Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus to Offer
New Master of Public Health Degree
Campus to educate public health professionals to meet high demand
in Brooklyn and nationwide -- classes begin in Fall 2009

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Responding to the critical need for public health specialists, the School of Health Professions at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus will offer a new program leading to a Master of Public Health degree. Enrollment is now underway, and classes will start in September.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, despite the weak economy, demand is strong for public health professionals. In fact, according to the Association of Schools of Public Health, there is a growing shortage in the field, and more than 250,000 additional public health workers are needed nationwide by 2020 to avert a public health crisis.

An M.P.H. degree prepares individuals for careers in areas such as epidemiology, health agency and program management, health education and international health. Salaries in these fields can reach well above $70,000.

The 42-credit M.P.H. curriculum explores the five core disciplines of public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health science, health policy and management, and social and behavioral science. It also incorporates a focus on the health care landscape in Brooklyn. The borough's large and diverse population has some of the highest rates of HIV infection and related deaths, asthma, diabetes and hypertension in New York City, especially among vulnerable groups such as infants, children, teenagers and pregnant women.

“The advent of this M.P.H. degree is good news for Brooklyn, where health statistics signal the risk of a public health crisis. This program will equip professionals with the skills needed to bring greater focus to the health needs of our borough's residents,” declared Barry S. Eckert, dean of the Campus' School of Health Professions.

“Our community partners are very supportive of the M.P.H. program,” Dean Eckert added, noting that the program will have close connections with local organizations and health care providers as well as with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “With such strong ties between the program and the community, career prospects for our graduates will be especially good,” he said.

The Campus' flexible course schedules are ideal for busy professionals. Fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 8. For more information about the M.P.H. program or to register for classes, call the admissions office at (718) 488-1011, e-mail admissions@brooklyn.liu.edu or visit www.brooklyn.liu.edu/health.

Media Contact: (718) 488-1015

Posted: June 19, 2009