Introduction
Degree Programs
Admissions
Financial Support
Opportunities for Graduates
Further Information
Public health nutrition is a program of study within the Division of Community Health and Human Development which emphasizes the application of food and nutrition knowledge and research to the improvement of the health of populations.
The focus in public health is at the population level. Students in Public Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health will gain a perspective on how public policy affects health and how we can affect policy; on national, state and local community programs designed to improve the nutritional status of the population as a whole and those at particular risk; on the social and behavioral factors that impact health in general and nutritional factors specifically; and on the design, implementation and evaluation of programs to improve the nutritional status of the population or subgroups in the population.
M.P.H.
The M.P.H. degree prepares students for work in public, private and nonprofit health organizations dealing with program design, implementation and evaluation; and with research organizations requiring expertise in nutrition.
The program includes course work, fieldwork, and a comprehensive examination or Master's thesis and requires two years of academic study and one summer for public health nutrition fieldwork. Course work focuses on the role of nutrition in the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. It is designed to provide proficiency in the assessment of nutritional status and related community needs, the critical analysis of nutritional problems in the population and their causes, the design of appropriate interventions to improve the nutritional status of populations, the evaluation of programs and policies, and the interpretation and execution of research to expand the frontier of knowledge in these areas.
M.P.H. Curriculum
Schoolwide Requirements
- Public Health Core Breadth Seminar
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Epidemiologic Methods I
- Public Health Field Placement
- Applied Public Health: Putting Theory into Practice
Program Requirements
- Measuring Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status
- Food and Nutrition Policies and Programs
- Public Health Nutrition Core Course
- Public Health Practice Nutrition Seminar
- Professional Development Workshop Series
At least one of the following courses:
- Program Planning, Development and Evaluation
- Needs Assessment
- Evaluation of Health and Social Programs
Recommended Courses
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Public Health Aspects of Maternal and Child Nutrition
- Social Determinants of Nutrition and Health
- Nutrition in Developing Countries
Ph.D. and Dr.P.H.
Two doctoral degrees are possible for persons interested in advanced training in nutrition and public health: the Dr.P.H. (doctor of public health) and the Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) in Epidemiology.
The focus of the Dr.P.H. is professional leadership, administration, and the application of existing knowledge and approaches to public health problems. The program is designed to take three to four years of full-time activity. Courses include management, research design and methods, public health ethics, leadership, health politics and policy anaylis, public health intervention and enviromental health sciences. Students with an emphasis in nutrition will take nutritional epidemiology and other public health nutrition or nutritional sciences course work, depending on their interests. Please visit the program website at http://drph.berkeley.edu/.
The Ph.D. is an academic degree designed for students wishing to pursue research or academic careers. Students with a nutrition focus may seek a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and conduct research in nutritional epidemiology. Please visit http://epi.berkeley.edu/.
Most applicants have an undergraduate degree in nutrition or equivalent academic course work in food and nutrition, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology. Students who wish to study Public Health Nutrition but who do not have nutrition and science backgrounds should take nutrition and science courses before applying to the program. In addition, paid or volunteer work experience before applying is highly desirable.
Applicants are to list their relevant nutrition and science course work on the Public Health Nutrition Supplementary Questionnaire.
For information about financial support, see fees and financial aid.
Depending on degree goal, graduates assume positions in research organizations and public and private health organizations as nutrition program designers, analysts, and policy makers.
For further program information, contact Greta Gebhardt at hpm_mph@berkeley.edu or at (510) 642-4578.