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The M.P.H. degree in epidemiology is designed to give theoretical and practical training in how to study and control factors that influence health-related problems. This degree prepares students to work in federal, state, and local health departments/agencies, academic and research institutions, health maintenance organizations, and hospitals.

The M.P.H. degree in epidemiology is designed to give theoretical and practical training in how to study and control factors that influence health-related problems. This degree prepares students to work in federal, state, and local health departments/agencies, academic and research institutions, health maintenance organizations, and hospitals.

The aim of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program is to prepare students entering with a strong background in the health sciences for a career in research and teaching in academic institutions, governmental agencies, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, or private industry. In contrast with the Dr.P.H. graduates, those with the Ph.D. degree may exhibit proficiency in "narrower lines of research and often with different types of research methods." They continue their careers, for example, teaching at a university, conducting research in a national laboratory, or engaging in population-based fieldwork around the world. The curriculum is designed to fulfill program requirements while also addressing the nature of the student's research interest and academic needs.  Ph.D. degree students are expected to critically evaluate and write scientific journal articles as part of their educational training. They are also expected to gain adequate experience in pedagogy. Each student is responsible for identifying an appropriate faculty research mentor during the program.

The M.P.H. degree earned in the Global Health Program prepares a graduate to practice public health with a transformational development worldview—seeking positive change in the whole of human life materially, physically, socially, psychologically and spiritually. The M.P.H. degree in global health prepares graduates with technical competence and cross-cultural skills to create and manage sustainable health and development programs in diverse settings and populations worldwide.

The health education component of the program focuses on educational, interpersonal, community, and legislative factors that promote positive health behaviors. The curriculum emphasizes interventions based on scientific data and established behavioral and learning theories that promote public health through the processes of education and community organization. Along with the knowledge of lifestyle-related diseases, health, nutrition, and fitness, the wellness coaching component of the curriculum delivers motivational and behavioral skills needed to enable graduates to become a part of the rapidly growing field helping individuals achieve optimal wellness.

The Dr.P.H. degree in health education is designed for individuals who desire to add depth to their health education specialization and develop research and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on health education offers advanced knowledge and competencies in the health education process and includes advocacy, critical analysis, leadership, professionalism, and ethics; as well as other health education domains. Graduates are eligible to sit for the credentialing examination in health education—CHES or MCHES—offered by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc. http://www.nchec.org/.  

The Health Geoinformatics Certificate Program is designed primarily for health professionals. Qualified candidates must demonstrate computer proficiency, although no previous experience with geographic information systems (GIS) technology is required. Advanced placement can be considered for applicants with previous GIS experience/training. In addition, interested Loma Linda University students, staff, and faculty who would like to learn about GIS applications in health may also apply.

The Dr.P.H. degree curriculum in health policy and leadership emphasizes a mixture of professional and academic skills, such as leadership and management, finance and philanthropy, community engagement and advocacy, policy analysis and development, ethics, and research methods. The current, rapidly changing health and health-care landscapes—marked by significant health disparities and varied challenges—demands a diversity of leadership talents. Moreover, creative approaches are needed to meet these challenges. The Doctor of Public Health degree in health policy and leadership at Loma Linda University provides a unique and wonderful opportunity to serve at the very heart of the intersection of leadership and policy. The goal is preparing participants for success in leadership positions that have major influence on policies, programs, and the public health system.

The Dr.P.H. degree curriculum in health policy and leadership emphasizes a mixture of professional and academic skills, such as leadership and management, finance and philanthropy, community engagement and advocacy, policy analysis and development, ethics, and research methods. The current, rapidly changing health and health-care landscapes—marked by significant health disparities and varied challenges—demands a diversity of leadership talents. Moreover, creative approaches are needed to meet these challenges. The Doctor of Public Health degree in health policy and leadership at Loma Linda University provides a unique and wonderful opportunity to serve at the very heart of the intersection of leadership and policy. The goal is preparing participants for success in leadership positions that have major influence on policies, programs, and the public health system.

The School of Public Health offers a Master of Health-Care Administration (M.H.A.) degree. The degree provides students with a broad understanding of health-care management in line with appropriate and relevant industry-leading competencies. In addition, students will engage in practical experience to apply the principles learned through an 800-hour practicum in the health sector. Graduates are prepared for administrative careers in health service organizations—including medical centers, health plans, physician groups and dental practices, and long-term and managed-care settings, among others. This degree program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practice necessary to further their administrative careers in the health-care sector.

The School of Public Health offers a Master of Health-Care Administration (M.H.A.) degree. The degree provides students with a broad understanding of health-care management in line with appropriate and relevant industry-leading competencies. In addition, students will engage in practical experience to apply the principles learned through an 800-hour practicum in the health sector. Graduates are prepared for administrative careers in health service organizations—including medical centers, health plans, physician groups and dental practices, and long-term and managed-care settings, among others. This degree program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practice necessary to further their administrative careers in the health-care sector.

Dietetics Many work environments, particularly those in medical and health care settings, require that an individual be credentialed as an RD. This program prepare graduates who demonstrate competence as public health nutrition and dietetic professionals, apply science-based evidence to practice, function independently as leaders and cooperatively as team members to promote health, undrerstand the contribution of vegetarian dietary practices to human and environmental well being.

The aim of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in nutrition is to prepare students for a career in academia, governmental agencies, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, or private industry. The program is designed to provide an advanced curriculum in nutrition, professional skills, and competencies required to support careers in teaching and research. This program is unique in that it is situated in the School of Public Health in a health sciences university. The program engages in interdisciplinary research that encourages collaboration across public health disciplines and the basic sciences, and that promotes and builds on its core legacy on vegetarian and plant-based nutrition. Areas of curricular strength and research emphasis include plant-based diets and the health of the individual, populations and the planet, nutritional epidemiology, diet and chronic disease risk reduction, and community nutrition.

This one of a kind program in the United States aligns with the core legacy of vegetarian nutrition at LLU. It can also serve as a stepping stone for the PhD in Nutrition, focused on plant-based nutrition research at the LLUSPH or any other PhD Nutrition programs. It is aimed to provide evidence-based didactic and research training to registered dietitians and other health care professionals on plant-based nutrition for the health of the individual, population, and the planet.  This program is completely online (combines synchronous and asynchronous classes) with didactic training in nutritional science with a focus on the role of plant-based diet patterns, plant foods, and nutrients with respect to promoting health, preventing disease, and sustaining the planet, along with the evidenced-based approach to applying the principles of plant-based eating for the health of the individual and population. The program culminates in a research project with a publishable manuscript or a written report. The program provides background experience for those interested in research careers in academic or industry settings, provides advanced training in plant-based nutrition for physicians and other health professionals who want to apply this in their practice, is a stepping stone to pursue a PhD, trains health educators who want to promote health and prevent lifestyle diseases, and prepare those that want to work in programs on environmental sustainability.

The Population Medicine Program is designed to meet the needs of practicing health professionals who have experience in direct patient care and wish to augment their current careers with additional information and skills in population management. The students will be competent in analyzing the health of a patient population and understanding the social, environmental, and biological determinants of health in that population. Individuals who may benefit from this program are practicing health professionals, such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and psychologists; and students who are currently enrolled in clinical practice-related doctoral degrees (e.g., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., Pharm.D.). This degree will provide clinicians with cutting-edge knowledge and a skill set to integrate population-based, health-care approaches into their everyday clinical practice.

Pop Med The Population Medicine Program is designed to meet the needs of practicing health professionals who have experience in direct patient care and wish to augment their current careers with additional information and skills in population management. The students will be competent in analyzing the health of a patient population and understanding the social, environmental, and biological determinants of health in that population. Individuals who may benefit from this program are practicing health professionals, such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and psychologists; and students who are currently enrolled in clinical practice-related doctoral degrees (e.g., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., Pharm.D.). This degree will provide clinicians with cutting-edge knowledge and a skill set to integrate population-based, health-care approaches into their everyday clinical practice.

The Preventive Care Program is designed to prepare high-level health professionals in wellness and lifestyle-management intervention. Emphasis is on academic preparation, practical skills, and administrative abilities in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and protocols designed to address a wide spectrum of health issues—particularly those dealing with chronic disease. These programs and protocols include physical and mental health risk appraisal, nutritional assessment and recommendations, exercise testing and prescription, and smoking-cessation counseling. The program seeks to demonstrate and elucidate the intimate connection between mind and body. Graduates address the combined influences of nutrition, exercise, stress, smoking, and other lifestyle factors on the promotion of health and the prevention of disease.