Master’s Project and Field Experience

Master’s Project (4 credits)

The Master’s Project is a planned undertaking involving studious inquiry or examination. The product of that undertaking is a formal, written, scholarly report that demonstrates writing proficiency; and the ability to critically approach a topic, synthesize, interpret, and successfully convey information to the appropriate audience.

The Master’s Project provides a culminating experience for the student that allows the student to demonstrate the use of public health principles and competencies.

Students are expected to demonstrate familiarity with the tools of applied research or scholarship in public health practice, the ability to work independently, and the ability to apply skills learned in coursework by completing either a Research Paper, Systematic Literature Review, Consultative Report or Grant Proposal.

Once you have identified a MPH topic, you are required to complete a MPH proposal form. For complete information on the MPH, please print out this pdf.

Certification in Public Health Exam

If you entered the EPPHP with a Public Health Core Concept Certificate you are required to take the Certificate Public Health exam (CPH) instead of completing a MPH project. Students are eligible to take the CPH exam after completing 21 credits by the end of Fall term. The 21 credits must include the core concept courses. You may repeat the test if a passing score was not obtained or complete a MPH project. If you entered the EPPHP with an advanced degree, the exam option is also available to you.

Certification as a Public Health Professional demonstrates your command of a standard of knowledge and skills in public health; encourages life‐long learning; adds credibility to public health profession; increases public health awareness, fosters an environment of professional community and puts you ahead of the curve as a public health professional. The CPH exam is offered in February and the registration is open between August – November. Please plan ahead. For complete information go to the CPH exam website which includes registration information and study aids.

The CPH exam replaces the MPH project requirement, but not the credits. You may take up to four additional elective credits or expand your field experience or a combination of both.

Sample Master’s project titles

• National Public Health Performance Standards Assessment: First Steps in Strengthening North Dakota’s Public Health System
• Association of Medical Radiation Exposure and Its Risks of Cancer and other Diseases. Mayo Clinic Rochester Epidemiology Project and Department of Radiology Information
• Pennsylvania Johne’s Disease Herd Certification Process Consultative Report (Pennsylvania Johne’s Disease Control Program)
• Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Characterizing Air Quality to Estimate Population Exposures – Wisconsin
• Pay for Performance: an effective or ineffective way to improve the quality of healthcare?
• Trends in Utilization of Preventive Health Services by Insured Members of the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) in Minnesota and the U.S.A.
• Evaluation of animal identification systems in support of animal disease control and public health.
• Factors Predictive or Explanatory of Operating Margins in Critical Access Hospitals From Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.
• Reducing Public Health Impact of Bovine Tuberculosis by Controlling Disease in Domestic Animal and Wildlife Populations in Nortwestern Minnesota.
• Exposure to Paratuberculosis at a University of Wisconsin Research Facility
• Disease Early Warning System (DEWS): Syndromic Surveillance for Early Detection of Endemic Infectious Disease and Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Afghanistan
• A population based retrospective study of small animal veterinary practices.
  Characterization and Analysis of FSIS Consumer Complaint Data for the years 2004 and 2005
• Public Health Implications of Surveillance Programs for Zoonotic Pathogens: A case study of M. bovis in Minnesota
• A Functional Exercise Curriculum
• A Tobacco-Free Campus: A collaboration between North Dakota State University and the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Aliied Sciences and Fargo Cass Public Health
• Predictive Factors of Patients’ Length of Stay in an Emergency Department
  Motor Vehicle Restraint Use in Minority vs. Caucasian Children in Olmsted County, Minnesota
• The Health Habits of Mayo Clinic Employees: 2007 and 2008
• Measures to Further Mitigate BSE Risks from Animal Feed with the Purpose of Protecting Public Health: Considerations for Additional Action
• Factors Affecting the Length of Stay in Penumonia Patients
• A Qualitative Risk Analysis: the risk of Echinococcus granulosus for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) personnel deployed in the Middle East
  Mending the Gap: Minnesota Care Utilization Data Related to Interpreter Services
• Antimicrobial Resistance & Pets: A Teaching Module
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Canadian Air Force Personnel

Field Experience (4 credits)

This is an opportunity for students to learn first hand about the organization, operations, and special activities of selected agencies, institutions, and industries concerned with public health practice.

The public health practice field experience provides students with a means of gaining additional insight into programs, personnel management, governmental relations, public relations, legislative support and, particularly, knowledge of special investigations conducted by these organizations.

Participation in the activities of public health practice programs external to the University adds a dimension of experience to the curriculum that enriches the student’s training and may be beneficial in seeking employment.

Once you have identified a field experience, you are required to complete a field experience contract.  For complete information on the field experience requirement, please print out this pdf.

Samples

• Regions Hospital, HealthPartners
• Polk County Health Department
• USDA, APHIS, VS END Taskforce
• MN Dept of Human Services
• Center for Victims of Torture
• Office of Public Health and Science, HHS, US DOA
• American Refugee Committee
• World Health Organization
• St. Cloud School District/CIDRAP
• Center for Health Promotion
• Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
• MDH; Division of Inf. Dis. Epi Prevention and Cont
• North Dakota Department of Health
• Department of Health
• Migrant Health Services, Inc
• Dept of Natural Resources, State of MN
• MPHA Legislative Committee
• VMAT 5 NDMS, Hurricane Katrina Response
• Stanford Univ. Med Center
• Hawthorne Health Initiative, Hawthorne School
• CDC, NCEH, DEHHE, EHTB
• USDA, FSIS