A great emphasis of the Brown MPH Program is to empower students to engage in the design and implementation of their educational experience. Students in the Interdisciplinary Concentration work with advisors to develop their individual path within public health. Students in the Interdisciplinary Concentration will develop an individualized educational plan to gain the competencies required for their path in public health. This will include identifying the focus of the Interdisciplinary studies for that student, be that a content area (for example Maternal and Children Health, Aging, Mental Health, HIV, etc.) or methodologic focus (advanced methods in public health research/evaluation, etc.).
Master of Public Health
Interdisciplinary Concentration
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Program Snapshot
Competencies
MPH candidates in this concentration will develop core competencies prior to graduation.
Students work closely with advisors on writing at least 5 specific competencies for the courses selected for their Interdisciplinary Concentration, beyond the core MPH competencies. Students identify how they will meet the competencies through activities such as formal coursework, independent studies, internships, and thesis work.
Courses
Students in the Interdisciplinary concentration must identify four courses that are appropriate for their individualized plan.
Concentration Courses — in-person program
All MPH students must complete four concentration courses. They will complete coursework that combines courses from public health and beyond to create an individualized course of study.
Two Specialized Tracks
Two specialized tracks have been established within the interdisciplinary concentration to allow students to focus on mindfulness or addictions.
Elective Courses — in person program
In addition to the core and concentration courses, every student must complete three general elective courses. Students may count any PHP course that is 1000 level or above as a general elective. Other graduate-level courses at Brown may be taken as an elective, with approval.
Interdisciplinary Integrated Learning Experience (ILE)
Students are required to complete either a thesis or a capstone course for the ILE.
Students in the Interdisciplinary concentration must complete their ILE (thesis or capstone) project on a topic appropriate for their area of study.
Approval of Concentration Plan
The initial plan should be submitted to the Concentration Lead and then to the MPH Program Director in the fall of the first year for approval. Students can continue to refine the plan in the second year, with substantive changes approved by the Concentration Lead and MPH Program Director.
Faculty
Interdisciplinary Concentration Lead
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Deborah Pearlman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the Practice of Epidemiology