PUBLIC HEALTH FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITY SUPPLEMENTAL STUDENT HANDBOOK: 2018-2019 THIS HANDBOOK IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 2018-2019 Dear Student: Welcome to the School of Public Health and to SUNY Downstate Medical Center. The School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and the New York State Education Department. The School of Public Health Student Handbook, is provided to assist you with the resources available to guide you in your pursuit of your educational goals.
The handbook is an information compendium concerning academic requirements for the School of Public Health Program. Please note the Student Handbook contains only information pertinent to the School of Public Health degree(s). For more complete details regarding SUNY Downstate Medical Center policies, student rights and responsibilities, and names, locations, and telephone numbers of campus services, please consult the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Student Handbook. Please study the School of Public Health Student Handbook and the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Student Handbook thoroughly.
Both student handbooks contain information and rules and regulations that pertain to this academic year only. SUNY Downstate Medical Center reserves the right to alter the existing rules and regulations, and academic programs, as deemed necessary for the institution. SUNY Downstate Medical Center expressly reserves that right, whenever deemed advisable, to: 1. Change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees; 2.
Withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, degree, or any requirement or policy in connection with the foregoing, and, 3. Change or modify any academic or other policy. Essential changes to information in this Student Handbook concerning new academic regulations, policies or programs will be published in newsletters or other University publications. It is the responsibility of each student to ascertain current information that pertains to the individual’s program, particularly with regard to satisfaction of degree requirements by consultation with the student’s advisor, the student’s program, the School of Public Health Dean’s Office, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, and other offices as appropriate.
In preparing this Student Handbook, efforts were made to provide pertinent and accurate information; however, SUNY Downstate Medical Center assumes no liability for School of Public Health Student Handbook errors or omissions. If there is something in this Student Handbook that you do not understand or wish to have clarified, please schedule an appointment with a member of the administration in the Dean’s office: 718-270-1065. We hope your time with us will prove fulfilling and valuable. Sincerely, Kitaw Demissie, MD, PhD Dean and Professor School of Public Health TABLE OF CONTENTS Dean’s Welcome 1 School of Public Health Mission Statement, Vision and Goals 3 School of Public Health Administration 5 Curriculum Goal and Objectives 6 Textbook Policy 6 Deferral of Admission 7 Maximum Time Allowed for Degree Completion 7 Credit Transfer Policy 7 Academic Advising, Supervision, and Evaluation of Student Progress 8 Academic Counseling 8 Academic Integrity 8 Professional Conduct 10 Absences from Exams 11 Auditing 11 Course Withdrawals 11 Course/Grade Appeals Procedures 12 Evaluation of Student Performance 12 Academic Probation 13 Deficient Grades 13 SPH Committee on Student Evaluation, Promotion, And Honors (SEPH) 14 Appeal and Notification Procedures 15 Grading System 17 Graduation Requirements 18 Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) 18 Leaves of Absence 19 Student Records 20 Use of e-mail 20 Emergencies (Weather and Other Events) 20 Master of Public Health (MPH) Academic Requirements 22 Master of Public Health (MPH) Core Requirements 22 Master of Public Health (MPH) Track Requirements by Department 22 Master of Public Health (MPH) Course Descriptions 26 Master of Public Health (MPH) Field Experience and the Culminating Experience 39 Examples of Projects completed by MPH students 40 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Academic Requirements 41 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Course Descriptions 44 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Qualifying Exam 50 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Dissertation 52 Faculty 54 Public Health Competencies 57 School of Public Health Student Handbook 2 SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MISSION STATEMENT, VISION AND GOALS Vision: Grow the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health into a nationally recognized School of Public Health that is known for: • advancing Global Health • creating innovative models to empower communities to address health disparities • fostering the development of new knowledge and public health practices • leadership in Urban and Immigrant Health • promoting health equity • training diverse public health professionals Mission: The mission of the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health is to advance public health knowledge, promote health and well-being, and prevent disease and disability within communities, particularly in urban and immigrant ones.
Such actions are accomplished through excellence in the education of public health professionals, scientific investigation of public health issues, and service to communities through collaborative partnerships. Goals: Instruction: o To provide an academic environment for public health education, research, and practice in an urban setting with an emphasis on urban and immigrant health. o To educate individuals through an academic program that prepares graduates to identify, address, and resolve public health issues and manage public health programs in different settings, especially urban environments with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic groups. Research: o To advance public health knowledge through scientific investigation of health and disease, with a focus on urban and immigrant health issues.
o To disseminate and interpret research results to professionals, patients, individuals and their families, and the public. Service: o To advance the health of underserved communities, both locally and globally, through collaborative public health approaches to health promotion and disease prevention and intervention. Professional Public Health Values: 1. Advancement of public health knowledge 2.
Promotion of health and well-being 3. Prevention of disease and disability 4. Reduction of premature mortality 5. Academic excellence in the education of public health professionals School of Public Health Student Handbook 3 7.
Grounded scientific research in public health problems 9. Partnerships with local and regional community organizations to effect health promotion and disease prevention 10. Provision of service to local and regional populations and communities to improve health and prevent disease and disability 11. Protection of, and respect for participants involved in public health research, for example: conducting research with ‘informed consent’ per National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines 12.
Compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines 13. Medical and Public Health Ethics 14. Diversity of the Student Body 15. Diversity of the Faculty and Staff 16.
Faculty Participation in School Governance 18. Student Participation in School Governance School of Public Health Student Handbook 4 SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Kitaw Demissie, MD, PhD 718-270-1056 Dean and Professor PHAB 5-036 Michael A. Joseph, PhD, MPH 718-270-1061 Vice Dean and Associate Professor PHAB 5-038 Vacant Vice Dean for Global Engagement Karen Benker, MD, MPH 718-221-6194 Associate Dean for Community Public Health Affairs PHAB 5-009 Michael Szarek, PhD, MS 718-804-7834 Associate Dean for Research Administration PHAB 4-033 Daniel Ilyayev, M. 718-270-2759 Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Affairs PHAB 5-025 Catherine Seelig, MS Tel: 718-804-7827 Administrator PHAB 5-034 Dorine Cooper, MA 718-270-8377 Executive Assistant PHAB 5-037A Arlene Mbonu, MA 718-613-8376 Field Experience Coordinator PHAB 4-011 Evelyn Alleyne 718-270-5191 Staff Assistant PHAB 5-027 SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Chair: Michael Szarek, PhD, MS Departmental Coordinator: Arlene Mbonu, MA 718-613-8376 Department of Community Health Sciences Chair: Barbara Delano, MD, MPH Departmental Coordinator: Arlene Mbonu, MA 718-613-8376 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Chair: Laura Geer, PhD, MHS Departmental Coordinator: Francine Benjamin, MS 718-613-8780 Department of Health Policy and Management Interim Chair: Karen Benker, MD, MPH Departmental Coordinator: Mariecia Pook 718-270-8801 SPH e-mail: publichealth@downstate.edu In addition to consulting the School of Public Health Student Handbook, all School of Public Health (SPH) students, both single and concurrent degree, should consult the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Student Handbook for more detailed information regarding SUNY Downstate Medical Center Policies and Procedures.
School of Public Health Student Handbook 5 CURRICULUM GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The goal and objectives of the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate are congruent with state-of- the-science public health programs across the country; and specifically address the issues in urban and immigrant health. The underlying premises though reflect the essentials that are public health no matter where it is practiced. Goal The goal of the SUNY Downstate SPH is to provide an academic environment for public health education, research, and practice, in an urban setting with an emphasis on immigrant health. To prepare graduates to identify, address, and resolve public health issues and manage public health programs in diverse settings, especially urban environments with different racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic groups.
To prepare students to advance public health knowledge through scientific investigation of health and disease, with a focus on urban and immigrant health issues. To prepare students to disseminate and interpret research results to professionals, patients, and the public. To prepare students to advance the health of the communities through collaborative public health approaches to health promotion, disease prevention and intervention, particularly urban and immigrant health communities. TEXTBOOK POLICY Students are encouraged to purchase textbooks at a retailer of their choice.
A booklist will be made available to students on the SPH website sixty (60) days prior to the start of the semester to ensure that students have ample time to purchase textbooks prior to the start of the semester. The Medical Research Library (located at 395 Lenox Rd.) during the following business hours: Fall and Spring Terms: Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 12 midnight Friday: 8:30am - 9pm Saturday: 9am - 9pm Sunday: 12 noon - 12 midnight Summer Term: Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 12 midnight Friday: 8:30am - 5pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: 12 noon - 12 midnight School of Public Health Student Handbook 6 DEFERRAL OF ADMISSION Accepted applicants to the School of Public Health (SPH) who request a deferral of admission and who are granted a deferral, are deferred for only one year. Deferrals of admission will not be extended beyond the one-year limit except under extraordinary circumstances. MAXIMUM TIME ALLOWED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION ACPH: The maximum time allotted for completion of the ACPH degree is three (3) years unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances.
MPH: The maximum time allotted for completion of the MPH degree, regardless of concurrent degree involvement is six (6) years unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances. DrPH: The maximum time allotted for completion of the Doctor of Public Health degree, regardless of concurrent degree involvement is eight (8) years unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances. Maximum time allowed for degree completion may be extended in the event a student goes on a Leave of Absence. CREDIT TRANSFER POLICY ACPH Program Transfer Credits Transfer credits are not accepted toward the Advanced Certificate program.
MPH Program Transfer Credits Please note that a maximum of twelve (12) graduate level credits from another CHEA regionally accredited college and/or university can be transferred into the MPH program. Transfer of credits for courses used towards the completion of a granted degree will not be considered. Students must seek approval for the departmental chair of their concentration, prior to registering for courses at other CHEA accredited institutions. DrPH Program Transfer Credits A maximum number fifteen (15) doctoral level credits from another CHEA regionally accredited college and/or university can be transferred into the doctoral program.
Courses used towards the completion of a granted degree will not be considered. However, some DrPH coursework may be waived if relevant doctoral level courses have been taken at another institution. Students must seek approval for the departmental chair of their concentration, prior to registering for courses at other CHEA accredited institutions. For transfer of credits or a waiver, the accepted student must provide: 1) a detailed course syllabus and 2) an official transcript verifying at least a B grade (3.0 system) in that particular course(s).
If the student fails to provide appropriate proof of course content equivalency and an official transcript in a timely fashion, the option for credit transfer may be denied.