MPH Program Competencies

1.  Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice

2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context

3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings

6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels

7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health

8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs

9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention

10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management

11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence

13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes

14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations

15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

16. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue

17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges

18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors

19. Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation

20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content

21. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health

22. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative

1. Explain public health history, philosophy and values

2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services

3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health

4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program

5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.

6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge

7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health

8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health

9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health

10. Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities

11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease

12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health (eg, One Health)