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About the School

SPHCM Fact Sheet (PDF)

The School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM) is the only accredited school of public health north of Berkeley and west of Minneapolis and is a national leader in public health education and research. One of 17 schools and colleges at the University of Washington, our School has five departments.

Departments

Biostatistics -- Biostatistics blends theoretical mathematics and applied data analysis in modern medical research. Biostatisticians work with researchers in higher education, research organizations, industry, and government agencies to design medical research studies and to collect and analyze data. The Department offers MPH, MS, and PhD degrees in quantitative methods applied to the medical and biological sciences.

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences -- The focus of environmental and occupational health is to identify factors in community and work environments that affect human health, to analyze and explain their mechanisms, assess and communicate their risks, develop strategies to reduce or eliminate their effects, and share the knowledge obtained. MPH, MS, and PhD degrees are offered in occupational and environmental medicine, toxicology, environmental health, and industrial hygiene and safety. In addition, there is a BS degree program and a minor in environmental health.

Epidemiology -- Epidemiology is the study of patterns of occurrence and determinants of disease in human populations. Epidemiologists investigate why some people acquire a specific condition and others do not, in order to identify opportunities for prevention. The Department offers the MPH, MS, and PhD degrees for individuals who wish to become practitioners, research specialists, or teachers in academic settings. An MS in Genetic Epidemiology is also offered.

Global Health (joint with Medicine)-- Global Health identifies and evaluates health problems and health inequities in underserved populations and develops and implements innovative interventions that can dramatically reduce disease burden. Programs provide a rich educational resource, promote and support interdisciplinary research programs that address global health disparities, and offer opportunities to translate educational and research programs into improvements in the health of underserved populations through service activities in developing countries. The department offers interdisciplinary MPH, MS, and PhD degrees.

Health Services -- Health Services focuses on the organization, financing, and effectiveness of health care and public health, emphasizing how societal resources are used to respond to individual and population health needs. Students are prepared for careers in the planning, management, and evaluation of health care and public health programs and organizations, and in health policy. The MPH degree is offered through an in-residence program and an on-job/on-campus program for working public health professionals; the MHA degree is offered through an in-residence program and an evening/weekend executive program for clinical practitioners. A PhD in Health Services, a BA degree in Health Informatics and Health Information Management, and a BA or BS in public health through the Individualized Studies program are also offered.

We offer interdisciplinary programs in International Health, Maternal and Child Health, Nutritional Sciences, Pathobiology, Public Health Genetics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.  In addition, our many interdisciplinary centers and institutes provide a means for faculty from many different programs, departments, and even schools to conduct interdisciplinary research within the discipline-based academic world.

Education

Students in a classroom

Our School seeks excellent academic students who are highly motivated and committed to public health. Our educational programs are designed to produce top-notch public health practitioners and researchers. Students gain knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods, public health values, and emerging technologies through classroom, research, and field training experiences.

Research

Researcher working in an Environmental Health labThe University of Washington is a major research university that since the late 1960s has ranked among the top five institutions in the U.S. in receipt of federal research awards. The SPHCM is well regarded within the University community and nationally for our outstanding research, much of which is conducted through interdisciplinary centers and institutes. Many of our graduate programs emphasize fundamental or applied research in the public health sciences and are taught by faculty who are actively engaged in research. We have excellent collaborative relationships with other health sciences schools (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, and Social Work), the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and other research organizations.


Service

Student interviewing worker at a construction siteOur position as the only accredited school of public health in the Northwest carries a responsibility to provide expert assistance to government and community agencies, industry, and business in solving regional public health problems. We believe our service activities enable faculty to bring knowledge of current public health practice problems to the classroom and to research projects. Strong relationships have been established with community agencies to foster field training experiences for our students. One of our centers, the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, focuses on enhancing public health workforce development and practice-based research through outreach within the public health community. It is only one of several avenues through which we offer distance learning and continuing education.