Developing, implementing and monitoring a competency-based program for the master of public health

Introduction: The College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma has initiated a new strategic approach to preparing for and responding to the recurring process of CEPH reaccreditation. Rationale: In preparation for a site visit scheduled for 2015, the College initiated a transformational process that included the development and implementation of a continuous programmatic approach for monitoring college didactic and practice-oriented educational activities in contrast with historical patterns of time-limited and abbreviated preparation for a site visit. Discussion: The intention was to change the college's culture by inculcating competencies into all course outlines, by including reaccreditation topics in all leadership meetings, by preparing and regularly reviewing the college's strategic plan, by including internal and external constituencies in the reaccreditation process, and ultimately by memorializing all of the foregoing in a comprehensive record for review by the site team and by college senior leadership, department chairs, faculty, students and other interested parties. The presentation will discuss the specific changes within the college and proposed additional modifications in the planning and implementation phase. Lessons learned along with process accelerators and barriers will be presented in detail.