Recorded presentation

Sarah Bauerle Bass, PhD, MPH, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122, 214-204-5110, sbass@temple.edu

The Temple University undergraduate major in Public Health has existed for over 20 years. Originally a major in community health education, its name was changed to public health in 1999. Currently part of the College of Health Professions (CHP), the Department of Public Health offers an undergraduate public health track in community health education and is developing another track for students pursuing clinical health professions. Almost 100 credit hours are required to complete the degree. Our undergraduates study the broad range of public health concerns including disease prevention behaviors, distribution and development of disease through epidemiological assessment and community program development, implementation, and evaluation. They are also required to take cognate courses in psychology, anatomy and physiology and health care management. Students learn to use educational interventions to provide health information; gain experience in assessing the needs of target populations; clarify program goals and objectives; and develop strategies to motivate their clients in educational interventions. Students are also required to take 13 internship credits (over 600 hours of hands-on experience) working in community-based public health agencies. In these settings, students are expected to assume responsibility for tasks in the implementation of the agency’s programs and to become an integral part of its work. In addition, as part of their capstone two-semester course, students are required to plan the implementation, management and evaluation of their own public health program by writing a grant proposal. The Public Health major is the second largest in the CHP, graduating 30 students a year.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the structure of Temple University's undergraduate public health program.
• Understand the need for undergraduate public health education.

Keywords: Education, Public Health Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am director of the undergraduate program and on faculty at Temple University.

Recorded presentation