HLTH 600 - MPH Competency Exam

HLTH 600 Competency Exam

The Competency Exam is comprised of foundational public health information and the 22 CEPH prescribed public health competencies. This is an integrative learning experience. The test is presented in the Blackboard environment. The entire examination contains 50 multiple choice or true/false questions worth two points each. Students have a maximum of two hours to complete the test.

The student must receive a passing grade of at least 70% to be successful.

If the initial attempt at the Competency Exam results in a failing grade, the student will have a second chance to retake the entire examination and earn a passing grade. The exam will become available at two week intervals during the course. If the student receives a failing grade on the second attempt, the student will be given the opportunity to retake the exam a third time. If this attempt results in a failing grade, an analysis of the student weakness will completed by a faculty panel and the student will be required to retake core courses focused on the competencies in the area in which they failed to demonstrate acquisition of knowledge and/or other remedial activities. After completing the core courses and/or remedial activities the student will then be given a final attempt to retake the exam. If this attempt results in failure, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.

HLTH 600 Portfolio

Gate 3 of the MPH program calls for completion of an electronic portfolio, a repository of documents to demonstrate student achievements. These assignments provide an overview of student achievement throughout the program. Many students will have finished building the portfolio prior to beginning this course. Those students who have begun building a portfolio must complete the project prior to finishing the course. Co-curricular applied practical experiences and inter-professional experiences are required of all students to assess development. Bringing all these components together into a single repository is intended as an additional integrative learning experience for students. Many of the required components will help the student review for the exam. The indicator assignments will also help students showcase their work to potential employers. These documents include:

1. An essay on public health and how the MPH will be used to meet student career goals.

2. Key indicator assignments from each course (see Map of MPH Competencies to Portfolio Assignments on the MPH Student concourse)

3. A current resume or CV. Students are encouraged to contact the Career Center for assistance in resume or CV development.

4. A paragraph describing each volunteer service, co-curricular activities, or extra-curricular activities considered as applied practical experiences (APE).

5. A paragraph describing each inter-professional experiences (IPE).

6. Background Check. Students should have been prompted to complete this element during HLTH 511 as a requirement for enrollment in HLTH 698. A receipt posted to the portfolio is sufficient to indicate completion.