ICE - A Hot Idea for a DrPH Comprehensive Exam!

The Integrated Competency Evaluation (ICE) is the comprehensive examination equivalent experience for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Practice degree in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). The ICE is based upon a personal self-assessment, a written ICE Narrative, a portfolio (binder) of competency mastery documentation, and an oral presentation highlighting the assessment and narrative. Graduate faculty members of the DrPH Program Committee are the reviewers and graders of the ICE. The DrPH Practice student has to complete a self-assessment of each of the competencies defined under the seven domains as outlined in the ASPH Education Committee – DrPH Core Competency Model, Version 1.3. The written ICE narratives are organized by Domains/Competencies and provide examples of higher education/professional education outcomes, and current/past public health related work experiences where knowledge, skills and/or expertise related to the competencies have been utilized. The Portfolio (Binder) contains the written ICE narratives and the supporting documents, which demonstrate each level of mastery, referred to in the narratives. For the oral presentation, students provide a brief presentation highlighting the ICE Narrative to a review panel comprised of graduate faculty members of the DrPH Program Committee. Upon successful completion of ICE, the student advances to DrPH Candidacy and is allowed to continue with preparations for the Doctoral Residency – the culminating experience of the DrPH Practice degree program. This presentation will describe the ICE process and highlight its applicability to a competency-based DrPH Practice degree program.