MPH Mission Statement

THE MISSION:

The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program is to prepare highly competent public health professionals to prevent disease and restore health in local, national and global communities. This mission is accomplished through excellence in graduate teaching, and through public health research to develop or implement evidence-based lifestyle solutions to improve health while addressing public health problems from a wholistic perspective. We offer a distinctive program with a concentration in Nutrition & Wellness providing a unique emphasis in vegetarian nutrition.

A STATEMENT OF VALUE:
The MPH program is intended to provide the following values:

Wholeness: To promote wholeness based on the NEWSTART principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Christian philosophy.
Inquiry: To support a culture of inquiry, as a means to develop critical thinking, and a culture of research.
Service: To equip graduates with public health skills and knowledge for service to humanity through practicum experiences and service learning activities.
Excellence: To pursue the highest standards professionally, academically and ethically.
Transformation: To educate graduates to transform their communities
Diversity: To develop cultural competency to help serve a global community

GOALS:

To prepare highly competent public health professionals.
To prepare MPH graduates to collaborate and engage in innovative research.
To provide health educational services to various communities in vegetarian nutrition education, and wellness programs to improve health.

OBJECTIVES:

Teaching Objectives

At least 80% of the students will pass the Comprehensive Examination annually with a passing grade of >70%.
At least 80% of graduating MPH students will report satisfaction with the MPH program by responding “Agree” [Good] or “Fully Agree” [Excellent] to ≥70% the exit survey questions.
At least 80% of the students will meet the satisfactory “Met” criteria for competencies at the final practicum evaluation as determined by preceptors.
At least 80% of the responding employers will rate MPH program performance positively by responding “Agree” [Good] or “Strongly Agree” [Excellent] to ≥ 70% of the Employer Survey questions.
At least 30% of courses taught in the MPH program will include activities within the syllabi that will enhance MPH student competencies to meet the health needs of diverse populations.

Research Objectives

80% of students will obtain a  70% rating or higher for their Research-based capstone Oral Presentation.
At least 10% of the students will collaborate with faculty in research activities with the potential for manuscript submission for publication.
At least 75% of MPH faculty member will engage in one of the following annually: research presentations, grant proposal/submission, journal reviewer, submission of a manuscript for publication to a peer-reviewed journal, or research contracts for public health professional practice.

Service Objectives

At least 75% of students will be rated positively, “Agree” [Good] to “Strongly Agree” [Excellent], in their evaluation of service performance activities by those served.
At least 25% of faculty members will deliver health and wellness training, services or activities to diverse populations in public health agencies, community organizations, and/or educational institutions annually.

Offered at a 50% tuition discount, this program will prepare health professionals for service in the community and church by building knowledge and skills necessary to enhance the health of human populations and promote a healthy lifestyle through personal and community efforts