Competencies and Learning Objectives

Foundational Learning Objectives

Profession & Science of Public Health:
Explain history, philosophy & values
Identify the core functions & 10 essential services
Explain role of quantitative & qualitative methods & sciences to describe & assess a population’s health
List major causes & trends of morbidity & mortality in the US or other relevant community
Discuss the science of primary, secondary & tertiary prevention in population health
Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge

Factors Related to Human Health:
Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
Explain biological & genetic factors that affect population health
Explain behavioral & psychological factors that affect population health
Explain the social, political & economic determinants of health & how they contribute to population health & health inequity
Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health & ecosystem health (One Health)

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

FC1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice

FC 2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context

FC 3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

FC 4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice Public Health & Health Care Systems

FC 5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings

FC 6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels

Planning & Management to Promote Health

FC 7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health

FC 8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs

FC 9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention

FC 10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management

FC 11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

Policy in Public Health

FC 12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence

FC 13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes

FC 14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations

FC 15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

Leadership

FC 16. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making

FC 17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges

Communication

FC 18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors

FC 19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation

FC 20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content

Interprofessional Practice

FC 21. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams

Systems Thinking

FC 22. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

1. Translate mathematical and statistical foundations to biostatistics
2. Design and critically evaluate study protocols in the health sciences
3. Design and apply comprehensive data management strategies for health-related studies
4. Identify and apply suitable statistical methods for data analyses
5. Effectively communicate statistical information to health practitioners and professionals

1. Describe public health issues in terms of person, place, and time from social, environmental, population, and individual perspectives.
2. Identify and use sources of epidemiologic information and knowledge as a basis for sound research, decision-making, and data-driven public health practice.
3. Develop a study design and acknowledge the strengths and limitations for application..
4. Interpret and communicate the results of analysis to ensure the effective application of epidemiologic methods.
5. Always demonstrate strong ethics in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data used for public health practice.

1. Critique and integrate theories of leadership into personal philosophy of leadership
2. Integrate principles of diversity and inclusivity into organizational goals.
3.  Make policy recommendations at the organizational, local, state, or federal-level to improve population and community health. 
4.  Demonstrate leadership’s role in identifying sources of risk and developing mitigation strategies in the implementation of a public health plan.
5.  Apply quality and leadership concepts to address organizational practices.

1. Identify the unique lifecourse, biological, sociocultural, and behavioral assets and challenges of public health practice with women, children and families.
2. Critique and evaluate existing public health interventions or policies for their appropriateness and implications for women, children and families.
3. Describe the historical landmark policies that have influenced public health practice in maternal and child health.
4. Develop an advocacy plan that engages a community in improving maternal and child health outcomes.
5. Describe a maternal and child issue in terms of time, magnitude/severity, scope, dispersion/location, and co-occurrence/co-morbidity.

The Master of Health Administration program is designed to prepare students for effective organizational management based on competencies and evidence based practices needed to become exceptional managers and leaders. By the conclusion of the MHA program, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in:

Strategic Orientation,
Promoting Accountability,
Communication Skills 1- Writing,
Communication Skills 2- Speaking and Facilitating,
Human Relations,
Performance Measurement,
Information Technology,
Professional and Social Responsibility,
Analytical Thinking,
Financial Skills,
Quality and Process Improvement, and
Project Management.

HBR PhD1. Demonstrate ability to critically assess and apply rigorous research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods, to address research hypotheses using a range of public health research designs

HBR PhD2. Synthesize knowledge to identify gaps in the literature about important public health issues.

HBR PhD3. Use research methods to develop, test, and implement interventions designed to achieve social and behavioral change.

EPID PhD1. Synthesize findings from epidemiologic studies in order to effectively communicate information that addresses public health issues.

EPID PhD2. Demonstrate an ability to design an appropriate study to address a given public health issue.

EPID PhD3. Formulate study hypotheses based on evidence to generate original research initiatives.

HBR MS1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review of the psychological, social, and cultural determinants of health behavior
HBR MS2. Apply and interpret data relevant to health behavior research
HBR MS3. Demonstrate a core set of research skills for conducting health behavior research

EPID MS1. Appropriately quantify risk and protective factors for various public health problems
EPID MS2. Identify categories of threats to validity and appropriate actions to minimize them
EPID MS3. Analyze the components and applications of causal inference adopted in the field of epidemiology