Competencies

The Applied Practice Experience (APE) is the culminating activity required for the MPH degree. It provides the opportunity to integrate classroom learning and course work with real life public health activities. For successful completion, students must demonstrate competence in several areas. Below I have chosen three general public health competencies and two competencies specific to my concentration in Global Health. My goal is to demonstrate how my proficiency in these areas was achieved through course work and experience.

Competency 1

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

  • This competency is achieved by the ability to evaluate and scrutinize data regarding the causes and patterns of diseases. It is also useful in identifying events that require public health interventions, as well as disparities and inconsistencies in disease trends.
  • Relevant courses include Epidemiology (MPH 746), Statistical Reasoning for Public Health (MPH 612), Research Methods in Public Health (MPH 616), Biostatistics (CHP 711), and Environmental and Occupational Risk Assessment (MPH 632).
  • I have used the epidemiological methods learned through coursework in my occupational response to the COVID-19 pandemic. My workplace response included infection control, outbreak response, and contact tracing to limit the spread of the virus on campus. In order to achieve this effectively, I ensured that CDC and VDH guidance were followed and procedures were promptly revised as guidance changed. I learned to communicate with campus community individuals and ask them questions regarding exposure to determine what actions were required. I determined when individuals were required to quarantine due to their exposure.

Competency 2

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

  • This competency was achieved through coursework, occupational work, and an internship. This competency involved learning how public health professionals operate on the federal, state, and local level, as well as the laws and regulations regarding environmental health and policy. I also learned how public health and healthcare coincide.
  • Relevant courses include Public Health Administration and Management (MPH 615), Environmental Health (MPH 613), and Environmental Health Law and Policy (MPH 622).
  • I have applied this competency in the relevant courses and also in my occupation to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this response, I had to revise my workplace Occupational Health Policy to meet the changing regulatory requirements of the Department of Health and Department of Labor. I communicated with public health professionals at the state level to ensure the workplace was meeting regulatory requirements.
  • I have also applied this competency in my internship with U.S. Health and Human Services. Prior to this internship, I was not fully aware of the structure of federal public health organizations such as HHS and CDC. I have been fortunate to attend meetings that include federal public health representatives as well as stakeholders from other industries such as healthcare and research. This allowed me to observe the dynamic between different organizations to learn how policy recommendations are developed.

Competency 3

MPH 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.

  • This competency was developed through relevant coursework and my community volunteer experience with the Medical Reserve Corps.
  • Relevant courses include Epidemiology (MPH 746), Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health (MPH 611), Creating Sustainable Futures (MPH 784), and Global Health (MPH 776).
  • As a volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps, I have participated in four events aimed at supporting underserved communities. These activities included handing out meal boxes for school-age children when schools were closed, educating the public about services offered by the local health department, and assisting in a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

Competency 4

GEH 2: Evaluate risks posed by environmental health hazards using risk assessment methods.

  • Risk assessment is an activity that I have been performing as part of my occupation for almost 15 years. The formal coursework on this subject has helped me to be more effective in my career.
  • Relevant courses include Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment (MPH 632), Biostatistics (CHP 711) Global Environmental Health (MPH 778), and Environmental Health (MPH 613).

Competency 5

GEH 3: Recommend approaches for recognizing, preventing, controlling and remediating environmental health hazards.

  • I have demonstrated this competency in my career as an environmental health and safety professional. In this profession I have to assess and communicate risks, evaluate environmental and occupational hazards, and ensure that risks are properly mitigated.
  • Relevant courses include Environmental Health (MPH 613), Epidemiology (MPH 746), Global Environmental Health (MPH 778), and Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment (MPH 632).