Concordia University, Nebraska

Program Development and Assessment Plan

Master of Public Health (MPH)

GraduateCollege of Health and Human Sciences

Concordia University, Nebraska

June 19, 2011

Program Name and Description

Department/Program / Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department Chair / Jen Janousek
Lead person (or team) / Jen Janousek
Date updated/submitted / June 19, 2011

MHS Program Mission Statement and Goal

Mission: Concordia University, Nebraska’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program promotes intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual growth enabling its graduates to provide quality education, research, service and leadership in public health with the goal of eliminating health disparities, locally, nationally, and globally.

Program Goal: The overarching goal of Concordia’s MPH program is to prepare graduates to protect and promote the health of individuals, communities, and churches through the development, implementation, and evaluation of health strategies in order to educate, promote health and to prevent disease.

Master of Public Health Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

After completing the MPH program, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health to protect and promote the health of individuals, communities and churches.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies to promote health in diverse population groups.
  3. Implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills.
  4. Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health literature and research findings necessary for participation in the public health field.
  5. Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research utilizing proper methodologies.
  6. Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice implicit in public health decisions to improve the public’s health.

MPH Curriculum Map

MPH curriculum mapped to the program learning outcomes with different levels of emphasis

Key: "I"=Introduced; "R"=reinforced and opportunity to practice; "M"=mastery at the senior or exit level; "A"= summative assessment evidence collected. Items highlighted in green indicate where program level assessment evidence is collected. (Program level assessments include assignments in courses, evaluation of proposal and applied research project, e-portfolios, etc.)

Program Learning Outcomes
Courses / LO1: Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health… / LO2: Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies… / LO3: Implement a public health program that reflects… / LO4: Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health… / LO5: Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health researchutilizing… / LO6: Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice…
MPH 500 / I* / I / I / I* / I / I
MPH 505 / R* / R / I, R* / R
MPH 510 / R* / R* / R*
MPH 515 / R* / I, R* / R* / R / R
MPH 520 / R* / R / R
MPH 525 / R* / I, R* / R / R
MPH 530 / R / R, A* / R, A* / R
Specialization: Community Health
MPH 584 / R / R* / R* / R / R
MPH 585 / R* / R* / R / R
PSY 560 / R / R / R*
MPH 588 / R* / R / R / R / R
MPH 583 / R / R, M* / R* / R / R*
Specialization: Health Policy & Administration
MGMT 543 / R / R* / R / R*
HS/GERO 514 / R / R* / R / R / R
MGMT 562 / R* / R / R
MBA 610 / R* / R / R / R / R*
Capstone Experience
MPH 598 / M / M / M* / M, A* / M
MPH 599 / M, A* / M, A* / M, A* / M, A*

*In addition to other requirements, portfolio materials will be gathered in these classes.

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Concordia University, Nebraska

MPH Program Learning Outcomes – Assignments and Embedded Assessments

Assessments of major student learning outcomes for core curriculum. This matrix shows the classes in the curriculum which contain activities that contribute to the achievement of the program learning outcomes. (Example: Exam, Essay, Term Paper, Discussion Assignment, Group Project, Case Study, Summative Reflection, E-Portfolio, Journal Reports, Peer Evaluations, Interviews, Visits/Trips, Power Point Presentation, Digital Story Telling, Analysis of Public Health Policy, Research Proposal, etc.)

MPH 500 / MPH 505 / MPH 510 / MPH 515 / MPH 520 / MPH 525 / MPH 530 / *Community Health Specialization / ** Health Policy & Administration
Specialization / Capstone:
MPH 598 / Capstone:
MPH 599
LO1: Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health… / Discussion, Paper, Article reflection, Case Studies / Discussion, Online Exercises, Project / Discussion, Case Studies, Outbreak Investigation Exercise / Discussion, Analysis of HP 2020 Goal, PPT Presentation, Behavior Change Project / Discussion, Article Reviews, Current Events Reports / Discussion, Case Discussion and Analysis / Discussion, Research Proposal / Discussion, Community Health Program & Presentation, Collaborative Project Needs Assessment, Online Presentation, Papers, Case Studies, Digital Storytelling Presentation / Discussion, Written Assignments, Research Papers, Reaction Papers, Case Studies, Current Policies/Issues Analyses, Mock Grant Writing Project / Research Project, Presentation of Project to Faculty, E-Portfolio / Reflective Journals, Final Paper
LO2:
Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies… / Discussion, Paper, Case Studies, Community Health Assessment / Discussion, Behavior Change Project / Discussion, Case Discussion and Analysis / Discussion, Community Health Program and Presentation, Collaborative Project Needs Assessment, Papers, Case Studies, Marketing Plan Project, Service Learning Project in Guatemala / Discussion, Written Assignments, Research Papers, Reaction Papers, Case Studies, Current Policies/Issues Analyses, Mock Grant Writing Project / Final Paper, Supervisor Evaluation
LO3: Implement a public health program that reflects… / Discussion, Case Studies / Behavior Change Project / Community Health Program and Presentation, Collaborative Project Needs Assessment, Papers, Case Studies, Marketing Plan Project, Service Learning Project in Guatemala / Written Assignments, Research Papers, Reaction Papers, Case Studies, Current Policies/Issues Analyses, Mock Grant Writing Project / Final Paper, Supervisor Evaluation
LO4: Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health… / Discussion, Case Studies, Paper / Discussion, Projects / Discussion, Case Studies, Outbreak Investigation Exercise, Research Study Assign / Discussion, Analysis of HP 2020 Goal, PPT Presentation / Discussion, Article Reviews, Current Events Reports / Discussion, Case Discussion and Analysis / Discussion, Research Proposal / Community Health Program and Presentation, Collaborative Project Needs Assessment, Papers, Case Studies, Marketing Plan Project, Service Learning Project in Guatemala / Written Assignments, Research Papers, Reaction Papers, Case Studies, Current Policies/Issues Analyses, Mock Grant Writing Project
LO5: Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research utilizing… / Discussion / Discussion, Exam Questions, Project, Correct Use of Statistical Software / Research Proposal / Research Project, Presentation of Project to Faculty, E-Portfolio
LO6:
Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice… / Discussion, Case Study, Completion of NIH Human Subject Certification / Project / Discussion, Case Studies, Outbreak Investigation Exercise / Behavior Change, PPT Presentation / Current Events Report / Case Discussion and Analysis / Research Proposal / Community Health Program and Presentation, Collaborative Project Needs Assessment, Papers, Case Studies, Marketing Plan Project, Service Learning Project in Guatemala / Written Assignments, Research Papers, Reaction Papers, Case Studies, Current Policies/Issues Analyses, Mock Grant Writing Project / IRB Submission, Research Project, Presentation of Project to Faculty, E-Portfolio / Reflective Journals, Final Paper, Supervisor Evaluation

*Community Health Specialization consists of: MPH 584, MPH 585, PSY 560, MPH 588, MPH 589

**Health Policy and Administration Specialization consists of: MGMT 543, HS/GERO 514, MGMT 562, MBA 610

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Concordia University, Nebraska

Assessment Methods

The direct and indirect assessment methods for the Master of Public Health (MPH)are outlined below. For each learning outcome, at least one direct and indirect assessment instrument is used.

Direct Methods

Research Proposal & Applied Research Project

A major part of the assessment plan of the MPH program includes evaluating the research proposal students develop in MPH 530: Methods of Research in Public Health and the final applied research project developed during the capstone experience, MPH 598: Applied Research in Public Health. To examine the learning outcomes we will use the Research Proposal/Final Research Project Rubric (see Appendix A).

Student Portfolios

The other significant proportion of the MPH program will be assessed through student portfolios which include case studies and application activities, projects, and research papers accumulated across the program as well as their practicum project proposal, supporting documents, a practicum paper, and the applied research project. To examine learning outcomeswe will use a Portfolio Appraisal Form rubric (see Appendix B). Students will be asked to write brief reflective documents foreach of the learning outcomes related to specific items in their portfolios. Students will also be asked to complete a self-assessment of their portfolios based on the learning outcomes of the program (see Appendix C).

Indirect Measures

Practicum Supervisor Assessment

Students and their practicum supervisors within external agencies complete an assessment of the student’s performance in their practicum at the end of the practicum experience (see Appendix D). This indirect evidence of learning and agency feedback is designed to enable program faculty to add and review program curriculum to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills required for the field of Public Health.

Exit Survey

All students will be asked to complete a survey upon graduation (see Appendix E).Also, all Concordia University, Nebraska graduates complete the National Survey of Student Engagement Survey ( In addition, graduates will be asked to complete a program level assessment related to their personal achievement of theprogram learning outcomes. This indirect evidence of learning is designed complement thedirect evidence described above.

Student Self-Assessment

Students have a sense of their own competence. Student selfefficacyinvolves students rating their perception of their own achievement in particular learningoutcomes. Research shows a significant, although imperfect, correlation between actual andperceived competence. Program faculty will develop and students will complete a self-assessment of program objectives overall. Each student will also be asked to complete a self-assessment of their portfolios based on the learning outcomes of the program (see Appendix C).

Content Analysis

The MPH program conducts an annual curriculum content analysis comparing our curriculum to the standards of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) to ensure alignment of the field’s standards and Concordia’s MPH program.

Responsibility

The Associate Provost is directly responsible for the curriculum andassessment of learning for this program. The program director and Chair of Health and Human Sciences, in consultation with the Concordia University Assessment Coordinator and program faculty, will prepare the annualassessment report required by university policy. Since the Concordia University, Nebraska faculty members at-large are also responsible forcurriculum, conclusions reached in the assessment of learning will be discussed with program and other faculty during the annual faculty assessment meeting and will be incorporated intothe curriculum and/or operations of the program on an on-going basis.

Assessment plans, data and documents are filed with Associate Provost and the Assessment Coordinator. Documents supporting change include: compiled results of assessment, notes and minutes from faculty, agency and instructor meetings related to assessment, and the ongoing course book record. The course book of record includes the original course materials and the instructor’s guide/notes as well as an ongoing record of changes made in the process of curricular revision.

Assessment Planning Chart: Direct and Indirect Measures

The following chart shows the direct and indirect measures used to assess the learning outcomes and which groups will be included in the assessment.

Program Learning Outcome / Direct Measure(s) / Indirect Measure(s) / Who will be assessed
1. Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health to protect and promote the health of individuals, communities and churches. / Student portfolio containing
evidence from projects, papers, case studies and application activities. / Portfolio self-assessment, student self assessment, and exit survey. / ALL MPH students
2. Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies to promote health in diverse population groups. / Student portfolio containing student projects related to learning outcome. / Portfolio self-assessment, student self assessment, exit survey, and practicum supervisor assessment. / ALL MPH students
All practicum supervisors.
3. Implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills. / Student portfolio containing
student projects related to learning outcome. / Portfolio self-assessment, student self assessment, exit survey, and practicum supervisor assessment. / ALL MPH students
All practicum supervisors.
4. Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health literature and research findings necessary for participation in the public health field. / Proposal and Applied Research Project Rubric. / Exit survey and student self-assessment of learning objective. / ALL MPH students
5. Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research utilizing proper methodologies. / Proposal and Applied Research Project Rubric. / Exit survey and student self-assessment of learning objective. / ALL MPH students
6. Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice implicit in public health decisions to improve the public’s health. / Student portfolio containing reflection papers including reflection of practicum experience. / Practicum supervisor assessment. / All practicum supervisors.

Timeline and Discussion Groups

The Program Learning Outcomes will be assessed over a 3-year cycle. The results of the assessment will be filed with the Associate Provost and University Assessment Coordinator. Areas of concern and required changes to the program based on the assessment will be discussed at the Concordia University, Nebraska annual assessment meeting.

Program Learning Outcome / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Discussion Group(s)
1. Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health to protect and promote the health of individuals, communities and churches. / X / Program Director, course instructors, and students.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies to promote health in diverse population groups. / X / Program Director, course instructors, and potentially practicum supervisors.
3. Implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills. / X / Program Director, course instructors, and potentially practicum supervisors.
4. Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health literature and research findings necessary for participation in the public health field. / X / X / Program Director and course instructors.
5. Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research utilizing proper methodologies. / X / Program Director, course instructors, and researchers in the public health field.
6. Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice implicit in public health decisions to improve the public’s health. / X / Program Director, course instructors, and practicum supervisors.

Process for the Improvement of Student Learning

Our program’s process for using assessment results to improve student learning.

Assessment data for PLO #1: Articulate strategies in the basic domains of public health to protect and promote the health of individuals, communities and churches.

  • Three (3) faculty members of the MPH program at Concordia will rate each student portfolio. A summary report of each year’s portfolio assessment data will be discussed with members of the MPH faculty and curricular modifications will be made as needed based on the results of the assessment to ensure students are able to articulate strategies in biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, environmental science, and health policy and management.
  • Completed student portfolio self-assessments, student self assessments, and exit surveys will be reviewed and discussed with members of the faculty annually to determine if curricular modifications need to be made.

Assessment data for PLO #2:Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies to promote health in diverse population groups.

  • Three (3) faculty members of the MPH program at Concordia will rate each student portfolio. A summary report of each year’s portfolio assessment data will be discussed with members of the MPH faculty and curricular modifications will be made as needed based on the results of the assessment to ensure students are able to design, implement and evaluate public health programs and policies to promote health in diverse population groups.
  • Completed student portfolio self-assessments, student self assessments, and exit surveys will be reviewed and discussed with members of the faculty annually to determine if curricular modifications need to be made to meet PLO #2.
  • The Program Director and faculty members will review the practicum supervisor assessments for students when they complete MPH 599: Public Health Field Practicum. Data and feedback from the practicum supervisors will be discussed and curricula revised if students are not able to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies effectively.

Assessment data for PLO #3:Implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills.

  • Three (3) faculty members of the MPH program at Concordia will rate each student portfolio. A summary report of each year’s portfolio assessment data will be discussed with members of the MPH faculty and curricular modifications will be made as needed based on the results of the assessment to ensure students are able to implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills.
  • Completed student portfolio self-assessments, student self assessments, and exit surveys will be reviewed and discussed with members of the faculty annually and appropriate curriculum modifications will be made as needed.
  • The Program Director and faculty members will review the practicum supervisor assessments for students when they complete MPH 599: Public Health Field Practicum. Data and feedback from the practicum supervisors will be discussed and curricula revised if students are not able to implement a public health program that reflects communication, leadership and advocacy skills effectively.

Assessment data for PLO #4:Critically review, analyze and apply medical and public health literature and research findings necessary for participation in the public health field.

  • With the use of a rubric both the research proposal developed in MPH 530: Methods of Research in Public Health and the final applied research project developed during the capstone experience, MPH 598: Applied Research in Public Health will be assessed to ensure students are able to critically review, analyze and apply literature and research findings. The data collected will be summarized into a report that the MPH faculty members will discuss and content delivery in the core classes will be adapted and improved as needed.
  • The indirect data collected from the students by means of exit surveys and student self assessment of PLO #4 will be reviewed and discussed with members of the faculty annually to determine if curriculum changes need to be made.

Assessment data for PLO #5:Conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research utilizing proper methodologies.