Aspectos productivos

The MPH program at Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work (Brown School) is built upon a base of solid institutional support. Washington University in St. Louis is a fully accredited institution of higher learning founded in 1853 (accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools through 2014). Washington University is currently ranked 13th in the country and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The University is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the College Board, the American Council on Education, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri. University College is a member of the Association for Continuing Higher Education, the University Continuing Education Association and the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is located within the University’s Brown School, a

66-year-old School that also houses the Master of Social Work (MSW) program(with over 400 students enrolled), and a leading doctoral program (with over 50 students enrolled). The social work program is currently ranked first in the country by U.S. News and World report and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Brown School activities take place in four separate facilities on the campuses of Washington University in St. Louis: the Danforth Campus, North Campus, West Campus and Medical Campus. The combined square footage of Brown School space is 120,424 gross square feet, with space devoted to research, instruction, student resources, Academic Affairs departments, research administration, administrative support and common support functions. The

administrative units, classrooms, student spaces and several research centers are centralized on the Danforth Campus, housed in two interconnected buildings of almost equal size. Brown Hall was built in 1937 and renovated in 1999, and Goldfarb Hall was constructed in 1998.

Figure 1.3.b presents an organizational chart of Washington University, indicating the MPH program’s relationship to the other components of the institution, including reporting lines.

1.3. Institutional Environment. The program shall be an integral part of an accredited institution of higher education.

1.3.a. A brief description of the institution in which the program is located, along with the names of accrediting bodies (other than CEPH) to which the institution responds.

1.3.b. One or more organizational charts of the university indicating the program’s relationship to the other components of the institution, including reporting lines.

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Several key University practices influence the operations of the MPH program, including:  Lines of accountability, including access to higher-level University officials.

The Associate Dean for Public Health reports to and meets regularly with the Dean but has access to Deans of other schools at Washington University and directors of academic and nonacademic University departments. Dean Lawlor meets regularly with Provost Edward Macias as well as Chancellor Mark Wrighton. While Washington University has a complex organizational structure, all higher-level University officials are accessible to the Associate Dean for Public Health and have been enthusiastically supportive of the MPH program.

 Prerogatives extended to academic units regarding names, titles and

internal organization. Dean Edward F. Lawlor has complete discretion in governing the MPH program, including structure and creation, and composition of internal committees, faculty appointments and internal staff. This is done with the advice of the Associate Dean for Public Health.

 Budgeting and resource allocation, including budget negotiations, indirect costs recoveries, distribution of tuition and fees, and support for fund- raising. The Dean is responsible for generating and managing the resources necessary

for the School to accomplish its educational objectives. Using the School’s long-range

plan, Impact 2020, as a guide – and in consultation with the appropriate Associate Deans,

including the Associate Dean for Public Health, other faculty and administrative officers

– the Dean works closely with the School’s Assistant Dean for Budget and Finance to

prepare near-term and long-term financial projections as well as the budget for the

following year. Under Washington University’s reserve system, described in detail in

Section 1.6.a, the Brown School retains 100% of the net tuition income from its academic

programs and all indirect cost recoveries. Within the Brown School, the MPH program is

modeled to be self-sustaining, and over time, expected to generate an operating reserve.

The University has made significant commitments to support the public health program

within the Brown School. The University’s fundraising activities are centrally

administered through its Alumni and Development departments, whose expenses

proportionately allocated to the schools.

 Personnel recruitment, selection and advancement, including faculty and staff. The School’s Personnel Advisory Committee leads the School’s faculty recruitment 1.3.c. A brief description of the university practices regarding:

 lines of accountability, including access to higher-level university officials

 prerogatives extended to academic units regarding names, titles and internal organization

 budgeting and resource allocation, including budget negotiations, indirect cost recoveries, distribution of tuition and fees, and support for fund- raising

 personnel recruitment, selection and advancement, including faculty and staff

 academic standards and policies, including establishment and oversight of curricula

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process and is done with the advice and consent of the Dean. The Assistant Dean for Administration has oversight over staff recruitment and works closely with the Associate Dean for Public Health.

 Academic standards and policies, including establishment and oversight of curricula. The MPH curriculum is overseen by the Brown School Public Health Committee, which is led by the Associate Dean for Public Health. Decisions on the structure of the curriculum structure are made by this committee and then reviewed and approved (where necessary) by the Brown School faculty. Academic standards and policies originate with the School’s Public Health committee.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Strengths

 The Brown School MPH program is an integral part of an accredited institution of higher education.

 As one of the premier academic institutions in the world, Washington University has a well-established, clear organizational structure, with clearly defined policies for accountability, the prerogatives of academic units, budgeting and resource allocation, personnel recruitment, and academic standards and policies, including establishment and oversight of curricula.

Challenges

 None. Future Plans

 There are no plans to change the relationship of the MPH program within the University’s structure, or policies and procedures.

Criterion 1.3 is met.

1.3.d. If a collaborative program, descriptions of all participating institutions and delineation of their relationships to the program.

1.3.e. If a collaborative program, a copy of the formal written agreement that establishes the rights and obligations of the participating universities in regard to the program’s operation.

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