MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH: NUTRITION AND WELLNESS

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GRADUATE IN AS FEW AS 24 MONTHS

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The School of Nursing and Health Professions has the primary objective of educating health professionals in nursing, allied health, exercise science, nutrition and dietetics. The school aims to facilitate learning that focuses on a Christ-centered, service-oriented curriculum that promotes excellence in character development, achievement of professional goals, and adherence to professional standards.

Oakwood University’s Master of Public Health in Nutrition and Wellness is the next step for students who have completed undergraduate health related degrees and want to continue their studies at the next level. The new degree also increases the number of graduate school slots which currently lags behind the number of students across the country seeking MPH degrees.

With a focus on advocating plant-based diets, students will learn how to assess the health needs of diverse community groups. They will use their findings to create personalized health plans, programs and policies. In 22 to 24 months, the online Public Health in Nutrition and Wellness master’s degree prepares graduates to meet the new standards passed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for entry-level registered dietitians.

Graduates of the Master of Public Health in Nutrition and Wellness can serve as nutrition specialists in a variety of ways. From creating community health programs, to educating children, youth and adult groups, to designing meal plans for schools and hospitals, graduates can advance the holistic development of individuals through health and wellness.

PROGRAM GOALS

The MPH in Nutrition and Wellness provides graduate level knowledge, cultural competence and application through collaborative service. Program goals are:
1. Knowledge: Prepare graduate health professional who are able to provide innovative evidence- based nutrition education to diverse communities.
2. Cultural Competence: Prepare students to develop, implement, and assess programs to promote the health of individuals, groups and communities.
3. Application: Facilitate sustainable collaborations between faculty, students, and faith-based and non-profit organizations in service to communities.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Articulate cultural approaches to food, nutrition and health with an emphasis on plant-based diets.
2. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
3. Provide leadership in the design, implementation and evaluation of public health nutrition and wellness programs and policies.
4. Communicate audience-appropriate public health nutrition and wellness content.
5. Collect, analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
6. Read, interpret and apply public health nutrition and wellness peer-reviewed research

COMPLETION OF PREREQUISITE COURSES

Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses before registering for courses in the program. The prerequisite courses for the MPH are:
  • One year of Biology with a lab or Physiology with a lab or Anatomy and Physiology with a lab, with a grade of C or better
  • Two courses in nutrition (one introductory nutrition course similar to ND 131-Nutrition or equivalent and one intermediate level nutrition course similar to ND 321-Life Span Nutrition or equivalent) with a grade of C or better
  • Admissions

    Students may be accepted into the MPH program in one of two categories: regular admission or provisional admission:

    REGULAR ADMISSIONS

    To be eligible for regular admissions to the MPH program, candidates will be required to meet the following criteria:

    • Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent that is earned from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
    PROVISIONAL ADMISSIONS
    • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree who do not meet the GPA requirement for regular admission may be admitted on a provisional basis under the following conditions:
    • Overall GPA 2.5- 2.9 (Must complete the GRE prior to acceptance. Minimum GRE scores: 150-Verbal, 150-Quantitative, 3.5-Analytical)
    • If admitted, students are required to earn a GPA of 3.0 or better during the first term of matriculation to obtain regular standing and continue in the program.
    TRANSFER INFORMATION

    Students wishing to transfer into the Oakwood University MPH program from another college or university must follow the same application procedure as other new students. 

    Transfer students must also submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to Oakwood University School of Graduate Studies. 

    If an applicant holds a Master’s degree or has graduate credits from an accredited institution, they may transfer a maximum of nine (9) credit hours that are relevant to the MPH degree. The graduate faculty of the MPH degree in Nutrition and Wellness will evaluate all requests for transfer credit and make the final determination about the courses and credits that will be accepted.

    GRADUATE FEES
    COURSES

    COURSES

    ND 501 Introduction to Public Health

    ND 502 Principles of Epidemiology

    ND 503 Introduction to Biostatics

    ND 504 Principles of Environmental Health

    ND 505 Principles of Health Behavior

    ND 506 Principles of Health Administration

    ND 507 Fitness and Health Promotion

    ND 508 Grant Writing

    ND 509 Vegetarian Nutrition and Wellness

    ND 510 Ethnic Food Practices

    ND 511 Program Planning and Evaluation in the Community and Lab

    ND 512 Assessment of Nutritional Status

    ND 517 Health Research Methods

    ND 518 Health Disparities and Minority Health

    ND 601 Research Seminar

    ND 602 Capstone Research Project

    ND 603 Practicum