Criterion I Mission, Goals, and Objectives

CRITERION V – INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS C. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

V.C.1 Learning objectives in professional master degree programs

Origins of Program Learning Objectives

In support of its goal to educate individuals for professional careers in public health, the RSPH has an objective to “offer high-quality educational programs with appropriate learning objectives.” (Criterion I.3) Learning objectives for each department’s programs are developed by department faculty and approved by the school’s Curriculum Committee. The learning objectives are periodically revised by department faculty and, if there are significant changes, they are reviewed by the school’s Curriculum Committee.

Learning Objectives Learning objectives for all graduates of the MPH and MSPH programs are provided here for the core curriculum and for required courses or assignments of each program. The listed learning objectives are minimums for the broad areas of public health.

Learning Objectives for all MPH and MSPH Students: Core Curriculum and Requirements

The core curriculum is organized around an ecological approach to health. Through the core curriculum, students will be able to describe how social, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions along with living and working conditions, social, family and community networks and individual behavior interact with psychological and biological factors to influence population health. Social, economic, cultural and behavioral health determinants are described in core courses on behavioral sciences and health promotion, environmental health and health policy. Methods of investigation are described in behavioral sciences and health promotion, biostatistical and statistical methods, environmental health and epidemiology methods. Interventions or approaches to improve population health are described in behavioral sciences and health promotion, environmental health and health policy.

Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion (BSHE 500, BSHE 504, BSHE 516, IH557)  Distinguish between different behavioral and social science approaches to evaluating the determinants of population health  Identify principal societal and behavioral factors that contribute to population health  Apply principal behavioral theories to designing community health promotion interventions  Describe and critically evaluate different methodological approaches to the study of social and behavioral determinants of population health

61 RSPH

Biostatistical and Statistical Methods (BIOS 500, BIOS 503, BIOS 504)  Describe the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics  Describe the public health application of experimental and observational studies  Calculate, interpret and present selected descriptive statistics  Relate the concept of probability to sampling distributions and elementary probability calculations  Compute selected inferential statistics.e.g., confidence intervals, hypotheses testing, power calculations, Type I and Type II errors, etc.)

Environmental Health (EOH 500)  Identify the principal environmental exposures, their primary sources and the potential health consequences for population health  Describe the evidence used to assess health consequences of exposure including epidemiology, toxicology and risk assessment  Integrate preventive approaches, including law and policy, in the resolution of environmental public health problems  Describe how aspects of societal organization (patterns of cities, urbanization, structure of dwellings, energy use, industrial and work organization, migration, globalization) create risks for health

Epidemiology Methods (EPI 504, EPI 505, EPI 530)  Differentiate between descriptive and analytic epidemiology analytic methods  Define a public health problem in terms the population characteristics person, place, and time  Apply descriptive epidemiology methods, including rates, ratios, and proportions to depict the disease patterns in a population  Generate and properly express a testable hypothesis  Characterize analytic epidemiology study designs (cohort, case-control, matched case-control, clinical trial, cross sectional, intervention, and ecologic) including sample size, selection, and other forms of bias  Differentiate between measures of association and causality  Describe the analytic measures associate with screening, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value

Health Policy (HPM 500, IH 501)  Evaluate approaches to financing health services and products and how they affect cost, quality and access to health services  Analyze the strengths and weakness of different reimbursement systems for health services as they affect the financial status of providers and the health services needs of populations

62 RSPH

 Describe the history, benefits and principal mechanisms of public financing of health services  Critique relevant research findings on the impact of access to health services on the health status of populations  Identify how collective interests shape the design of health policies

Health Management and Administration (HPM 502, IH521)  Model the main subdivisions of managerial thought and the key principles within each  Apply management principles to personal performance, cases and hypothetical situations  Identify common managerial circumstances associated with change, ambiguity, deadlines, dependency on others, self-reliance, problem-solving, decision-making and consequential results

Other Core Competencies  Critique the scientific public health literature  Use a computer based analytic software program for public health problem analyses (e.g., SAS, Epi Info, Epi Stat, BMDP, SPSS, TreeAge)  Describe the historical and contemporary ethical concerns associated with public health research

Learning Objectives for Degree Programs by Department

Learning objectives for each of the degrees listed in V.A. are presented here. The learning objectives are listed by department for all programs offered in each department. The learning objectives for joint degrees are the same as the learning objectives listed for the traditional degree offered. Programs taught in the non-traditional Distance Learning format include all of the tracks in the Career MPH program.

Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education The Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education (BSHE) offers an MPH degree with a concentration in one of two tracks: Behavioral Science (BS) and Health Education (HE). Joint MSN/MPH and MD/MPH degrees are also offered through the department.

MPH in BSHE with emphasis on Behavioral Science Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Communicate both in written and oral format, with public health programs, community based organizations, and others involved in improving the public’s health  Conduct public health practices including needs assessment and/or evaluations of public health programs

63 RSPH

 Design observational and intervention research studies in critical public health areas using quantitative and qualitative research methods  Apply social and behavioral science theory in public health research and practice  Implement research protocols and programs employing behavioral sciences  Evaluate, interpret, and disseminate research theory and findings in a manner that effectively informs public health policy and programs  Promote the adoption and integration of ethical behavioral science research methods and findings into a unified public health practice

MPH in BSHE with an emphasis on Health Education Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Communicate both in written and oral format, with public health programs, community based organizations, and others involved in improving the public’s health  Conduct public health practices including needs assessment and/or evaluations of public health programs NCHEC Areas of Responsibility:  Assess individual and community needs for health education  Plan effective health education programs  Implement effective health education programs  Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs  Coordinate the provision of health education services  Act as a resource person in health education  Communicate health and health education needs, concerns, and resources  Apply appropriate research principles and methods in health education  Administer health education programs  Advance the profession of public health

PhD in BSHE New program to be offered through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) in 2005 Upon completion of the PhD degree the graduate will be able to:  Conduct original research on the social determinants of health risks and health risk behaviors  Draw from major social and behavioral science theories and apply appropriate empirical methods and analysis in research practices  Design, implement and evaluate health promotion interventions  Disseminate knowledge to students and the larger scientific community  Translate knowledge derived from research to promote public health through policy making  Translate knowledge derived from research by providing assistance to public health agencies and workers in the field

64 RSPH

Department of Biostatistics The Department of Biostatistics offers the following degrees: MPH, MS, and PhD in Biostatistics, and a MSPH degree in one of two tracks: Biostatistics and Informatics. In addition, it offers a 5-year BA/MSPH degree along with dual degrees including MSN/MPH and MD/MPH.

MPH in Biostatistics Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Assist in the development of new statistical theory as needed to address public health or medical problems  Apply existing statistical theory to a broad range of medical or public health problems  Assist in the conduct of appropriate statistical analyses for a broad range of applications  Assist in teaching statistical theory or statistical methodology to undergraduate or masters level students  Train or supervise others to conduct appropriate statistical analyses in a broad range of applications

MS in Biostatistics Upon completion of the MS degree the graduate will be able to:  Apply statistical theory to medical and public health problems  Assist in identifying appropriate statistical designs for medical and public health research  Perform power analyses and select appropriate sample sizes for medical and public health studies  Use a variety of statistical computer packages  Conduct appropriate statistical analyses  Communicate the results of statistical studies both orally and in writing to senior statisticians and other investigators  Assist in teaching statistical theory or methodology to undergraduate or master level students

MSPH with an emphasis on Biostatistics Upon completion of the MSPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Assist medical and public health professionals in determining an appropriate research design for their research study  Estimate the appropriate sample size for conducting the study  Develop and maintain databases  Select and perform the appropriate statistical analyses of study data  Use computer statistical software for both data management and data analyses  Assist in the interpretation of study results  Communicate the results of statistical studies both orally and in writing

65 RSPH

MSPH with an emphasis on Informatics Upon completion of the MSPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Develop and adapt public health information systems as needed to support public health efforts  Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate information systems that meet the needs of public health practice  Assist in the development and adoption of appropriate information technology in public health  Choose appropriate software allowing for the interface of data entry and statistical analysis software  Apply appropriate statistical methods in the analysis of public health information  Examine, describe, and assess individual data elements and display results effectively and appropriately.

PhD in Biostatistics (Offered through the GSAS) Upon completion of the PhD degree in Biostatistics the graduate will be able to:  Apply statistical theory to medical and public health problems  Assist in identifying appropriate statistical designs for medical and public health research  Perform power analyses and select appropriate sample sizes for medical and public health studies  Use a variety of statistical computer packages  Conduct appropriate statistical analyses  Communicate the results of statistical studies both orally and in writing to senior statisticians and other investigators  Develop new statistical theory as needed to address public health or medical problems  Apply new and existing statistical theory to a broad range of complex medical or public health problems  Conduct complex statistical analyses for a broad range of applications  Teach statistical theory or methodology at all levels

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health The Environmental and Occupation Health Department offers the MPH degree in Environmental Health and dual degrees in MSN/MPH, MD/MPH, and JD/MPH.

MPH in Environmental Health Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Explain general principles of environmental sciences and apply them to human health  Identify and explain major environmental risks to human health, ranging from the small scale to the global scale, explain how to assess the

66 RSPH

magnitude of these hazards, and explain approaches to prevention and control  Understand the basic principles of toxicology, such as absorption, transport, metabolism, excretion, and end-organ effects, and analyze exposures in terms of these concepts  Apply epidemiologic principles to environmental and occupational exposures, and critically review the published literature  Identify key issues in the management of Environmental and Occupational Health programs, such as legal and ethical challenges, and describe best management practices  Explain major policy issues in Environmental and Occupational Health such as regulatory frameworks, and guide employers and others in compliance

MPH degree in Global Environmental Health (Offered by the Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health and International Health) Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Identify and describe environmental occupational health problems in developing countries  Assess the source and movement of contaminants in the environment  Characterize and quantify exposures to microbial and chemical contaminants  Describe global and trans-boundary threats and the environmental, economic and political factors that create them  Evaluate behavioral and socio-economic factors that affect exposure levels  Evaluate epidemiological and toxicological evidence of health effects  Use toxicological and epidemiological date to evaluate the potential health effects associated with specific environmental exposures  Identify appropriate technologies and interventions for addressing environmental health threats in resource-limiting settings  Plan, evaluate and monitor community health interventions to address environmental hazards  Apply interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the effects of development policies, changing land-use, globalization and other socio- economic factors on human-environmental interactions and health

MSPH degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and Epidemiology Upon completion of the MSPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Apply epidemiology methodological issues including measurement, sources of bias, and the healthy worker effect to occupational and environmental setting  Conduct basic analytical epidemiology  Understand environmental and occupational health issues  Evaluate exposure assessment in epidemiologic studies

67 RSPH

 Understand occupational health policy and its influence on the uses of epidemiologic data  Relate epidemiologic results to toxicologic evidence

Department of Epidemiology The Epidemiology Department offers MPH, MSPH, and PhD degrees and dual degrees of MSN/MPH and MD/MPH.

MPH degree in Epidemiology Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Critically evaluate the epidemiologic literature  Describe appropriate disease surveillance methodology  Use surveillance to describe disease patterns  Formulate a testable hypothesis and determine an appropriate study design concerning the etiology and control of health problems  Contribute to the planning of epidemiologic studies including population selection, sampling, and design of data collection instruments  Develop methods to ensure quality data collections, data editing and data entry  Analyze data, interpret results and prepare a scientific report  Understand and apply general epidemiologic methods

MSPH degree in Epidemiology Upon completion of the MSPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Critically evaluate the epidemiologic literature  Identifies appropriate disease surveillance methodology  Use surveillance to describe disease patterns  Formulate a testable hypothesis and determine an appropriate study design concerning the etiology and control of health problems  Contribute to the planning of epidemiologic studies including population selection, sampling and design of data collection instruments  Develop methods to ensure quality data collections, data editing and data entry  Analyze data, interpret results and prepare a scientific report  Conduct advanced epidemiologic methods  Analyze multivariate data sets to evaluate research questions involving relationships between exposure and disease variables

PhD degree in Epidemiology (Offered through the GSAS) Upon completion of the PhD degree the graduate will be able to:  Identify gaps in knowledge through a systematic literature review  Conduct independent epidemiologic research  Develop research proposals addressing appropriate study design, sample size, bias, and effect modification

68 RSPH

 Develop and implement data collection methods and tools  Analyze and interpret data accurately  Compete successfully for externally funded grants  Teach epidemiology to undergraduate and graduate students in an academic setting  Describe the breadth and depth of epidemiologic research  Present and communicate epidemiologic findings clearly  Advise public health and medical professionals requiring assistance on how to conduct epidemiological studies in their field

Department of Health Policy and Management The Department of Health Policy and Management offers an MPH degree with a concentration in one of two tracks: Health Policy or Management. The department also offers duel degrees in MSN/MPH, MD/MPH, MBA/MPH, and JD/MPH.

MPH degree in HPM with an emphasis on Health Care Management Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Apply analytical contributions from health care and health services research, and other policy-related disciplines to current issues in health care delivery, organization, and financing  Use basic accounting concepts, analytical techniques, decision making and vocabulary for management of health care organizations  Interpret accounting information to make managerial decisions  Use microeconomic theory to apply basic supply and demand concepts to health care markets  Apply theory to practice in health care organization for improving organization performance  Use fundamental theories and relationships to guide financial decision making  Understand effective human resource management  Use analytical approaches in decision making including personnel staffing, personnel training and directing, financial control, performance measurement, and planning  Formulate and implement business strategies in health care organizations  Develop marketing strategies in the context of the delivery of health care services.

MPH degree in HPM with an emphasis on Health Policy Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Apply analytical contributions from health care and health services research, and other policy-related disciplines to current issues in health care delivery, organization, policy and financing  Use basic accounting concepts, analytical techniques, decision making practices and vocabulary for management of health care organizations

69 RSPH

 Interpret accounting information to make managerial and policy decisions  Use microeconomic theory to apply basic supply and demand concepts to health care markets  Apply general theory to health care organization for improving organization performance  Conduct economic evaluations of medical procedures and intervention programs including cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility  Evaluate tax subsidies and revenue structures used to finance health care applying the concepts of equity and efficiency in financing health care at the national and state levels  Use quantitative techniques to model the impact of policies including queuing models, decision analysis, and cost benefit analysis  Apply political science and public choice economics to study behavior of individuals in the policy making process  Understand policy reform process

PhD degree in Health Services Research and Health Policy (New program to be offered through the GSAS in 2005) Upon completion of the PhD degree the graduate will be able to:  Conduct original research in the area of health services research, drawing upon underlying economic models of individual/firm behavior, and using appropriate empirical methodology  Demonstrate teaching proficiency in health care delivery, organization, policy and financing  Design and conduct sophisticated empirical analyses evaluating the impact of efforts to control health care costs, improve quality, or increase access to health care  Formulate policy options and interventions  Evaluate policy effectiveness

Department of International Health The Department of International Health offers the MPH degrees with a concentration in the following tracks: Infectious Disease, Reproductive Health and Population Studies, Community Health and Development, and International Health Leadership. The department offers both the MPH and MSPH degree in Public Nutrition and PhD in Nutritional and Health Sciences. Joint MSN/MPH, MD/MPH, MBA/MPH, and JD/MPH degrees are offered through the department.

MPH degree in IH with an emphasis on Infectious Diseases Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe major global health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization  Describe the use of policy in addressing barriers to global health and wellness

70 RSPH

 Design programs utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to describe the health status and health services in an underserved population  Conduct research including formulation of specific research aim, conduct a literature review and formulate a hypothesis and selecting appropriate methodologies  Explain the science of infectious disease including types of organisms, pathogenic strategies, and host susceptibility  Apply basic principles of infectious disease epidemiology, appropriate laboratory techniques and clinical strategies to diagnose infectious disease and immune response  Illustrate geographic and age distributions of major infections in the US and globally and the relative burden of morbidity and mortality from these infections  Implement appropriate strategies to prevent and control infectious disease and evaluate effectiveness of interventions to control or prevent infectious disease  Explain the environmental, behavioral, and evolutionary factors that contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease  Develop and maintain surveillance for infectious diseases  Conduct field investigations of infectious disease outbreaks

MPH degree in IH with an emphasis on Reproductive Health and Population Studies Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe major global health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization  Describe the use of policy in addressing barriers to global health and wellness  Design population, family planning, and reproductive health programs utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to describe the health status and health services in an underserved population  Conduct research including formulation of specific research aim, conduct a literature review and formulate a hypothesis and selecting appropriate methodologies in research and evaluation of population/family planning/reproductive health programs  Access and use the policy, programming, and date resources of relevant local, state, national, and international organizations  Apply appropriate methodologies to measure population change at the cross-national, national and sub-national levels and at all stages of the life course  Use appropriate demographic epidemiological and ethnographic analysis to identify specific population, family planning, and reproductive health problems that require public health intervention

71 RSPH

 Use state-of-the-art information technologies, in the design, analysis, and management of population surveys and programs

MPH degree in IH with an emphasis in Community Health and Development Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe major global health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization  Describe the use of policy in addressing barriers to global health and wellness  Design culturally sensitive programs utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to describe the health status and health services in an underserved population to meet community needs  Conduct research including formulation of specific research aim, conduct a literature review and formulate a hypothesis and selecting appropriate methodologies  Apply a multi-disciplinary understanding of community to health problems, policy issues, and development agendas  Assess communities to identify and prioritize health care needs of the community and use health status data to identify specific target groups for interventions  Relate the social, cultural, familial, political and economic determinants of health status to the perception of need in relation to the utilization of health services  Effectively access and utilize the programming resources of local, national and international organizations engaged in health and social sectors  Assess and evaluate services and their operational components based on management theories and practices  Critically assess and develop strategic options for addressing obstacles to successful social change in these sectors

MPH degree in IH with an emphasis on Leadership Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe major global health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization  Describe the use of policy in addressing barriers to global health and wellness  Design programs utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to describe the health status and health services in an underserved population  Conduct research including formulation of specific research aim, conduct a literature review and formulate a hypothesis and selecting appropriate methodologies  Compare and contrast leadership theory and practice by examining leadership in public health, nonprofit organizations, international organizations, business, and other organizations and industries

72 RSPH

 Appraise and refine his/her personal leadership style, skills, practice and philosophy  Effectively assess and develop collaboration with partners at all levels including: international, government, non-governmental organizations, private sectors, district, and community  Assess human resource needs and availability and develop strategic plans for capacity building at all levels  Assess health sector finance and have capability to budget and monitor expenditures  Develop, implement, and analyze ongoing monitoring and evaluation strategies to measure progress toward objectives and target  Identify research needs, identify individuals, institution, and resources for research, monitor research implementation, and oversee use of research results in program implementation

MPH degree in IH with an emphasis on Public Nutrition Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe major global health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization  Describe the use of policy in addressing barriers to global health and wellness  Design programs utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to describe the health status and health services in an underserved population  Conduct research including formulation of specific research aim, conduct a literature review and formulate a hypothesis and selecting appropriate methodologies  Describe the magnitude and severity of public nutrition problems in affected populations  Assess the nutritional status of populations using field based methods including anthropometry, diet and biochemical methods  Critically evaluate public nutrition research and apply it towards the development of innovative approaches to address public nutrition problems  Plan, manage, and evaluate public health nutrition programs  Serve as a nutrition consultant

MSPH degree in Public Nutrition Upon completion of the MSPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Describe the magnitude and severity of nutrition problems of affected populations  Assess the causes and consequences of under-nutrition and over-nutrition in different settings  Assess the nutritional status of populations using field based methods including anthropometry, diet and biochemical methods

73 RSPH

 Critically evaluate public nutrition research and apply it towards the development of innovative approaches to address public nutrition problems  Plan, manage and evaluate public health nutrition programs  Serve as a nutrition consultant  Analyze nutrition related data using appropriate statistical methods and summarize and interpret findings accurately

PhD degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences (offered through the GSAS in collaboration with the School of Medicine) Upon Completion of the PhD degree the graduate will be able to:  Conduct supervised research in public nutrition topics  Prepare written descriptions of research findings appropriate for publication in peer-reviewed literature  Develop an original research question and the appropriate protocol to address the question  Describe the relevant ethical issues related to research involving humans or vertebrate animals and articulate strategies to minimize risk and maximize benefit  Teach principles of nutrition at the undergraduate and graduate level

Career Masters of Public Health Program The Career Masters of Public Health Program (CMPH) offers the MPH degree in the following tracks: Prevention Science, Health Care Management, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, and Health Care Outcomes (Management option is being phased out and is no longer an option for incoming students).

MPH with an emphasis in Prevention Science Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Provide managerial, programmatic, and technical support to local, state, and federal governments, and international organizations involved in the delivery and evaluation of health services  Design and execute needs assessments and comprehensive evaluation studies in collaboration with communities and other organizations in order to improve the quality of health service delivery  Utilize computer applications and information science in the practice of public health to collect, store and analyze health related data in order to improve health services delivery, community health status and/or enhance organizational performance  Plan, implement and evaluate programs designed to improve the health status of individuals in the context of social environments such as families, work or school settings and communities  Effectively communicate health related information to diverse audiences using emerging technology and communication strategies

74 RSPH

 Apply prevention science knowledge, behavioral theories and models to real-life public health situations and settings

MPH with an emphasis in Health Care Management – (this option is being phased out and is no longer and option for incoming students) Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Provide managerial, programmatic, and technical support to local, state, and federal governments, and international organizations involved in the delivery and evaluation of health services  Design and execute needs assessments and comprehensive evaluation studies in collaboration with communities and other organizations in order to improve the quality of health service delivery  Utilize computer applications and information science in the practice of public health to collect, store and analyze health related data in order to improve health services delivery, community health status and/or enhance organizational performance

MPH with an emphasis in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Provide managerial, programmatic, and technical support to local, state, and federal governments, and international organizations involved in the delivery and evaluation of health services  Design and execute needs assessments and comprehensive evaluation studies in collaboration with communities and other organizations in order to improve the quality of health service delivery  Utilize computer applications and information science in the practice of public health to collect, store and analyze health related data in order to improve health services delivery, community health status and/or enhance organizational performance  Apply advanced epidemiologic and biostatistics methods in epidemiologic field study design and analysis  Work on multidisciplinary teams, design culturally competent programs, analyze legislative issues in MCH and family planning programs, conduct policy analysis, review critical literature, and evaluate programs  Analyze a real-world issue, prepare a publishable report, and present the findings to one’s agency  Assume the role of a MCH Epidemiologist in a public health agency

MPH with emphasis in Health Care Outcomes Upon completion of the MPH degree the graduate will be able to:  Provide managerial, programmatic, and technical support to local, state, and federal governments, and international organizations involved in the delivery and evaluation of health services

75 RSPH

 Design and execute needs assessments and comprehensive evaluation studies in collaboration with communities and other organizations in order to improve the quality of health service delivery  Utilize computer applications and information science in the practice of public health to collect, store and analyze health related data in order to improve health services delivery, community health status and/or enhance organizational performance  Describe and critically analyze outcomes research, with emphasis on trends and major issues affecting healthcare delivery, quality and cost  Articulate the methodological and substantive issues that are important in the design, analysis and critical appraisal of outcomes research  Demonstrate expertise in an area of outcomes research

Masters of Science in Clinical Research (offered through the GSAS in collaboration with the School of Medicine) The Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) offers the MS degree in Clinical Research. The MSCR degree is a component of Emory's clinical research curriculum award (CRCA) program developed to enhance clinical research education. The MSCR degree curriculum is directed toward physicians and other doctorally prepared individuals who have a solid foundation of clinical experience and who have demonstrated a commitment to clinical research. The two-year curriculum prepares participants for careers as clinical research scientists.

MS in Clinical Research Upon completion of the MS degree the graduate will be able to:  Design, conduct and analyze clinical research protocols  Develop evidence-based, competitive grant applications in clinical research  Serve as a clinical research mentor to students, fellows, and other trainees  Define appropriate objectives and endpoints for given types of clinical trials  Define, explain and account for bias and random error in clinical research  Determine sample size and power for a given study design  Contrast benefits and drawbacks of different allocation schemes in terms of reducing bias, producing balanced comparisons, and quantifying errors attributable to chance  Evaluate clinical trials before their completion, and the impact of interim analysis on likelihood of Type I error  Write scientific papers in a form suitable for submission to a medical journal

V.C.2 Manner in which learning objectives are developed and disseminated

Learning Objectives for All MPH and MSPH Programs: RSPH Core Courses The Curriculum Committee is responsible for assuring that the learning objectives for the school’s core courses are consistent with the school’s mission, goals and objectives;

76 RSPH recommendations of the Institute of Medicine in Who Will Keep the Public Healthy, 2003; and with the Core Competencies for Public Health Practice from the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice. The Curriculum Committee also considers the responses to Exit Surveys by graduating students, student course evaluations gathered in recent years, and findings of the Survey of Recent Graduates. In its most recent review, the Curriculum Committee suggested options for revising the core learning objectives and changes in the core curriculum, and recommended further discussion across the school. A copy of a memorandum with those recommendations, which are currently under consideration, is included in Appendix V.C.2.

Learning Objectives for Department Degree Programs With the support of the Assistant Directors for Academic Programs, faculty members within each department review their degree program learning objectives for all courses. Any significant changes in curricula resulting from a department’s comprehensive review or ad hoc reviews of particular courses, degree program requirements, or course sequences must be approved by the school’s Curriculum Committee. In their most recent review of degree program learning objectives, departments considered information gained from student course evaluations, as well as recommendations from the larger public health community, as described in V.C.3. Following this departmental review, degree program learning objectives were examined by the school’s Curriculum Committee to determine whether they are appropriately comprehensive and consistent with the school’s mission, goals and overall learning objectives. The Curriculum Committee recommended revisions when necessary.

Learning Objectives for Courses The instructor of record for each course is responsible for establishing the detailed learning objectives for that course. New courses are proposed at the initiative of departments. New course proposals must list the course learning objectives and indicate how those objectives contribute to the objectives of one or more degree programs. Once approved by the department, a proposal is submitted to the school’s Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee, after examining the course learning objectives, format, content, proposed methods of evaluation and other factors, may recommend provisionally approving the course. After the course is taught at least once (but more often, twice), it is presented to the Curriculum Committee again for consideration of permanent adoption, along with the actual syllabus used and the student course evaluations.

As degree program learning objectives change, courses may be revised or dropped. Any significant revisions to learning objectives or course requirements must have the approval of the Curriculum Committee. In order to assure that all courses have appropriate learning objectives and indicate how they link to the specific program objectives, the school developed a template for all syllabi. This template includes sections for the course description, student evaluation, learning objectives, and program objectives. Beginning in 2004, all instructors are required to include the template as part of their syllabi. As courses are revised or new ones are developed the template will be included.

77 RSPH

Dissemination of Learning Objectives Degree program learning objectives are listed in the school’s catalog and on the website. Learning objectives for courses, and how they relate to the learning objectives of the program offering them, are listed on the syllabus.

V.C.3 Description of the manner in which the school periodically assesses the changing needs of public health practice and uses this information to establish learning objectives

Recommendations from the Larger Public Health Community RSPH monitors emerging information and recommendations regarding local, national and global public health needs, and considers these needs when establishing learning objectives. For example, in their most recent review of degree program learning objectives, departments were encouraged to refer to the Council on Linkages Between Academic and Public Health Practice, Core Competencies for Public Health and the Competencies for Public Health Workers: A Collection of Competency Sets of Public Health-Related Occupations and Professions, produced by the Office of Workforce Policy and Planning (OWPP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As described in V.C.2 the Curriculum Committee further contributes to this effort by assuring that the learning objectives for the school’s core courses are consistent with recent IOM recommendations.

Input from the Community Advisory Network The RSPH Community Advisory Network was recently formed to communicate with public health employers and community leaders about the changing needs of public health practice. Semi-annual meetings include group discussions, one-on-one dialogue, and evaluations addressing skills desired of graduates for service in public health. Information gained from network members will help RSPH forecast academic and professional needs, leading to appropriate curriculum changes and Career Services support. The Community Advisory Network is supported by the Associate Director of Career Services along with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Applied Public Health. A Community Advisory Network membership list is included in Appendix III.2. Materials from the summer 2004 meeting and a resulting “professional skills checklist,” which is currently being developed and implemented, are available on site in the resource file.

V.C.4 Assessment of the extent to which this criterion is met

Strengths  Curriculum is reviewed by the Curriculum Committee, and faculty are encouraged to update courses as appropriate  A review of the core competencies by the school’s Curriculum Committee resulted in recommendations for updating core competencies and the curriculum, currently under discussion.

78 RSPH

 Public health employers and community leaders advise the school about the skills required of graduates, which can inform the future development of programs and learning objectives. This information has been translated into a skills checklist.  Students may take different forms of core courses that are adapted to students’ areas of concentration and knowledge background.  A template for all course syllabi has been developed.

Weaknesses  Only classes taught during the 2004 academic year use the template.

Recommendations  Continue the use of the template for all new and revised course syllabi.

This Criterion is met.