Institute of Public Health: Assessment Plan

Institute of Publi= c Health: Assessment of Learning Outcomes

July 1, 2005

A. Adoption of Student Learning Outco= mes

Upon completion of the MPH degree, all students will have a mastery of appropriate theory, knowledge and skills in applied public health and public health research as evidenced by the graduate’s ability to:=

·= ; = Articulate and utilize an understanding of core public health concepts in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, health services administratio= n, and environmental health, as well as the eight emerging areas identified by IOM.

·= ; = Identify and assess the public health conditions, both assets and deficiencies, of populations.=

·= ; = Demonstrate the ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs and services designed to address these conditions

·= ; = Understand and employ an “ecological approach” to public health, with emphasis on the linkages and relationships among the multiple determinants of health, to as= sure conditions that protect and promote the health of populations.

·= ; = Identify and analyze health disparities and design appropriate, culturally competent prevention and intervention strategies.

·= ; = Demonstrate an ability to apply theory and knowledge in applied, field-based settings, as evidenced by a competency level of knowledgeable to proficient across the seven (7) compet= ency domains for public health professionals:

o = analytical assessment

o = policy development/program planning

o = communication

o = cultural competency

o = community dimension of practice

o = basic public health sciences

o = financial planning and management, and

o = leadership and systems thinking

·= ; = Apply critical thinking skills within the context of public health practice and research.

·= ; = Demonstrate skills in public hea= lth research and communication.

For the MPH graduate specializin= g in Prevention Sciences, additional learning outcomes include the student’= ;s ability to:

·= ; = Demonstrate understanding of dis= ease etiology, occurrence, prevention, and detection in a manner that will benef= it population health.

·= ; = Apply principles of epidemiology= and biostatistics to community health planning and service integration.

·= ; = Demonstrate research competencie= s in applied, basic sciences that support the work of public health and emerging fields of prevention practice such as chronic and infectious diseases.=

·= ; = Use economic evaluation and informatics to analyze programs and community health needs and test the efficacy of interventions.

For the MPH graduate specializin= g in Health Promotion and Behavior, additional learning outcomes include the student’s ability to:

·= ; = Demonstrate an understanding of health promotion programs in various content areas and how those programs function across a variety of settings.

·= ; = Demonstrate skills as a qualified resource person and advocate for the community using appropriate methods to= meet community and population needs.

·= ; = Demonstrate the ability to communicate health and health education information to diverse populations using a range of techniques and methods.

·= ; = Demonstrate an understanding of = the impact that biology, environment, cultural, law, education, and the media h= ave on population health and societal expectations.

For the MPH graduate specializin= g in Health Management and Policy, additional learning outcomes include the student’s ability to:

·= ; = Demonstrate an understanding of = the history and structure of health care systems and specify how social, politi= cal, legal, ethical, technological, economic and cultural forces have shaped it.=

·= ; = Explain the concerns of quality, access and cost of health care.

·= ; = Analyze the main options and met= hods for financing and regulating health care services.

·= ; = Apply research methods, including quantitative methods and data management, and critical thinking skills to problems in health policy, management and services research.

Assessment Methods, Data Collection Processes and Analyses

The = MPH program has a five-step plan for self-study and evaluation of the total program.

a. Successful completion of core cour= ses. Each core course has course object= ives that provide the foundation for the program objectives. A grade of “B” or bett= er is required and successful completion of the core courses serves as evidence of foundational learning outcomes being met.&= nbsp;

b. Co= urse evaluations. Students enr= olled in a course evaluate that course at the end of the semester, providing insi= ght on course content and instruction. Course evaluations should meet or exceed college norms and benchmark= s.
- c. Successful completion of practicum= or field experience. Each MPH student must complete a six (6) hour practicum or field experience prior to program completion. Students = are required to receive positive evaluations from their field preceptors or supervisors, receive an overall course grade of “B” or higher, = make an oral presentation of their work at the end of each semester, and submit a portfolio or manuscript on their experience to be maintained in the Institu= te library.
  - All aspects of the practicum experience will be evaluated using= the domains of core competencies for public health professionals.
  d. Fi= nal Thesis or Special Capstone Project.&nb= sp; Each MPH student has the option of completing either a thesis or a special capstone research project. Both culminating experiences are designed to test the student’s competency in core public health knowledge, skills and abilities and to ens= ure proficiency in the student’s area of specialization. Students are expected to present t= heir thesis or capstone project in writing and defend it orally, to a faculty committee.
  - &n= bsp; Evaluation will be based on the student’s demonstration of overall achievement of learning outcomes as evidenced by the work in t= he culminating experience.
  e. Al= umni Survey. Following complet= ion of the degree program, information about program outcomes will be sought from = the new graduate. The survey gaug= es usage of learning outcomes in an applied public health setting, career chan= ges or advancement, further advanced study, and activities such as publication = or peer-reviewed presentations that confirm learning outcomes.
  - Use of Results=
    
    =
    
    The Institute of Public= Health takes seriously its charge to develop quality public health graduate educat= ion, which improves the knowledge, skills and abilities of public health professionals and researchers. The MPH is a new program, with the first class being enrolled in Fall Semester 2004. Thus, the learning outc= omes assessment plan provides a foundation for the programs efforts. The goal and expectations of accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) further ensures the necessary institutional and faculty focus on establishing, measuring and improving learning outcomes.
    
    Learning outcomes for in= dividual students will be monitored and assessed by relevant university faculty. The student’s advisor, ident= ified during the student’s first semester of enrollment, will track student progress and performance, especially oral and written performance in course= work and performance as graduate research assistants, if applicable. The student’s advisor, MPH P= rogram Coordinator, and the field placement supervisor will jointly assess the student’s internship performance.&nb= sp; Lastly, Institute staff will maintain a database of post-degree employment of each graduate.
    
    Performance evaluation o= f applicable learning outcomes for all students will be conducted annually by the direct= or of the Institute, in concert with core faculty and affiliated faculty. (Certain learning outcomes cannot = be evaluated either until the second year of the program or until there are MPH graduates.) Faculty, in consultation with students, the Institute’s Board of Advisors and the= GSU Deans’ Advisory Group (which oversees the Institute), will work toget= her in a continuous quality improvement process to ensure that learning outcomes are understandable, measurable, properly linked with applied public health = and research, and being achieved.
    
    III. Improvement of Unit Student Retent= ion and Graduation
    
    The = Institute of Public Health= 217;s student retention rates are excellent.&nbs= p; The MPH degree program accepted 24 new students for Fall 2004 and 16= for Spring 2005 and all but one has remained in the program. The IPH offers Graduate Research Assistantships to recognize students and provide an environment for faculty and students to develop meaningful relationships. The Institute plans to be an active participant in the Colleg= e of Health and Human Services’ Honor’s Day. Program directors orient students at the beginning of their academic programs and e= ach student has a faculty advisor who advises and mentors them throughout their programs of study.