UIC School of Public Health Student Handbook 2008-2009

The Master of Public Health: Health Policy and Administration

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Health Policy and Administration (HPA): MPH Learning Objectives

In addition to the school-wide learning objectives, for students pursuing the MPH degree in Health Policy and Administration, the following objectives apply:

The curriculum addresses competencies in (1) public health law and policy, (2) public health administration, (3) communications, and (4) public health ethics. At the end of the PHPM Comprehensive Curriculum, graduates will be able to:

1. Communicate a basic understanding of American jurisprudence and its application to public health policies and programs.
2. Describe the processes by which laws and regulations are made and the factors that influence those decisions, (b) analyze a particular state or federal policy making process to identify the determinants of its outcome and (c) demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the forces that have shaped and that continue to shape those processes.
3. Describe basic principles of economics and demonstrate an ability to interpret studies (as opposed to being able to produce such studies), knowing the lexicon of the technologies of economic analysis, and their strengths and weaknesses.
4. Illustrate different policy analytic and program evaluation techniques, again with an emphasis on interpretation, not production.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the institutions of public health and of the health services system in the United States.
6. Display strong written and oral communication skills, as well as skills in negotiating and in advocacy, an understanding of the importance of community support for public heath programs, an ability to communicate effectively with the community, an understanding of the role of the media in public health policy-making, and an ability to communicate effectively with the media.
7. Identify ethical principles that are involved in public health policy-making and programming.
8. Identify the skills necessary to administer public health programs, such as community assessment, strategic management, budgeting and organizational control, and leadership.
9. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate a public policy problem, and to communicate the results effectively in writing and orally.
10. Put into practice the skills learned in previous course work by engaging in a field experience.

Objectives for Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) Students:

Because the backgrounds of PEP students vary so widely, the faculty has decided that it would be unwise to specify an inflexible curriculum that all such students should take. Instead, each PEP student will work with his or her advisor to develop an individualized curriculum.

However, all PEP MPH students in HPA will, at the end of their studies, be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles, practices and theories of public health.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of selected problems in public health administration and public health policy.
3. Apply selected tools to the solution of those problems.
4. Communicate these abilities in writing and orally.

Joint Degree Options for HPA students:

MBA/MPH

MD/MPH

JD/MPH

General MPH Curricular Policies: See http://www.uic.edu/sph/shandbook_mph.htm

* Field Experience

The Field Experience provides the student with practical experience in a public health setting. The overall learning objective of the Field Experience is for the student to apply and integrate the skills and knowledge learned during their graduate study in a real-world application. The Field Experience is required of all MPH students, with the majority being required to complete a 5 credit (320 contact hours) assignment. Some students may qualify for a reduced practicum of 3 credits (192 contact hours) depending on their prior public health experience and career goals, and would need to discuss this possibility within their chosen division.

The field experience may be waived on an individual basis based upon a student’s demonstration of a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a health or related profession plus 3 years of paid public health experience. A prior professional degree without public health experience; or prior work experience that is not closely related to the academic objectives of the student’s degree program; are not sufficient reason for waiving the practice requirement. If petitioning to waive the field practicum, please attach supporting documentation including a resume and letter explaining relevant public health experiences and how these experiences relate to the field practicum learning objectives found in the SPH student handbook General MPH Curricular Policies (hyperlink to general MPH info).

** HPA Capstone Requirements

Learning Objectives of Capstone Requirement:

Required Courses:

All students must complete the following two course requirements:

1. IPHS 650 Field Experience in Public Health (3-5 SH)
2. IPHS 698 MPH Capstone Experience (1 SH)

Capstone Requirements:

Oral Presentation - - Each student will make a public presentation, approximately 15 minutes in length, that reports on the Capstone project and demonstrates effective achievement of learning objectives, notably the integration of public health concepts beyond those related to HPA content.

The student, in consultation with her/his advisor, will propose (and when required), implement a Capstone project that addresses a public health issue. Strategies for completing the Capstone requirement might involve a field practicum, self-study, research project or other experience. The Capstone project must lend itself to demonstrating the integration of HPA core areas with at least one other core area of public health.

The completed Capstone product will include the following elements:

1. statement of the issue
2. review of the relevant literature
3. description of the methods needed or actually used to address the issue
4. description of the anticipated or actual results
5. summary of the lessons to be learned or actually learned

Evaluation / Grading Procedures:

By the end of the semester prior to the semester of graduation, the student will present a Capstone project proposal, with specific learning objectives, to the advisor (or capstone "mentor," if this is a faculty member other than the advisor) for approval. At least six weeks prior to the public presentation of the Capstone project, the student will present a draft of the presentation to the advisor or mentor and one other faculty member for comment and feedback.

The Capstone project presentation will be reviewed, evaluated and graded by a faculty member chosen by the student as a capstone evaluator and by one other faculty member chosen by the department. The two faculty reviewers must reach consensus on a "pass" or "fail" grade for the Capstone project presentation.