Service Learning in Undergraduate Public Health Education

In an effort to meet public health workforce needs, several CEPH-accredited schools have begun to offer undergraduate degrees in public health- the BSPH. There is still some discussion over what curriculum and formation would best serve those learning in public health programs at the undergraduate level. In 2006 a major tier-I research university began listing service learning as a requirement of all those students enrolled in undergraduate programs, including its undergraduate public health programs. Service learning is a type of pedagogy that seeks to integrate community service with formal instruction to enhance to overall learning experience and to promote contributions to communities. Service learning can be distinguished from other types of experiential learning in its integration with coursework, faculty oversight, and with its public service component.

In 2007 several students were surveyed using a General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE). The students came from one tier-I university that requires services learning (n=53) and one tier-I university that does not (n=62). Students were matched and data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0. Those students who had incorporated servicing learning into their undergraduate curriculum rated more highly in several general self-efficacy measures than those who had not participated in service learning as part of their undergraduate public health training. The presentation will conclude with the a recognition of the importance of service learning at the undergraduate level of public health formation and its contributions toward the creation of a highly motivated, confident, and high performing workforce.