DISPUT 501 Human Factors in Conflict Management
1 cr
DISPUT 502 Negotiation Theory / Practice
1 cr
DISPUT 503 Conflict Intervention Methods
1 cr
ECON 440G Health Economics
3 cr
MHLTHSCI 522 Management for Health Professionals
3 cr
MHLTHSCI 525 Leadership for Health Professionals
3 cr
In addition, students need 6 credits of thesis or project or 9 credits of elective course work.
6-9 cr
TOTAL
36-39 cr
The Health Services Leadership emphasis area has been created to help leaders in the public health field, or students interested in leadership positions in public health, master many of the skills conducive to success in their work. Much like the Health Policy emphasis area, the Health Services Leadership emphasis area is highly interdisciplinary; students in this area take courses taught by experienced faculty in a number of academic departments, including Dispute Resolution, Economics, and Health Science. The curriculum in this area is developed to broadly train health services leaders to successfully address issues related to interpersonal dynamics in the workplace, the economics of health care delivery system, and key principles of leadership and management. Interpersonal dynamics, particularly as they relate to conflict management in health-related organizations, are explicitly addressed in the three one-credit course sequence offered by the Dispute Resolution Program; these courses include Human Factors in Conflict Resolution (DISPUT 501), Negotiation Theory and Practice (DISPUT 502), and Conflict Intervention Methods (DISPUT 503). Health Economics (ECON 440G) focuses on economics and ethics in the health care delivery system, and addresses the health leader’s role in affecting these issues. Management for Health Professionals (MHLTHSCI 522) and Leadership for Health Professionals (MHLTHSCI 525) both focus explicitly on the development of skills needed by the health services leader, with the management course concentrating primarily on management strategies (for program planning, staff development, ect.), and the Leadership course concentrating more heavily on the role of the leader in accomplishing organizational goals.
MHLTHSCI 550 Current Issues in Health Policy
3 cr
MHLTHSCI 570 Health Promotion
3 cr
PSYC 438G Community Psychology
3 cr
Select 3 credits from the following:
MHLTHSCI 529 Marketing for Health Professionals
3 cr
MHLTHSCI 572 Grant Writing
3 cr
PSYC 331G Psychology of Health
3 cr
PUBADM 504 Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
3 cr
SOC 502 Qualitative Social Research Methods
3 cr
In addition, students need 6 credits of thesis or project or 9 credits of elective course work.
6-9 cr
TOTAL
36-39 cr
The Health Promotion emphasis area includes a number of courses and experiential opportunities designed to broadly train experts to promote health in various sectors of public life. Emphasis is placed on preventing disease and disability in healthy populations, and encouraging healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices. Health promotion professionals are employed in a variety of settings, including schools, fitness and wellness centers, nursing homes, and a number of public and non-profit service agencies, and address important health issues such as nutrition, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, and substance use, and health care utilization. The courses in this emphasis area prepare students to work in these settings and to address these issues. Current Issues in Health Policy (MHLTHSCI 550) addresses a variety of issues related to health promotion, and particularly focuses on the health care system in terms of access to and quality of health care. Health Promotion (MHLTHSCI 570) focuses on the development and implementation of programs designed to improve public health across a variety of dimensions, including nutrition, exercise, and substance use and abuse. Community Psychology (PSYC 438G) addresses mental health promotion, focusing particularly on preventing the development of mental health problems through community interventions. Students completing an emphasis in Health Promotion are also allowed to select one of several courses that enable them to tailor their education to the type of work they would like to do in the future. These courses include: Marketing for Health Professionals (MHLTHSCI 529), which is particularly valuable for those who plan to work in education or health communication; Grant Writing (MHLTHSCI 572), which helps prepare professionals to solicit external funding for health-related programs and research; the Psychology of Health (PSYC 331G), which broadly addresses psychological mechanisms involved in health-related behavior change; Public Budgeting and Financial Administration (PUBADM 504), which is particularly suited for professionals who will manage publicly-funded health programs; and Qualitative Social Research Methods (SOC 502), which will enhance the training of those who plan to engage in health promotion research.
PUBADM 500 Administration in the Public Sector
3 cr
PUBADM 501 Public Policy Analysis
3 cr
PUBADM 502 Organization Theory
3 cr
ECON 440G Health Economics
3 cr
MHLTHSCI 550 Current Issues in Health Policy
3 cr
In addition, students need 4 credits of thesis or project or 6 credits of elective course work.
4-6 cr
TOTAL
37-39 cr
The Health Policy emphasis area is a particularly interdisciplinary area of the MHS program. Intended to broadly train health advocates to work in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, this emphasis area features courses taught by faculty in the Master of Public Administration program, as well as faculty in Economics and Health Sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum in this emphasis area ensures that students will develop an excellent understanding not only of mainstream public health concepts, but also of how to influence policymaking decisions on a number of levels. Administration in the Public Sector (PUBADM 500) provides a strong overview of important issues in public administration, and Public Policy Process (PUBADM 501) focuses on how decisions and policies are made within governmental and other institutions. Organization Theory (PUBADM 502) focuses on theories of organizational behavior and management in the public and non-profit organizations, and Health Economics (ECON 440G) addresses economics and ethics in the health care delivery system. Current Issues in Health Policy (MHLTHSCI 550) provides the explicit link to public health, with its focus on access to and quality of health care in the public sector.
Applicants who wish to complete a MHS degree with an emphasis in Health Policy must be approved by both the MHS program director and the director of the Master of Public Administration program.
The interdisciplinary curriculum and other training experiences in the Health Policy emphasis area prepare graduates to effectively work in numerous settings, particularly in the public and non-profit sectors. A list of organizations that past graduates have worked for, or are qualified to work for, include:
Blue Cross
Coram Healthcare
Focus Bio-Inova, Inc.
Healthwise, Inc.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Primary Care Health Clinic
Southwest District Health Department
St. Alphonsus and St. Luke’s Hospitals
Veteran Administration Medical Center
The General Health Research emphasis of the MHS program is intended to train experts in the assessment of factors related to the health of communities and their residents, as well as the effectiveness of programs and services designed to improve public health. Public health researchers are constantly tasked with identifying risk factors associated with disease, disability, and infection, as well as with developing scientifically-supported programs and services to improve health and well-being; the coursework in the General Health Research emphasis area is designed to train such researchers for success in these endeavors. Advanced Social Statistics (SOC 500) and Qualitative Social Research Methods (SOC 502) together provide students with an excellent understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistics, and particularly an understanding of how statistical methods can be employed to assess and evaluate threats to public health. Risk Management in the Health Sciences (MHLTHSCI 560) focuses on how threats to public health can be minimized, and includes evaluation of pertinent research on this topic. Health Promotion (MHLTHSCI 570) addresses public health interventions across a variety of domains, and includes coverage of contemporary research in this area.
Students who earn a masters degree with an emphasis in General Health Research are trained to work in a variety of settings, including consulting agencies, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local government entities. A list of organizations that past graduates have worked for, or are qualified to work for, include:
Blue Cross
Central District Health Department
Clearwater Research
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Hospital Association
Regence Blue Shield
St. Alphonsus and St. Luke’s Hospitals
Various universities, including Boise State University
The Environmental Health emphasis area of the MHS program is intended to train experts in the assessment of natural and created resources that affect public health. These resources include the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink, as well as our workplaces and municipal services. Advanced Environmental Health (MHLTHSCI 510) gives an excellent overview of important issues in environmental health, including coverage of food and water quality protection, hazardous waste management, and decision-making models to promote effective management. Risk Management in the Health Sciences (MHLTHSCI 560) addresses the variety of mechanisms through which health professionals minimize vulnerabilities and potential hazards, and Environmental Regulatory Policy and Administration (PUBADM 541) focuses on the organizations and policies that affect natural resource administration and use. Health Promotion (MHLTHSCI 570) introduces students to a discussion of implementation and evaluation of public health programs across a variety of domains, including environmental health, and Science, Democracy, and Environment (PUBADM 542) focuses explicitly on environmental politics and policy. Students completing an Environmental Health emphasis also choose one additional three-credit elective course related to their area of study.
Students applying to the MHS program with an emphasis in Environmental Health are expected to have a strong background in natural science, usually with a B.S. degree in Environmental Health, Biology, or Chemistry. To determine whether they have taken sufficient natural science coursework prior to applying, students should contact the Graduate Program Director.
Students who earn a masters degree with an emphasis in environmental health are trained to work in a variety of settings, including private industry, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local government entities. A list of organizations that past graduates have worked for, or are qualified to work for, include:
Ada County Highway Department
Ada County Landfill
Boise State University Campus Environmental Health
Centra Consulting, Inc.
Central District Health Department
Eastern Idaho Health Department
Friends of Children and Families Head Start
Gem County Mosquito Abatement
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Motive Power
Rocky Mountain Environmental Consultants
Sorrento Lactalis
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Peace Corps
U.S. Public Health Service
The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science Studies provides a curriculum for students who wish to gain an education in health science studies as a foundation for additional professional or graduate work in several health science professions, including medicine, dentistry, hospital administration, occupational therapy, and physical therapy (see Pre-Professional Studies for additional information). Employment with public health agencies or institutions is also an option. All students are encouraged to work closely with an advisor in the Department of Community and Environmental Health to ensure that the courses they take will meet degree requirements and career goals. The Health Science Studies Program also incorporates the Addictions Studies minor and course work to become a Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselors (CADC) through the Idaho Board for Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC).
Course RequirementsCourse Number and Title Credits
ENGL 101, 102 English Composition 6
Area I - List of approved courses (See an advisor to help select appropriate courses)
Area I core course in one field
Area I core course in second field
Area I core course in third field
Area I core course in any field 3
Area II - List of approved courses (See an advisor to help select appropriate courses)
Area II core course in one field
Area II core course in a second field
Area II core course in a third field
Area II core course in any field
(Strongly recommended: PSYC 101, SOC 101, COMM 101) 3
Area III
CHEM 101, 101L-102, 102L Essentials of Chemistry OR
CHEM 111, 111L-112, 112L General Chemistry I and II with Labs 8-9
MATH 147 Precalculus OR
MATH 143 College Algebra OR
MATH 160 Survey of Calculus 3-5
BIOL 191-192 General Biology I-II OR
BIOL 227-228 Human Anatomy and Physiology 8
HLTHST 202 Health Delivery Systems
HLTHST 207 Nutrition
HLTHST 314 Health Law and Ethics
HLTHST 480 Epidemiology
HLTHST 482 Research Methods in the Health Sciences 3
Health science courses (4 courses from the following)
HLTHST 101 Medical Terminology
HLTHST 109 Drugs: Use and Abuse
HLTHST 300 Pathophysiology
HLTHST 304 Public Health
HLTHST 306 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics
HLTHST 410 Health and Aging
HLTHST 431 Quality Issues in Health Care
HLTHST 448 Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals 12-13
Statistics course chosen from:
HLTHST 380 Statistical Methods for Health Sciences OR
MATH 254 Applied Statistics with Computers OR
PSYC 295 Statistical Methods OR
SOC 310 Elementary Social Statistics 3-4
Emphasis — select one: general health science or science
Students should consider completing a formal minor to fulfill part of an emphasis
General Health Emphasis
ACCT 205 Introduction to Financial Accounting
ACCT 206 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
BIOL 205 Introductory Microbiology
BIOL 300 Biology of Aging
CHEM 307-308, 309-310 Organic Chemistry and Lab OR
CHEM 301-302 Survey of Organic Chemistry
COMM 356 Communication in the Small Group
ECON or POLS 310 Public Finance
ECON 440 Health Economics
ENGL 202 Technical Communication
GENBUS 202 The Legal Environment of Business
HLTHINFO 120 Introduction to Computers in Health Science
HLTHST 220 Cardiopulmonary Renal Physiology
HLTHST 340 Adolescent Mental Health
HLTHST 432 Critical Review of Health Care Research
HLTHST 433 Death and Dying: A Modern Conundrum
HLTHST 434 Healthcare Bioethics
HLTHST 444 Addiction and the Family System
HLTHST 464 Screening & Assessment of Alcohol & Drug Problems
HLTHST 465 Assessment of Alcohol and Drug Problems
HLTHST 466 Complementary Medicine
HLTHST 493 Internship
HLTHST 498 Senior Seminar
MATH 170 Calculus I
MGMT 301 Leadership Skills
MGMT-HR 305 Human Resource Management
MKTG 301 Principles of Marketing
KINES 270, 271 Applied Anatomy and Lab
KINES 330, 331 Exercise Physiology and Lab
KINES 370, 371 Biomechanics and Lab
KINES 442 Consumer Health
PHYS 111-112 General Physics
POLS 303 Introduction to Public Administration
PSYC 213 Psychology of Aging
PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 309 Child Development
PSYC 310 Adolescent and Adult Development
PSYC 331 The Psychology of Health
PSYC 335 Physiological Psychology
PSYC 438 Community Psychology
SOC 325 Sociology of Aging
SOC 340 Sociology of the Family
SOC 390 Conflict Management OR
COMM 390 Conflict Management
SOCWRK 433 Aging: Social Policy and Programs
ZOOL 401 Human Physiology
(Or other courses as approved by the advisor and department chair) 36
Electives to total 128 credits 8-13
Total 128
Science Emphasis
BIOL 205 Introductory Microbiology OR
BIOL 303 General Microbiology
BIOL 301 Cell Biology
BIOL 310 Pathogenic Bacteriology
BIOL 343/344 Genetics
BIOL 351 Developmental Biology
BIOL 412 General Parasitology
BIOL 420 Immunology
CHEM 211, 212 Analytical Chemistry I and Lab
CHEM 307-308, 309-310 Organic Chemistry and Lab OR
CHEM 301-302 Survey of Organic Chemistry
CHEM 321, 324 Physical Chemistry Lecture
CHEM 431, 432 Biochemistry with Laboratory
HLTHST 493 Internship
HLTHST 498 Senior Seminar
MATH 170 Calculus I
PHYS 111-112 General Physics
PHYS 207 Introduction to Biophysics
ZOOL 301 Comparative Anatomy
ZOOL 400 Histology
ZOOL 401 Human Physiology ZOOL 403 Head and Neck Anatomy
ZOOL 409 General and Comparative Physiology
(Or other courses as approved by the advisor and department chair) 36
Electives to total 128 credits 8-13
Total 128