In the Ethics for Leaders course students will compare and contrast ethical frameworks, stakeholder relationships, and social responsibility in decision making, risk management, and corporate governance. Students will exercise critical thinking, consider the elements of ethical decision making, analyze current and emerging ethical issues in the business environment, appraise the role of values, morals of relevant stakeholders through advanced readings, analysis and presentation of alternative outcomes based on and case studies form current business and organizational contexts. Students will demonstrate values based leadership through advanced readings, experientia l exercises, the examination of case studies, and presentation of analysis and negotiated resolutions.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Student must have completed a minimum of 21 graduate credits.

In this course students determine the appropriate roles a health practitioner might adopt to promote an individual or community's health care experience and to improve health outcomes. In an increasingly complex healthcare market and range of treatments it is important for the health care advocate to be able to assess a patient's diagnosis, risks, needs, and recommended treatment to direct individuals or communities to the best experiences and outcomes. This is critically important for minority, disadvantaged, or special populations who are often unaware of the severity of their conditions and potential health outcomes. Students demonstrate the ability to inform and educate individuals or communities of their health status, treatm ent plan s, access to quality care, community health services, and to advocate to insurance systems and health institutions in an ethical and caring manner to improve health outcomes and social inequalities.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Students engage in examining the relationships between behavior, choice, good health, and an improved quality of life for populations experiencing health disparities. Students will evaluate health behavior change models and theories for their application to behavior change and improving quality of life. Behavior change is essential to improving the health and quality of life for individuals and communities, especially for those who are experiencing health disparities. Unhealthy behavior and lifestyle choices effect much of the chronic ill health of the U.S. population. Health behavior intervention plays a key role in preventative health care. Chronic ill health is influenced by socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors leading to a grea ter heal th disparity for populations, which lack access or are disadvantaged due to social inequalities. Students conduct a needs assessment for a chronic health issue effecting individuals or communities experiencing health disparities, determine an effective health behavior model or theory and a working hypothesis, and develop a behavioral change program (method/intervention) to impact the quality of care and quality of life for populations effected by health disparities.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

This course explores quantitative research methodologies utilized for observation and data collection, including analysis and interpretation of collected data. This course provides an exploration of research concepts, literature review, research methods, designs, data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques. This course focuses on the analysis and interpretation of collected data in quantitative research approaches. Students will have the opportunity to explore the selection of appropriate statistical tests, analyze an existing data set, and gain experience in the use of the computer for data analysis associated with quantitative analyses. This course is designed to provide graduate students with the skills necessary to evaluate the relationship between practice and published research. This course provides opportunities to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based research project. Each student will develop and evaluate a plan for the translation of the research into their practice. (3 credits)

This course explores qualitative and outcomes research methodologies. Students interpret findings and learn how to critically appraise the evidence and its impact on practice with a focus on evaluation methods, epidemiology, and economic theory. This course provides opportunities to integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, cultural preferences, and research to improve health care practice and outcomes. The student will conduct efficient literature reviews and evaluate the quality of that research through the appraisal of research design, methodology, and data analysis. This course focuses on the analysis and interpretation of collected data in qualitative and outcomes research approaches. Students will have the opportunity to explore the analysis process of data gathered in qualitative and outcome research methodologies, the selection of appropriate statistical tests, analyze an existing data set, and gain experience in the use of the computer for data analysis associated with qualitative analyses. (3 credits)

Students demonstrate competency attainment through an applied practice experience. The experience is one that is mutually beneficial to the student and the community partner. The practicum experience is planned and negotiated for students to demonstrate attainment of at least five competencies, three of which address foundational competencies of evidence-based approaches to public health, knowledge of public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, public health policy, leadership, communication, interprofessional public health practice, or systems thinking. The practicum requires a student to complete 100 hours at an approved community site. The student?s capstone project should be derived from the practicum experience.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Completed 24 MPH credits

This is a culminating course in which students complete an integrative learning experience (ILE) that demonstrates synthesis of at least five foundational and concentration competencies that align with the student?s educational and professional goals. Students complete a final community-based project in which the student synthesize at least five competencies, three of which address foundational competencies of evidence-based approaches to public health, knowledge of public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, public health policy, leadership, communication, interprofessional public health practice, or systems thinking. Students present their final project in a professional forum at the end of the semester. Students must pass the course with a B or better to graduate from the program. This course is required of all students in the program.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Completed 24 MPH credits

Building on a foundation of normal physiology, students are exposed to the major disturbances of normal function and the basic mechanisms involved in disease of the major organ systems. The course includes discussion of the general aspects of the common human pathophysiological conditions and syndromes. This course focuses on the integration of general physiological principles that apply across the lifespan. Content relative to each life state is integrated with each topical area. Physical manifestations are correlated with pathological inferences. Emphasis is given to recognizing changes in client status, interpreting physiological data, and using this information for primary care. This course also focuses on the study of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs prescribed across the lifespan. Classifications of pharmaceuticals are examined in relation to indication for use and evidence of efficacy. This course is designed to build on prior pharmacologic study of actions and effects of drugs on the human system across the life span. Students will study pharmacologic mechanisms of action, effects on organ systems, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic uses, considerations related to age and physiologic state, adverse reactions, contraindications, and drop interactions. The legalities and regulations concerning prescription writing privileges are addressed so as to lay the foundation for the knowledge and skills to manage pharmacotherapeutics.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None

This course enables students to develop advanced clinical assessment skills and diagnostic skills appropriate for an advanced practice nursing graduate. Emphasis is placed on pathological disease-related findings and physical changes encountered throughout the life cycle. Students gain expertise in data collections, hypothesis formulation, and decision-making through practice in the laboratory setting. Participants develop, practice, and differentiate interviewing techniques and physical assessment of children, adults, and elderly patients. The process of developing evidence-based differential diagnosis using case studies is introduced. The course includes didactic presentations, technology-enhanced instruction, and laboratory practice. Students are expected to participate in laboratory sessions as examiners and examinees. Respect for privacy and cultural sensitivity is emphasized. This course is designed to introduce the experienced clinical nurse to diagnostic reasoning, advanced clinical history taking, and physical assessment for individuals/families across the life span. Course content focuses on the concepts, theory and practice related to obtaining comprehensive health histories for patients of all ages and states of health.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None

Models and theories as they relate to education and practice and theoretical and ethical foundational necessary for teaching in various settings: classroom, clinical and college laboratories, and health care agencies will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings. This course also examines the nature and function of educational theories basic to the design and implementation of curriculum, teaching, and learning experiences with a focus on models, strategies and skills that apply to teaching.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None

This course explores quantitative research methodologies utilized for observation and data collection, including analysis and interpretation of collected data. This course provides an exploration of research concepts, literature review, research methods, designs, data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques. This course focuses on the analysis and interpretation of collected data in quantitative research approaches. Students will have the opportunity to explore the selection of appropriate statistical tests, analyze an existing data set, and gain experience in the use of the computer for data analysis associated with quantitative analyses. This course is designed to provide graduate students with the skills necessary to evaluate the relationship between practice and published research. This course provides opportunities to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based research project. Each student will develop and evaluate a plan for the translation of the research into their practice. (3 credits)

This course introduces theoretical and practice components of healthcare informatics for the graduate level student, designed to provide an in-depth introduction to information systems and technologies that support practice and improve patient care and outcomes. Development of information management and technology skills will be incorporated throughout the course. Content is directed toward assisting the student in understanding the relationship between patient care and complex information and data issues involved in clinical practice. Computer systems will be analyzed. The systems life cycle will be explored. Health care data standards, classification schemes, and the electronic health record (EHR) will be introduced. Students will evaluate informatics as it applies to patient safety, outcomes measurement, complex decision-making, consumer use, and legal and ethical issues.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None

This course explores qualitative and outcomes research methodologies. Students interpret findings and learn how to critically appraise the evidence and its impact on practice with a focus on evaluation methods, epidemiology, and economic theory. This course provides opportunities to integrate theory, evidence, clinical judgment, cultural preferences, and research to improve health care practice and outcomes. The student will conduct efficient literature reviews and evaluate the quality of that research through the appraisal of research design, methodology, and data analysis. This course focuses on the analysis and interpretation of collected data in qualitative and outcomes research approaches. Students will have the opportunity to explore the analysis process of data gathered in qualitative and outcome research methodologies, the selection of appropriate statistical tests, analyze an existing data set, and gain experience in the use of the computer for data analysis associated with qualitative analyses. (3 credits)

Examines the evolution, structure, and function of the U.S. health care system. Explores historic forces that have shaped contemporary health policy, and the manner in which governance, economic, and socio-cultural forces influence health policy and subsequent health services delivery. Consideration is given to the effect that evolving health policy initiatives may have on health care delivery in the future. Formerly ADM 522 Health Care: Delivery Systems, Policies, and Procedures.
3 credits