CPH 509AOrganizational Experience

Orientation and

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

(Please read Syllabus first)

What is CPH 509A?

Final integrative experience in the PHCHD Track (i.e., “culminating”)

Worth six credits, total To be taken following completion of all

required coursework (excludes electives, but includes core courses and track required classes)

What is the purpose? To provide a final, culminating, applied,

integrative experience Allows students to apply knowledge

acquired in program to field settings Chance to work in new professional

environment Opportunity to reflect on learning relative to

career options

Who takes CPH 509A?

All PHCHD MPH students (no exceptions)

What are the prerequisites? Complete all required core/track coursework Acquire and read internship syllabus at least 1 ½

terms prior to your planned CPH 509A term Meet with faculty advisor to discuss your interests,

potential activities, and relevant sites for a CPH 509A internship

Contact faculty internship coordinator for assistance with application and registration

Submit internship proposal and related paperwork no less than1 term prior to start if research based or international, ½ term prior if not.

Research-based or international field placements See CPH 509A Syllabus for important procedures

relative to each type of experience Plan to submit IRB proposal for all field work involving

human research; this must occur before beginning the project

Off Campus Activities Authorization may be required Paperwork will need to be filed and approvals obtained

prior to leaving for an international experience Plan one full term for approvals and paperwork, prior

to beginning experience

What is involved in CPH 509A?

Competency-based, applied experience All learning objectives linked to track competencies Placement negotiated by student to meet individual career

and learning objectives 6 credits = 2 days per week over one quarter or 1 day per

week over two quarters (200 total hours) plus research (summary of 15 professional journal articles) and writing time

Submit to internship coordinator the final product relevant to setting and an Internship Summary Report, complete Internship Site Evaluation

Graded Pass/Fail – all competencies must be met to receive passing grade.

How do I find a placement?

Your own contacts Suggestions from your faculty advisor or other

faculty Information on program listservs Postings on www.oregonmph.org website Informational interviews A special project arrangement at your place of

work (Note: this may not include regular duties and/or job; is subject to approval)

How do I determine a relevant project?

Something of interest to you professionally and Something of interest and relevance to the field

site Work that integrates across the curriculum and

demonstrates the track competencies Can be completed within time frame available Within skill set developed during program

Can I get paid?

Not expected/required May be negotiated between student and

field supervisor Not a condition of establishing the CPH

509A experience University is not involved in any such

arrangements

What needs to be done prior to starting internship?

1. Get CPH 509A Syllabus and meet with faculty advisor2. Find a placement and internship preceptor3. Negotiate project(s) and expectations between faculty,

student and preceptor4. Complete all elements of the learning contract in draft,

email to faculty, receive feedback, revise, and get signed by student and preceptor

5. Submit revised draft by email to CPH 509A faculty, complete final revisions

6. Sign contract; internship preceptor signs; complete registration; deliver original to CPH 509A faculty

7. Obtain any necessary approvals (e.g., IRB, Off-campus Activities Authorization, International travel)

What are the specific documents to submit?

Unofficial transcript of classes to date Current resume Career goals -- now and 5 years Learning competencies for CPH 509A, linked to

internship objectives with specific metrics/deliverables

Listing of MPH courses completed Signed learning contract Inter-institutional contract if providing patient care Follow checklist at end course syllabus

Why is the learning contract so important?

Allows you to define a relevant learning experience and how objectives will be met

Builds upon your own career, skills, and graduate education

Defines your expectations, those of the internship preceptor and internship faculty

Protects you Basis for final reflection and evaluation

How do I write career objectives?

Articulate what you want to do in the near-term Articulate where you want to be, professionally, in

five years Consider potential:

Titles Settings Responsibilities

How do I write learning competencies?

What will be different about you as a result of what you learn/do in the field experience? State in terms of new/enhanced skills (i.e.,

“competencies”) Must incorporate all track competencies, Define measurable tasks for each learning

competency Note that these are brief, specific statements of skill

in the “Who will do How Much of What by When” format.

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Writing learning objectives:

Learning objectives should: Begin with an action verb that matches the

means of performance assessment. Describe the intended outcome or product,

not the process. Be specific, measurable, appropriate,

realistic, and time limited (SMART) Address a single activity in each objective.

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Skill Areas Appropriate Verbs for Learning Competencies

Knowledge arrange, categorize, define, organize, recall, reproduce,

Comprehension classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, select, translate

Application apply, choose, demonstrate, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule, solve, use, write

Analysis analyze, appraise, calculate, compare, contrast, differentiate, distinguish, examine, question, test

Synthesis assemble, collate, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, write

Evaluation appraise, assess, compare, defend, estimate, evaluate, measure, predict, select, synthesize

Effective verbs for learning competency writing

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Sample learning competencies:

By completion of my field experience, I will have… Developed recommendations for Board based on

[assessment] regarding [topic] Convened a minimum of three community assessment

meetings among [groups] Developed [tools] for implementation in [activity] Analyzed X data to look for patterns of Y. Prepared a report of [specific results] for [stakeholders] Conducted literature review of [topic] in Medline indexed

journals Evaluated [specific outcomes] of [project]

What kind of work description is expected?

Define the setting, organization, supervisor With the internship preceptor, define the work to be done

and articulate: Skills Experience Expectations Responsibilities

Specific for the work you will do during CPH 509A Note: This must be a thorough and specific description.

Incomplete or nonspecific descriptions will be returned for amendment.

What are the final products?

1: Weekly journal must be submitted 2: Objectives met and deliverables completed3: Internship Summary paper based upon the experience

New insights into work, career directions Outcomes and accomplishments Processes and challenges Thoughts about relevant coursework Thoughts on accomplishment of objectives Specific evidence of mastery of each of the track

competencies, via your individual learning competencies

How do I register for CPH 509A? Consult with your faculty advisor re: project & site Complete all required coursework, learning contract,

and special registration/approval form(s) CPH 509A faculty coordinator signs and files contract Register through regular course registration processes May register for 6 credits in one quarter, or 3 credits

each in two consecutive quarters

What are the deadlines? Must file paperwork by the 5th week of preceding

quarter if non-research/non-international experience

Must file paperwork full term in advance if research-based or international experience or student will be providing patient care

To receive a final grade, must submit all final products to CPH 509A Coordinator no later than the last day of the term (Week 10)

What are the deadlines? All IRB files must be complete and closed before

grade will be filed and graduation clearance provided

Incompletes will be assigned if final products are not received by the due dates specified

May complete CPH 509A in summer and still participate in June graduation ceremonies

How is the grade determined?

Graded Pass/Fail: Pass: Satisfactory report documenting work and

products and thorough written reflection on: Demonstration of all learning competencies Preceptor’s recommended assessment of

student’s progress Fail: Insufficient documentation; failure to

demonstrate mastery of all stated competencies; complete all internship required assignments as noted in Syllabus

Most important things to remember:

Plan ahead to select placement Your first draft of the contract may need revision

for clarity Allow time to revise contract prior to starting

internship Allow time for IRB and/or international placement

paperwork and approvals Allow adequate time to conduct, complete,

document, and your project(s) in time for deadlines