Augusta M Villanueva, PhD and Linda E. Lloyd, PhD. Department of Community Health and Prevention, Drexel University School of Public Health, 1505 Race Street, 11th floor, Rm. 1115, Mail Stop 660, philadelphia, PA 19102, 2157626513, av28@drexel.edu

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a required practicum within an MPH program linking community assessment learning objectives with hands-on community-based learning experiences responsive to population needs in Philadelphia, PA. During the first year of the MPH, Drexel University’s School of Public Health requires all full-time students to participate in a full-time, 4-week practicum as part an 8-week community assessment curricular block. Four weeks are devoted to problem-based and case-based learning of ‘real world’ public health, including interactive role-play sessions focused on Community Organizing. The teaching and application of these principles in public health education prepares students to work with and in communities as well as to initiate their professional development in an applied setting. Additionally, they learn about the relevance and role that community and personal empowerment can provide in preparing them to work in neighborhoods. This paper assesses the implementation and evaluation of Drexel University’s School of Public Health required practicum in the context of students’ professional development as they are initiated early on in an effective public health practice model. The remaining 4 weeks of the curricular block are devoted to the practicum driven by local needs identified in collaboration with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and community-based public health organizations. Student choice is critical in project selection. Results of this experience include relevant professional development for students and preceptors alike, and the creation of more than 100 sustaining partnerships fostering agency capacity building and empowerment among agencies’ personnel serving as preceptors.

Learning Objectives:

• describe a curriculum linking community assessment learning objectives with required community based learning practica responsive to concrete population needs;
• describe the rationale for linking and applying School-wide competencies with Community Organizing principles and practices in the context of community assessment; 3)describe how curricular integration of community assessment content knowledge and community-based learning practice promote professional development consistent with effective public health practice

Keywords: Community Health Assessment,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.