The Department of Community Health Sciences

Program Description

The Center for Community Health was established in 1989 as an organizational focus for expanded activities in community health. It was renamed the Department of Community Health Sciences in 2004 and functions within the College of Health. The mission of the department is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students through quality instruction, practical application, community service, and research to become highly proficient public health professionals capable of enhancing the general well-being of individuals in a wide variety of health care and educational settings. We strive to provide a quality program designed to prepare individuals with competencies in practical application regarding assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health-enhancing programs, problem solving, health education, research, and community service. The CHS program requires study in the foundation of community health services, population sciences, disease causation and prevention, cultural diversity, behavioral theories, current health issues, planning and administration of health programs and teaching methodology.

Curriculum Overview

The Department of Community Health Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Bachelor's degree in Community Health Sciences (CHS) has two emphasis areas of study, health promotion and allied health sciences. A Master of Public Health (MPH) is the only accredited (CEPH) program in the state of Mississippi and offers and emphasis in Health Policy and Administration, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Health Education. The department also offers a Master of Public Health/Master of Business Administration dual degree program. An emphasis in Health Services Administration is offered in the Executive MPH degree program. Additional information is provided for each program by accessing the link in the left-hand column.

Contact Information for Community Health Sciences degree programs:


Undergraduate Programs
Susan Dobson
(601) 266-4828
Email: susan.dobson@usm.edu

Master of Public Health (MPH)
Dr. Emmanual Ahua
(601) 266-5120
Email: e.ahua@usm.edu

Executive MPH
(601) 266-4911
Email: executiveMPH@usm.edu