The courses and other requirements for the dual degree relate directly to the achievement of student competencies. Student competencies for the dual MBA/MPH degree are taken from the Association of Schools of Public Health’s (ASPH) “Core Competency Development Project” (see www.asph.org). Competencies identified for the dual degree include one of the five core disciplines of public health (health policy and management) and two of the seven interdisciplinary cross-cutting domains in public health practice (leadership and professionalism). Specific competencies identified within each are listed below.

Health Policy and Management

1. Identify the main components and issues of the organizing, financing and delivery of health services.
2. Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services.
3. Explain the methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness.
4. Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.
5. Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.
6. Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.
7. Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.
8. Apply “systems thinking” for resolving organizational problems.
9. Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.
10. Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.

Leadership

1. Describe the attributes of leadership in public health.
2. Describe alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations, focused on public health goals.
3. Articulate an achievable mission, set of core values, and vision.
4. Engage in dialogue and learning from others to advance public health goals.
5. Demonstrate team building, negotiation, and conflict management skills.
6. Demonstrate transparency, integrity, and honesty in all actions.
7. Use collaborative methods for achieving organizational and community health goals.
8. Apply social justice and human rights principles when addressing community needs.
9. Develop strategies to motivate others for collaborative problem-solving, decision-making, and evaluation

Professionalism

1. Discuss sentinel events in the history and development of the public health profession and their relevance for practice in the field.
2. Apply basic principles of ethical analysis (e.g., the Public Health Code of Ethics, human rights framework, other moral theories) to issues of public health practice and policy.
3. Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to critical evaluation and decision-making in public health.
4. Apply the core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance in the analysis of public health problems and their solutions.
5. Promote high standards of personal and organizational integrity, compassion, honesty and respect for all people.
6. Analyze determinants of health and disease using an ecological framework.
7. Analyze the potential impacts of legal and regulatory environments on the conduct of ethical public health research and practice.
8. Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and burden of public health programs.
9. Embrace a definition of public health that captures the unique characteristics of the field (e.g., population-focused, community-oriented, prevention-motivated and rooted in social justice) and how these contribute to professional practice.
10. Appreciate the importance of working collaboratively with diverse communities and constituencies (e.g., researchers, practitioners, agencies and organizations).
11. Value commitment to lifelong learning and professional service including active participation in professional organizations.