2.2.a. Definition of a credit with regards to classroom/contact hours.
The Virginia Tech office of the Registrar defines a credit the following way: The required contact time is 2250 minutes for a three-credit lecture course. A Monday-Wednesday- Friday class meets for 50 minutes a day (150 minutes a week), and meets for 15 weeks giving a total contact minutes of 2250 for the term. A Tuesday-Thursday class meets for 75 minutes a day (150 minutes a week) and meets for 15 weeks, a total of 2250 minutes for the term. As long as the 2250 minutes are attained, a class could meet a lesser number of days to get the total necessary contact time. The Public Health Program adopts this definition.
2.2.b. Information about the minimum degree requirements for all professional degree curricula shown in the instructional matrix.
MPH Degree Minimum Credit hours Maximum Credit hours Core Courses 18 --- Concentration Courses 12 Elective Courses 3 Practicum 6 6 Capstone 3 3 Total 42 ---
Master of Public Health Degree Requirements Core Courses (18 credits):
PHS 5004 Fundamentals of Public Health (3 credits) PHS 5014 Environmental Health (3 credits)
PHS 5024 Epidemiology (3 credits)
PHS 5034 Health Behavior and Health Education (3 credits) PHS 5044 Public Health Administration (3 credits)
STAT 5674 Methods in Biostatistics (3 credits)
Concentration Courses (students choose one option)
Public Health Education Concentration Courses (12 credits):
PHS 5204 Principles of Community Health Education (3 credits) PHS 5214 Program Development in Health Education (3 credits) PHS 5984 SS Public Health Program Evaluation (3 credits) AFST 5354 TS Health Disparities (3 credits)*
SOC 6524 Sociology of Health (3 credits)*
* Year 1, 2 students had a choice in courses; Year 3 students take SOC 6524
Infectious Disease Concentration Courses (12 credits):
PHS 5304 Zoonoses and Infectious Diseases Common to Humans and Animals (3 credits)
PHS 5314 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)
PHS 5324 Public Health Infection Control and Prevention (3 credits) BIOL 5664G Virology (3 credits)^
PHS 5984 SS Principles of Infectious Diseases (3 credits)^
^ Year 1, 2 students took BIOL 5664G; Year 3 students will take PHS 5984
Public Health Elective Courses (3 credits):
PHS 5224 Comparative Health Systems (3 credits) PHS 5714 Health of the Elderly (3 credits)
Other approved electives as listed in Appendix 6
Practicum (6 credits):
PHS 5914 Practicum in Public Health
Capstone (3 credits):
PHS 5924 Capstone in Public Health SS refers to special studies courses TS refers to topics courses
In Summer 2012, as a result of the iterative program evaluation process, the core faculty discussed possible revisions to the program course requirements to better align with the core and concentration competencies. The faculty has recognized that
students in practicum and capstone need better professional and research preparation. Therefore, the program is strongly considering the insertion of a 1-credit Professional Seminar and a Research Methods and Grantwriting course prior to Practicum. At the time of the site visit, this change still needs thorough discussion and decision by the SURJUDP¶VFRPPLWWHHVLQFOXGLQJWKHLQSXWRIWKHVWXGHQWUHSUHVHQWDWLYHV
2.2.c. Information about the number of MPH degrees awarded for less than 42 credits over the last three years. A summary of reasons should be included.
None.
2.2.d. Assessment of the extent to which this criterion is met.
7KLVFULWHULRQLVPHW7KHSURJUDP¶V03+GHJUHHSURJUDPLVFUHGLWKRXUVFonsisting of 18 hours of core courses, 12 concentration-specific hours, 3 elective credit hours, 6- hour practicum, and 3-hour capstone.
2.3 Public Health Core Knowledge. All professional degree students must demonstrate an understanding of the public health core knowledge.
2.3.a Identification of the means by which the program assures that all professional degree students have a broad understanding of the areas of knowledge basic to public health.
The program is guided by a set of core competencies (see Criterion 2.6) that includes competencies for the five core disciplines of public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration. All MPH students are required to take one course in each of the five core areas along with an introductory Fundamentals of Public Health course. The SURJUDP¶V Curriculum Committee undertakes annual curricular reviews to ensure that these courses consistently address the core competencies.
Course syllabi can be found in the on-site Resource File. Following are brief descriptions of the eight core courses:
PHS 5004 -- Fundamentals of Public Health. Theory, concepts, and practices related
to public health; five major topics of public health including health services,
epidemiology, social/behavioral science, environmental health and biostatistics; special emphasis placed on history of public health, biomedical basis for public health
intervention, public health ethics.
PHS 5014 -- Environmental Health. Exploration of major environmental health
concepts and issues, environmental policies and regulations. Topics include world population and pressures on the environment, healthy environment; environmental determinants of public health, including biological, physical and chemical factors; disease vectors and their control; air and water quality; waste management; the built environment, work environments and recreational area; food protection and safety; occupational health; tools for environmental evaluation, planning and safety.
PHS 5024/HNFE 5724 -- Epidemiology. Study of determinants (i.e. host, agent and
environmental factors) and dynamics (i.e. temporal and spatial distributions and progression) of health in communities and populations, for the design and
implementation of interventions that protect, maintain, and /or restore health, well-being and productivity in individuals and populations.
PHS 5034 -- Health Behavior and Health Education (formerly EDHP 5734.) Social
and behavioral theory in public health. Topics include individual health behavior theories; social, cultural, and environmental theories which form the underpinnings of health education practice; ecological perspectives; and health communication.
PHS 5044 -- Public Health Administration (formerly EDHP 5314.) Relevant and
health planning, health economics, health law, and managerial functions as they relate to public health agencies.
STAT 5674 -- Methods in Biostatistics. Statistical principles and methods required for
effective clinical trial and clinical experiment design and analysis. Topics include
graphical and numerical exploratory data analysis, and comparative tests of categorical, ordinal, and continuous data, simple, multiple linear and logistic regression analysis, design of experiments and sampling theory. Additional topics include diagnostic tests, relative risk, odd ratio, and estimation of effective dose. Students will learn to properly interpret output from statistical software.
PHS 5914 -- Practicum in Public Health. Public health theories and concepts in a
work setting; comprehensive, structured experience requires student to demonstrate professional competencies while working closely with a supervisor in a public health practice setting.
PHS 5924 -- Capstone in Public Health. Synthesis of coursework and practicum
experience into a final comprehensive product which demonstrates proficiency of the MPH competencies; integrates knowledge and skills acquired in all core classes,
specific MPH concentration courses and practicum experience; tests student's ability to effectively analyze a public health problem and develop an intervention toward a
solution to the problem.
As discussed in 2.2, program faculty are strongly considering the addition of two core requirements: 1-credit Professional Seminar and a Research Methods and Grantwriting prior to Practicum.
Sequencing of MPH Core and Concentration Courses over Two Years by Concentration
Table 3a. Public Health Education Concentration Fall Semester ± Year One
PHS 5004 Fundamentals of Public Health (3 credits)
PHS 5034 Health Behavior and Health Education (3 credits) STAT 5674 Methods of Biostatistics (3 credits)
PHS 5204 Principles of Community Health Education (3 credits)
Spring Semester ± Year One
PHS 5014 Environmental Health (3 credits) PHS 5024 Epidemiology (3 credits)
PHS 5214 Program Development in Health Education (3 credits) SOC 6524 Sociology of Health (3 credits)
Summer I and II Sessions
PHS 5914 Practicum (Option 1) (6 credits)
Fall Semester ± Year Two
PHS SS 5984 Public Health Program Evaluation (3 credits) PHS 5044 Public Health Administration (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
Spring Semester ± Year Two
PHS 5914 Practicum (Option 2 - preferred) (6 credits) PHS 5924 Capstone (3 credits)
Table 3b. Infectious Disease Fall Semester ± Year One
PHS 5004 Fundamentals of Public Health (3 credits)
PHS 5034 Health Behavior and Health Education (3 credits) STAT 5674 Methods of Biostatistics (3 credits)
BIOL 5664G Advanced Virology (3 credits)
Spring Semester ± Year One
PHS 5014 Environmental Health (3 credits) PHS 5024 Epidemiology (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
Summer I and II Sessions
PHS 5914 Practicum (Option 1) (6 credits)
Fall Semester ± Year Two
PHS 5304 Zoonoses and Infectious Diseases (3 credits) PHS 5314 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)
PHS 5324 Infectious Disease Control and Prevention (3 credits) PHS 5044 Public Health Administration (3 credits)
Spring Semester ± Year Two
PHS 5914 Practicum (Option 2 - preferred) (6 credits) PHS 5924 Capstone (3 credits)
GRADUATION ± DEGREE COMPLETION
2.3.b. Assessment of the extent to which this criterion is met.
This criterion is met. The program requires all MPH students to take a core course (each 3 credits) in the five core disciplines of public health, namely biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration.
2.4 Practical Skills. All professional degree students must develop skills in basic public health concepts and demonstrate the application of these concepts through a practice experience that is relevant to WKHVWXGHQW¶VDUHDVRI
specialization.
D'HVFULSWLRQRISURJUDP¶VSROLFLHVDQGSURFHGXUHVUHJDUGLQJSUDFWLFH placements including selection of sites, methods for approving preceptors, approaches for faculty supervision of students, means of evaluating practice placement sites, preceptor qualifications and criteria for waiving the experience.
The Virginia Tech Public Health Program requires that all students participate in a practicum experience as part of completing their MPH degree. The practicum is a
required component of all public health schools and programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Virginia Tech has built its Public Health
Program to meet all CEPH criteria. A practicum is a planned, individualized, mentored, HYDOXDWHGH[SHULHQWLDOOHDUQLQJRSSRUWXQLW\WKDWVHUYHVDVDEULGJHEHWZHHQDVWXGHQW¶V academic training and applied public health practice.
The practicum provides special opportunities for learning that are different from, supplementary to, and supportive of the academic components of the Virginia Tech MPH degree program. The practicum offers students the opportunity to:
x Apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom from core MPH courses and concentration courses;
x Understand the social, political, economic, and organizational context within which public health activities occur;
x Contribute to the work and impact of a public health agency, institution or organization;
x Observe and learn from professionals in the field;
x Explore areas of professional interest and develop career goals; x Gain feedback on professional skills and abilities;
x Become acquainted with, and network with agencies and community groups engaged in public health efforts.
Students are required to do a 300-hour practicum, and will typically complete their practicum experience over the summer between the first and second years of their MPH program, or in the final Spring semester. Practicum experiences can occur anywhere, including both domestic and international settings, and can be paid or unpaid. During the practicum, a student is directly supervised by an appointed on-site preceptor, or both an off-site preceptor and an on-site supervisor. 7KHVWXGHQW¶V faculty advisor provides additional support, guidance, and expertise to the experience, and the MPH practicum coordinator handles the practicum logistics.
All information and resources related to the practicum, including forms, are located in the MPH Practicum Handbook (See Appendix 7) and on the MPH Program Site on Scholar. Any changes that impact the MPH Practicum Handbook are emailed to all MPH students and posted on Scholar.
Definition of Practicum
The practicum is a defined period of formal, supervised placement, external to the VT Public Health Program, for which a student:
x Defines learning objectives for the placement in coordination with his or her faculty advisor, practicum coordinator and preceptor;
x Follows a planned set of activities to gain professional insight and experience relative to his or her career goals; and
x Fulfills MPH degree requirements.
Goals of the Practicum Experience
The goals of the practicum are to provide students with an opportunity to:
x Further develop and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired through their academic training in a real world public health setting;
x Strengthen public health competencies in implementing the three core functions of public health, and the ten essential services;
x Develop practical skills and personal confidence as a public health professional; x Offer students an opportunity for experiential learning through shadowing
opportunities and the practicum project; and
x &RQWULEXWHWRDSXEOLFKHDOWKDJHQF\¶VUHVRXUFHVDQGWKHVROXWLRQVRISXEOLF health problems.
Requirements
1. Required Elements
Practicum experiences must:
x Focus on selected MPH core and concentration competencies;
x Take place after the student has completed at least 21 MPH course credits including at minimum:
1. Fundamentals of Public Health 2. Biostatistics
3. Epidemiology
x Be at least 300 hours in length, and take place either full or part-time over at least an 8-week period of time;
x Be guided by a signed Learning Contract (signed by student, preceptor, site supervisor (if applicable), faculty advisor, and practicum coordinator)
x Be mentored by a VT MPH faculty advisor and a practicing public health professional (preceptor) within a public health institution, private agency or organization;
x Require students to apply graduate-level skills and competencies acquired in the VT MPH degree;
x Involve projects that allow students to have principal responsibility that result in products that are of value to the organization;
x Provide students with opportunities to gain a wide perspective about the types of issues, concerns, and processes that occur in the provision of public health, with approximately 10% of the 300 hours taking place in shadowing opportunities;
x 'HYHORSDQGHQKDQFHVWXGHQWV¶SURIHVVLRQDOVNLOOVHWV
2. Credit Hours
x 6 credit hours, graded A-F
x Practicum can be completed over more than one semester; students should sign up for credit in the semester the student expects to complete the practicum
3. Concentration-specific Practicum Requirements
The Public Health Education Concentration requires that students:
x Experience community health education, planning, implementation and evaluation in an applied public health setting;
x Understand the role of working within a community and/or agency context to address public health problems;
x Design and implement a public health education-focused project that is feasible within the length of the practicum;
x Address at least 2 of the concentration-specific competencies; and
x Practice applying specific program competencies and learn how they are applied in a public health setting.
The Infectious Disease Concentration requires that students:
x Experience infectious disease practice in an applied public health setting; x Understand the role of infectious disease experts in solving public health
problems;
x Design and implement an infectious disease-focused project that is feasible in the length of the practicum;
x Address at least 2 of the concentration-specific competencies; and
x Practice applying specific program competencies and learn how they are applied in a public health setting.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
The practicum is a partnership beWZHHQWKHVWXGHQWWKHVWXGHQW¶VIDFXOW\DGYLVRUWKH practicum preceptor, the site supervisor as needed, and the practicum coordinator. Each party in this mutually beneficial relationship assumes certain roles and
responsibilities as outlined below:
A. Student
The student is expected to take substantial initiative in identifying, arranging, and completing a meaningful practicum that meets the Virginia Tech MPH program requirements. The student:
x Meets with his/her faculty advisor and the MPH practicum coordinator in the first two semesters of the MPH program to discuss professional and career
objectives, clarify practicum goals, and identify appropriate practicum opportunities;
x Contacts and sets up initial meetings/phone conversations with potential practicum sites/preceptors/site supervisors;
x Makes a decision about the practicum placement in collaboration with identified preceptor, faculty advisor and practicum coordinator;
x Develops a Learning Contract that reflects personal learning objectives and agency needs in collaboration with the preceptor, site supervisor (if applicable), faculty advisor, and practicum coordinator, and makes sure that the Learning Contract is signed by all parties prior to the start of the practicum;
x Maintains a work schedule agreed upon with the preceptor and/or site supervisor;
x Adheres to agency standards, policies and procedures including any pre- placement paperwork (such as drug screens or background checks), dress, personal conduct, and attendance;
x Regularly communicates with the preceptor and/or site supervisor (weekly) to discuss progress of the practicum and receive support, guidance and feedback; x Maintains contact with the faculty advisor and practicum coordinator regarding
progress on the practicum;
x Sets up mid-practicum and end-of-practicum meetings and/or conference calls; x Completes the mid-practicum survey;
x Satisfactorily completes activities and deliverables outlined on the practicum Learning Contract;
x Produces a final package of materials from the practicum, including the final practicum project/report;
x Completes an evaluation of the practicum experience.
B. Faculty Advisor
Faculty advisors are Public Health Program core faculty members to whom students are DVVLJQHG7KH\SURYLGHJXLGDQFHWKURXJKRXWDVWXGHQW¶VDFDGHPLFFDUHHr. During
preparation for the practicum, the advisor is the primary contact. The advisor: x Discusses the practicum requirement with the advisee;
x Assists students in identifying professional and career objectives, clarifying learning objectives, and identifying appropriate practicum placements; x With the Practicum Coordinator approves and signs the Learning Contracts; x Monitors progress of the project and checks in with the student during the
experience
x Participates in a mid-practicum and end-of-practicum meeting/conference call ZLWKWKHVWXGHQWSUHFHSWRUDQGSUDFWLFXPFRRUGLQDWRUWRUHYLHZWKHVWXGHQW¶V SHUIRUPDQFHDQGFRQILUPFRPSOHWLRQRIVWXGHQW¶VSUDFWLFXPZLWKSUHFHSWRU x Participates in the end-of-practicum evaluation with the practicum coordinator
and assigns the academic grade.
C. Practicum Coordinator
The practicXPFRRUGLQDWRULVWKHVWXGHQW¶VRUJDQL]DWLRQDO contact as he/she prepares for the practicum experience (currently Susan West Marmagas serves in this role.) The coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination of the practicum process. The practicum coordinator:
x Develops and maintains guidelines that direct the practicum experience as presented in the MPH Practicum Handbook;
x Develops and maintains affiliation with public and private agencies where appropriate practicum placements may be made;
x Maintains practicum records (in central Public Health Program office managed by Public Health Program Assistant);
x Assists students with the development of their Learning Contracts; x With the Faculty Advisor approves and signs the Learning Contracts;
x Participates in a mid-practicum and end-of-practicum meeting/conference call ZLWKWKHVWXGHQWSUHFHSWRUDQGIDFXOW\DGYLVRUWRUHYLHZWKHVWXGHQW¶V
SHUIRUPDQFHDQGFRQILUPFRPSOHWLRQRIVWXGHQW¶VSUDFWLFXPZLWh preceptor; x Problem solves with student, preceptor and advisor as necessary;
x Collects practicum assignments;
x Participates in the end-of-practicum evaluation of the student and enters an academic grade in coordination with the faculty advisor.
D. Preceptor
The training of public health professionals is not possible without the existence of cooperating community agencies and the participation of skilled practitioners who are willing to oversee the professional development of students. The preceptor has the professional skills and knowledge to direct the on-site experience of the student. The preceptor is expected to have: an MPH and/or sufficient public health experience; expertise in assigned project area; experience and status with the organization; an ability to serve as the key link between the student and the agency and between the student and the community (if applicable); and interest and competence in supervising and mentoring. The preceptor:
x Assists in the development of mutually agreed upon learning objectives to be achieved during the practicum;
x Develops a realistic project scope and timetable with the student; x Works with student to design the Learning Contract and approves it; x Orients the student to sponsor agency people, projects and resources; x Provides resources needed to complete the project(s) (e.g. work space,
HTXLSPHQWDFFHVVWRGDWDHWF«
x Meets regularly (weekly) with the student to provide him/her support, guidance and feedback;
x Communicates with the practicum coordinator and faculty advisor (as needed) to provide feedback and monitor student progress;
x Formally meets with the student, practicum coordinator, and faculty advisor (in- person or by conference call) at the mid-point and end of the practicum;
x Completes an evaluation form on the student and practicum experience.
E. Site Supervisor (as applicable)
If the practicum location does not have a professional who meets the requirements listed above for a preceptor, students can identify a site supervisor who will be located on-site, and an off-site preceptor. The site supervisor:
x Assists in the development of mutually agreed upon learning objectives to be achieved during the practicum;
x Develops a realistic project scope and timetable with the student; x Works with student to design the Learning Contract and approves it;