The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess to complete the education requirements of the Master of Public Health program are referred to as “technical standards.”
It is important the Master of Public Health Program review not only the scholastic accomplishments and potential of applicants, but also their physical and emotional capabilities to meet the requirements of the program’s curriculum and graduate as effective health care providers.
The technical standards listed below reflect the following categorical areas: communication; intellectual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and behavioral or social. These represent minimum competence levels. Students must attest that they meet these standards upon entrance into the MPH program and reaffirm continued compliance before enrollment in the practicum.
Each standard is defined below and is followed by examples of indicators of minimum competence in that area. Reasonable accommodation for people with documented disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Communication
Students must be able to communicate effectively in academic, community, and health care settings, and demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Students need to be able to communicate with community members or clients to gather information, identify health concerns related to one’s lifestyle, and perceive nonverbal communication.
Intellectual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities
Students must be able to identify, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem-solving, a critical skill needed in public health, requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students also need to be able to read and understand professional health-related/medical literature.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
Students need to possess emotional health and stability, exercise good judgment, and complete all academic responsibilities. Developing mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with members of the health care and public health systems is essential.
The ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the health care and public health arenas (flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others) is necessary. While enrolled in the program, students must be able to function effectively under stress and be able to accept constructive criticism, and handle difficult interpersonal relationships.
Standards of acceptable performance (cognitive and psychomotor) for courses are communicated to students in writing via the syllabus and reviewed orally at the introduction of the course.
Students must achieve and maintain at least a 3.0-semester grade point average to remain in good academic standing and graduate from the Master of Public Health program. The required GPA is intended to promote academic excellence and experiential competence.
Performance in didactic courses is commonly assessed by written exams, oral presentations and/or research papers, direct observation, and final, written (cognitive) exams.
