Greetings!
This past year was incredibly busy and exciting for the program! Perhaps the most exciting news is that our program is now an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Our preliminary self-study report is due December 2011, we have a site visit scheduled for May 2012, and we anticipate a decision regarding our accreditation status sometime October/November of 2012. As such, our self study has begun full force!
As part of the self-study process, the program continues to undergo curricular changes to ensure coverage of public health competencies and to better position ourselves for accreditation. Most required courses are now offered “in-house” with a specific public health focus in, for example, health behavior, biostatistics, and research methods.
The program has also been tailored to allow students to pursue their degree on a part-time basis while working fulltime. In fact, this spring 2011, the program admitted its first cohort to follow an executive-style curriculum over a three year timeframe. The executive-style format will include a combination of blended courses (w/ face-to-face meetings approx. four Saturdays per semester) and online courses.
To all public health students, alumni, faculty and practitioners, please let me stress that I value any input and suggestions you may have related to our MPH Program. I truly believe your feedback is pivotal in moving our program forward building a reputation for excellence!
Be well!
Dr. Vickie L. Sanchez
MPH Director/Associate Professor