Understanding Evaluation Training in Schools and Programs of Public Health

Abstract

This study provides an understanding of how the coursework required for attaining a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree in epidemiology or health education from accredited schools or programs of public health prepares students to evaluate programs or interventions. Study data were generated using a content analysis of required coursework documented on websites of academic institutions and an online survey of professors who instruct courses that focus on educating students about program or intervention evaluation. Information was abstracted from websites for over 1,000 required courses associated with completing an MPH degree in epidemiology or health education at 51 academic institutions. The survey response rate for courses with a primary focus on evaluation was 60.5% and for courses with a partial focus on evaluation was 39.8%. One academic institution required that students pursuing an MPH degree in epidemiology successfully complete a specific course that has a primary focus on program or intervention evaluation, less than 50% (n = 21) of these academic institutions had this same requirement for health education students. Results suggest that course instructors were most likely to provide instruction on evaluation through lectures or required readings, indicating a general rather than an extensive level of engagement with this material. The extent to which students pursuing an MPH in health education or epidemiology are exposed to the basics of program evaluation appear to be out of alignment with the competencies outlined recently for public health professionals.