Application for an accelerated MPH degree program for MD and DO students

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1 Application for an accelerated MPH degree program for MD and DO students Institution(s): The proposed accelerated Master s in Public Health (MPH) degree program will be offered by the University of Georgia s College of Public Health. This program is a pathway that facilitates participation in the MPH program for any student pursuing a medical degree at any medical school (MD) or school of osteopathic medicine (DO). Date: 7/25/11; Revised 9/14/2012 School(s)/College(s)/Division(s)/Institution(s) The Master s of Public Health (MPH) degree is awarded by the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia. This program was designed with input from the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership in Athens. Two tracks will be offered for students pursuing the accelerated MD/MPH dual degree program. The first track will be an integrated five year curriculum. The second track involves a one year (12 month) pull out program sometime during the four years of medical school (most appropriate between the third and fourth years). We anticipate that the former program will only be possible for students on the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership campus in Athens, while the latter will be an option for those students as well as students at other medical schools. This program will appeal to students at Mercer University, Morehouse University, Emory University, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and other medical schools around the country. Departments Within the College of Public Health at UGA, the departments primarily involved in the proposed accelerated degree program are the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPI/BIOS) and the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPAM). However, students will take the core courses from all four departments of the College of Public Health. Degree to be offered This will be an accelerated MPH degree, offering medical students the option of completing an MPH degree in one year. Majors to be offered We plan to offer concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Health Policy and Management as part of the MPH program Program abstract The MD/MPH accelerated degree program will allow medical students enrolled at any medical school to complete both a medical degree and a master s in public health (MPH) in five years, instead of the usual four years for a medical degree and 1.5 to 2 years for an MPH degree. All students will fully meet all requirements of the MPH program. Students will have the option of concentrating in Epidemiology if they anticipate careers in public health service, research, or teaching, or in Health Policy and Management if they anticipate careers in policy, management, or healthcare administration. Other concentrations are possible, including Biostatistics, Environmental Health Science and Health Promotion and Behavior. These would be negotiated on an individual basis. Similar programs that grant the MD and MPH degree in five years are currently offered by peer institutions such as the University of North Carolina and Ohio State University, as well as by 1

2 leaders in healthcare education such as the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University. In Georgia, while Emory University offers the option of pursuing both an MD and MPH in five years, it is important that the institutions of the University System of Georgia collaborate to create such an option for our students. Based on conversations with medical students and colleagues across the country and in Georgia and incoming students to the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership in Athens, we believe we can attract a cohort of at least 1-5 medical students annually. We also believe that this program will appeal to students at Mercer University, Morehouse University, Emory University, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and other medical schools around the country. Importantly, offering this program has the potential to keep the brightest medical students in the state of Georgia for their education. Further, this training will help us develop the future leadership for academic medicine, healthcare administration, and public health service in the state. 2.0 Objectives of the program The objective of this accelerated program is to educate physicians who can serve as public health professionals in the state of Georgia as well as to incorporate population health into their careers. A detailed justification follows. 2.1 Justification and need for the program Georgia currently ranks 39 th in prevention and treatment, 36 th in access, and 38 th overall in health system performance ( Center/State-Scorecard/DataByState/State.aspx?state=GA). The state also ranks near the bottom of all states in physicians, medical students, and residents per capita. Thus, the objective of the MD program at the Medical College of Georgia is to educate physicians who will care for the citizens of the state of Georgia and improve our health status. The objective of the MPH program in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia is to educate public health professionals who will work in local and state health departments, the federal government, healthcare administration, and the private sector to improve public health and disease prevention. The specific objective of the accelerated MPH degree program is to educate physicians who will impact the healthcare of Georgians through academic medicine, healthcare administration, and public health agencies. 2.2 Benefits for offering the accelerated MPH degree program Accelerated and dual degree programs have become a popular option for medical students in the United States ( They prepare students for careers in academic medicine, field epidemiology (such as at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), health care administration, state and federal government, and research. We identified over 20 such programs at accredited schools of public health including programs at peer institutions such as the University of North Carolina and Ohio State University. 2

3 Within the state of Georgia there is one public medical school (the Medical College of Georgia at the Georgia Health Sciences University) and four private medical schools (Emory University School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine). Currently, only Emory offers the option of obtaining both an MD and MPH degree in five years. The Medical College of Georgia offers a masters degree in bioinformatics. Thus, there is an opportunity for an accelerated program at Georgia s flagship public university. To attract our best Georgia students to remain in the state of Georgia, it is important that we offer innovative and flexible educational programs. 2.3 Describe the process by which the proposed program was developed. Dr. Phillip Williams, Dean of the College of Public Health, convened a task force of College of Public Health faculty (Drs. Robert Galen, Joel Lee, Mark Ebell, Chris Whalen, and Richard Schuster) to plan the curriculum for an accelerated MD/MPH degree program in the fall of Dr. Williams and Dr. Barbara Schuster, Campus Dean of the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership, then convened a joint committee with representation from the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership (Laurel Murrow, MD, MSc and Cheryl Dickson, MD, MPH) and the College of Public Health (Richard Schuster MD, MMS and Robert Galen, MD, MPH) and led by Mark Ebell MD, MS of the College of Public Health. In August 2010, Dr. John Vena, Department Head, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Chair of the DVM/MPH program, assumed the committee chair. These committees met several times between 2009 and 2011, with review and approval of the proposal by the leadership of both institutions prior to submission. 3.0 Curriculum The curriculum for the proposed accelerated MD/MPH degree program is described below. 3.1 Proposed course of study Two tracks will be offered for students pursuing the accelerated MD/MPH degree program. The first track will be an integrated five year curriculum. The second track involves a one year (12 month) pull out program sometime during the four years of medical school (most appropriate between the third and fourth years). We anticipate that the former program will only be possible for students on the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership campus in Athens, while the latter will be an option for those students as well as students at other medical schools. The two tracks are further described below. Track 1: Integrated Curriculum This course of study aims to integrate the education in clinical medicine (MD) with that in public health (MPH) so that knowledge and skills in one discipline may complement and build upon the other throughout the program. MD candidates will be contacted and encouraged to apply to the integrated MD/MPH program prior to matriculation. All accepted students will take part in a required curriculum offered through the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership. A Public Health Seminar offered in the spring, compact courses during winter break or Maymester, as well as online courses are all potential options that could be developed. During the summer or through online courses during years one and two, students can enroll in courses at the College of Public Health based on their availability. Ordinarily, medical students would embark upon clinical rotations in ambulatory and hospital settings during the third and fourth year. In this integrated program, clinical rotations will alternate with courses taken in the 3

4 College of Public Health during years three through five. A sample schedule for this course of study is shown in Table 1 for a concentration in Epidemiology and in Table 2 for a concentration in Health Policy and Management. Track 2: Pull Out Year The alternate track would be an accelerated curriculum pursued during a one year break from the usual medical school curriculum. Students would attend classes in the College of Public Health and complete the requirements for the MPH degree between July 1 and the following June 30. This course of study is shown in Table 3 for a concentration in Epidemiology and in Table 4 for a concentration in Health Policy and Management. With approval of the UGA graduate school, medical students will be able to fulfill up to 9 credit hours of course requirements for the MPH degree through courses taken in the MD or DO curriculum. For the Epidemiology concentration for GHSU students, the Principles of Evidence Based Clinical Decision Making component of the Essentials of Clinical Medicine course will meet the Clinical Epidemiology elective, the Community Health component of the Essentials of Clinical Medicine course will meet the Field Epidemiology and Surveillance core requirement, and the infectious disease thread in the Phase 2 Basic Science Modules will meet the Infectious Disease Epidemiology elective. For the Health Policy and Management concentration, the Community Health component of the Essentials of Clinical Medicine I course will meet the Advanced Service-Learning elective, the ethics thread in the Essentials of Clinical Medicine II course will meet the Public Health Ethics elective, and the Principles of Population Health component of the Essentials of Clinical Medicine II course will count as an elective course. The aforementioned courses refer to the GHSU medical school curriculum. Because the broad content of medical education is similar between medical schools, all schools have education on principles of clinical epidemiology and evidence based practice, population health, infectious diseases, bioethics, community medicine, and bioethics. Therefore, students choosing track 2 from other medical schools would identify the specific courses in their medical school s curriculum that are the equivalent of the GHSU courses listed above, and these will be approved by the MD/MPH program director if he or she determines that they are equivalent to the GHSU courses. 4

5 Table 1. Track 1: Concentration in Epidemiology (EPID), Integrated Curriculum Semester Year 1 Medical School Year 1 Year 2 Medical School Year 2 Courses Credit hours Sometime during Years 1-2 (offered online or may be taken in summer) Year 3 Summer Year 3 Fall Year 3 Spring EPID 7010 or 7010E Introduction to Epidemiology I BIOS 7010 or 7010E Introduction to Biostatistics I Medical School clinical rotations Medical School clinical rotations EPID 7020 Introduction to Epidemiology II BIOS 7020 Introduction to Biostatistics II HPRB 7010 Social and Behavioral Foundations EPID 7100 Current Topics in Epidemiology 6 10 Year 4 Summer Medical School clinical rotations Year 4 Fall EHSC 7010 Foundations of Environmental Health Science HPAM 7010 Introduction to Health Policy & Management EPID Elective EPID 7100 Current Topics in Epidemiology PBHL 8200 College of Public Health Seminar 11 Year 4 Spring Year 5 Summer Year 5 Fall Year 5 Spring Up to 9 hrs credit given for required courses in the MD curriculum Medical School clinical rotations Medical School clinical rotations PBHL 7560 Internship in Public Health PBHL 7800 Capstone Project in Public Health Medical School clinical rotations Evidence-Based Clinical Decision Making component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine = Clinical Epidemiology (EPID 8100) Community Health Component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine = Field Epidemiology & Surveillance (EPID 7410) Infectious disease thread in Phase 2 Basic Science Modules = Infectious Disease Epidemiology (EPID 8500) Total: 45 5

6 Table 2. Track 1: Concentration in Health Policy & Management, Integrated Curriculum Semester Year 1 Medical School Year 1 Year 2 Medical School Year 2 Courses Credit hours Sometime during Years 1-3 Year 3 Summer Year 3 Fall Year 3 Spring HPAM 7010 Introduction to Health Policy and Management Medical School clinical rotations Medical School clinical rotations HPAM 8700 Management of Public Health Organizations HPAM 8890 Strategic Management HPRB 7010 Social and Behavioral Foundations EPID 7010 Introduction to Epidemiology I BIOS 7010 Introduction to Biostatistics I 3 15 Year 4 Summer Medical School clinical rotations Year 4 Fall HPAM 8650 Financial Management HPAM 8800 Leadership in Public Health EHSC 7010 Foundations of Environmental Health PBHL 8200 College of Public Health Seminar ELECTIVE 13 Year 4 Spring Year 5 Summer Year 5 Fall Up to 9 hrs credit given for required courses in the MD curriculum Medical School clinical rotations PBHL 7560 Internship in Public Health PBHL 7800 Capstone Project in Public Health Medical School clinical rotations Community Health Component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = Advanced Service Learning (8010S) Ethics thread in Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = Public Health Ethics (EPID 7700) Principles of Population Health component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = ELECTIVE Total: 49 6

7 Table 3. Track 2: Concentration in Epidemiology (EPID), Pull out Year Semester Year 1 Medical School Year 1 Year 2 Medical School Year 2 Courses Credit hours Year 3 Up to 9 hrs credit given for required courses in the MD curriculum Year 4 Fall Year 4 Spring Year 4 Summer Year 5 Medical School Year 3 clinical rotations Evidence-Based Clinical Decision Making component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine = Clinical Epidemiology (EPID 8100) Community Health Component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine = Field Epidemiology & Surveillance (EPID 7410) Infectious disease thread in Phase 2 Basic Science Modules = Infectious Disease Epidemiology (EPID 8500) EPID 7010/ 7010E Introduction to Epidemiology I BIOS 7010/ 7010E Introduction to Biostatistics I EHSC 7010 Foundations of Environmental Health HPAM 7010 Introduction to Health Policy and Management EPID 7100 Current Topics in Epidemiology EPID 7020 Introduction to Epidemiology II HPRB 7010 Social and Behavioral Foundations BIOS 7020 Introduction to Biostatistics II EPID 7100 Current Topics in Epidemiology PBHL 8200 College of Public Health Seminar EPID Elective PBHL 7560 Public Health Internship Capstone Project Medical School Year 4 clinical rotations Total: 45 7

8 Table 4. Track 2: Concentration in Health Policy & Management (HPAM), Pull out Year Semester Year 1 Medical School Year 1 Year 2 Medical School Year 2 Courses Credit hours Year 3 Up to 9 hrs credit given for required courses in the MD curriculum Year 2 or 3 when available or summer Year 3 Year 4 Fall Medical School Year 3 clinical rotations Community Health Component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = Advanced Service Learning (8010S) Ethics thread in Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = Public Health Ethics (EPID 7700) Principles of Population Health component of Essentials of Clinical Medicine course = ELECTIVE EPID 7010/ 7010E Introduction to Epidemiology I BIOS 7010/ 7010E Introduction to Biostatistics I HPAM 7010 Introduction to Health Policy and Management EHSC 7010 Foundations of Environmental Health HPRB 7010 Social and Behavioral Foundations HPAM 8650 Financial Management HPAM 8800 Leadership in Public Health Year 4 Spring HPAM 8700 Intro Management HPAM 8890 Strategic Management PBHL 8200 College of Public Health Seminar ELECTIVE 10 Year 4 Summer Year 5 PBHL 7560 Public Health Internship PBHL 7800 Capstone Project in Public Health Medical School Year 4 clinical rotations 6 3 Total: 49 8

9 3.2 Existing requirements for MD and MPH degrees Master of Public Health degree requirements The requirements for the MPH degree are summarized in Appendix A (Epidemiology) and Appendix B (Health Policy and Management) Doctor of Medicine degree requirements at the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership in Athens Curriculum Credit Hours Athens Phase 1 - Fall Semester 2011 Course Number Description Credit Hours Grading MEDI 5151 Module 1: Prologue 1 (4 wks) 8 Grade MEDI 5156 Module 2: Musculoskeletal (7wks) 11 Grade MEDI 5161 Module 3: Brain and Behavior 12 Grade MEDI 5100 Essentials of Clinical Medicine I (Part 1) 10 CP Phase 1 - Spring Semester Semester Total 39 MEDI 5167 Module 4: GI/Endo/Metabolism (5 wks) 8 Grade MEDI 5171 Module 5: GU/Endo/Reproduction (5wks) 8 Grade MEDI 5176 Module 6: Cardiopulmonary/Renal (8wks) 12 Grade MEDI 5101 Essentials of Clinical Medicine 1 (Part 2) 13 Grade Phase 1 Electives Phase 1 Total (80-81) Athens Phase 2 Fall Semester Semester Total S/U MEDI 5202 Essentials of Clinical Medicine 2 (Part 1) 12 CP Cellular and Systems Disease States: MEDI 5211 Module 1: Prologue II (4wks) 6 Grade MEDI 5221 Module 2: Hematology (4wks) 6 Grade MEDI 5231 MEDI 5233 Phase 2 Spring Semester Module 3: Musculoskeletal/Skin (5wks) Module 4: Behavior and Brain (6wks) Semester Total Grade MEDI 5203 Essentials of Clinical Medicine 2 (Part 2) 6 Grade MEDI 5241 Module 5: Cardiopulmonary/Renal II (8wks) 13 Grade MEDI 5251 Module 6: GU/Reproduction (5wks) 8 Grade 9

10 MEDI 5261 Module 7: GI/Nutrition (5wks) 8 Phase 2 Total 76 Semester Total 35 Phase 3 Year 3 FMPC 5000 Family Medicine 15 Grade GMED 5000 Medicine Part (CP) Grade GMED 5100 Medicine Part (CP) Grade PEDS 5000 Pediatrics 15 Grade NEUR 5000 Neurology 10 Grade SURG 5000 Surgery Core (CP) Grade SURG 5100 Surgery Subspecialty (CP) Grade PSRY 5000 Psychiatry 10 Grade OBGN 5000 Obstetrics/Gynecology 15 Grade MEDI 6000 Care of the Chronically and Terminally Ill 5 Grade Elective (4 weeks) 7-10 Grade Year Total Phase 3 Year 4 Selectives 4 required (10 hours) 40 Grade Electives 3 required (3-10 hours) 9-30 Grade Credit Hours Phase 1 80 Phase 2 74 Phase 3 / Year Phase 3 / Year Requirements for Phase 3 Year Total A. General Requirements 1. Students must satisfactorily complete all of the requirements of Phase 2 before entering Phase 3. Students must pass USMLE Step I to enter the third year. 2. The minimum Phase 3 requirement for graduation from the School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, is the satisfactory completion of 11 months of core clerkships, 4 months of selectives (one Acting Internship in Medicine, Family Medicine or Pediatrics, Neurology, OBGyn, Surgery, a clerkship in Emergency Medicine, a Critical Care rotation, and an Adult Ambulatory Care selective), and 4 months of electives. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of electives. B. Required Clerkships 10

11 1. Medicine 5000 (8-week basic clerkship) 2. Neuroscience 5000 (4-week basic clerkship) 3. Obstetrics & Gynecology 5000 (6-week basic clerkship) 4. Pediatrics 5000 (6-week basic clerkship) 5. Psychiatry 5000 (4-week basic clerkship) 6. Surgery 5000 (8-week basic clerkship) 7. Family Medicine 5000 (6-week basic clerkship) C. Senior Year Requirements Electives: Students must successfully complete a minimum of 4 electives. Because electives provide students the opportunity to broaden their education, students are advised to complete more than the minimum of 4 electives. Selectives: a. All students are required to complete an acting (sub) internship in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Pediatrics, OB/GYN, or Surgery. b. All students must complete a rotation in emergency medicine c. All students must take a critical care rotation d. All students must take the adult ambulatory selective. 4.0 Administration All students in the accelerated program will first matriculate in the Georgia Health Sciences University or in another medical school. They will be contacted by mail following matriculation to inform them of the accelerated degree opportunity, as well as at the medical school orientation. Interested students may then apply for admission to the UGA College of Public Health. The Graduate School of the University of Georgia and the College of Public Health both accept the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in place of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). One member of the faculty from the UGA College of Public Health will direct the accelerated MD/MPH program and Chair the advisory committee. Two faculty members from the Georgia Health Sciences University/UGA medical partnership will serve as advisors for students from their Institution undertaking the MPH and will also serve on the MD/MPH advisory committee. The advisory committee will consist of two members of the faculty from the UGA College of Public Health and two members from Georgia Health Sciences University/UGA medical partnership will advise the director regarding the structure and function of the accelerated program, and will meet at least annually. Members of the advisory committee from other institutions will be added as necessary based on level of participation in the program. 5.0 Assessment The MD and MPH programs each have comprehensive programs in place for evaluation. For the MD program that includes written examination, objective structured clinical examinations using simulated patients, participation in group and team process, and direct observation of performance during the clinical years. Students must also pass step 1 and 2 of the United includes written examinations, projects, and writing assignments, as well as work in small groups, an internship, and a capstone project. The accelerated MD/MPH program will initially be assessed by number of students enrolled. A detailed assessment plan will be developed by the advisory committee. 11

12 6.0 Fiscal and enrollment impact and estimated budget We anticipate that approximately 5 medical students will take advantage of this opportunity every year. Since the course of study for an MPH degree is 47 credit hours and tuition is approximately $15,500 for in-state residents, this represents a total of 235 hours of graduate credit hour production and $77,500 in tuition revenue per year. No new faculty will need to be hired to implement the program. We anticipate a positive fiscal impact on the University of Georgia and University System of Georgia as a whole. 12

13 FALL SEMESTER Course Title Day Time Semester Duration Course Name Credit hours MGMT 7160 F 11:00 1:45 Currently Spring Only: January May Innovative Business Projects or Elective 3 BUSN 7990 MW 11:00 1:45 August September Success in the Job Search 1 HPAM 8920 Not Currently Taught Management Consulting in Healthcare 3 HPAM ELECTIVE* 3 TERRY ELECTIVE 3 TERRY ELECTIVE 3 *Policy Evaluation fits in the Schedule: W 2:30 5:30 SPRING SEMESTER Course Title Day Time Semester Duration Course Name Credit hours MGMT 7320 W 11:00 1:45 Currently Fall Only: August December Lean Six Sigma or Innovative Business Projects 3 BUSN 7990 M 11:00 1:45 Currently Fall Only: August September Success in the Job Search 1 PBHL 7800 VR VR VR Public Health Capstone 3 HPAM ELECTIVE* 3 TERRY ELECTIVE 3 YEAR THREE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT: LEAN SIX SIGMA OR INNOVATIVE BUSINESS PROJECTS *ELECTIVE OPTIONS: FALL HPAM 7400 M 5:00 7:45 Public Health Law HPAM 8450 W 2:30 5:30 Policy Evaluation SPRING HPAM 8320 M 9:05 12:05 Survey Research Methods in HPM HPAM 8720 T 2:00 4:45 Marketing of Healthcare Organizations HPAM 8820 W 9:05 12:05 Global Health Policy HPAM 8850 F 1:25 4:25 Cost Effectiveness Health/Med (Gwinnett) HPAM 8890 TR 11:00 12:15 Strategic Management in HC Organizations HPAM 8910 T 2:30 5:00 Problems in Health Admin: perspectives in mgmt HPAM 8920 R 5:00 7:45 Management Consulting in Healthcare

14 The University of Georgia Dual Degree Program Proposal 1. Institution: The University of Georgia 2. Date: January 24, Schools/Colleges: School of Social Work (SSW) & College of Public Health (CPH) 4. Degrees: Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) 5. Majors: MSW Social Work; MPH Public Health 6. Starting Date: Fall term, Signatures of Deans and Provost Dean, School of Social Work Date: 1/25/2011 Date:_1/25/11 Dean, College of Public Health Date: Dean, Graduate School Date: Provost, The University of Georgia 8. Program abstract: The Graduate School of The University of Georgia proposes a dual degree program between the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health. This program, which combines the MSW degree and the MPH degree, integrates Social Work and Public Health knowledge and skills at the professional level. Similar to other dual degree programs approved by the Graduate School, this program will meet the educational requirements of a master s level social worker and a master s level public health practitioner. This program will prepare graduates to address the Social Work needs of individuals and organizations at the local, state, national, and international levels and, at the same time, prepare them to create and implement the Public Health programs and interventions required by these same individuals and organizations. As the first MSW- MPH dual degree program in Georgia, it will give the respective degree programs a competitive edge in graduate student recruitment. Moreover, an MSW-MPH dual degree program will advance Strategic Direction II, Enhancing Graduate and Professional Programs, of The University of Georgia 2020 Strategic Plan by furthering the goal of increas[ing] interdisciplinary/dual-degree graduate degrees awarded from 2010 levels (Building on Excellence, 2010, p. 10). 1

15 9. Objectives of the program The primary objective of the MSW-MPH dual degree program is to supplement the professional education of Social Work students with additional specialization and training in Public Health, and vice versa. Social Work and Public Health are, by design, service professions that support human well-being. For over a hundred years, the Social Work profession has endeavored to meet the psychosocial needs of its constituency at micro, mezzo, and macro levels and has evidenced an enduring commitment to economic and social justice, especially among the most vulnerable and oppressed. The goal of Public Health is the promotion of health, the prevention of disease and injury, and the establishment of health-enhancing behaviors in the general public. Increasingly, there are instances where both Social Work and Public Health expertise is needed, with work toward the reduction of health disparities deemed an especially critical area. An MSW- MPH dual degree program would: expand the research and program capacity for both disciplines; foster collaborative efforts between these two schools/colleges and community partners; secure more firmly UGA s position as a leader the area of healthcare (along with the Medical College of Georgia-University of Georgia Medical Partnership); and attract external funding from NIH, NIMH, and the CDC as all favor interdisciplinary partnerships. To prepare for a career spanning the Social Work and Public Health professions students must meet the academic requirements of both programs. With careful planning, they will be able to complete the MSW-MPH dual degree program in 7 semesters of coursework. 10. Justification and need for the program: a. Benefits: The Social Work profession provides services to a variety of client populations: individuals, groups, nonprofit organizations, social agencies, businesses, communities, and legislatures. The profession of Public Health addresses the same array of client populations. Individuals who have graduated with an MSW-MPH dual degree might focus on the Social Work and Public Health needs of an indigent client, the needs of a nonprofit organization working on community economic development, the issues in an agency providing services under federal regulations as well as shaping a work force to meet those obligations, matters pertaining to employee-business management relations, or changes in legislation that affect the client population. There can be considerable advantage most notably in providing services effectively, efficiently, and economically when an individual possesses the knowledge and skills of both professions. According to Christina Reardon (2009), in a recent article on dual degree programs in Social Work Today, when students from one profession take classes with students from another, the mingling of and sometimes conflict between those two groups of students ideas creates a classroom dynamic that would not occur otherwise 2

16 (p. 17). Quoting Theresa Barron-McKeagney, director of the School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska, Reardon adds that this dynamic gives students access to new ways of thinking that they can use to improve their agencies and communities (p. 18). Finally, an additional benefit of an MSW-MPH dual degree program is that it will prepare students for one of the 50 Best Careers of 2011: Medical and Public Health Social Worker, according to an article in the December 6, 2010 online edition of U.S. News & World Report. Citing data from the U.S. Labor Department, the article s author, Ben Baden, states that Medical and Public Health Social Workers held 138,000 jobs in In the next decade, that figure is expected to climb faster than most careers, or more than 22 percent. b. Student Demand: Faced with an increasingly competitive job market, constricted further by the economic recession of the past three years, many students are interested in educational opportunities that will differentiate them from their peers opportunities that that will give them an edge in securing employment in their areas of interest. Realizing the benefit of knowledge and skills in both Social Work and Public Health, students are proactively investigating degree programs that will deliver both. The UGA School of Social Work receives, on average, 4-8 requests per week from prospective students interested in information about pursuing an MSW-MPH dual degree at UGA. Dual degree programs attract students who are academically gifted, committed, motivated, and organized, as many of the administrators interviewed by Reardon (2009) noted. c. Additional justification: Only a few universities in the Southeastern U.S. and none in Georgia offer an MSW-MPH dual degree. According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), of the 36 academic institutions in the Southeastern U.S. that offer an MSW (in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee), 20 also offer an MPH, yet only 4 offer an MSW-MPH dual degree program: University of Alabama, University of South Florida, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and University of South Carolina. (See Appendix A.) Furthermore, 5 of UGA s 12 Aspirational Peer Institutions offer an MSW-MPH dual degree program: University of California Berkeley, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and University of Texas Austin. The credit hours necessary to complete these 5 MSW-MPH programs range between hours. (See Appendix B.) The program of study for the MSW-MPH dual degree program described in this proposal is 90 credit hours. It was developed following review of the 5 MSW-MPH dual degree programs of UGA s Aspirational Peer Institutions and after consultation with the Associate Dean in the UGA College of Public, Graduate Coordinators in the School of Social Work and College of Public Health (current and former), the MSW Program Director in the School of Social Work (current and former), the MPH Program Coordinator in the College of Public Health, and faculty working in the area of health care in both schools/colleges. Key individuals at the 5 Aspirational Peer Institutions were 3

17 consulted as well. 11. Program Development: During Spring Semester 2007, 20 faculty members from the School of Social Work and College of Public Health (including both Deans) met to discuss collaborative opportunities and priorities. Top priority was given to investigating the feasibility of an MSW-MPH dual degree program, and a task committee of 8 faculty members including the Graduate Coordinators in the School of Social Work and College of Public Health, the MSW Program Director and the MPH Program Coordinator was established pursuant to this. Curriculums of the 4 Southeastern U.S. academic institutions with MSW-MPH dual degree programs were reviewed along with the curriculums of UGA s 5 Aspirational Peer Institutions with MSW-MPH dual degree programs. (Since the initial meeting in 2007, the College of Public successfully completed the accreditation process; the School of Social Work is currently undergoing reaccreditation.) Committee members concluded that an MSW-MPH dual degree program would be highly marketable in recruiting outstanding graduate students to UGA and would position UGA graduates to better serve the escalating healthcare needs of Georgia citizens. The UGA MSW-MPH dual degree proposal was drafted by members of the task committee and reviewed by the entire task committee and both deans before being presented to both faculties. The proposal was approved by School of Social Work faculty on January 21, 2011 and the College of Public Health Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee on January 24, Curriculum: The proposed MSW-MPH dual degree program will not require a change in the curriculum or credit hours currently required for the MSW and MPH degrees. The curriculum of some dual degree programs allows for students to alternate their studies between disciplines (e.g., a student working toward MSW and JD degrees might study Social Work for a year, then Law for two years, and then return to Social Work). The sequencing of courses and practicum requirements required for an MSW and MPH at UGA currently do not allow for this arrangement, although to the extent possible, the proposed curriculums have followed this model. The following documents are attached and contain detailed curriculum information: a. MSW-MPH Dual Degree Program Summary (See Appendix C.) b. MSW Program of Study (See Appendix D.) c. MPH Program of Study (See Appendix E.) d. Tentative MSW-MPH Dual Degree Programs of Study (See Appendix F1 for Social Work and Appendix F2 for Public Health.) 13. Program Administration: The Dean of the School of Social Work is responsible for all programs. The authoritative decision maker for the dual degree program in the School of Social Work will be the Graduate Coordinator, in conjunction with the MSW Program Director. Admission to the 4

18 MSW Program will be handled by MSW Program Faculty, with the admission process coordinated by the Director of MSW Admissions. Advisement in the School of Social Work will be handled through the MSW Program office; a designated faculty advisor in the Clinical Practice Concentration who is knowledgeable about the master s degree curriculums in both the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health will advise students pursuing the MSW-MPH dual degree and provide day-to-day oversight of the program. Practicum arrangements will be the responsibility of the Director of Field Instruction, working in conjunction with the MPH Graduate Coordinator. The Dean of the College of Public Health is responsible for all programs. The authoritative decision maker for the dual degree program in the College of Public Health will be the MPH Graduate Coordinator, in conjunction with the Head of the Health Promotion and Behavior Department. Admission to the MPH program will be coordinated by the MPH Graduate Coordinator, and the student advisor for MSW/MPH students will be a designated faculty member in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior who is knowledgeable about the master s degree curriculums in both the College of Public Health and the School of Social Work. This faculty advisor will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the dual degree program. Practicum arrangements will be the responsibility of the MPH Graduate Coordinator, working in conjunction with the SSW Director of Field Instruction. To insure a rigorous, integrated learning experience for students enrolled in the MSW- MPH dual degree program, a Dual Degree Program Committee will guide the administrative practices of the program. The committee will meet at least once a year and will be composed of the Graduate Coordinators in both schools/colleges, MSW Program Director, Head of the Health Promotion and Behavior Department, Director of MSW Admissions, SSW Director of Field Instruction, and the two designated faculty advisors (one in each school/college) who will provide guidance and oversee the day-to-day operations of the dual degree program. These two faculty members will work in partnership with the Graduate Coordinators in both schools/colleges, and they will meet jointly with students newly admitted to the dual degree program. The School of Social Work and the College of Public Health will make information about the dual degree program (e.g., admissions, curriculum, advisement, etc.) available to students on their websites. To be eligible for the MSW-MPH dual degree program, applicants must apply separately and be admitted into both programs offering the degrees. Thus, they must meet all of the requirements for admission to each program. Individually, the MSW is awarded after completing a 60-credit-hour program of study (see Appendix D), and the MPH is awarded after completing a 45-credit-hour program of study (see Appendix E). In the proposed MSW-MPH dual degree program of study, 15 of the total 105 credit hours for both programs of study ( ) will double count, thus making the dual degree program 90 credit hours. (This is commensurate with the 5 MSW-MPH dual degree programs of UGA s Aspirational Peer Institutions. See Appendix B.) In sum: 5

19 MSW (Clinical Concentration) and MPH (Health Promotion Concentration) Dual Degree 45 credits (Social Work) 30 credits (Public Health) + 15 credits (Share or Double Count ) 90 credits TOTAL (See Appendix C for MSW-MPH Dual Degree Program Summary. Also, see Appendices F1 and F2 for tentative dual degree programs of study for Social Work and Public Health students, respectively.) Although students may be accepted into both programs before beginning either, more typically they will be accepted into one program and then apply early in their tenure to the other. To finish the program requirements for an MSW-MPH dual degree within the minimum time (7 semesters) acceptance into both programs must be completed during the first semester a student is enrolled in either program. At the present time, students pursuing a dual degree must be in the Clinical Concentration in the School of Social Work and the Health Promotion and Behavior Concentration in the College of Public Health. Other configurations for an MSW-MPH dual degree (e.g., Community Empowerment & Program Development Concentration in Social Work and the Health Policy and Management Concentration in Public Health) are anticipated at a later date. During the first 5 semesters, students will complete the initial requirements, also known as foundation/core course requirements, in both Social Work and Public Health, the majority of the concentration requirements in both programs, and the foundation practicum experience in Social Work. During semesters 6 and 7, students will engage in an integrated field experience that meets the practicum/internship requirements of both programs (e.g., Centers for Disease Control, county health departments, community health centers, etc.), and complete MSW and MPH coursework, including a culminating capstone requirement in Public Health. The integrated field experience will provide students with the opportunity to practice both Social Work and Public Health in a placement setting, and it will offer students a broad range of professional experience. Supervision of the placements will be developed in an integrated fashion between the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health. For example, the School of Social Work may provide field supervision if the public health agency does not have an MSW on staff. At the completion of semester 7, students will be able to initiate the licensing/certification procedures of both professions. The School of Social Work and the College of Public Health will work in partnership to implement the dual degree program. Program admission will be handled separately by each school/college. Advisement on academic courses will also be handled separately, with each school/college focusing on the portion of the curriculum for which it is responsible; the two designated faculty advisors in each school/department overseeing the program will work together closely, collaborating with both Graduate Coordinators, as 6

20 noted above, to insure a coordinated learning experience for students throughout their tenure in the dual degree program. The integrated field experience will be handled through collaborative discussion and agreement between the Director of Field Instruction in the School of Social Work and the MPH Graduate Coordinator in the College of Public Health. Field instruction by a public health professional and an approved social worker will guide the work of the student in the integrated field experience, and designated faculty will serve in a liaison capacity between the college/school and the field agency, as well as oversee required field coursework. 14. Assessment: Members of the MSW-MPH task committee will formulate goals and establish criteria for assessing the quality and progress of the dual degree program. Baseline indices for program growth will include the number and quality of student applicants. Suggested criteria to determine the formative and summative effectiveness of the program, as well as the success of students earning the dual degree, could include but are not limited to: a. Longitudinal review of graduates, assessing annually the employment status and positions held in Social Work and/or Public Health b. Participation in formal exit interviews that include the use of standardized measures to assess students experiences with and perceptions of the program c. Annual review of GPAs of dual degree students, closely monitoring the culminating capstone requirement in Public Health d. Determination of the professional licensure pass rate of program graduates e. Periodic survey of professionals in Social Work and Public Health, assessing both the quality of the dual degree program and the competency of program graduates 15. Fiscal and enrollment impact and estimated budget No additional fiscal impact as a result of creating a dual degree program is anticipated in the early years of the program; thus, no additional faculty or staff resources will be necessary for the administration at the outset. All academic courses identified in the program of study for the proposed dual degree program are currently being offered. We anticipate a gradual increase in of student enrollment, which should be supported by students tuition/fees. 7

21 APPENDIX A MSW-MPH Dual Degree Programs in the Southeast CSWE Accredited Programs by State MPH MSW/MPH Alabama Alabama A&M University No University of Alabama Yes Yes Florida Barry University Yes No Florida A&M University Yes No Florida Atlantic University No Florida Gulf Coast University No Florida International University Yes No Florida State University Yes No University of Central Florida No University of South Florida Yes Yes Georgia Clark Atlanta University No Georgia State University Yes No Kennesaw State University No Savannah State University No University of Georgia Yes No Valdosta State University No Kentucky Spalding University No University of Kentucky Yes No University of Louisville Yes No Western Kentucky University Yes No Mississippi Jackson State University Yes No Mississippi Valley State University No University of Southern Mississippi Yes No North Carolina Appalachian State University No East Carolina University Yes No Fayetteville State University No North Carolina State University No University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Yes Yes University of North Carolina Charlotte Yes No University of North Carolina Greensboro & North Carolina A&T University Collaborative Yes No 8

22 CSWE Accredited Programs by State MPH MSW/MPH University of North Carolina Wilmington No Western Carolina University No South Carolina University of South Carolina Yes Yes Winthrop University No Tennessee East Tennessee State University Yes No University of Tennessee - Knoxville Yes No Web addresses for dual degree programs: University of Alabama University of South Florida University of North Carolina Chapel Hill University of South Carolina 9

23 APPENDIX B UGA Aspirational Peer Institutions UGA has 12 Aspirational Peer Institutions, 5 of which have dual degree MSW- MPH programs (in bold). Institution University of California-Berkeley (90 units) University of California-Los Angeles University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (93 hours: 46 SW, 47 PH) University of Minnesota (84-91 hours: SW, PH, 18 Double) University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (86 hours: 44 SW, 42 PH) University of Texas-Austin (88 hours: 51 SW, 37 PH) University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin-Madison Pennsylvania State University Cornell University 10

24 11 APPENDIX C Dual Degree MSW-MPH Degree Requirements Summary Master of Social Work (concentration in Clinical Practice) and Master of Public Health (concentration in Health Promotion) MSW (Concentration in Clinical Practice) Double Count MPH (Concentration in Health Promotion) MSW Foundation Course Requirements SOWK 6011 (3cr) Social Welfare Policy and the Social Work Profession SOWK 6033 (3cr) Direct Practice Methods SOWK 6074 (3cr) Theory and Practice with Organizations SOWK 6044 (3cr) Theory and Practice with Families SOWK 6055 (3cr) Foundation Practicum (16 hrs. weekly & seminar) Elective II (3cr) MSW Clinical Practice Concentration SOWK 7203 (3cr) Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals SOWK 7222 (3cr) Assessment & Psychopathology SOWK 7223 (3cr) Social Work Treatment with Groups SOWK 7232 (3cr) Advanced Social Work Practice with Families Elective III (3cr) *SOWK 7055 (12cr) Concentration Practicum EPID 7010 (3cr) Introduction to Epidemiology I (replaces SOWK 6066 (3cr) Foundation Research Methods) SOWK 6022 OR HPRB 7920 (3cr) Theory SOWK 7206 OR HPRB 7470 (3cr) Program Evaluation Elective (6cr) Specific required course in one degree counted as required elective in the other HPRB 7010 Social & Behavioral Foundations (required in PH) becomes Elective I in SW SOWK 6082 Cultural Diversity (required in SW) becomes Elective I in PH MPH Core Course Requirements BIOS 7010 (3cr) Introduction to Biostatistics I EHSC 7010 (3cr) Foundations of Environmental Health HPAM 7010 (3cr) Introduction to Health Policy and Management PBHL 8200 (1 cr) HPB Concentration Core Requirements HPRB 7270 (3cr) Resource Development & Program Implementation HPRB 7370 (3cr) Social Marketing of Health: Theory and Process HPRB 7500 (3cr) Community Health Elective II (2cr) *PBHL 7560 (6cr) Internship PBHL 7800 (3cr) Capstone Social Work Credits: 45 Double Count Credits: 15 Public Health Credits: 30 Total Credit Hours: 90 (45 SW + 30 PH + 15 Double Count Credits) *Dual advising required; must meet the requirements of both programs and contain an integrative component. Note: Electives in SW and PH must meet the requirements for electives in their respective programs.

25 APPENDIX D MSW Program of Study Master of Social Work: Clinical Practice Concentration The M.S.W. requires a minimum of 60 semester hours, including the completion of two internships (Year 1, 3 hours; Year 2, 12 hours). The curriculum comprises the following courses: MSW FULL-TIME PROGRAM OF STUDY YEAR 1 - FOUNDATION YEAR 1 - FOUNDATION FALL SEMESTER SPRING SEMESTER SOWK 6044 (3) Theory & Practice with Families SOWK 6011 (3) Social Welfare Policy & the Social Work Profession SOWK 6022 (3) Human Behavior in the Social Environment SOWK 6055 (3) Foundation Practicum 16 hrs. weekly & Seminar SOWK 6082 (3) SOWK 6033 (3) Direct Practice Methods Cultural Diversity SOWK 6074 (3) Theory and Practice with Organizations Elective (3) Elective (3) SOWK 6066 (3) Foundation Research Methods TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS: 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS: 15 YEAR 2 - CONCENTRATION FALL SEMESTER FAMILY-CENTERED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE (FCSWP) SOWK 7203 (3) Advanced SW Practice with Individuals SOWK 7222 (3) Assessment & Psychopathology SOWK 7055 (6) Concentration Practicum 24 hrs. weekly CLINICAL PRACTICE CONCENTRATION MSW FULL-TIME PROGRAM OF STUDY YEAR 2 - CONCENTRATION SPRING SEMESTER FAMILY-CENTERED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE (FCSWP) SOWK 7223 (3) Social Work Treatment w/ Groups SOWK 7232 (3) Advanced SW Practice w/ Families SOWK 7055 (6) Concentration Practicum 24 hrs. weekly SOWK 7206 (3) Elective (3) Evaluation Course TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS: 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS: 15 12