academic years.

Program Requirements for Degree Programs

Curriculum requirements for degrees housed in the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs are listed below.

Master of Public Health in Public Health-General (M.P.H. in P.H.-G.) (38 hours)

Public Health Core Courses (15 hours)
Practicum in Public Health Discipline (6 hours)
Special Interest in Public Health (9 hours)*
Electives (8 hours)*
Comprehensive exam
*Hours vary by department

Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (45 hours)

Public Health Core Courses (15 hours)
Physical Activity Core (18 hours, including 6 hours of public health practice)
Area of Emphasis (12 hours)
Comprehensive examination

Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health (M.D./M.P.H.) (38 hours)

Public Health Core (15 hours)
Practicum in Public Health Discipline (6 hours)
Special Interest in Public Health (9 hours)*
Electives (8 hours)*
Comprehensive exam
Requirements for the M.D. degree (see USC School of Medicine Bulletin)
*Hours vary by department

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Course Descriptions

Public Health (PUBH)

• 710 -- Ethics and the Health Sciences. {=DMED 620, =PHIL 710, =NURS 794, =SOWK 753} (1-4) Students are introduced to formal and informal codes of professional conduct of various health science disciplines and understand the implications of these distinctions for interdisciplinary research, clinical practice, and administration.
• 798 -- Public Health Practice. (1-6) (Prereq: BIOS 700 or 701 and EPID 700 or 701 and EXSC 700) Limited work experience or service project in an approved public health setting relating to physical activity.