Progression and Probation Policies and Procedures

MPH Policies

The following academic progress and probation policies will be enforced in the MPH program:

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and good academic standing. A student is placed on probation if the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 for any term. After being placed on probation, a student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 within the next two terms or be dismissed from the graduate program.
No more than two grades of C or lower can be earned in any of the MPH courses. A course in which a D was obtained must be repeated to obtain a grade of B or better. Students with more than two grades of C or lower will be terminated from the MPH program.
Two or more failing grades within the program is grounds for dismissal. Where a student has two or more grades of "I" outstanding, the student should be reviewed for probationary status. When a student has a grade of D or F, he/she will be put on probation and must repeat the course and obtain a B grade or better.

Program Objectives

Following completion of the Master of Public Health program, the graduates will be able to:

Apply knowledge of theoretical constructs from related social and behavioral sciences needed to plan and implement acceptable evidence-based intervention strategies for preventive health practices.
Demonstrate skills and competencies needed to define the human health effects of exposure to hazardous and toxic substances and to integrate these results with engineering, social, economic and political concerns to reach decisions.
Demonstrate educational instructions in the recognition of Public Health indicators and evaluation of factors in the home and workplace that may cause disease, dysfunction, human suffering and premature death.
Demonstrate skills and competencies needed to distinguish the relative effectiveness of different public health interventions utilizing appropriate principles and methods from health, the social and behavioral sciences.
Demonstrate skills and capacity to effectively plan, manage, implement, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs, as well as advocacy related to behavioral, social, environmental and cultural factors that affect health and health-related behaviors.
Apply instructional and research skills in the technical and scientific disciplines that have direct or indirect impact on the prevention of disease and the promotion of health and wellness through the control of environment.

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an MPH degree, students must successfully complete all academic work by the semester they wish to graduate. Capstone fieldwork experience or a thesis must also be completed. Specific requirements to be fulfilled by the graduating students include:

Academic Performance: Cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale in all required and elective courses.
Comprehensive Written Exam: Successful completion of a comprehensive written exam to assess knowledge of the core courses in public health. Three opportunities are provided to pass the exam with a minimum of a “B” grade.
Practicum: Six credits for students who elect the practicum option aimed at developing the skills and competencies through service experience in a health profession or health-related organization and to apply concepts and theories learned in the classroom. The practicum will be arranged in two blocks spanning over two semesters (a minimum of 360 hours) and must be successfully completed. Prior to the experience, the practicum coordinator will discuss with each student their career interest, needs, and geographic constraints to determine the placement site.
Thesis Proposal and Defense: Students who select the research option will submit their thesis to the faculty mentor and a copy must be submitted to the chairperson two weeks before defense date. The student must successfully defend the thesis. Students who elect the thesis option must complete a minimum of 180 hours of fieldwork.
Project Presentation: Each student must successfully complete their capstone fieldwork experience and/or thesis and present it at the public forum.
Grade Format: Letter (A-F) grades are awarded in theory courses. “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” grades are awarded only for the capstone, thesis and practicum experiences.