Learning Objectives for the MPH Program in Public Health Genetics
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree provides a broad introduction to the field of public health and its core disciplines. The Public Health Genetics track of the MPH degree is the only such accredited MPH track in the US.
Objectives Specific to the Public Health Genetics Program
Learning objectives specific to the MPH program in Public Health Genetics were developed based on competencies recommended by the Public Health Genetics Training Collaboration. This collaboration consists of five universities that provide training related to Public Health Genetics, the Washington State Department of Health, and liaisons to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Genetics Services Branch of the Health Resources and Human Services Administration in 2001 (Austin MA, Arnett D, Beaty T, Durfy S, Fineman R, Gettig E, Lochner Doyle D, Peyser P, Sorenson J, Thompson JD, Watts C. Opportunities for public health genetics trainees: Results from an employer/workplace survey. Community Genetics 4:143-147, 2001.)
Following an interactive internal review of the program by students active in the program during the 2007-2008 academic year, alumni of the program, and faculty, the following, updated objectives were developed. These have been reviewed by the IPHG faculty in 2012 and updated as needed:
- Display competency in “Genomics in Public Health” (Core Knowledge Area A):
- Apply knowledge of inheritance and genomic advances, including cellular and molecular mechanisms and technical developments, to understanding the etiology of a variety of rare and common, complex diseases and health conditions.
- Apply epidemiological and statistical approaches to the study of risk factors and diseases with a genetic component.
- Identify interactions among genes, environmental factors, and behaviors, and their roles in health and disease.
- Understand how genetic principles and genomic technologies apply to diagnosis, screening, and interventions for disease prevention and health promotion programs.
- Display competency in “Implications of Genetics for Society” (Core Knowledge Area B):
- Identify the impact of genomics on the public health activities of assessment, policy development and assurance.
- Apply methods to address ethical implications of the use of genetic information and technologies in public health;
- Understand legal concepts and the role of the law in the development of policies relating to genetics and genomics; and identify legal implications of the application of genetics and genomic technologies in public health.
- Apply knowledge of key social science concepts in analysis of the political, social and cultural forces that influence the research and clinical application of genetics and genomic technology in public health.
- Analyze the interaction and impact of public policy on the development and delivery of genetic services.