Undergraduate Competencies

1. Intellectual Development (core knowledge)

1.1 Recognize, define, and describe the core values, concepts, and functions of public health and its five key disciplines

1.2 Describe public health’s history, philosophy, and its current role in society and across the globe

1.3 Illustrate the structure and function of public health systems, including the political, legal, ethical, and socioeconomic contexts in which public health operates on a local, national, and global scale

1.4 Identify how the interconnections between the public health system and political systems, healthcare settings, economic structures and communities play a role in promoting human health

1.5 Explain how surveillance data, multidisciplinary evidence, and research supports the development of public health interventions and policies

1.6 Recognize and identify determinants of human health at and across the individual, community, environmental, and societal levels

1.7 Identify and illustrate public health challenges on a local, national, and global scale

2. Social Responsibility (core approach)

2.1 Distinguish the cultural contexts in which public health professionals work

2.2 Illustrate how social, economic, cultural, and other contextual factors affect population health outcomes and health disparities

2.3 Describe the relationship between health, human rights, health equity, and social justice

2.4 Illustrate and demonstrate the role of advocacy in community and civic engagement by public health professionals when promoting population health, health equity, and social justice

2.5 Recognize ethical considerations and potential consequences of research and program development and how they relate to equity and accountability in diverse communities

3. Applied Skills (practical application)

3.1 Demonstrate how the theoretical foundations of public health sciences meet the needs of specific populations

3.2 Prepare to implement public health programs in a variety of community health and public health settings

3.3 Communicate and translate public health information and science through a variety of media to a broad and diverse audience

3.4 Thoughtfully consume, synthesize, and evaluate scientific information pertaining to public health

3.5 Gain practical experience in public health practice and/or public health research

4. Foundational Liberal Arts and Sciences Education (systems thinking)

Understand the relationships between the natural world, human culture, and human health, which includes:

4.1 Knowledge of the biological and social components of health and disease

4.2 Civic knowledge and engagement

4.3 Knowledge of community and intercultural dynamics and cultural competence/humility

4.4 Effective communication and synthesis of information

4.5 Inquiry and analysis

4.6 Qualitative and Quantitative research skills

4.7 Information literacy

4.8 Critical and creative thinking

4.9 Teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and professional development