Dual BS Health Promotion/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Daemen University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion/Master of Public Health (BS/MPH) program, enabling students to earn both degrees in five years. The program emphasizes protecting and improving the health and well-being of people and communities through education, health policy development, and research for disease and injury prevention. Over 95 percent of recent BS/MPH graduates are reported to be working in a public health-related field.

Professional development coursework builds career skills, and students can engage with an active MPH Student Association involved in various on-campus and community initiatives.

Accreditation information for the MPH program is not specified in the provided context.

Delivery Modes

MPH courses within the combined BS/MPH program are offered in multiple formats, including face-to-face (on-campus), hybrid, and online.

Classes are typically scheduled during late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working professionals.

Curriculum Overview

The Master of Public Health (MPH) portion of the combined degree requires 30 credit hours.

Core MPH coursework (14 credits) includes:

• Epidemiology (PH500 - taken in BS portion)

• Psychosocial and Behavioral Foundations of Public Health (PH510 - taken in BS portion)

• Research Methods in Health Promotion (PH520)

• Public Health Biostatistics Lecture and Lab (PH540/L)

• Public Health Policy, Administration, and Management (PH550)

• Foundations of Public Health Ethics and Advocacy (PH590)

• Environmental Health (PH530 - taken as a Community Health Elective in BS portion)

Students also complete 9 credits of focus courses, selecting two skill-based electives (6 credits) and one topic-based elective (3 credits).

A key component of the MPH curriculum is a practicum (PH600, 3 credits), requiring a minimum of 240 hours of documented work at a practicum site. This experience integrates classroom learning with community service.

The program culminates in a capstone experience, consisting of a Capstone Seminar (PH610, 1 credit) and a Capstone Project (PH620, 3 credits), completed in collaboration with a community partner to synthesize, integrate, and apply curricular knowledge to a significant public health problem.

Admissions Requirements (Progression within BS/MPH)

For students in the combined BS/MPH program, progression to the professional phase (Year 4, incorporating MPH coursework) has specific requirements at the end of the 3rd year:

• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) minimum of 3.0.

• Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry, Service Learning, CMP101, MTH124 (or equivalent), NSC203, HPR102, HPR208 and HPR320, with a grade of C or higher.

• A grade of C or higher in all courses in the Health Promotion portion of the curriculum.

• The GRE requirement is waived.

To officially enter the MPH program and progress to the 5th year, students must meet requirements during their 4th year:

• Receive a B- or higher in all PH (Public Health) courses and a C or higher in HPR415.

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the BS/MPH program are prepared for a variety of careers in the growing public health field. Potential employment settings include health departments, managed care organizations, community-based organizations, consulting firms, hospitals, academic institutions, global health organizations, and research teams.

Common career paths include:

• Health program managers

• Outreach coordinator

• Medical outcomes data analyst

• Discharge planner

The program emphasizes hands-on learning through practicum and capstone experiences. Students work directly with community partners, applying their knowledge to real-world public health challenges. Examples of organizations where students have completed practicum and capstone projects include Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Erie County Department of Health, The Horizon Corporations, National Institute of Health: Porto, Portugal, Rakai Health Sciences Program (Uganda), Kaleida Health, American Heart Association, and Jewish Family Service.