From the Director, Dr. Carlos J. Crespo

Welcome to the School of Community Health at the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. We offer a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in health studies, a minor in community health, a Master of Science in physical activity and risk reduction, and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. We also offer a Master of Public Health in health promotion as part of the Oregon Master of Public Health program. The M.P.H. is a collaborative degree among Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and Portland State University. In collaboration with our other partner schools in the College of Urban and Public Affairs we also offer a Ph.D. with areas of emphasis in gerontology, and community health and social change.

The School of Community Health undergraduate program is designed around a common core of courses and four separate tracks, which include: community health education, health sciences, physical activity/exercise, and school health. There are currently around 300 students in our undergraduate program. The minor in community health consists of selections from the core courses and upper-division courses offered by the department. Selected courses in the School of Community Health can be taken to complete the Oregon Continuing Teacher Licenses in health and in physical education.

The Master of Public Health in health education/health promotion is offered as part of the Oregon M.P.H. program in conjunction with Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University. The OMPH program was recently ranked second in the nation among graduate programs in community health by U.S. News and World Report. M.P.H. students choose an area of emphasis from among: advocacy and social change, aging, health behavior, integrative health, physical activity and risk reduction, and women's health. The Master of Science program includes two concentrations: mind-body health and physical activity/exercise. We currently have approximately 60 students enrolled in these programs.

The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is offered by the Institute on Aging, which is a multi-disciplinary unit within the School of Community Health that conducts research, provides training, and offers service to the community. In addition, the School of Community Health and the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning collaborate to offer a Ph.D. in Urban Studies in gerontology. The gerontology Ph.D. field area addresses the social issues, problems, policies, and programs that affect the quality of life for our rapidly aging population.

We also collaborate with the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government to offer a Ph.D. in public administration and policy with a track in community health and social change. The focus of the community health track is on the social and structural factors that influence health, such as socioeconomics, culture, politics, and social change.

We are proud of our University motto to let knowledge serve the city and our long-standing commitment to community health in the region and abroad. In the School of Community Health we believe that a healthy lifestyle is not only the result of individual healthy choices, but also a result of the environment and community that surround us. To that end, the School of Community Health engages in interdisciplinary activities that work toward influencing health behaviors through modification of lifestyles and changes to the environment.

Our programs emphasize teamwork, community outreach and collaboration among all members of society. Our students are challenged with engaged faculty who bring lifetime experiences into the classroom. Our faculty members serve on national accreditation boards, public health advisory groups, and professional organizations, as well as holding leadership positions in international public health institutions. We also take great pride on the diverse, high-quality internship opportunities available to students in every discipline. We invite you to use these pages to apply online and to become better acquainted with the School of Community Health. I think you will find Portland State University to be the best urban university that engages in community service throughout its academic undertaking. These opportunities will enrich your life and enhance your future job opportunities. Come and experience the Portland State University tradition of service, excellence, and success. If you have questions about our program, you can contact the School of Community Health at (503) 725-4401 or e-mail us at schinfo@pdx.edu.