Certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response Student handbook Updated January 10, 2019
Table of Contents Program Summary... 3 Curriculum... 5 Learning Objectives... 8 Admissions... 9 Prerequisites for Admission... 9 Application checklist... 9 Certificate and MPH... 11 What if I want to pursue an MPH after completing the Certificate? Will my credits transfer?... 11 What if I want to pursue a Certificate while completing my MPH?... 11 Competencies... 12 Key contacts... 14 2
Program Summary The certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response (PHPDR) is designed to provide essential tools for public health practitioners to prepare for and respond to, natural hazards resulting in disasters (weather-related and geophysical), civil unrest, epidemics and other emerging health threats both internationally and in the US. This includes an emphasis on disasters resulting in internally displaced populations and mass population movements. The certificate is focused on acquisition of skills needed to protect and promote the health and resilience of local communities with an emphasis on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. The certificate provides education in public health emergency/medical preparedness, and management of disaster impacts, and includes an emphasis on the role of policies supporting best practice in preparedness and response. The program is ideal both for degree seeking students and for federal, state, or local emergency management officials, public health practitioners, health care providers, hospital administrators or managers, or first responders, including those aspiring to work internationally or domestically. Designed to immerse the student in experience based learning and hands-on educational experiences, the program is interdisciplinary and prepares trainees for the spectrum of disaster mitigation, planning, response and recovery necessary for practice. The certificate emphasizes skills essential to public health infrastructure through use of case studies, experiential exercises (table top and full scale), and first-hand accounts from practitioners. New this year the certificate will offer an expanded focus to include International as well as domestic perspectives, allowing the student to design a certificate that meets their personal interests. The certificate provides a broad exposure to international and domestic disaster management. a. International courses emphasizes public health perspectives within the context of international disasters and humanitarian response. This includes instruction in the importance of respecting local statutes, awareness and interpretation of international instruments, guidelines and standards that inform disaster management in humanitarian settings. The international course curriculum is inclusive of humanitarian competencies, and multi-sectoral frameworks for response based on an understanding of the inter-agency cluster system. Emphasis is given to population-based health interventions in humanitarian crises across a wide variety of sub-topics including - infectious and non-communicable diseases, water, sanitation and health, food aid and nutrition, reproductive health, gender-based violence, mental health and more. Such content provides a solid foundation for students who may deploy internationally. b. Domestic courses emphasize public health perspectives and roles associated with the National Incident Management framework and the National Health Security Strategy. Advance skill training focuses on skills for emergency public health professionals who may participate in planning, management and implementing response activities in a disaster. The course curriculum is designed to be reflective and inclusive of current and nationally endorsed competencies. Courses include 3
examination of challenges typically associated with collaborating, coordinating and interfacing with internal and external emergency management response partners during the response and post response phase of an emergency. 4
Curriculum The certificate is 15 credits total, consisting of 3 required courses (9 credit hours) and 6 hours of electives. MPH students who opt for the certificate can take the series in any order, while certificate-only students will start in January with 6622, which is a foundational course that provides knowledge needed. Required Courses * 6622 must be taken before 6626 Credits: 15 # Name Credit hours/semester Introduction to Public Health 3 6622 Emergency Preparedness (Spring/Summer, 6625 International Disasters and Global Humanitarianism 3 (Fall, Hybrid) Selective (choose any 1 course) 6626 6642 6641 Public Health Disaster Responder * 6622 must be taken before 6626 International Disaster Psychology Critical Policies in Global Health 3 (Summer, Hybrid) 3 (Spring, Hybrid) 3 (Summer, Approved Electives Credits: 6 Students enroll in 6 credit hours of approved electives (*recommended) # Name Credit 6641 *Critical Policies in Global Health Engagement hours/semester 2 (Summer, Hybrid) 6638 *Communication Skills for Public Health Impact 6621 6633 E*GIS for Public Health Research and Practice International Travel and Health 3 (Fall/Spring) 1 (Spring, 5
6642 6620 6635 *International Disaster Psychology Risk Analysis and Decision Making *Climate Change and Health 3 (Spring, Hybrid/ 3 (Fall, Hybrid) 3 (Fall) 6619 6635 CBHS 6619 CBHS 6610 CBHS 6613 Public Health in the Global Community 3 (Spring/Summer, *Climate Change and Health 3 (Fall) Public Health in the Global Community 3 (Spring/Summer, *Social & Behavioral Factors & Health 3 (Spring/Summer, *Program Planning and Implementation 3 (Fall/Spring) CBHS 6629 CBHS 6622 CBHS 6640 HSMP 6608 HSMP 6615 Health and Human Rights Qualitative Research Methods Leadership for Public Health Practice Ethical and Legal Issues in Public Health Current Global Health Policy Issues 3 (Fall) 2 (Fall, 2 (Fall) 2 (Fall, Hybrid) BIOS 6685 Intro to Public Health Informatics 3 (Spring, EPID 6624 Public Health Surveillance 2 (Fall) EPID 6640 Investigation of Disease Outbreaks 2 (Summer, EPID 6648 *Theory Practice of Foodborne Disease 1 (Spring) 6
PUBH 6600 PMHW 6621 Foundations in Public Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion 2 (Fall/Summer, Courses at CSU: Credits: 6 # Name Credit hours/semester ANTP Food, Hunger and Culture 5380 ERHS 5380 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Health FTEC 5740 HDFS 6080 IEOO 6790 SOCO 5620 SPCM 6390 VSCS 5330 VSCS 6480 ANTP 5320 FSHN 5000 Current Issues in Food Safety Program Planning and Implementation Applications of International Development Sociology of Food Systems and Agriculture Communication Theory Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonosis Food Animal Production and Food Safety The Culture of Disaster Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security 2 (Spring) 2 (Spring) 3 (Fall) 2 (Fall) Registration and course schedule http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/publichealth/resourcesfor/currentstudents /academics/pages/coursesregistration.aspx 7
Learning Objectives Successful completion of the 15 credit hour PHPDR certificate will provide a fundamental understanding of the following in international and domestic context: 1. Public policy development using a systems framework; 2. Community-level public health disaster interventions incorporating an understanding of context and culture; 3. Principles of hazard analysis directing mitigation and preparedness; 4. Applied skills in disaster readiness planning and response to incidents; 5. Assessment and application of basic public health sciences in disasters; 6. Political, legal, psychological, and social aspects of disasters; 7. Program management and communications principles in emergencies; 8. Critical infrastructure protection in emergencies; 9. Foundational concepts in international disaster response, including best practice standards, and core and emerging health themes common to humanitarian crises 10. Emergency preparedness core competencies for all public health workers (http://www.naccho.org/topics/workforce/upload/preparedness-competencies- Article.pdf) 8
Admissions Prerequisites for Admission Bachelor s degree from an accredited institution Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0. If the GPA is below a 3.0, applicant should include an explanation of why it fell below a 3.0 and how the applicant plans to address any prior academic deficiencies as a graduate student. GRE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ADMISSIONS Application checklist Application Deadlines: Spring start: October 15 th Summer start: February 15 th Step 1: Online application SOPHAS Express Online Application*: https://sophasexpress.liaisoncas.com/ *Typically opens up two months prior to the deadline Upload the following three documents: 2-page, single spaced statement of Interest addressing the following two questions: 1) How will this certificate training contribute to your career plans? 2) Please describe work or volunteer experiences, including domestic or international experiences that shaped your interest in pursuing the certificate program for which you are applying? Name and email of someone who can provide a letter of recommendation. SOPHAs will send them an email directly with instructions to submit their letter. Resume or CV Step 2: Additional admission requirements The following transcripts should be sent this address prior to the application deadline: Colorado School of Public Health, Certificate Program Attn: Office of Student Affairs University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus 13001 E. 17th Place, B119 Aurora, CO 80045 9
Sent one official copy of all academic transcripts directly to the Colorado School of Public Health Office of Student Affairs (address above). This should include all community colleges and universities attended. 10
Certificate and MPH Certificate students may complete the Certificate in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response prior to, concurrently, or after the Master of Public Health. What if I want to pursue an MPH after completing the Certificate? Will my credits transfer? If a certificate student intends to pursue the MPH after successful completion of the certificate program, s/he will need to formally apply to the MPH program and complete all of the admission requirements of the MPH program. Additional Notes: Certificate students are not guaranteed admission to the MPH program No more than 9 credits can count toward both programs. The student cannot obtain both the MPH and a specialty certificate with fewer than 48 total semester hours. What if I want to pursue a Certificate while completing my MPH? If an MPH student completes the certificate concurrently, no more than 9 credits can count toward both programs. The student cannot obtain both the MPH and a specialty certificate with fewer than 48 total semester hours. For students pursuing both programs simultaneously, the MPH and specialty certificate may be awarded concurrently once all requirements are met, or the MPH may be awarded prior to completion of the certificate. The certificate itself will not be awarded until all certificate courses are completed and at least 48 semester hours are accrued 11
Competencies Competencies for all MPH Graduates of the CSPH Identifier CR-CC 1 CR-CC 2 CR-CC 3 CR-CC 4 CR-CC 5 CR-CC 6 CR-CC 7 CR-CC 11 CR-CC 12 CR-CC 13 Core Cross Cutting Competencies Define, assess and report on the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness, and factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. Determine uses and limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods in research and public health practice. Communicate effectively both in writing and orally with policy makers, professionals, and the public. Identify and address ethical issues that arise in public health practice and research. Identify, retrieve, appraise, and apply scientific evidence relevant in the practice of public health. Understand and utilize leadership, team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to collaborate and build partnerships for the purpose of improving the public s health. Identify organizational decision-making structures, stakeholders, style and processes. Describe steps and strategies to consider when working collaboratively in a culturally-sensitive manner with diverse groups to promote the health of communities. Describe the roles of history, power, privilege and structural inequality in producing health disparities. Integrate professional ethics, principles of cultural competence and accountability in all professional conduct. Identifier CN- 7 CN- 5 Core (CR) MPH Environmental and Occupational Health Competencies Describe theoretical models and frameworks, that inform the health, safety, and wellness of workers and related systems-level environmental and policy interventions designed to protect and promote worker health. Define the principles of sustainability and apply these principles in the development of solutions to environmental and occupational health problems. 12
CR- 1 CR- 3 CR- 5 CR- 7 Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents of regional, national, and global importance. Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental and occupational hazards that pose risks to human health and safety. Discuss various risk assessment, management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity. Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental and occupational health issues. 13
Key contacts Program director Debra Kreisberg, PhD Debra.Kreisberg@ucdenver.edu Admissions & student affairs Financial aid Career services http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/public Health/admissionsandaid/Pages/index.aspx Email: ColoradoSPH.StudentAffairs@ucdenver.edu http://www.ucdenver.edu/anschutz/studentresources/ FASO/Pages/FASO.aspx Email: Financial.Aid@ucdenver.edu http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/public Health/careers/Pages/default.aspx Email: CSPHcareers@ucdenver.edu 14
@CSPHEnvironmentalandOccupationalHealth publichealth.ucdenver.edu/environmentalhealth