Master of Public Health in Health Literacy and Public Health Communication

The Master of Public Health in Health Literacy and Public Health Communication, Online (HLHO) is offered through the Department of Behavioral and Community Health in the School of Public Health. This practice-oriented program prepares social and behavioral science professionals to create, share, and promote health information that supports personal and organizational health literacy and informed decisions about health. Students develop skills in the theory, methods, and application of health literacy and public health communication for public health information, messages, materials, and campaigns.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to support their educational and career development goals. Students with specific academic questions should contact Dr. Jenny Hodgson at jhodgson@umd.edu.

Overview

The Master of Public Health in Health Literacy and Public Health Communication, Online (HLHO) features a 45-credit, 17-course curriculum designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to create and communicate clear, useful, audience-focused, and culturally relevant health information.

• The program prepares graduates to support personal and organizational health literacy and informed health decision-making.
• The curriculum integrates health literacy, public health communication, health behavior, research methods, and public health informatics with hands-on experience through an internship and capstone project.
• Successful graduates are prepared to design, select, share, and promote public health information, messages, materials, and campaigns across a range of formats and communication channels.

Program Features

Students combine academic coursework with practical experience through an internship and capstone project.

• Fourteen credits (six courses) covering foundational public health concepts, including epidemiology and biostatistics, public health data, program and policy planning, evaluation, ethics, leadership, and advocacy
• Fifteen credits (five courses) in health behavior, health literacy, public health communication, public health informatics, and research methods
• Seven credits (three courses) consisting of a four-credit internship and a three-credit capstone experience
• Nine credits (three elective courses) that students choose from a selection of related topics

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
• Specific class meeting days and times are available in Testudo, UMD's student services and registration portal. Select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year, and browse courses by academic unit.
• The program uses specific section codes for registration that are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan, Full-Time, Fall Admission

Courses

For a listing of program courses, see the Graduate School Catalog program requirements for HLHO. For course descriptions, including prerequisites or corequisites, see the HLTH and SPHL.

Overview

• Instruction provided by UMD faculty and professionals in the field.
• The program follows the semester academic calendar, with classes held during the 16-week fall and spring semesters and two six-week Summer Session. 

Online Learning

• Features 100% online instruction with engaging and interactive learning.
• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content. 
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction is fully asynchronous.
• Lectures are recorded and archived. 

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have mastered a combination of foundational global, environmental, and occupational health-specific competencies appropriate to their educational and professional goals.

• Select and apply health literacy and health communication strategies to design public health communication practice or research activities that improve health.
• Plan implementation and evaluation activities that apply health literacy and health communication strategies.
• Select, apply, and critique health behavior and health communication theories to analyze public health problems and inform health promotion activities.
• Translate empirical findings to inform community health promotion and practice.
• Apply a critical lens to analyze and address systemic inequities affecting socially and structurally marginalized groups.