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Public health professionals are in demand more than ever. Pockets of the world are not even close to “complete physical, mental and social well-being,” the definition of health by the World Heath Organisation. And with new diseases like Mpox emerging, now is an ideal time to pursue a public health programme. The need for skilled leaders who can navigate future pandemics and health crises has never been greater.
Enter Kent State University’s College of Public Health. It is dedicated to preparing students to lead the way, promoting sustainable public health innovations, and tackling future challenges head-on.
That led Mirza R Baig from Saudi Arabia to shift his focus from treating the sick to getting to the root causes of their ailments. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was working as a medical doctor in India,” he says. “Although I successfully treated over 60 patients diagnosed with severe COVID-19, the experience was a turning point for me.”
This realisation led him to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH).
At Kent State, students are welcomed into a globally-minded community. The university prides itself on its international outlook, offering competitive research opportunities, study abroad programmes, and a curriculum that reflects a global perspective. In 2022, Kent State became the only US university to win the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalisation from the NAFSA: Associate of International Educators.
From Fall 2024, Kent State will offer two new Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The Source: Kent State University
Cutting-edge STEM-designated public health programmes
Health commissioners and research directors at Northeast Ohio hospitals have expressed a growing need for graduates trained in biostatistics and epidemiology. Kent State is stepping up to meet that demand. To that end, Kent State is launching two new Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. These STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - designated programmes will start in Fall 2024.
The MPH in Epidemiology analyses the distribution and determinants of disease, disabilities, and population deaths. You learn to apply quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate disease outbreaks, identify causal relationships between environmental and biological factors, and conduct studies to project future health trends.
“The curriculum has been both comprehensive and enriching, providing a solid foundation in public health principles,” says Acheampong Prince from Ghana, who’s pursuing an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology. “Courses like Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Principles of Epidemiology have been particularly impactful, as they introduced me to the core methods of studying disease patterns and understanding risk factors.”
Graduates of the programme can expect diverse career opportunities, including roles in universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and state and local health departments.
The MPH in Biostatistics equips students with the skills to collect, store, retrieve, and interpret health data. Students master advanced data analysis methods, helping them understand disease prevention, development, prognosis, and treatment. Graduates will be well-positioned to work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government health agencies, and biotechnology firms. They will analyse the effectiveness of new drugs and interventions, identify risk factors for disease, and develop prevention strategies.
Many Kent State students say their campus “feels like home.” The Source: Kent State University
Faculty expertise and research opportunities
Kent State’s faculty are key to its success. Many professors, such as epidemiology professor Christopher Woolverton, bring decades of experience and knowledge to the classroom. He has been instrumental in shaping Kent State’s COVID-19 safety measures and was selected to serve as a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Jefferson Science Fellow.
Students can work alongside such faculty on cutting-edge research in substance abuse prevention, environmental health, health literacy, and chronic disease prevention.
“Currently, I work as a Graduate Research Assistant under Dr. Deric Kenne at the Centre for Public Policy and Health, and I’ve been involved in projects concerning mental health training for first responders in Portage County and Spark County,” Prince says. “It has helped me improve my statistical and analytical skills.”
The college has over 300 community partners providing hands-on learning experiences that enrich student education. Baig attests to this: “I recently started working at NEOMED as a Programme Coordinator, and in just five days, I’ve already improved my efficiency and gained a lot of information. My job duties directly relate to what I learned in class, giving me real-time exposure to my work during assignments.”
What’s more, students get to collaborate with faculty at the Centre for Public Policy and Health on Biostatistical and Research Design Services. The centre supports research by offering biostatistical consulting and data management methods focused on clinical studies and community-based programmes. This is a key part of Kent State’s mission to promote excellence in public health research and education.
Learn more about Kent State University’s College of Public Health.
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