As demand for new public health professionals grows, UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation has launched a Master of Public Health degree with a focus on urban health—one of only a handful in the nation.
Public health is a broad field that encompasses health management and policy, epidemiology, and community and environmental health. Through a focus on urban health, UTA students will learn to address the complex public health issues prevalent in urban communities. The specialization allows students to understand and help remedy the health inequities among various groups.
“Graduates will be equipped to advocate for policies to address health needs in urban communities as well as apply skills to conduct health needs assessments, program implementation, and program evaluation,” says Erin Carlson, associate professor of public health and director of graduate public health programs.
The coursework covers a variety of skills critical to health in urban areas, including community health assessment, advocacy, policy, and social justice. These provide a foundation for professionals who will develop public health interventions and advocate for policies that bring issues of social justice to the forefront.
Dr. Carlson predicts the program will grow quickly, particularly because it is practice-focused and designed to offer flexibility to working students through on-campus and hybrid evening classes.
