DrPH Comprehensive Examination

DrPH COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (CE)

DrPH COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (CE) STRUCTURE & LOGISTICS

The DrPH Comprehensive Examination is a high quality-written product that demonstrates synthesis and mastery over core/foundational and specialty competencies. Students will prove the ability to integrate competencies acquired in their academic program and to apply their knowledge to issues pertinent to the public health profession. The exam should reflect the students’ ability to integrate information across the competencies. It is not a retesting of individual courses. The examination consists of two sessions, morning (theory and computer-based activity) and afternoon session integrating core and specialty competencies. The examination will be taken towards the 1st week of the 3rd trimester. The examination will be administered by remote modality and through Canvas platform.

The following figure (flowchart) shows the ILE-Comprehensive examination (CE) complete process and described in the DrPH-Epidemiology Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) Manual-2019.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Integrative Learning Experience is an educational experience where students, Faculty Advisors and the Integrative Learning Experience Coordinator interact. Each of these has different roles and responsibilities, as described in this section.

• General Responsibilities for Students:
  • Attend the Integrative Learning Experience Orientation Sessions.
  • Review the Integrative Learning Experience Manual and the information posted on the university online platform.
  • Register in the Integrative Learning Experience.
• Integrative Learning Experience-related responsibilities for students include:
  • Develop a study plan and study independently for the Core and Concentration examinations.
  • Identify, collect and organize all their class-related material, including but not limited to: Power Point presentations, books, handouts, epidemiology and biostatistics exercises/worksheets, etc. throughout their coursework.
  • Attend the Integrative Learning Experience Orientation Sessions/Meetings to discuss logistics throughout the academic year.
  • Be aware of the times and dates for both sections of the Comprehensive Exam (Core and Concentration) and be present to take them as scheduled. These times/dates will be announced in advance.
  • Meet with the DrPH coordinator and/or faculty in charge of CE section(s) to receive and discuss the grade.
• DrPH Integrative Learning Experience Coordinator
  • Coordinate the orientation sessions and the Integrative Learning Experience activities/logistics.
  • Present Integrative Learning Experience issues that need to be discussed during faculty meetings.
  • Update policies as needed or required.
  • Inform Integrative Learning Experience Faculty Advisors and students about due dates and important dates.
  • Notify students about their grades in the Comprehensive Examinations.
  • Evaluate any special circumstances according to policies and refer situations to the proper forum(s).

COMPRENHENSIVE EXAMINATION TEACHING METHODS

The comprehensive exam is self-directed. Students are advised to establish a study schedule in order to perform well on the comprehensive examination. Students are encouraged to develop a plan to prepare for the exam, including a study schedule. Review/preparation sessions are not mandatory to provide by the program.

By the beginning of their doctoral studies, several orientation sessions will be provided by the program, which includes the following topics, among others:

• Critical thinking skills
• Study strategies
• Stress management
• How to prepare for essay-type questions
• Other topics that could be requested by students

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION EVALUATION (CE)

To complete the comprehensive examination, the student must pass with a grade of B or higher (> 80%) both AM/PM sessions of the Comprehensive Examination. The morning session includes data analysis and epidemiology competencies with a database exercise. The afternoon session includes core and epidemiology competencies.

The examination is developed by faculty who consistently teach the doctoral courses and/or who have expertise in the related competencies. This is a closed-book and in-person examination and consists of required essay questions. The student should expect to spend a maximum of eight (8) hours taking the examination. The examination will include essay questions for the following areas:

• Data & Analysis
• Leadership, Management & Governance
• Policy & Programs
• Education & Workforce Development
• Epidemiology

Examination will include at least two competencies from each core and specialty area. The faculty in charge of designing the examination will decide which competencies to include each year. The epidemiology competencies consist of required essay questions and computer-based exercises. The use of computer software for data entry and database management and for summarizing, analyzing and displaying research results will be a specialty mandatory competency.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (CE) GRADING

The CE is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. A satisfactory performance in each part (Core Exam & Concentration Examination) is required. All students are required to take and pass the CE with a grade of 80% or higher. Students who do not pass one or more components of the CE will have the opportunity for one retake, within the same trimester. Students failing the retake should register on the course(s) related to the examined competencies when available, depending on the competencies not attained. The students should obtain an A in those courses.

The grading for this course is as follows:

Students who are not successful on either the first attempt, the retake or the course (s) will not pass the CE and will be referred to the Student Promotions Committee for their evaluation and deliberation.