History
The School of Rural Public Health (SRPH)—the first of its kind in the
nation—targets the unique health needs of rural populations. The school
focuses on improving the health of communities with emphasis on rural
and underserved populations through education, research, service and
creative partnerships. SRPH engages in activities that target major
health issues, develops effective strategies for prevention and
intervention, provides analytical efforts to show that specific
strategies can improve quality of life and yields policy to improve
health care systems.
The school offers five graduate degrees and a certificate program. Students earn a master of public health degree concentrated in one of six areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, social and behavioral health, environmental and occupational health, or community public health management. The master of science in public health is offered with a concentration in one of five areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, social and behavioral health, or environmental and occupational health. SRPH also offers master of health administration, doctor of philosophy in health services research, and doctor of public health degrees. Students in the Dr.P.H. program will choose a concentration in epidemiology (with an emphasis in environmental health) or a concentration in social and behavioral health. Students also spend a semester of educational experience in a rural public health setting. The Rural Public Health Certificate is the first to be offered in the U.S. specifically related to rural public health issues.
The school's research portfolio has increased over 200-fold the last four years and boasts several national and federal program offices. Research focuses on key issues, including the evaluation of nursing home services and long term care, effectiveness and efficiency of rural health systems, breast cancer epidemiology, environmental health issues, and high-risk behaviors. SRPH is home to the Southwest Rural Health Research Center, one of only six in the nation. This center fosters research to assist legislators and policy makers on priority rural health issues. A number of outreach programs work closely with communities to strengthen and build their capacity to improve local health status.
