Department of Sociomedical Sciences Master's Student Handbook 2020 - 2021 Allan Rosenfield Building 722 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032 (212) 305-5656 www.mailman.columbia.edu/sms Department of Sociomedical Sciences MS and MPH Students Handbook: Table of Contents General Information and Resources ............................................................................................... 3 Financial Aid ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Email & Accessing Information .................................................................................................................... 4 Columbia Transportation Services ............................................................................................................. 5 Mailman Bias Response and Support System (BRSS) ......................................................................... 5 Columbia Gender-Based Misconduct Policies for Students .............................................................. 6 Academic Affairs..................................................................................................................................... 6 Registration Process ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Holds ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Change of Program Period - Add/Drop .................................................................................................... 7 Courses: Required, Selectives and Electives ........................................................................................... 7 Tutorials ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Cross Registration ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Pass/Fail ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Course Waivers ................................................................................................................................................... 8 Transfer of Credits ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Incomplete Grades ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Leave of Absence / Inactive Status .......................................................................................................... 10 Filing for Graduation ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Learning Objectives.............................................................................................................................10 Learning Objectives: Mailman School of Public Health ................................................................... 10 MPH Learning Objectives: Department of Sociomedical Sciences .............................................. 11 MS Learning Objectives: Department of Sociomedical Sciences ................................................. 11 Academic Advising...............................................................................................................................12 Degree Requirements.........................................................................................................................14 Columbia MPH Certificate Program (52 credits minimum) .......................................................... 15 Accelerated Program (42 credits minimum)....................................................................................... 15 Dual Degree Programs (42 credits minimum).................................................................................... 16 Required Examinations and Certifications ........................................................................................... 17 Practicum Requirement ............................................................................................................................... 17 MS Degree Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 18 Practicum ................................................................................................................................................19 General Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 20 Prior to the Practicum................................................................................................................................... 20 Finding a Practicum Placement ................................................................................................................ 21 Office of Field Practice (OFP) ..................................................................................................................... 22 i) Practicum Scope of Work Form ............................................................................................................ 22 ii) Practicum Funding/Stipends ............................................................................................................... 23 During the Practicum .................................................................................................................................... 23 Following the Practicum .............................................................................................................................. 23 Masters Handbook 2020-21 1 The Master’s Thesis .............................................................................................................................24 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 Planning your Thesis ..................................................................................................................................... 24 The Thesis Course .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Writing the Thesis .......................................................................................................................................... 30 Reference Style ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 Acceptable Thesis Formats ......................................................................................................................... 30 1. Review Article ............................................................................................................................................ 31 2. Research Proposal .................................................................................................................................... 33 3. Needs Assessment Proposal ................................................................................................................. 39 4. Program Evaluation Proposal / Program Evaluation ................................................................. 42 5. Intervention Proposal ............................................................................................................................. 46 6. Research Report ........................................................................................................................................ 51 Appendix A Thesis Faculty Sponsors ...........................................................................................55 Disclaimer The information contained in this handbook is correct for the academic year 2020–21. The most up-to-date version can be found at https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/people/current- students/academics/student-handbooks Although the degree and academic requirements in place normally will not change within any given academic year, Mailman School and departmental policies are reviewed and updated regularly. The Department of Sociomedical Sciences reserves the right to make changes at any time with appropriate notice to the community (e.g., email notification). 2 Overview The Department of Sociomedical Sciences is dedicated to addressing the social forces that influence health. Our research, teaching, and service are premised on the idea that to understand patterns of illness in society and to create effective programs that improve population health, it is essential to account for the broad contextual factors that structure people’s actions, and to