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Coursework

Indigenous Health Ph.D. Curriculum

The Indigenous Health Ph.D. is a 60-credit, post-Master's degree program (42 for coursework, 12 for dissertation/portfolio, and 6 for seminar series). The curriculum is available in-person or online using live, interactive video. We expect that students will have taken at least one 3-credit, graduate-level course in biostatistics and one in epidemiology. If not, they may take the MPH-level courses available at the University of North Dakota as prerequisites.

IH 731: Applied Biostatistics, 3 credits
Introduction to essential topics in medical and public health statistical concepts and reasoning. Topics include examples from published health research focused on Indigenous populations, and homework assignments expose students to hands-on data analysis using real-life datasets.

IH 745: Indigenous Leadership & Ethics, 3 credits
Examine leadership, organizational and change theory, and the skills required to lead Indigenous health agencies and community-based organizations in the context of changing demographics and increasing diversity. Indigenous perspectives on bioethics and research ethics will be explored.

IH 751: Applied Epidemiology, 3 credits
Focus on the application or practice of epidemiology to address public health issues in Indigenous populations. Examples include the monitoring of communicable diseases, chronic diseases, mortality rates, and risk factors in the community.

IH 760: Public Health Program Evaluation, 3 credits
Apply systematic ways to improve and account for public health actions by involving procedures that are useful, feasible, ethical, and accurate. The CDC Framework for Evaluation in Public Health guides public health professionals in their use of program evaluation.

IH 761: Indigenous Evaluation Frameworks, 3 credits
Building upon the CDC Public Health Program Evaluation model, Indigenous communities can take ownership of the evaluation process and be cognizant of and responsive to traditional values and culture. This class will focus on Indigenous public health evaluation principles utilizing the American Indian Higher Education Consortium's Indigenous Evaluation Framework.

IH 762: Quantitative Research Methods, 3 credits
Apply systematic empirical investigation of observable health phenomena via statistical, mathematical, and computational methods. The objective is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories, and to test hypotheses pertaining to public health phenomena. Quantitative research provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of significant quantitative relationships.

IH 763: Qualitative Research Methods, 3 credits
Develop competencies in exploratory research used to understand underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. Provide insights into health issues and develop ideas or hypotheses to inform quantitative research. Qualitative Research can uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into health issues. Qualitative data collection methods include focus groups, key informant interviews, and observations.

IH 764: Mixed Methods Research, 3 credits
Critique mixed-methods research designs and design mixed methods  studies in an area of Indigenous public health interest to the student. Opportunities will be provided for students to learn from one another's expertise.

IH 765: Indigenous Research Methods, 3 credits
Using Indigenous case studies from around the world, demonstrate the specific methodologies that are appropriate for the transformative paradigm of research and the historical and cultural traditions of third-world and Indigenous populations. Provide preparation for dissertation and portfolio development.

IH 766: CBPR & Tribally-Driven Research Frameworks, 3 credits
Develop competencies in the Community-Based Participatory Research framework and methods for Indigenous communities to drive research design, implementation and dissemination of results to ensure relevance to community. Develop strategies to ensure meaningful community engagement throughout the research process from hypothesis development to publication and dissemination.

IH 781: Principles of Indigenous Health, 3 credits
Define Indigenous populations, histories, cultures, societies, traditional healing systems, food sources, and patterns of colonization. Populations include AI/AN, First Nations, Inuit, Sami, Aboriginal Australian, Maori, Ainu, and Pacific Islanders.

IH 782: Principles of Indigenous Health 2, 3 credits
Describe Indigenous health disparities, health systems, case studies, and best practices. Modules include: historical trauma/epigenetics; traditional foods/ microbiome; boarding/residential schools; impact of racism/discrimination; and decolonization and health.

IH 783: American Indian Health Policy, 3 credits
Analysis and assessment of the legal, policy, and historical basis for the IHS/Tribal/Urban (I/T/U) system; role of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; impact of Affordable Care Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

IH 784: Indigenous Health Policy, 3 credits
Describe Indigenous health disparities, health systems, and policies in terms of their impact on Indigenous health internationally. Focus on how national health systems engage, or do not engage, Indigenous peoples.

Topics
Health Policy, Research, and Indigenous Health

Schedule
Comprehensive exams will be offered one time per academic year, and will be given the first week of Summer semester; students will have two weeks to complete their three comprehensive exams.

Schedule for 2025

  1. Begin exam May 19, 2025 (12:01 am CST)
  2. Exam due June 1, 2025 (11:59 pm CST)
  3. Initial pass/fail decision June 9, 2025 (notified by email)
  4. Revisions due June 14, 2025 (11:59 pm CST)
  5. Final pass/fail decision  Within five business days of submitted revision(s)

Students will select either the Applied Track or Academic Track by end of fall semester of their first year. Students will work with their faculty advisors to inform their decision.

IH 999: Dissertation
Dissertation will follow UND Graduate School guidelines.

IH 790: Seminar

1 credit each semester and summer for the first 2 years (6 total). Meet in-person for two 1-week seminars/year in the summer and spring. The fall seminar will be online. Students are responsible for all travel and accommodations. These costs can be included in the cost of attendance for financial aid.

Year 1 Summer - one-week onsite August
Year 1 Fall - online
Year 1 Spring - online
Year 2 Summer - one-week onsite in August
Year 2 Fall - online
Year 2 Spring - online

Various topics covered include current events in Indigenous health, pedagogy, grant writing and compliance, case studies, ethics, student-led discussions, among others.

3 Year Plan of Study
4 Year Plan of Study
5 Year Plan of Study

  • Laptop or Desktop computer capable of running and staying up to date with the latest versions of Windows or MacOS as they are released.
  • High speed, reliable  internet connection capable of supporting online live class sessions and for taking exams and quizzes.

Applications Open

December 1 = Priority deadline
February 1 = Final deadline

APPLY NOW

Indigenous Health Department
Suite E263
1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
P 701.777.6521
IndigenousHealth@UND.edu

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School of Medicine & Health Sciences

1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037

701.777.2514

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