MPH Core Competencies in Public Health

Analytic/Assessment Skills

• Defines a problem
• Determines appropriate uses and limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data
• Selects and defines variables relevant to defined public health problems
• Identifies relevant and appropriate data and information sources
• Evaluates the integrity and comparability of data and identifies gaps in data sources
• Applies ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information
• Partners with communities to attach meaning to collected quantitative and qualitative data
• Makes relevant inferences from quantitative and qualitative data
• Obtains and interprets information regarding risks and benefits to the community
• Applies data collection processes, information technology applications, and computer systems storage/retrieval strategies
• Recognizes how the data illuminates ethical, political, scientific, economic, and overall public health issues

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• Collects, summarizes, and interprets information relevant to an issue
• States policy options and writes clear and concise policy statements
• Identifies, interprets, and implements public health laws, regulations, and policies related to specific programs
• Articulates the health, fiscal, administrative, legal, social, and political implications of each policy option
• States the feasibility and expected outcomes of each policy option
• Utilizes current techniques in decision analysis and health planning
• Decides on the appropriate course of action
• Develops a plan to implement policy, including goals, outcome and process objectives, and implementation steps
• Translates policy into organizational plans, structures, and programs
• Prepares and implements emergency response plans
• Develops mechanisms to monitor and evaluate programs for their effectiveness and quality

Communication Skills

• Communicates effectively both in writing and orally, or in other ways
• Solicits input from individuals and organizations
• Advocates for public health programs and resources
• Leads and participates in groups to address specific issues
• Uses the media, advanced technologies, and community networks to communicate information
• Effectively presents accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information for professional and lay audiences
• Attitudes
  • Listens to others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives

Cultural Competency Skills

• Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences
• Identifies the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of public health services
• Develops and adapts approaches to problems that take into account cultural differences
• Attitudes
  • Understands the dynamic forces contributing to cultural diversity
  • Understands the importance of a diverse public health workforce
• Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
  • Establishes and maintains linkages with key stakeholders
  • Utilizes leadership, team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to build community partnerships
  • Collaborates with community partners to promote the health of the population
  • Idenitifies how public and private organizations operate within a community
  • Accomplishes effective community engagements
  • Identifies community assets and available resources
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates a community public health assessment
  • Describes the role of government in the delivery of community health services

Basic Public Health Sciences Skills

• Identifies the individual's and organization's responsibilities within the context of the Essential Public Health Services and core functions
• Defines, assesses, and understands the health status of populations, determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of health services
• Understands the historical development, structure, and interaction of public health and health care systems
• Identifies and applies basic research methods used in public health
• Applies the basic public health sciences including behavioral and social sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental public health, and prevention of chronic and infectious diseases and injuries
• Identifies and retrieves current relevant scientific evidence
• Identifies the limitations of research and the importance of observations and interrelationships
• Attitudes
  • Develops a lifelong commitment to rigorous critical thinking

Financial Planning and Management Skills

• Develops and presents a budget
• Manages programs within budget constraints
• Applies budget processes
• Develops strategies for determining budget priorities
• Monitors program performance
• Prepares proposals for funding from external sources
• Applies basic human relations skills to the management of organizations, motivation of personnel, and resolution of conflicts
• Manages information systems for collection, retrieval, and use of data for decision-making
• Negotiates and develops contracts and other documents for the provision of population-based services
• Conducts cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analyses

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

• Creates a culture of ethical standards within organizations and communities
• Helps create key values and shared vision and uses these principles to guide action
• Identifies internal and external issues that may impact delivery of essential public health services (i.e., strategic planning)
• Facilitates collaboration with internal and external groups to ensure participation of key stakeholders
• Promotes team and organizational learning
• Contributes to development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational performance standards
• Uses the legal and political system to effect change
• Applies theory of organizational structures to professional practice