How competency-based requirements have driven cultural change in public health education

Introduction: The College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma has embarked on a new approach to the recurring process of reaccreditation. Rationale: The College of Public Health implemented strategic and tactical modifications to the Master of Public Health curriculum to better accommodate competency-based education and training requirements related to new CEPH guidelines. Discussion: The modifications required significant cultural change to effectively implement revisions to the didactic educational programs, the centralization of various functions and services, and the inclusion of the departments and various constituencies in the process. Examples of alterations include the structure and function of the Office of Student Services, the management and monitoring of the practicum experience, the retention of certain tasks and functions within the respective departments, and the coordination of other tasks and assignments in a centralized manner to achieve competency-based results and outcomes measured student achievements across the college in all disciplines. The presentation will discuss the modifications in detail and targeted directions for the College of Public Health to further improve the Master of Public Health curriculum.