Graduate Certificate: Public Health Law Research

About
Admission
Program Requirements
Contacts
Courses

About the Certificate

The field of Public Health Law Research is defined as the scientific study of the effects of laws and legal practices on health. The graduate certificate in Public Health Law Research is a 12-credit experience intended to give students a grounding in public health law with a specific focus on empirical evaluation of policies and laws. In order to advance health through policy initiatives, it is important that there be sound evidence on which to act. Students who complete the certificate program are able to demonstrate the integration of behavioral and organizational theory with a law or policy; describe the mechanism behind a law or policy; and systematically evaluate the law or policy at the level of individual provisions, rather than just a holistic view. The culminating experience for the certificate is an independent project to evaluate a law or policy of the student's choice and communicate the findings.

The transcripted post-baccalaureate certificate in Public Health Law Research is offered in a fully online format to both graduate students at Temple University and those outside Temple who are interested in the field. The certificate is a collaborative effort of the College of Public Health and the Beasley School of Law at Temple University.

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 2 years

Campus Location: Online

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The graduate certificate may be completed on a part-time basis.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: The certificate program is not open to non-matriculated graduate students.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:
Fall, Spring, and Summer admissions are on a rolling basis. Interested students should contact the College of Public Health for permission to enroll in coursework.

All applicants to the Public Health Law Research certificate must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://portal.sophas.org/. A supplemental application is also required to be submitted directly to Temple University at http://www.temple.edu/apply/common/appcheck.asp. Late applications may be considered for admission.

Applicants should check their application status on the SOPHAS portal often and inquire directly of SOPHAS about receipt of materials. For other questions, please contact Theresa White, Senior Graduate Advisor, at theresawhite@temple.edu or 215-204-5105.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree.

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 12

Required Courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
EPBI 8012	Multivariate Biostatistics	3
HPM 8013	Research Methods in Health Policy	3
HPM 9995	Health Law Research Project	3
JUDO 9189	Public Health Law ¹	3
Total Credit Hours		12

¹	For course information in the Beasley School of Law, see http://www.law.temple.edu/resources/student-services/course-registration/schedules-and-descriptions/.

Courses

HPM 5005. International Health Studies Abroad. 6 Credit Hours.

Students learn to articulate a historical and cultural understanding of the Costa Rican approach to health and medical care, to identify the major health concerns of the Costa Rican population in rural and urban settings and the major strides taken to improve health, to conduct limited fieldwork with rural communities in teams of 3 to 4 persons or conduct community health field research among the graduate students, and to write a professional paper and presentation on one of the health issues in Costa Rica based on their experience there. While previous Spanish language proficiency is not required, some Spanish language ability is essential for students to gain the maximum understanding during the program. Therefore, students during the first two weeks of the program take intensive Spanish language training in Costa Rica at the Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS). The third week involves travel to other regions within Costa Rica to examine different health conditions depending on the year's topics. During the fourth and fifth weeks, students live and work in rural communities and help to facilitate health education workshops on different activities such as: diabetes, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention education, women's health, child health care issues, first aid education, fitness and exercise, and backyard gardening.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5006. Political and Economic Aspects of Health. 3 Credit Hours.

The course provides an introduction to the structure and delivery of healthcare in the United States, as well as an introduction to health policymaking. In addition to required reading materials, students will be asked to examine current health policies at the local, state, and/or national level.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5007. Principles of Emergency Management. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and models of public health preparedness and response for all hazards emergency management. It will enable health care and allied health professionals, public health professionals, and emergency responders to work together to plan and respond effectively to both natural and man made disasters. The course will introduce students to the identified core competencies of emergency health preparedness for public health professionals, which include functional roles, communication, resource identification, problem-solving, and evaluation. The issues of mental health and special populations will be introduced in an emergency management context. Students will utilize problem-based learning by analyzing actual disaster events and applying the theories, principles, and practice of preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5008. Seminar in Global Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the major factors influencing global health issues and the interdependence of the industrialized and developing world in addressing health problems from a global perspective. Commonality and differences in disease burden between the two will be emphasized. Students will also be aware of many of the major health issues affecting developing countries and the opportunities and problems that may be encountered in various health-related endeavors. Health system policy responses will also be considered.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5014. Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations. 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers leadership and management in public health practice. The course will review leadership styles, moving through the "leadership pipeline" to help students understand the basic underpinnings of leadership. Within that context, the course will explore the essentials of applying strong leadership practices in public health organizations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5016. Public Health Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to prepare future public health practitioners with substantive knowledge on how policy is crafted and how to effectively integrate public health science in the policy process, and to provide practical skills on engaging policymakers and public constituencies to support public health initiatives. It will combine policy/advocacy strategy, real-life case studies, lectures by policymakers, and strategic analysis of recent legislative developments in health care. Reading assignments provide background knowledge for class lectures and discussion.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5105. Seminar in Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar focuses on social, economic, and political issues in maternal and child health (MCH) policies from the national to agency levels. Students undertake an analysis of a MCH issue using a policy analysis framework developed throughout the seminar. Included are definitions of MCH, the organization and funding of services, literacy and cultural issues and the evidence base for policies and programs.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5107. Forced Migration and Refugee Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This course uses case studies and research literature to examine the multifaceted causes of complex emergencies and their subsequent impacts on the health of the population, including populations that stay in place, that are internally displaced (IPD), and population movement that crosses international borders (refugees). The policies and practices of the humanitarian response among both governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their impact on population health will be explored. A framework for three issues that effect population health in complex emergencies will be provided and their consequences and possible interventions iterated. These issues are mental health, gender based violence, and nutrition. Assessment, program implementation, and evaluation will be looked at in the context of the particular barriers and issues found in complex emergency situations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5111. Community Outreach in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and models of strategic community outreach as it pertains to the special population communities, within the context of emergency management planning, response, and recovery. It will assist health care and allied health professionals, public health professionals, and emergency responders to understand how accessible information and technology is part of the community outreach strategy. Students will utilize problem-based learning by analyzing actual and scenario-based disaster events and applying the theories, principles, and practices of strategic community outreach pertaining to emergency response and recovery. In addition, students will learn about the issues faced by special population communities and how to address these special needs in all hazard response and recovery.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5122. Healthcare Quality and Safety. 3 Credit Hours.

Quality management and quality improvement is the process undertaken by public health professionals, clinical providers, and other management professionals to identify underlying systemic issues in healthcare delivery impacting patient outcomes. Quality improvement and quality management utilizes data to establish performance standards within the healthcare delivery system. The iterative process of quality improvement includes the identification of pertinent issues, the development or sourcing of measurement tools, the ability to monitor adherence to widely accepted industry norms, and the ability to successfully manage change within an organization.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5202. Man-Made Disasters: Radiological, Chemical and Biological Terrorism. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and models of public health preparedness, mitigation, and evaluation in the context of man-made disasters, including radiological, chemical and biological incidents. The course addresses identified core competencies of emergency preparedness for public health professionals that include disaster management, risk assessment, risk communication, governmental resources, functional roles, surveillance, and preparedness evaluation. Man-made disasters are looked at in a historical, environmental, and psychological context in order to elucidate the role of public health in man-made disaster preparedness and evaluation. In addition, the role of cultural competency and the needs of special populations are addressed. Public perception of risk and media views of man-made disasters are explored.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 5500. Seminar in Current Issues in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.

Seminar topics rotate to address current issues in public health research, policy and practice.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 8002. Research Seminar in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a research seminar on linkages between theory and research in social and behavioral health studies. It is required for Ph.D. students prior to taking the preliminary examinations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8003. Political-Economic Aspects of Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.

Survey of the political and economic aspects of public health systems, practice, research.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8005. Theor Hlth Policy Making. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the primary theoretical frameworks for the development of policy, from agenda setting through decision-making and implementation. In addition to reviewing the theoretical foundations of policymaking, the course will apply the theories to current health policy issues.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8008. Health Economics. 3 Credit Hours.

This class will promote the understanding of core health economics theory, using research literature and case studies to examine how economic theory has shaped the development and understanding of the healthcare systems and policies in the U.S. A background in economic theory will help students to understand and interpret research based on those theories. Health Economics is intended to promote an understanding of how these theories fit into the formation and changes in our healthcare structure. It will also offer an economic perspective on health behavior, such as how discounting relates to risk behavior and how risk preference relates to insurance purchase.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8013. Research Methods in Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to introduce and engage students in research methods used in health policy research, including both the development of policies and the evaluation of existing policies. The course will cover both qualitative methods such as policy analysis, interviewing, focus groups and content analysis, as well as quantitative methods such as legal mapping studies, secondary data analysis, and some economic evaluations. The course will explain and engage these methodologies, but students are not expected to carry out statistical analysis. Lastly, the course will require students to think about the results generated in such research and effective ways in which to communicate such findings to the appropriate audience. The course is intended for students who will be working on policy research or social science research that may include a policy component. Learning objectives will be met through didactic lecture, a formal policy analysis paper, individual homework assignments, and a final exam.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8014. Comparative Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

Approaches to public health policy are informed and influenced by evidence and experience from across the nation and around the globe. Students will be challenged to think about the social, cultural, political and economic challenges of engaging public health policy to advance population health in an international context.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Pre-requisites:
HPM 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.

HPM 8015. Public Health Policy and Legal Issues. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce public health students to the basic legal principles underlying public health policy and the mechanisms to achieve policy change. The law is a powerful tool to support public health, but government must act within the confines of the Constitution and balance competing rights of individuals and the broader community. The course will explore these relationships in historical and present contexts and examine the differences among federal, state, and local governments' authority to enact public health policy. Students will be able to identify the legal issues that arise when government attempts to regulate risky behavior by individuals or the conduct of companies that produce and market products that create such risks (e.g., tobacco, firearms, and alcohol). The course will evaluate why the law is not uniform depending on the product government seeks to regulate (e.g., food vs. vaccines) and how litigation can effectively change this legal landscape. Any student interested in policy should be familiar with basic legal rules and current debates in regulation and control; this class will provide such insight and equip students to work in any type of policy or advocacy setting.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 8112. Public Health Program Evaluation. 3 Credit Hours.

The course concerns research methods and techniques used to evaluate public health programs. Students develop an evaluation design, including defined evaluation questions, study design, specific measures and methods, and human subjects protocols.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 9083. Readings and Conference in Public Health. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

This is an advanced tutorial in public health with an appropriate faculty member. Note: Registration requires a written contract with the supervising faculty member and approval of the student's advisor and of the Director of Graduate Programs.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 9189. MPH Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar is required of M.P.H. students during final year of study. The seminar includes integration of coursework and practice skills to develop a fieldwork project or internship in a public health agency.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 9289. MPH Fieldwork I. 3 Credit Hours.

This course entails a fieldwork project or internship in a public health agency. It includes seminars, oral and written reports of progress, and joint supervision by a preceptor and faculty member.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 9389. MPH Fieldwork II. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an evaluation of the fieldwork project or internship using a full range of research methodologies. Data are collected, analyzed, and reported in a comprehensive final report. Oral and/or poster presentations are presented to public health organizations. The course includes a final oral defense of the project or internship.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

HPM 9991. Independent Project in Environmental Health. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

Under the direction of an appropriate graduate faculty member, students tie together their coursework in a project that poses a problem, gathers data to help analyze the problem, and provides a solution. Note: Enrollment must be approved by the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 9994. Preliminary Examinations. 1 Credit Hour.

This course supports preparation for taking the preliminary examinations in the Health Policy and Social and Behavioral Sciences Ph.D. programs. To enroll, students must have completed all required coursework for the Ph.D. and obtain the approval of the Ph.D. Program Director. Students must be enrolled to take the required preliminary examinations.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 9996. Masters Res in Pub Hlth. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is limited to students who have chosen to fulfill the master's degree by writing a thesis.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

HPM 9998. Dissertation Proposal Research. 2 Credit Hours.

This course supports preparation of the dissertation proposal. The course is required for students who have passed the preliminary examinations for their PhD program and who have not yet defended the dissertation proposal.

Department Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Departments: CPH:Health Serv Admin & Policy.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

Pre-requisites:
HPM 9994|Minimum Grade of P|May not be taken concurrently.

HPM 9999. Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.

This course is limited to Ph.D. candidates who have completed and defended a dissertation proposal that is filed with the Graduate School by the last day to add a course in the semester. Continuous registration in 9999 fall and spring is required until the dissertation is successfully defended.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Dissertation Writing Student.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.