New MPH curriculum in the United States: Report on successes and challenges

Abstract

Abstract Background In October 2016, the Council on Education for Public Health, the US accreditation agency for Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, revised its criteria. The new curricular model transitions a nearly 100-year-old knowledge-based curriculum to a competency-based curriculum tailored to today's public health needs in a global society. This presentation will highlight the new content and format of MPH curricula, including programs outside the US that have participated in US accreditation. Objectives CEPH has tracked implementation of the new curriculum as well as overall redesign of MPH programs. The presentation will describe strengths and challenges faced by programs implementing new curricula and will describe innovative curricular models. Results Data show that MPH programs are strong in epidemiological methods (99%), interpreting data (99%), and designing population-based policies or programs (93%). Programs have struggled to incorporate interprofessional practice (57%), systems thinking tools (55%), and negotiation skills (59%). Data indicate that 13% retained coursework in the traditional five core disciplines; 69% added to or adjusted the core; and 18% created a new or integrated core. Examples of each structure will be provided. Conclusions MPH programs in the US are experiencing a major change focused on development of competencies and skills for practice. While methodological skills remain strong, “soft” skills that are important for global public health practice are more of a challenge for faculty to integrate into the current training structure. Successful programs are incorporating innovative and cross-cutting curricula to meet these new requirements. Key messages MPH curricular requirements in the US have changed to focus on competencies and skills for public health practice. Critical public health leadership skills such as negotiation and interprofessional communication are lagging behind in integration into the new curriculum.