The Master's Seminar is a course for students to discuss and reflect on their Practicum experiences. During this structured seminar, students discuss the theoretical framework, public health significance, policy impact, and relevance of their Practicum projects.
What is the Master's Seminar?
The Master's Seminar is a public health-relevant practice-based service project. Its purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills that are critical to public health practice, including critical analysis of public health problems, assessment of community needs, development of tools, resources, and programs, evaluation of public health programs, and advocacy/policy impact.
The Master's Project process begins in the initial stages of the MPH (Master of Public Health) Practicum and includes a review of the relevant literature and current thinking in the chosen area, and leads to the development of a tangible product that will be of use to public health stakeholders, such as community agencies and other service providers, health departments, and policy makers.
The Master's Project process begins in the initial stages of the MPH (Master of Public Health) Practicum and includes a review of the relevant literature and current thinking in the chosen area, and lead to the development of a tangible product that will be of use to public health stakeholders, such as community agencies and other service providers, health departments, and policy makers. The Master's Seminar will be developed with input from the Practicum Preceptor, faculty advisor, and the MPH Director.
Who can do the Master's Seminar and when?
Senior (2nd-year) MPH students who have completed the deliverables for their Practicum.
Students must complete Practicum deliverables and data before enrolling in the Master's Seminar course (PUBH 7992).
What happens during the Master's Seminar?
MPH students must complete a final paper and PowerPoint presentation detailing their Practicum project and outcomes.
The structure of the Master's Seminar Project Paper consists of the following:
- Abstract: 200-word summary of project
- Introduction (~ 8 pages): A background of the public health issue or concern addressed and the literature review.
- Methods (~ 3 pages): Description of the methods, tools, activities, approaches used to carry out the project.
- Results (~ 5 pages): Description of products resulted from the work and analysis (if applicable).
- Discussion and Recommendations (~ 9 pages)
Note: The Master's Seminar Project Paper should be approximately 25 pages (double-spaced), excluding abstract, references, and appendices, Arial, 11-point font, one-inch margins top and bottom.
Course Format
The Master's Seminar can be taken online or in-person.
For the online course format, students are required to attend four ZOOM class meetings (indicated in the syllabus), present their master's project via ZOOM, followed by an oral comprehensive exam.
Next Steps
Students will submit accreditation deliverables and may present their Master's Seminar project at indicated Research Symposiums.
Need Assistance?
The OELCS Coordinator will assist students with any issues concerning the Master's Seminar project. Students should schedule a time to meet with the OELCS Coordinator and faculty advisor (if applicable) to discuss concerns.
Benefits of the Master's Seminar
- Applied Learning: Through research, data analysis, and implementation, students gain instrumental skills and insights that prepare them for the complexities of public health practice.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Through our collaborative approach, we encourage interdisciplinary relationships among students, faculty, and community partners. Through collaborative partnerships, students learn to leverage the strengths of various disciplines to address public health issues comprehensively.
- Community Engagement: We prioritize community engagement within our projects, ensuring students work directly with communities to identify needs, resources, and resolutions. Through partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, students develop cultural competence and promote health equity and social justice.
- Professional Development: This experience prepares students for leadership roles in public health. Students improve their communication skills, project management, and problem-solving abilities, gaining the confidence and expertise to lead public health initiatives effectively.