Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations: A New Master's Program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health

A new curriculum-based cancer education program at the University of Michigan is preparing MPH students for careers in cancer epidemiology in international settings and with minority populations in the U.S. The program has established new elective courses, seminars, and summer fieldwork placements. The summer research experience serves as a basis for the MPH thesis. In the first year of the program, 7 students conducted international research projects in North Africa, Tanzania, and India. Another 5 internships focused on minority populations in the U.S., including African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Arab Americans. We plan to support at least 50 students in 5 years, with another 75 participating in the new courses. Graduates of the program are expected to pursue future careers in international and minority settings. Lessons learned with respect to curricular development, field methods for international and minority research, and translating research findings from international to U.S. populations will be discussed. Dissemination of this program, through partnerships with U.S.-based public health degree-granting programs that have the potential and interest in adopting the curriculum, will be presented. (Sponsored by grant R25-12383 from the National Cancer Institute).