Community Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Functional Certificate
Develop the ability to conduct effective community-based health interventions and build culturally proficient public health strategies and partnerships that grow sustainable political and social power in marginalized communities.
For admission eligibility, degree requirements, deadlines, and application information, contact the Admissions Office at asksph@bu.edu.
Plan and conduct systematic community health needs assessments, integrating multiple sources of data and community and stakeholder input.
Synthesize the published evidence base with information identified through community needs assessment to create a comprehensive public health intervention plan which responds appropriately and effectively to key identified priorities.
Formulate an implementation and sustainability plan designed to engage community members, policy makers, practitioners, funders, and researchers.
Design a program evaluation, including formative, process and impact evaluation, and be able to articulate a plan for evaluation using a standard logic model.
Apply strategies for equitable, collaborative partnerships with communities, based on common recognition of sources of structured social privilege and disadvantage and a shared goal of seeking to expand community assets and power to improve health outcomes.
Sample Course Titles
Assessment and Planning for Health Promotion
Program Design for Global Health
Planning and Managing MCH Programs in Developing Countries
Social Justice and the Health of Populations: Racism and other systems of oppression in America Inequities
Sample Practicum
Assisted the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition with the first phase of their community assessment: researching, assessing, and organizing quantitative data related to substance abuse and mental health in Milton
Member of the research team at Barbara McInnis House (Boston-based respite center for homeless patients run by Boston Healthcare for the Homeless), participated in a Quality Improvement Project aimed at improving rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with FIT (fecal immunochemical testing) among patients staying in respite
Chronic Disease Epidemiology Intern with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, assisted with developing an evaluation plan for two statewide initiatives (Mass in Motion and an additional grant from CDC) which aim to prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke via several mutually reinforcing strategies
Integrative Learning Experience
The ILE will give students the opportunity to practice the skills essential to conducting a basic community needs assessment, an intervention and implementation plan, and an impact evaluation plan.