Public health teams with UNL for new dual degree

The UNMC College of Public Health and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture are accepting applications for a new Master of Community and Regional Planning and Master of Public Health Dual Degree, which has been approved to start in fall 2022.

The COVID -19 pandemic has amplified the need for equal access to resources for improved public health and quality of life. Cities, neighborhoods and the built environment can have both positive and adverse impacts on human health.

Both rural and urban communities face environmental conditions, such as poor air quality, deteriorated housing, disease outbreaks, inadequate infrastructure, ground and surface water contamination and other environmental conditions, that have significant effects on public health. These conditions are influenced by the various ways communities are planned and developed.

“We know that where someone lives significantly affects their health, and the MCRP/MPH dual degree will provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to promote the design and construction of places which are safe and healthy for everyone,” said Nicole Kolm-Valdivia, PhD, director of professional programs with College of Public Health. “This training on how to shape physical and community environments to enhance the health of populations will be effective in working towards the Healthy People 2030 goal of building a healthier future for all.”

UNL collaborators are eager to start this long-awaited dual degree. “We look forward to working with our colleagues at UNMC to bring new and relevant opportunities to our students and fill a much needed gap in education,” said Sharon Kuska, PhD, interim dean of the College of Architecture.

The need for this dual degree increases as more and more planners and public health professionals are collaborating to address these and other emerging issues, but few policymakers, health officials and planners are trained or have experiences specifically in the intersection of community planning and public health.

“We only need to look to the current pandemic to see how public health can significantly change our planning theories and the professions, and we need to be responsive to our rapidly changing environment,” said Zhenghong Tang, PhD, community and regional planning program director. “The new dual degree program provides students great collaborative opportunities to help build healthier communities.”

The completion of this dual degree allows students to become experts in both community planning and public health while greatly impacting their communities and increasing their opportunities in the job market.

“This new dual degree program is a great example of inter-campus collaboration to address the critical needs in healthy community development in Nebraska and beyond,” said Katherine Ankerson, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Students interested in learning more about this dual degree can email the College of Public Health or visit the Master of Community and Regional Planning and the Master of Public Health webpages.