A Case Study Examining Undergraduate Public Health Student Experiences at a Large, Private, Urban Research University

Abstract

Undergraduate students represent a new but growing population at a school of public (SPH) health at a large, private, urban research university on the East Coast. This SPH has offered a minor in public health since 2010, and a major was initiated in 2014. The school also plans to offer an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's in public health (BS/MPH) beginning in 2017. Although enrollment in undergraduate public health programs has increased, with continued growth projected, the school has little knowledge of these students' experiences and levels of satisfaction with their respective programs. Public health has deep traditions in graduate study, and incorporating undergraduate education at the SPH has been challenging. Faculty at the SPH are unfamiliar with undergraduate teaching and advising methods or the unique set of challenges faced by students from diverse backgrounds. Gaining a better understanding of undergraduates' experiences can better inform the SPH about the quality of classroom instruction and School programming, while helping position the field of undergraduate public health for sustainable growth and development. This mixed-methods case study sought to understand undergraduate public health students' experiences at a large, private, urban research university. Using a sequential transformative approach, this case study collected feedback from undergraduate public health students through an electronic survey and a subsequent focus group. The study was further informed by the assessment of existing support services and formalized programming at other colleges and schools within the university. The study's major findings revealed that, although undergraduate public health students are satisfied overall with their experiences, programmatic challenges exist regarding course scheduling and infrastructure, cooperative learning experiences, and a lack of engagement and connection with the greater School community. Based on these conclusions, a five-year strategic plan will be developed for the undergraduate public health program in order to position it for continued growth and development. Recommendations include developing mentorship programs and connections between undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty, and increasing opportunities for cooperative learning and related experiences.%%%%Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management – Drexel University, 2017