MPH Competency Map for SPH and Division-Required Courses

Course: CHSC 400  

 

 

Major Contributor

Minor Contributor

Doesn't Address

Where in Course?

Biostatistics

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public health

 

 

 x

 

2.       Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation and commonly used statistical probability distributions.

 

 

 x

 

3.       Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when assumptions are not met.

 

 

 x

 

4.       Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions.

 

 

 x

 

5.       Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6

6.       Apply common statistical methods for inference.

 

 

 x

 

7.       Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question.

 

 

 x

 

8.       Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public health characteristics and in public health research and evaluation.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6

9.       Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.

 

 x

Module 6 

10.   Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses for both public health professionals and educated lay audiences.

 

 

 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epidemiology

 

 

 

 

1.       Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 5

2.       Identify the principles and limitations of public health screening programs.

 

 

 x

 

3.       Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.

 

 x

 

 Modules 2, 6

4.       Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.

 

 x

 

 Modules 2, 5

5.       Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of epidemiologic data.

 

 

 x

 

6.       Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6

7.       Calculate basic epidemiology measures

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6 

8.       Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6

9.       Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.

 

 x

 

Modules 2, 6

10.   Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports

 

 

 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Health Sciences

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.

 

 

 x

 

2.       Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.

 

 

 x

 

3.       Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues

 

 x

 

 Module 4

4.       Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.

 

 

 x

 

5.       Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.

 

 

 x

 

6.       Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures

 

 

 x

 

7.       Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity.

 

 

 x

 

8.       Develop a testable model of environmental insult.

 

 

 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Policy and Management

 

 

 

 

1.       Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing and delivery of health services and public health systems in the US.

 x

 

 

 Modules 3, 4

2.       Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services

 x

 

 

 Module 4

3.       Explain methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness.

 x

 

 

 Module 7

4.       Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.

 

 x

 

 Modules 4, 5

5.       Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives

 x

 

 

 Module 6

6.       Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.

 

 

 x

 

7.       Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.

 

 

 x

 

8.       Apply "systems thinking" for resolving organizational problems.

 

 

 x

 

9.       Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.

 

 

 x

 

10.   Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

 

 

 

 

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

 

 

 

 

1.       Identify basic theories, concepts and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used in public health research and practice.

 

 

 x

 

2.       Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

3.       Identify individual, organizational and community concerns, assets, resources and deficits for social and behavioral science interventions.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

4.       Identify critical stakeholders for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, policies and interventions.

 

 x

 

 Modules 2, 5

5.       Describe steps and procedures for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, policies and interventions.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

6.       Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

7.       Describe the merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

8.       Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

9.       Apply ethical principles to public health program planning, implementation and evaluation.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

10.   Specify multiple targets and levels of intervention for social and behavioral science programs and/or policies.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

 

 

 

 

 

Public Health Biology

 

 

 

 

1.       Specify the role of the immune system in population health

 

 

 x

 

2.       Describe how behavior alters human biology.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

3.       Identify the ethical, social and legal issues implied by public health biology.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

4.       Explain the biological and molecular basis of public health.

 

 

 x

 

5.       Explain the role of biology in the ecological model of population-based health.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

6.       Explain how genetics and genomics affect disease processes and public health policy and practice.

 

 

 x

 

7.       Articulate how biological, chemical and physical agents affect human health.

 

x

 

 Modules 2, 7

8.       Apply biological principles to development and implementation of disease prevention, control, or management programs.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

9.       Apply evidence-based biological and molecular concepts to inform public health laws, policies, and regulations.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

10.   Integrate general biological and molecular concepts into public health.

 

 

 x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communication and Informatics

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe how the public health information infrastructure is used to collect, process, maintain, and disseminate data.

 

 x

 

 Modules 2, 5

2.       Describe how societal, organizational, and individual factors influence and are influenced by public health communications.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

3.       Discuss the influences of social, organizational and individual factors on the use of information technology by end users.

 

 

 x

 

4.       Apply theory and strategy-based communication principles across different settings and audiences.

 

 

 x

 

5.       Apply legal and ethical principles to the use of information technology and resources in public health settings

 

 

 x

 

6.       Collaborate with communication and informatics specialists in the process of design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs.

 

 

 x

 

7.       Demonstrate effective written and oral skills for communicating with different audiences in the context of professional public health activities.

 x

 

 

 Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

8.       Use information technology to access, evaluate, and interpret public health data.

 

 x

 

 Modules 2, 5

9.       Use informatics methods and resources as strategic tools to promote public health

 

 

 x

 

10.   Use informatics and communication methods to advocate for community public health programs and policies.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

 

 

 

 

 

Diversity and Culture

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe the roles of history, power, privilege and structural inequality in producing health disparities.

 

 x

 

 Module 2

2.       Explain how professional ethics and practices relate to equity and accountability in diverse community settings.

 

 

 x

 

3.       Explain why cultural competence alone cannot address health disparity

 

 

 x

 

4.       Discuss the importance and characteristics of a sustainable diverse public health workforce

 

 

 x

 

5.       Use the basic concepts and skills involved in culturally appropriate community engagement and empowerment with diverse communities

 

 

 x

 

6.       Apply the principles of community-based participatory research to improve health in diverse populations

 

 

 x

 

7.       Differentiate among availability, acceptability, and accessibility of health care across diverse populations.

 

 

 x

 

8.       Differentiate between linguistic competence, cultural competency, and health literacy in public health practice.

 

 

 x

 

9.       Cite examples of situations where consideration of culture-specific needs resulted in a more effective modification or adaptation of a health intervention.

 

 

 x

 

10.   Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the communities being served.

 

 x

 

 Module 6

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe the attributes of leadership in public health

 x

 

 

 Modules 1, 5

2.       Describe alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations, focused on public health goals.

 x

 

 

 Module 5

3.       Articulate an achievable mission, set of core values, and vision.

 x

 

 

 Module 5

4.       Engage in dialogue and learning from others to advance public health goals

 x

 

 

 Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

5.       Demonstrate team building, negotiation, and conflict management skills

 x

 

 

 Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6

6.       Demonstrate transparency, integrity, and honesty in all actions

 

 x

 

Module 5 

7.       Use collaborative methods for achieving organizational and community health goals

 x

 

 

 Modules 2, 5

8.       Apply social justice and human rights principles when addressing community needs.

 

 x

 

 Module 2, 5

9.       Develop strategies to motivate others for collaborative problem solving, decision-making, and evaluation

 

 x

 

 Module 5

 

 

 

 

 

Systems Thinking

 

 

 

 

1.       Identify characteristics of a system

 x

 

 

 Modules 1, 5

2.       Identify unintended consequences produced by changes made to a public health system. 

 x

 

 

 Module 5

3.       Provide examples of feedback loops and “stocks and flows” within a public health system.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

4.       Explain how systems (e.g. individuals, social networks, organizations, and communities) may be viewed as systems within systems in the analysis of public health problems.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

5.       Explain how systems models can be tested and validated.

 

 

x

 

6.       Explain how the contexts of gender, race, poverty, history, migration, and culture are important in the design of interventions within public health systems

 

 x

 

 Module 2

7.       Illustrate how changes in public health systems (including input, processes, and output) can be measured.

 x

 

 Module 5

8.       Analyze inter-relationships among systems that influence the quality of life of people in their communities

 

 x

 

 Module 2

9.       Analyze the effects of political, social and economic policies on public health systems at the local, state, national and international levels.

 x

 

 

 Modules 4, 5

10.   Analyze the impact of global trends and interdependencies on public health related problems and systems

 

 x

 

 Module 2

11.   Assess strengths and weaknesses of applying the systems approach to public health problems.

 

 x

 

 Module 5

 

 

 

 

 

Program Planning

 

 

 

 

1.       Describe how social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors contribute to specific individual and community health outcomes.

 x

 

 

 Module 6

2.       Describe the tasks necessary to assure that program implementation occurs as intended

 x

 

 

 Module 6

3.       Explain how the findings of a program evaluation can be used

x

 

 

 Module 6

4.       Explain the contribution of logic models in program development, implementation, and evaluation.

 x

 

 

Module 6

5.       Differentiate among goals, measurable objectives, related activities, and expected outcomes for a public health program

 x

 

 

 Module 6

6.       Differentiate the purposes of formative, process, and outcome evaluation.

 x

 

 

 Module 6

7.       Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods in relation to their strengths, limitations, and appropriate uses, and emphases on reliability and validity

 x

 

 

 Module 6

8.       Prepare a program budget with justification

 x

 

 

 Module 6

9.       In collaboration with others, prioritize individual, organizational, and community concerns and resources for public health programs

 x

 

 

 Modules 5, 6

10.   Assess evaluation reports in relation to their quality, utility, and impact on public health

 x

 

 

 Module 6

 

 

 

 

 

Professionalism

 

 

 

 

1.       Discuss sentinel events in the history and development of the public health profession and their relevance for practice in the field.

 x

 

 

 Modules 1, 4, 5

2.       Apply basic principles of ethical analysis (e.g. the Public Health Code of Ethics, human rights framework, other moral theories) to issues of public health practice and policy.

 x

 

 

 Module 1

3.       Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to critical evaluation and decision-making in public health

 x

 

 

 Modules 5, 7

4.       Apply the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance in the analysis of public health problems and their solutions

 x

 

 

 Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

5.       Promote high standards of personal and organizational integrity, compassion, honesty and respect for all people.

 x

 

 

 Module 1

6.       Analyze determinants of health and disease using an ecological framework

 x

 

 

 Module 2

7.       Analyze the potential impacts of legal and regulatory environments on the conduct of ethical public health research and practice.

 x

 

 

 Modules 4, 5

8.       Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and burdens of public health programs.

 x

 

 

 Module 2

9.       Embrace a definition of public health that captures the unique characteristics of the field (e.g., population-focused, community-oriented, prevention-motivated and rooted in social justice) and how these contribute to professional practice.

 x

 

 

 Modules 1, 3

10.   Appreciate the importance of working collaboratively with diverse communities and constituencies (e.g. researchers, practitioners, agencies and organizations).

 x

 

 

 Modules 2, 5

11.   Value commitment to lifelong learning and professional service including active participation in professional organizations.

 x

 

 

 Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
         

Notes:

·          Source for Competencies: MPH Core Competency Development Project, Version 2.3. ASPH, August 2006

·          Major Contributor = course is the major contributor to this competency among SPH and Division-required courses for MPH degree (guideline = >10 learning hours)

·          Minor Contributor = course is not the major contributor but augments and/or re-enforces competency (guideline = >1 but <10 learning hours)

·          Doesn't Address = course does not address this content in any substantial manner (guideline = <1 learning hour)

·          Where in Course? = if “Major Contributor” or “Minor Contributor” checked, identify where in course this learning takes place (such as “Week 4” or “Module 2” or “Project A”). If “Doesn't Address” checked, leave blank.