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MPH Program in Sexuality and Health
Sexuality plays a
major role in most people's lives. It encompasses a complex of
behaviors and meanings that are shaped by individual, social and
cultural factors. Although sexuality can be a major source of happiness
and pleasure, it is also associated with pain and distress. Major
sexual health issues threaten the uninhibited experience of sexuality.
These issues include: HIV and other STIs, sexual violence, unwanted
pregnancies, stigmatization and discrimination based on sexual
behavior/identity, and violations of sexual and reproductive autonomy.
Sexual health problems are not randomly distributed in society; some
communities and subgroups of people are more affected than others.
Sexual health promotion aims to prevent these problems and to foster
sexual desire, pleasure and fulfillment. Preventing sexual health
problems and promoting sexual well-being is a vital task for public
health. In order to develop and implement just and effective sexual
health promotion strategies, adequately trained professionals are
needed.
What
the program offers
This program is one of the first of its kind that provides public health students with the conceptual and practical skills necessary to identify, analyze and address health issues connected to sexuality within the U.S. and a broader international context. These skills include the design, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs and advocacy efforts to enhance sexual health. Program graduates will be likely to work in organizations that address sexual health, either exclusively or as part of a broader agenda. The Sexuality and Health Track is an interdepartmental program, jointly created and delivered by the Departments of Population and Family Health and of Sociomedical Sciences.
Admission
requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements applicants are expected to have worked in the field of public health for a minimum of two years prior to admission.
Learning
objectives
Graduates of the
Sexuality and Health Program will be able to:
Differentiate and
assess key frameworks for understanding sexuality, sexual health and
sexual health promotion:
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Explain the
strengths and limitations of relevant social and behavioral scientific
theories of sexuality and sexual health promotion;
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Analyze major
sexual health issues including: HIV and other STIs sexual violence,
unwanted pregnancies, stigmatization and discrimination based on sexual
behavior/identity, reproductive autonomy;
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Explain the
linkages between sexuality, gender and health, both across populations
and in minority and stigmatized communities;
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Apply ethical
and human rights perspectives to understanding sexuality and health.
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Design, implement
and evaluate strategies to promote sexual health on individual and
community levels:
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Apply the
principles from relevant theories of behavioral and structural change
to the development of strategies for sexual health promotion;
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Apply
insights gained from an understanding of the history and organization
of programs and policies in this field to the development of strategies
for sexual health promotion;
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Apply
ethical and human rights perspectives in designing and critiquing
sexual health promotion strategies. |
Administration
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is administered by the School of Public Health. The Sexuality and Health Program is administered by both the Department of Population and Family Health and the Department of Sociomedical Sciences. Students seeking to be admitted to the Sexuality and Health Program should contact Lynne Loomis-Price or Andrea Constancio, the Program Coordinators of the respective departments, when beginning the application process.
Track Requirements
The required
courses for students in the Sexuality and Health Track focus on theory,
substantive issues and practical skills. These courses, presented
below, constitute 20 of the 45 credits that students are expected to
complete for the MPH degree.
Theoretical
and Substantive Courses
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Perspectives
and theories of sexuality (3 credits)
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Overview of
sexual health issues (3 credits)
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Ethics and
human rights perspectives on sexuality and sexual health (1 credit)
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Promoting
sexual health: Theories and strategies (3 credits) |
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History of
sexual health promotion (2 credits) |
Skills
and Methods Courses
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Program design (3 credits)
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Two additional skills or methods courses (2 times 3 credits)
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Value
Clarification Workshop
Students in the
Sexuality and Health Track are expected to participate in a three day
Value Clarification Workshop, which will take place at the beginning of
the first semester.
Non-Track
Degree Requirements
The non-track
requirements for the MPH degree consist of (1) those that are the same
for students enrolled in either Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) or
Population and Family Health (PFH), and (2) those that are
department-specific.
Common
Requirements
All MPH students
are required to take the five School of Public Health core courses.
Students also have to successfully complete the Medical Background Exam
and a Good Clinical Practices Certificate Exam.
Department of
Population and Family Health Requirements
Students enrolled
in PFH are required to take one additional skills course. They also are
required to complete a 140-hour project-based practicum, and the
practicum seminar, and to write a comprehensive capstone paper, which
integrates these experiences.
Department of
Sociomedical Sciences Requirements
Students enrolled
in SMS are required to take one additional SMS core course. They also
are required to complete a 280-hour practicum and a master’s
integrative project.
Which
department do you apply to?
The Sexuality and
Health Track is an interdepartmental program between the Department of
Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) and the Department of Population and Family
Health (PFH). It is important to note that if you register for the
track through PHF, you will receive a Masters of Public Health in
Population and Family Health. If you register through SMS, your will
receive a Masters of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences.
Both Departments have a special background and provide somewhat diverging student, faculty, and professional networks. As a consequence, the two degrees could open different doors for you. The Department of Population and Family Health has a strong focus on reproductive health and on the health of adolescents and children. The Department of Sociomedical Sciences covers a broader range of public health issues, including aging, homelessness, and violence prevention. Both departments provide excellent and diverse student, faculty, and professional networks. While both departments focus on research, theory and programs, PFH’s focus is more programmatic whereas the focus of SMS is more theoretical.
Regardless of the
department through which you enroll, you will be informed about and
have access to the special activities of both departments. Because each
department limits the number of people that can register for this
track, if one department has no more openings, you will be referred to
the other department. The track requirements are very similar whichever
department you enroll in. There are a few requirements, though, that
are specific to each department (see above).
If you are having difficulty determining which department to apply to, please contact Lynne Loomis-Price or Andrea Constancio , the Program Coordinators of PFH and SMS, respectively.
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