Individuals who have successfully completed master’s in public health degree programs in Alaska can provide a valuable service to the residents of the state. Despite the fact that Alaska has high per capita public health funding, there are many issues that face residents related to public health. The state has low immunization coverage among adolescents. Although smoking has decreased, it is still higher than many states with almost 20 percent of Alaskans reporting that they smoke. Alcoholism and drug abuse continue to be major public health concerns in Alaska.
Obesity is another public health issue facing the people of Alaska with over 29 percent of residents diagnosed as obese and another 38 percent considered overweight. Alaska also ranks 19th in the country for cancer diagnoses with the most prevalent being prostate, female breast, lung and colon cancer. The most troubling statistic is that Alaska’s cancer death rate is higher than the national average with a mortality rate of 176 per 100,000 people, compared to 173 per 100,000 nationwide.
Individuals who complete master’s in public health degree programs in Alaska can help reduce many of these statistics by providing services and education to residents who may not otherwise receive them.
University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Health
The College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage is at the forefront of educating students to become healthcare professionals who will focus on addressing the health issues that face residents. The college has a mission to eliminate interpersonal violence, childhood trauma and substance abuse while also addressing problems with healthcare systems policy and delivery along with environmental health and biomedical science. The college collaborates on innovative approaches to develop resources and engage communities in a culture that promotes health. College programs focus in impacting development, health and well-being of all members of a community using instruction, service and scholarship.
Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice
The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice at the College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage embraces an approach that recognizes interactions and relationships in creating a healthy community. The program prepares students to address public health needs and assure conditions that protect and promote the health of a community. It is an interdisciplinary degree program that provides a broad background to meet today’s diverse and complex challenges in public health. Students who have a background in health, social science, human service, business and education have succeeded in the program. Courses required include:
- Biostatistics for Health Professionals
- Circumpolar Health Issues
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health Services Administration
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Program Evaluation
- Public Health and Society
- Public Health Emergencies and Disasters
- Public Health Research Tools and Methods
Students must provide transcripts from all colleges and universities attended with one displaying the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students must have maintained a grade of 2.0 or higher in an introductory statistics course and provide copies of one or more professional writing samples. Students must submit an essay describing why the degree would contribute to their career goals.
Accreditation
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Contact
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, UC 106
Anchorage AK 99508
Telephone: 907-786-1800
Email: admissions@uaa.alaska.edu
Alaska faces many issues when it comes to public health. Individuals who have successfully completed master’s in public health degree programs in Alaska can provide much needed services to the residents of Alaska in order to help improve their quality of life.
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