The Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) which accredits Schools of Public Health and one of the organizations that accredit our MPH and MSPH distance learning programs, has revised and updated its requirements for accredited programs.  These requirements are for all students who pursue the MPH or MSPH in all disciplines.  Students who entered the program after Fall 2006 will have to comply with the new criteria.  To comply with the new requirements, we will be making changes in our curriculum and adding topics in some courses and specific requirements for both a practicum and capstone/culminating experience.

Practicum:  A formal practicum will now be required for all students.  The practicum is an internship that is intended to provide practical experience in the discipline of study.  Tulane now requires a 200 hour internship for all MPH and MSPH students. For mid-career students, there is an option for a waiver if the student has practical experience in the field of study. There is a formal process for the waiver that documents prior practice experience. Click <here> for the waiver criteria.

Capstone or culminating experience:  The capstone or culminating experience is designed to integrate knowledge across the five core areas of public health (epidemiology, biostatistics/data analysis, management, environmental health, and behavioral sciences).  In the CAEPH distance learning programs, the capstone involves a project and scientific paper.  In environmental or occupational health, we typically design a project and collect and analyze the data.  Now, the capstone must also include sections that discuss the application of the results/findings and the management and behavioral implications.