Competencies

Biostatistics

Biostatistics provides students with the theoretical and applied statistical methodology and reasoning necessary for addressing, analyzing and solving problems in public health; health care; and biomedical, clinical and population-based research; to undertake quantitative evaluation and measurement; and to use methods of statistical inference and estimation to arrive at appropriate conclusions from laboratory, biomedical and public health data. The biostatistics program prepares individuals to undertake teaching, research, and service roles in the public health sector through active professional careers in government, industry, and academia. The program seeks to encourage student participation in collaborative research projects whenever possible because of the crucial role that collaboration plays in a biostatistician's professional activities.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in biostatistics, students should:

Apply biostatistical methods to the design of studies in public health.

Use computers to appropriately store, manage, manipulate and process data for a research study using modern software.

Select and conduct appropriate statistical analysis.

Integrate analysis strategies in biostatistics with principles and issues in epidemiology.

Describe conceptual frameworks in biostatistics.

Critically evaluate basic statistical aspects of public health research reported in the literature

In addition, students in the M.S. degree program should:

Assist in the application of statistical theory to applied statistical problems.

Develop a conceptual framework that integrates techniques and methods in biostatistics

Critically evaluate statistical aspects of public health research reported in the literature

Write a comprehensive report of the statistical aspects of research in the health sciences or a contribution to statistical methodology.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree program should:

Apply statistical methods to solve problems in the health sciences and carry out theoretical research in statistical methodology.

Develop statistical methodology in an important area of health research. This usually involves a demonstration, using recent data, of how the methods developed actually work in practice.

Teach basic statistical theory and applications to biostatistics majors and other health science majors.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology describes the distribution of diseases and other social factors in the community; identifies, through carefully designed research studies, the determinants of disease; and aids in the development and evaluation of health programs. The epidemiology program prepares individuals to fill positions in state, county and city health departments, federal agencies, academic consulting firms and industry.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in epidemiology, students should:

Articulate the role of epidemiology in preserving and improving public health. Contrast the epidemiologic population-based approach with the clinical perspective. Pose the appropriate research question when given a public health or medical problem requiring a epidemiologic investigation.

Identify sources of health-related data in order to describe the distribution of disease in populations. Generate hypotheses from descriptive data on disease frequency in relation to person, place and time. Interpret health status indices based on these data, such as mortality and morbidity rates.

Explain the critical differences between epidemiologic descriptive and analytic study designs, the measures that can be estimated from each, and their strengths and limitations. Describe how to select an appropriate study design for a specific research question or health problem.

Develop field epidemiological procedures consistent with recognized standards of good epidemiological practice. Identify practical issues in conducting epidemiologic studies.

Identify primary and secondary sources of health data and methods for accessing these sources. Identify the key theoretical and practical issues in selecting study subjects. Identify demographic, social/behavioral and environmental factors which have an impact on the problem under investigation.

Analyze data using appropriate epidemiologic and biostatistical techniques under the guidance of someone with more advanced training. Define, compute, and interpret epidemiologic measures of prevalence, incidence, relative risk, attributable risk, mortality ratios and estimates of their variance. Use computer software for data processing and statistical analyses.

Recognize the various forms of potential bias in epidemiological data and their potential for occurrence in specific study situations. Propose methods to measure them and (adjust for them) reduce their influence on the measures of major interest. Explain and apply methods of standardization or adjustment for factors such as age and gender in a study population. Discuss the implications of study findings.

Evaluate the evidence in favor of and against the likelihood that an observed association in epidemiologic studies is causal using a set of criteria. Define the concept of the multifactorial nature of disease.

Conduct a systematic critical assessment of published epidemiological and clinical studies and present these findings to a variety of audiences.

Evaluate the extent to which existing epidemiological findings can be translated into practical public health interventions.

Articulate the role of epidemiology in public health surveillance. Present the purpose and problems of interpretation in surveillance for acute and chronic diseases and other factors important for public health.

Epidemiology (continued)

In addition, students in the M.S. degree program should:

Discuss, from knowledge of the literature, the epidemiology in a selected area of concentration, namely chronic disease, nutrition, cancer, environmental/occupational, or reproductive epidemiology.

Develop a thesis proposal that demonstrates the ability to state a study question, present a scientific and public health rationale for its significance, and specify a detailed methodology for carrying out an epidemiologic study to answer a research question.

Perform multivariate analysis.

Discuss strategies for avoiding bias and improving study design.

Explore the subtleties and exceptions to epidemiologic methods.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree program should:

Identify problems within the public health concentration area requiring research to contribute new knowledge to the field.

Design and implement independent studies addressing these problems.

Conduct, supervise or collaborate in study management and data collection activities for epidemiological studies in a clinical, occupational, or community setting.

Independently manage data for a small or medium scale epidemiologic study, including preparation of data management plans, data collection protocols, and quality control procedures and documentation.

Interpret data results incorporating findings from other studies and relevant information from biological, physical, and social sciences.

Train and supervise others to assist in the execution of such studies.

Present oral and written reports on such studies which satisfy the criteria for sound scientific reporting and are easily translatable to non-epidemiological trained practitioners.

Advise public health and medial professionals requiring assistance on how to conduct epidemiologic studies in their field.

Teach epidemiological principles and methods in an academic setting at the graduate level.

Critically review the scientific literature, synthesize the findings across studies, and render an informed judgment on the state of knowledge in that area. Present appropriate implications for policy, professional practice, future research, or personal behavior.

Community Health Education

The Community Health Education program promotes health by helping people gain control over the social, political and personal conditions that affect their lives. The CHE program uses social and behavioral theories as tools for understanding and criticizing extant conditions. Community health educators work in a variety of settings, including all levels of federal, state and local government; educational institutions; labor unions; voluntary non-profit agencies; private corporations; health care agencies, including community health centers, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in community health education, students should:

Conduct health needs assessments at both the individual and community level, including analysis of social, political and bureaucratic barriers that impede health promotion efforts.

Identify, analyze and interpret factors influencing people's health status through a strong foundation in epidemiology and social and behavioral theory.

Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity in communities.

Plan, develop, and implement community health education programs using a variety of strategies to improve a community's health.

Develop, analyze and evaluate public policies that have an impact on people's health.

Manage and administer fiscal and organizational resources to insure optimal program and service delivery.

Evaluate the process and outcome of community-based health education programs.

Identify and articulate the ethical dilemmas inherent in planned, intentional social and behavioral change strategies.

Communicate the mission of public health effectively.

In addition, students in the M.S. degree should:

Conduct independent and collaborative research into factors influencing health outcomes.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree should:

Develop and conduct original research that contributes to the theoretical understanding of the health-related behaviors of individuals within the context of the social structure and the community.

Health Policy and Management

The Health Policy and Management (HPM) program prepares public health professionals for managerial and administrative positions in health organizations and institutions (both voluntary and private), and in planning and regulatory bodies of federal, state and local health agencies. The HPM program develops and uses theories and models based in the social and behavioral sciences, such as organization theory, economic theory, decision theory and motivation theory to understand the health care system; identify and analyze its strengths and weaknesses; and design, implement, evaluate and improve programs.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in health policy and management, students should:

Identify and analyze the social, economic, legal, ethical and political issues germane to national and local health policies.

Demonstrate knowledge of the history, dynamics, structure, financing and function of the health care delivery system.

Apply theoretical concepts and practical techniques of administration to the management of health programs.

Design and implement effective health services.

Prepare budgets for and control the financial performance of health organizations.

Plan and implement research, quality improvement and/or evaluation projects within agencies, institutions and organizations.

Identify, analyze and solve strategic and operational leadership and managerial problems.

Demonstrate a mastery of oral and written communication skills.

In addition, students in the M.S. degree program should:

Demonstrate administrative skills, both technical and organizational.

Be knowledgeable as to the mechanism to advocate for social change in the health care system.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree program should:

Be able to independently design and conduct original research in the health policy and management area.

Environmental Health Sciences

The Environmental Health Sciences program educates students to meet the needs for new and significantly expanded roles in evaluating and regulating toxic chemicals, as well as microbiological and radiological agents that may appear in air, soil, water, or food. Graduates of this program will enter a diversified and complex profession within which they are expected to provide leadership and competency in protecting people in the workplace and in the natural environment.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in environmental health sciences, students should:

Recognize the major sources of environmental insults and the physical, chemical, radiological, and biological characteristics involved in establishing materials as potentially deleterious.

Assess the potential impact of these insults on human health.

Explain the factors and principles basic to determining the pathways by which humans are exposed to environmental insults.

Evaluate the environmental fate and transport of materials and biological uptake by humans.

Apply models for estimating human exposure from the dispersion of contaminants into air, surface water, and ground water.

Determine the biological basis of injury for a given exposure to toxic materials through environmental pathways and the resulting human health effects produced from such exposure.

Interpret models used to perform risk assessments for exposure to such materials.

Critique the basic methods for measuring environmental media, requirements for sampling, the sensitivity and reliability of analytical methods.

Identify mandates from regulatory agencies, advisory bodies and professional organizations for the development and dissemination of technical information which control policies for environmental health problems.

Demonstrate skills in technology transfer acquired during academic training.

In addition, students in the M.S. degree program should:

Collect, analyze and interpret scientific data.

Synthesize knowledge and skills from different disciplines by focusing basic research or application skills on the resolution of a special problem.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree program should:

Develop and conduct original research that contributes to the theoretical understanding of the effects of environmental hazards on human ecosystem health, and the development of the means for managing these hazards.

Public Health Practice

The Public Health Practice MPH degree program is for experienced providers, researchers, consultants, administrators, and educators in health care seeking an advanced degree in public health. Students are expected to apply public health concepts, methods, and evidence-based practices; some course projects are actually implemented in a current or new public health systems worksite. Interdisciplinary team work in courses may be required. Students take coursework in the five core areas of public health and the eight areas of critical importance based on recommendations by the Institute of Medicine.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in public health practice, students should:

Apply the ecological model to the understanding of public health systems, issues and solutions.

Apply appropriate methods of qualitative and quantitative research and investigation strategies to prevent or address public health problems

Apply concepts from informatics to select health information data sources which investigate, measure and evaluate public health problems

Apply evidence-based practices in public health

Analyze the ethical and legal dimensions of public health practice

Interpret leadership research and theory to articulate own leadership development plan and effectiveness

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the factors, solutions, policy, programs and outcomes to assure the health of the public.

Understand the administrative, financial, workforce culture, and delivery mechanisms that guide the operations and impact of the public health system.

Uses understanding of cultural diversity, genomics, and public health system challenges to articulate programs to reduce health disparity globally

Applies social, behavioral, and cultural theories to understand program needs and intervention strategies in public health

Understands the nature of environment, its relationship to health and its role in assuring the health of the public

Communicates effectively in writing, oral and electronic delivery modes

General MPH-Worcester

The General MPH Program at the University of Massachusetts School of Public Health and Health Sciences is designed for the working health care professional who is seeking advanced training in public health at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center Campus in Worcester, Massachusetts. The overall objective of this degree program is to provide education in, and experience in the application of, key concepts of public health advancement (health promotion, disease prevention, and disease management) in diverse race/ethnicity populations in diverse settings (public, private, community, hospital, research). Upon graduation, recipients of this General MPH degree should be able to assume professional roles in health education, health promotion, public health planning and policy determination, health services delivery and, public health research.

Outcome Competencies

Be competent in the identification and interpretation of health-related data in order to describe the distribution of disease in populations.

Identify and analyze the social, economic, legal, ethical and political issues germane to national and local health policies.

Explain the factors and principles basic to determining the pathways by which humans are exposed to environmental insults.

Demonstrate knowledge of the history, dynamics, structure, financing and function of the health care delivery system.

Conduct health needs assessments at both the individual and community level, including analysis of social, political and bureaucratic barriers that impede health promotion efforts.

Apply theoretical concepts and practical techniques of administration to the development and management of health programs.

Demonstrate knowledge of terms, concepts and methods in biostatistics and data management. Manage and analyze data using appropriate epidemiologic and biostatistical techniques under the guidance of someone with more advanced training.

Critically evaluate statistical aspects of public health practice and research

Demonstrate a mastery of oral and written communication skills, especially vis a vis the missions of public health and community based health education. Interpret and communicate results of studies to public health practitioners and the public.

Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity in communities.

Kinesiology
The Kinesiology Department provides teaching, research and outreach experiences for students in the areas of exercise physiology, physical activity and health, muscle metabolism and mechanics, and biomechanics and motor control. The program prepares graduates for careers in academic, industrial and community settings.
Outcome Competencies
For all degree programs in kinesiology, students should:
Critique the terms, concepts and methods used in kinesiology.
Assess the potential impact of physical activity on human health.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating the literature in kinesiology.
Design and conduct research in kinesiology.
Critique the results of research in kinesiology.
Translate the results of kinesiology research to different target populations.
Synthesize the knowledge and skills from different sub-disciplines to resolve special research or application problems.
In addition, students in the Ph.D. degree program should:
Design and conduct original, independent research in kinesiology.

Communication Disorders

The learning objectives for the M.A. and Au.D. programs are strongly influenced by the certification requirements of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). For Ph.D. degrees, these objectives develop between the student and his or her advisor. The doctoral committee may offer input, but usually to a lesser extent. Thus, formulating a doctoral degree program requires both student and advisor to carefully define the degree and its parameters, a valuable process in itself.

Outcome Competencies

For all degree programs in communication disorders students should:

Critique the terms, concepts and methods used in communications disorders.

Assess the potential impact of communication disorders on human development and welfare.

Develop intervention strategies to correct communication disorders.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating communication disorders.

Apply state-of-the-art technology and methodology in the assessment and remediation of communication disorders.

Critique, design and conduct communication disorders research.

Demonstrate knowledge of communication disorders agencies, regulatory agencies, advisory bodies, and professional organizations that play important roles in the development and dissemination of technical information and control policies for communication disorders.

Integrate relevant information about multicultural populations into assessment and treatment protocols in communication disorders.

Translate results of communication disorders research to different target populations (peers, public, etc.).

Synthesize knowledge and skills from different disciplines by focusing basic research or application skills on the resolution of a special problem.

In addition, students in the Ph.D. and Au.D. degree programs should:

Design and conduct basic and applied communication disorders research as well as to plan and implement an independent research program.

Nutrition

Graduate studies in nutrition provide students with the knowledge base and skills to research nutrition problems, and to plan community, clinical, and individual applications of nutrition prevention and treatment at various levels. The MPH in Nutrition program is designed to provide nutrition and health practitioners, and those with advanced degrees, with a broad background in Public Health and advanced training in public health nutrition.

Outcome Competencies

MPH in Nutrition students should:

Critique the terms, concepts and methods in nutritional sciences and in public health.

Select and use appropriate anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary, functional and socioeconomic assessment techniques to identify and prioritize nutritional problems and needs of populations and communities.

Develop intervention strategies to correct nutritional problems in target populations.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation of the literature.

Design and conduct applied nutrition research.

Describe the role of agencies, advisory bodies, and professional organizations responsible for development and dissemination of technical information and for formulation of nutritional policies.

Identify the relationships between local, national, and global nutritional and public health problems.

Translate results of nutritional research to different target populations (public, peers, parents, etc.).

Integrate knowledge in nutrition, public health, and other disciplines for the identification and evaluation of nutritional problems and in development and implementation of guidelines and policies.

Nutrition (continued)

Graduate studies in nutrition provide students with the knowledge base and skills to research nutrition problems, and to plan community, clinical, and individual applications of nutrition prevention and treatment at various levels. The M.S. in Nutrition provides advanced nutrition competencies and skills for application in clinical, research, and group settings.

Outcome Competencies

M.S. students in Nutrition should:

Critique the terms, concepts and methods in nutritional sciences and in public health.

Develop intervention strategies to correct nutritional problems in target populations.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation of the literature.

Describe the role of agencies, advisory bodies, and professional organizations responsible for development and dissemination of technical information and for formulation of nutritional policies.

Identify the relationships between local, national, and global nutritional and public health problems.

Translate results of nutritional research to different target populations (public, peers, parents, etc.).

Integrate knowledge in nutrition, public health, and other disciplines for the identification and evaluation of nutritional problems and in development and implementation of guidelines and policies.

Design and conduct research in the area of nutrition sciences.

Integrate knowledge of nutritional science for the identification and evaluation of nutritional problems and in development of further research, policies and/or interventions.

Nutrition (Continued)

Graduate studies in nutrition provide students with the knowledge base and skills to research nutrition problems, and to plan community, clinical, and individual applications of nutrition prevention and treatment at various levels. The doctoral program prepares individuals for teaching and research in academic institutions and for positions of professional leadership in health and health-related agencies where research is an important function.

Outcome Competencies

PhD in Public Health–Nutrition students should:

Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the terms, concepts and methods in nutritional sciences and in public health.

Develop intervention strategies to correct nutritional problems in target populations.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation of the literature.

Describe the role of agencies, advisory bodies, and professional organizations responsible for development and dissemination of technical information and for formulation of nutritional policies.

Identify the relationships between local, national, and global nutritional and public health problems.

Translate results of nutritional research to different target populations (public, peers, parents, etc.).

Integrate knowledge in nutrition, public health, and other disciplines for the identification and evaluation of nutritional problems and in development and implementation of guidelines and policies.

Design and conduct, and evaluate research in an area of nutritional sciences.

Integrate knowledge of nutritional science for the identification and evaluation of nutritional problems and in development of further research, policies and/or interventions.

Demonstrate capability of launching independent investigations.

Demonstrate ability to teach nutrition at the university level.