Emphasis in Health Ministry

The present era in history is dominated by science and the products of scientific research and technology. Even in the orient, where much of the culture is grounded in ancient traditions and fashioned by mystery and magic, life is now being refashioned by science. Any leader not capable of thinking scientifically will be at a distinct disadvantage in dealing with the pervasive facts and issues of the 21st century. Christian leaders who can think scientifically will have a decided advantage in presenting the Christian faith in the prevailing scientific culture.

To facilitate a clear grasp of what science is and what it is not, of how theology and science encounter and reinforce each other, and of how the health sciences in particular may be utilized in practical ways to mend and enrich human lives and advance the message of Christ, the Great Physician, is the primary mission of the emphasis in Health Ministry curriculum.

In addition to the professional competencies listed in the beginning of the Public Health section, the graduate with an emphasis in Health Ministry will possess the following competencies:

1. Integrate Christian values and the health sciences to achieve the goal of spreading the gospel and making disciples.
2. Personal and family crisis management and intervention by providing emotional support, first aid, and referring cases to relevant sources of assistance.

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better (on a four-point scale). Students with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.00 may be admitted on scholastic probation. Their admission status will be reevaluated after completion of 12 semester hours of coursework.
2. Demonstrated English proficiency.

Prerequisites

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 semester hours).
2. General Mathematics (3 semester hours).
3. Biology (3 semester hours).
4. At least 12 semester hours in the field of religion or theological studies.

Emphasis in Health Promotion

Health promotion is creating and implementing personal, social, physical, and environmental interventions that enable individuals and communities, not only to prevent disease and to have access to health care, but also to improve their quality of life, and increase quantity of life.

Health promoters and educators are in high demand in the 21st century. The heavy burden of lifestyle-related diseases or chronic diseases can be overcome only if health care providers work together with health educators and promoters as agents of change. The MPH with an emphasis in health promotion is committed to preparing those agents of change.

In addition to the professional competencies listed at the beginning of the Public Health section, the graduate with an emphasis in Health Promotion will have the following competencies:

1. Analyzes current global health issues and the interface between globalization processes and their impact on the health and welfare of disadvantaged populations.
2. Addresses adolescent and school health issues.

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better (on a four-point scale). Students with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.00 may be admitted on scholastic probation. Their admission status will be reevaluated after completion of 12 semester hours of coursework.
2. Proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the English language, which is the medium of instruction at AIIAS.

Prerequisite

1. Undergraduate studies in Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 semester hours) with a passing grade.
2. General Mathematics (3 semester hours).
3. Biology (3 semester hours).

It is possible to be accepted into the program provisionally when the prerequisites are not fully met. In such a case, the student agrees to complete them before 50% of the coursework has been completed.

These required prerequisites are undergraduate credits with a minimum grade of B. Other documents that demonstrate acceptable level of knowledge in the above subjects may be acceptable to the department, including evidence of successful completion of online study modules, or other modalities, from recognized institutions/organizations, with a passing grade. Prerequisites are valid only if taken within the last 10 years.

Emphasis in Nutrition

The MPH with emphasis in Nutrition is designed to prepare graduate health professionals to have a thorough understanding of nutrition in relationship to normal body functions and its role in the prevention of disease.

In addition to the professional competencies listed in the beginning of the Public Health section of the Bulletin, the graduate with an emphasis in Nutrition will have the following competencies:

• Assess nutritional needs and status at the individual and community levels. 
• Design and implement appropriate programs to meet nutritional needs of individuals holistic manner.

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, preferably in Nutrition, with a GPA of not less that 3.00. Students with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.00 may be admitted on scholastic probation, and their admission status will be reevaluated after completion of 12 semester hours of coursework.
2. Proficiency in oral and written use of the English language, which is the medium of instruction at AIIAS.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for the MPH with emphasis in Nutrition include a minimum of 15 undergraduate credits as indicated with no less than a grade of B earned in each as follows:

1. Introduction to Nutrition or Basic Nutrition (3 units) or equivalent
2. Nutritional Metabolism or Biochemistry (3 units)
3. Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 units)
4. General Mathematics (3 units)
5. Biology (3 units)

These prerequisites are undergraduate credits with a minimum grade of B. Other documents that demonstrate an acceptable level of knowledge in the above subjects may be accepted, including evidence of the successful completion of online study modules, from recognized institutions and organizations. It is possible to be accepted into the program provisionally when the prerequisites are not fully met. In such a case, the student is required then to complete all missing prerequisites before 50% of the coursework has been completed. Prerequisites are valid only if taken within the last 10 years.

Requirements

To earn the MPH degree with emphasis in Nutrition, the student must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Complete the required minimum semester hours of courses as stipulated in the curriculum, achieving a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
2. Choose one of the following options:
   • Elective class beginning with a PH prefix (3 semester hours) + PHHM/PHHP/PHNU 691 Field Learning Internship (3 semester hours) + Comprehensive Examination.
   • PHHM/PHHP/PHNU 698 Thesis including an oral defense (6 semester hours).

Double Emphasis

In the MPH program, taking double emphasis is encouraged. A student choosing to pursue a double emphasis must fulfill the number of semester hours for each emphasis.

Single emphasis: 

• Health Ministry – 45 Credits
• Health Promotion – 46 Credits
• Nutrition – 46 Credits

Double emphases:

• Health Ministry & Health Promotion – 54 Credits
• Health Ministry & Nutrition – 57 Credits
• Health Promotion & Nutrition – 54 Credits

Double emphasis requires that the Field Learning Internship experience encompasses both fields, or that the thesis fit both emphases.