Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Master’s International Program Requirements

Credit Requirements:

            Students enrolled in the Peace Corps Master’s International (MI) program must complete 42 credits of departmental coursework at the School of Public Heath and Tropical Medicine.  This includes the core courses and didactic coursework required of all students seeking MPH/MSPH degrees. Peace Corps MI students have the option of earning a master’s degree in any of the school’s seven departments (Biostatistics, Community Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, International Health and Development or Tropical Medicine).  Peace Corps MI students must also complete all departmental course requirements for their specified track.  All 42 credit hours must be completed prior to departure for Peace Corps service. 

Practicum Requirements:

            Peace Corps MI students must complete a minimum of 200 hours of measurable, real-world public health practice in order to meet the practicum requirement. MI students will choose one public health project or activity that they are engaged in during their Peace Corps service and expand upon that project through the development of specific goals and objectives, regular communication and monitoring with their faculty advisor, and a final report analyzing the project. This is achieved through research, program design and implementation, and other hands-on practice which is completed through a public health project that the student develops during their two-year service.  For example, current MI students are designing HIV/AIDS education interventions, monitoring child growth and nutrition, developing income-generating and nutrition-improving activities, building cleaner, safer latrines, and conducting community disease surveillance.  It is the student’s responsibility to have their project pre-approved by their faculty advisor (approval can be obtained via email). Upon approval, students must complete Forms A and B, and obtain their preceptor’s signature.  These forms will be sent by the student to the MI coordinator who will obtain the signature of Dr. Jeffery T. Johnson, Associate Dean of Admissions, Student Affairs & Career Services, and then submit the forms to the faculty advisor. 

            Master's International students must keep a log of their hours and daily activities for the duration of the practicum experience.  Midway through the practicum, Form C must be completed and mailed to the MI coordinator who will obtain the signature of Dean Johnson and then submit to the faculty advisor. 
           

            Upon completion of the practicum experience, an evaluation (Form D) of the student’s work must be completed by the preceptor.  In the event that the host country preceptor is unable to complete the form (i.e. non-English speaker), the Associate Peace Corps Director or the Peace Corps Country Director may complete the evaluation.  The student must then submit Form D to the MI coordinator who will obtain the signature of Dean Johnson and forward to the faculty advisor.

            Master’s International students are also required to write and submit a final practicum report (see guidelines in practicum handbook).  Once complete, the student should submit this report, as well as an abstract and Form E, to the MI coordinator who will give it to the faculty advisor and Dean Johnson. 

Culminating Experience:

            Peace Corps Master’s International students must complete a culminating experience.  They are given 3 options for meeting this requirement:

   1. Culminating Exam:

• May be taken anytime after all coursework has been completed.  Students may choose to take the exam directly upon completion of courses but before departure for Peace Corps service.  Similarly, they may decide to take the exam upon completion of Peace Corps service.
• Exam schedule will be coordinated with the faculty advisor.

   2. Thesis:

• The Thesis will be a thorough description of the student’s original, public health research. 
• If the student chooses this option, he/she must seek approval from the faculty advisor before beginning any research. 
• Students must obtain Tulane Biomedical IRB approval if human subjects are to be used.
• The faculty advisor will ensure that the MI student adheres to the published Thesis guidelines.
• Upon completion of the Thesis, the student must submit a copy to the advisor for approval as well as to the MI coordinator for submission to Dean Johnson.  The student’s degree will be held until the advisor has given final approval of the written Thesis.

   3. Public Health Analysis:

• The Public Health Analysis is a formal, professional written document that is a substantive review and discussion of the body of knowledge in a selected field of public health.
• The Public Health Analysis must incorporate all core areas.
• Required contents of the Public Health Analysis include the abstract, background and significance, rationale, goals and objectives, materials and methods, results and discussion, conclusions, recommendations and all pertinent appendices.
• The final report is to be presented to the faculty advisor no later than one month prior to the date of graduation.
• The Public Health Analysis is graded on a pass or fail basis by the faculty.

Early Termination of Peace Corps Service:

            Students who leave Peace Corps prior to 15 months in-country must return to campus to complete the credit hour requirements as outlined by their department in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.  Additionally, students must complete any remaining practicum and/or culminating experience requirements.  If a student has already begun the practicum and/or culminating experience while in Peace Corps, fulfillment of any remaining hours/reports will be under the faculty advisor’s discretion.