california state university, fresno · 2020-01-22 · rohan jadhav 278.6103 j-wing 17...
TRANSCRIPT
California State University, Fresno
Master of Public Health Handbook
2019-2020
Cohort 26
Kara Zografos, D.Ph., M.P.H.
Department Chair
Mohammad Rahman, Ph.D.
MPH Program Coordinator
Revised: Summer 2019
1
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS UNIVERSITY CONTACT LIST/TELEPHONE DIRECTORY . . . 4
MPH PROGRAM INFORMATION . . . . . . . 5
PROGRAM BACKGROUND . . . . . . 6
PROGRAM GOALS . . . . . . . . 7
STATEMENT OF VALUES . . . . . . . 9
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES . . . . . 10
MPH PROGRAM COURSEWORK TIMELINE . . . . . 14
CURRICULUM . . . . . . . . 15
COURSE DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . 16
ABOUT THE COURSES . . . . . . . 18
SUGGESTED SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER PLAN . . . 19
MPH RECORD ROADMAP . . . . . . . 20
GRADUATE STUDENT FORMS TIMELINE . . . . . 21
FORMS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . 22
HUMAN SUBJECTS APPLICATION (IRB) . . . . . 24
PH 285F – FIELDWORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH COURSE . . . 26
OBEJCTIVES OF PH 285F . . . . . . . 27
OVERVIEW OF PH 285F . . . . . . . 28
GRADUATE WRITING REQUIREMENT (GWR) . . . . . 29
GWR INFORMATION . . . . . . . 30
GWR RUBRIC . . . . . . . . 32
CULMINATING EXPERIENCES . . . . . . . 33
CULMINATING EXPERIENCES-INFORMATION . . . 34
REQUIREMENTS FOR PH 298 & PH 299 . . . . 35
FLOW CHART FOR PROJECT/THESIS . . . . . 37
PROJECT (PH 298) . . . . . . . . 38
THESIS (PH 299) . . . . . . . . 39
REQUIREMENTS FOR FINAL THESIS DRAFTS . . . 42
THESIS CHECKLIST . . . . . . . 43
THESIS DISSERTATION COMMITTEE POLICY & GUIDELINES . 45
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . 51
STUDENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES . . . . . 52
PROGRAM & CURRICULUM COMPETENCIES . . . 54
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES & GOALS . . . . . 56
MPH STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT . . . . . . 57
PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL BEHAVIOR . . . . . 59
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . . . . . . . . 61
3
UNIVERSITY AND FACULTY DIRECTORY
Department Phone # Office Email Address
Master of Public Health 278.8324 MCL 292 [email protected]
Dept. of Public Health 278.4014 MCL 184 [email protected]
Admissions-Domestic Students 278.2661 JAD 57 [email protected]
Admissions-International
Students
278.2409 JAD-256 [email protected]
Bulldog Testing Center 278.2229 UC-201 or
FFS-210
Continuing & Global Education
278. 2381 TAD-103 [email protected]
Educational Opportunity
Center
278.2280 TAD-103
External Funding
(Scholarships)
278.5505 TAD-122 [email protected]
Fresno State Scholarship Office 278.6572 HML [email protected]
Graduate Research Fellowship 278.1622 JAD-274 [email protected]
Graduate Statistics Studio 278.2451 TAD-121 [email protected]
Graduate Net Initiative 278.1622 HML [email protected]
Graduate Writing Center 278.2450 TAD-121 [email protected]
Henry Madden Library (HML) 278.2174 HML
Housing 278.2345 University
Courtyard
Internatl. Student Services
(ISSP)
278.2782 JAD-256 [email protected]
Kennel Bookstore 278.4062 By USU [email protected]
Office of the University
Registrar
278.2261 JAD 57 [email protected]
Peer Mentorship Program
278.1622 TAD-121 [email protected]
Services for Students
w/Disabilities
278.2811 HML 1202 [email protected]
Student Health Center 278.2734 [email protected]
University Student Union 278.2015 [email protected]
For Questions Regarding Graduate Student Requirements and Opportunities, contact:
Division of Research and
Graduate Studies
278.2448 TAD 51 [email protected]
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Name Phone # Office Email Address
Full-Time Faculty
Tanisha Garcia 278.6125 J-Wing 21 [email protected]
Mary Garza 278.7025 J-Wing 10 [email protected]
Rohan Jadhav 278.6103 J-Wing 17 [email protected]
Suzanne Kotkin-Jaszi 278.5387 J-Wing 18 [email protected]
Jaymin Kwon 278.5169 J-Wing 14 [email protected]
Don Matlosz 278.5089 J-Wing 16 [email protected]
Susan Mirlohi 278.7024 J-Wing 19 [email protected]
Miguel Perez 278.2897 Sci II 244 [email protected]
Helda Pinzon-Perez 278.5329 Sci II 267 [email protected]
Mohammad Rahman 278.4222 MCL 292 [email protected]
Greg Thatcher 278.8807 J-Wing 13 [email protected]
Kara Zografos 278.5988 MCL 184 [email protected]
Part-Time Faculty
Marc Boswell 278.4149 LS 120 [email protected]
Edward Boyle 278.1652 IT 264 [email protected]
Clara Escamilla 278.1652 IT 264 [email protected]
Ami George 278.1652 IT 264 [email protected]
Sean Johnson 278.4149 LS 120 [email protected]
Leepao Khang 278.4149 LS 120 [email protected]
Linda Launer 278.4747 J-Wing 20 [email protected]
Paul Mills 278.1652 IT 264 [email protected]
Manal Samaha 278.1652 LS 120 [email protected]
Sujatha Shanmugasundram 278.2106 MCL 286 [email protected]
Chia Thao 278.1652 IT 264 [email protected]
Elizabeth Tucker 278.4149 LS 120 [email protected]
Robin Wood 278.4149 MCL 129 [email protected]
FERP Faculty
John Capitman [email protected]
Cassandra Joubert [email protected]
Vickie Krenz [email protected]
Christopher Tennant [email protected]
Michael Waite [email protected]
Department of Public Health Support Staff
Ruth Brisco 278.5165 MCL 184 [email protected]
ASA II 278.4015 MCL 184
Student Assistants
Public Health Student
Assistant
278.4014 MCL 184 [email protected]
Master of Public Health
Graduate Assistant
278.8324 MCL 292 [email protected]
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Master of Public Health Program
Information
6
What is Public Health?
The first wealth is health – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their
communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and
injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases. Overall,
public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. These populations
can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire country or region of the world.
Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or recurring through
implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services and
conducting research—in contrast to clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, who focus
primarily on treating individuals after they become sick or injured. Public health also works to
limit health disparities. A large part of public health is promoting healthcare equity, quality
and accessibility.1
Why Pursue a Master’s in Public Health at Fresno State?
By pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health, every graduate student plays a great role in
assuring healthy living conditions for their community. Our graduates carry on the mission of
the Master of Public Health Program at Fresno State, which is to promote, preserve, and
restore health. This mission is accomplished by educating graduate students to be effective
leaders and practitioners at the local, national, and international level through various
academic, applied research, and internship opportunities. (Program Goals on page 8).
1 CDC. (2019). What is Public Health? Retrieved from https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health
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What Curriculum Does the MPH Program Emphasize?
The Master of Public Health program at Fresno State emphasizes Health Promotion within its
curriculum. The Health Promotion curriculum prepares public health professionals to fulfill
leadership roles in the development, promotion, application, and evaluation of educational and
behavioral approaches to health problems.
Upon completion of this option, graduates should be able to:
1. Assess the individual and community needs for health education and health
promotion,
2. Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate health education and health promotion
programs for specific populations in various settings,
3. Organize and coordinate health education and health promotion services to
specific communities,
4. Communicate health and health education/health promotion needs, results, and
resources, and,
5. Understand the relationships between comprehensive health promotion,
program, policy, and political issues.
8
PROGRAM GOALS
The following program goals haven been established by the MPH Program at Fresno State.
All these goals are quantifiable objectives and are included at the end of the handbook under
the Program Policies and Procedures on page 51.
Instructional Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: To utilize a competency-based curriculum planning and evaluation system in order to
be able to effectively evaluate the public health knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students.
Goal 2: To ensure all MPH students are prepared to assume leadership roles in public health
and health education settings.
Scholarly Activity Goals and Objectives
Goal 3: To promote and foster an interactive environment conducive to student and faculty
search for and exploration of established and innovative concepts related to public health.
Goal 4: To stimulate the design of research and projects that have a practical application to
the reality of the MPH program service communities.
Service Goals and Objectives
Goal 5: To promote active involvement in serving the Fresno State campus, communities, and
Central California region.
Goal 6: To strengthen relationships between Fresno State and public or private community
organizations in order to provide opportunities for faculty, students, and graduates to help
meet the health needs of the Central California region.
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MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Statement of Values
We are public health professionals dedicated to improving the health of communities. To
achieve this goal, we are committed to the pursuit of:
Community
To enable communities to address their unique public health problems, lower barriers to
action, and act as a resource for progress.
Knowledge
To engage in the pursuit, development, and dissemination of knowledge that will lead to the
improvement of the public’s health.
Professionalism
To perform the duties and responsibilities of public health professionals with integrity and
collegiality in learning, teaching, and public services.
Professional Ethics
To adhere to the duties and responsibilities in the established codes of conduct for the fields of
Public Health (The Moral Clause).
Advocacy
To ensure equitable access to quality public health, health resources and public policies.
Diversity
To recognize and respect the cultural and other contributions of all members of the
community in the access to public health resources.
Scholarship
To teach students methods to understand the scope of current public health knowledge and to
contribute to future public health knowledge through research.
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Master of Public Health Program
Financial Assistance Opportunities
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FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Merit-Based Awards:
President’s Graduate Scholar Fellowship
Merit-based awards are available each year with the possibility of recipients qualifying for
a second year of funding (must reapply), assuming conformance with developed standards
and the need for a second year to complete the graduate/doctoral course of study.
Applicants must have 3.5 GPA or higher, must secure support for the award from
Graduate Program Coordinator/Program Facilitator. Must apply by logging in through the
Fresno State Scholarships website.
Questions: Contact Rodrigo Gomez ([email protected])
Need-Based Awards:
Graduate Equity Fellowship Program
These fellowships enable students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to
pursue their master’s degrees with financial assistance of up to $2,000 per academic
year, or two semesters. Applicants must have filed a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may receive the award for 2 years but must reapply
each year for the award.
Research Awards:
Graduate Student Research Merit Awards
A partnership between ASI and the Division of Research and Graduate Studies to fund
competitive research support awards in amounts up to $1,000 are made in recognition
and scholarship of a graduate/doctoral student's dissertation, thesis, or research project.
Questions: Contact Rodrigo Gomez ([email protected])
Robert & Norma Craig Graduate Fellowships
This scholarship recognizes the efforts and activities graduate students are putting
towards research and/or activities in their given field. Research and/or research activity
cannot be related to applicants' work towards project, thesis, or dissertation. Award
amounts can be up to $1,000. Interested students must apply by logging in through the
Scholarships website. Questions: Contact Rodrigo Gomez ([email protected]).
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California Pre-Doctoral Program
This program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the
doctoral aspirations of California State University students who have experienced
economic and educational disadvantages. Scholars and their faculty mentors receive a
$3,000 award to travel to doctoral institutions and national conferences to enhance
their entrance into doctoral study. Summer internships are also available for selected
scholars.
Previous MPH Pre-Doctoral Program Recipients include:
Brittany Chambers Rocio Vilma
Leepao Khang Chia Thao
José Arreola Lorena Ramos
Presentation Funding:
Travel Grants (ongoing: All materials must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the
conference)
These grants are available throughout the year to students who have been invited to
present a paper or poster at a major professional association conference or society
meeting.
Forgivable Loans:
Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program
The CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) provides financial
assistance to graduate students. The program is designed to increase the pool of
individuals with the qualifications, motivation, and skills to teach the diverse student
body in the California State University system. It is a competitive program directed by
the CSU, but open to doctoral students at accredited universities across the country.
The program provides the following: 1) Loans up to $10,000 per year up to a total of
$30,000 or 2) Loan forgiveness: 20% (percent) of the loan is forgiven for each year of
full-time postdoctoral teaching at a CSU campus.
Tuition Funding:
Non-Resident Students
(i.e., U.S. citizens who not recognized as residents of the State of California)
A limited number of tuition waivers are available to non-resident students who will
enter graduate programs during the ensuing academic year. Information is available
through the individual graduate degree program coordinators (see Master's Degrees)
and academic school deans.
13
International Students
College/School Tuition Waivers - (Dean's Scholarship)
One tuition waiver per year is given to each college/school to be used for recruiting
new international students. The award waives fees of up to thirty (30) units for the
year, and can be given to one student or split among several. Contact the International
Programs Office, 278-6452, for more information.
New Student Tuition Waiver Scholarships
A limited number of awards are available to students showing excellent scholarship,
leadership qualities, a willingness to represent their home country and school in public
speaking events or in classrooms, and who meet all university admission requirements.
Applicants must be enrolled as regular university graduate students (full-time, nine (9)
units). This does not include enrollment through the Division of Continuing and
Global Education (CGE). Students must spend some volunteer time in campus offices;
the number of units received will determine the amount.
Scholarship support ranges from four (4) units ($984) to a maximum of eight (8) units
($1,968) and is spread out over two semesters. These awards are available only for the
first year and for students who are new to the university. For more information,
contact the Office of International Programs at California State University Fresno.
Phone: 559- 278-6452. Fax: 559- 278-4203. E-mail: [email protected].
Department of Public Health
The Department of Public Health has scholarships available to graduate students.
Contact the Department of Public Health Office for additional information.
For more information about financial opportunities, please visit the Division of
Research and Graduate Studies www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/ and
Financial Aid www.fresnostate.edu/student.affairs/financialaid/index.html) websites.
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Master of Public Health Program
Coursework Timeline
15
CURRICULUM Public Health Program Core (19 units)
All students are required to complete the following courses:
PH 202 - Advanced Public Health Statistics (3 units)
PH 206 - Environment and Occupational Health (3 units)
PH 208 - Health Promotion (3 units)
PH 209 - Advanced Concepts in Epidemiology (3 units)
PH 210 - Introduction to Health Policy (3 units)
PH 223 - Health Promotion and Policy Advocacy (1 unit)
PH 280 - Seminar in Techniques of Health Research (3 units)
Option Coursework (15 units)
PH 203 – Seminar in Community Health Organization (3 units)
PH 213 – Health Planning & Program Evaluation (3 units)
PH 225A – Foundations of Health Promotion I (3 units)
PH 225B – Foundation of Health Promotion II (3 units)
Three units of approved elective (3 units)
Fieldwork (4 units)
PH 285F- Fieldwork in Health (4 units)
Culminating Experience
PH 298 – Project (4 units) or
PH 299 – Thesis (4 units)
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIRED CORE NINETEEN (19) UNITS
PH 202 Advanced Public Health Statistics (3 units)
Theories and limitations of parametric testing: ANOVA, MANOVA, and regression. Focus on
nonparametric testing and small samples including Kruskal Wallis, Median and Fischer tests.
Preparation of data for computer analysis and interpretation of results. Resource issues related to
data collection.
PH 206 Environment & Occupational Health (3 units)
Application and evaluation of environmental health principles to air, land, water waste and
occupational health with emphasis on contemporary issues.
PH 208 Health Promotion (3 units)
Focus on behavioral change techniques derived from many areas of applied research including
behavior modification and social interaction theory. Information emphasizes the health relevant
principles in each domain and shows how they can be used to understand or change public health
problems.
PH 209 Advanced Concepts in Epidemiology (3 units)
Prerequisites: PH 92, PH 109 or equivalents: computer statistics program competency
Advanced Principles and methods of Epidemiology. Includes methods of organizing surveillance
data, defining cases, testing hypotheses, analyzing effectiveness of methods, summarizing studies.
Advanced statistical methods will be utilized with emphasis on interpretation of results.
PH 210 Seminar in Health Services Administration (3 units)
Prerequisite: PH 163.
In-depth analysis of public health programs and policies with emphasis on skill development in
health policy analysis. Group work will be required.
PH 223 Health Promotion and Policy Advocacy (1 unit)
Introduction to the fundamentals of the legislative process. Visits to and from local and state
officials will be included. Information about the legislative process related to health promotion
and policy will be the major focus of this course. Fieldwork assignments including visits to local
official’s offices and/or to Sacramento will be required.
PH 280 Seminar in Techniques of Health Research (3 units)
Research methodology, identification of health research problems, use of library resources, data
gathering, and processing; writing a research report.
17
OPTION COURSES
FIFTEEN (15) UNITS
PH 203 Seminar in Community Health Organization (3 Units)
Prerequisite: PH 100.
Individual research, analysis, and evaluation in relation to educational aspects of community
health programs; group procedures; community organizations; selection, development, and
use of media. Field assignments are required.
PH 213 Health Planning and Program Evaluation (3 Units)
In-depth analysis of the principles and practices in comprehensive health planning and
program evaluation. Field assignments are required.
PH 225A Foundations in Health Promotion I (3 Units)
Prerequisite: PH 208 Health Promotion.
History and philosophy of health education. Psychological, sociological, economic, and
political theories relevant to the mission and processes of health education with special
reference to schools and colleges.
PH 225B Foundations in Health Promotion II (3 Units)
Prerequisite: PH 208 & PH 225A (Health Promotion I).
In depth study of the principles and practices of health education and health promotion.
Implement scientific principles, theories, and health promotion needs assessment models.
Create, implement, analyze and evaluate health promotion goals and objectives. Apply
cultural competence principles to the practice of health education and health promotion.
Students will learn about the theories and methods of health behavior.
+ Three (3) Units of Approved Credit
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ABOUT THE COURSES
Please contact the Master of Public Health for permission numbers for the following courses:
PH 208
PH 210
PH 298
PH 298C
PH 299
PH 299C
Please note that all other courses do not need a permission number.
For people taking the PH 298 or PH 299 course for the first time: Apart from completing
either form listed above, students must fill out either the Thesis Committee Assignment form
or the Project Committee Assignment form, depending on what culminating experience the
student has chosen.
For PH 298 and PH 299: Prior to receiving a permission number for either culminating
experience course, students must fill out either the PH 298 Project Authorization form or the
PH 299 Thesis Authorization Form.
For students that have taken either PH 298 or PH 299 more than twice: Students must
sign up for the PH 298 C or PH 299 C, “C” standing for “Continuing”. You will have the
option to circle which course you are taking on the Project/Thesis Authorization form.
19
Y
ear 3
Yea
r 2
Y
ear
1
Yea
r 2
Yea
r 1
Suggested Semester-By-Semester Plan* (Classes held in the evenings)
Year Entered: 2019 Degree Deadline: 2024**
Fall 2019 Units Grade Spring 2020 Units Grade
PH 208 3 PH 202 3
PH 210 3 PH 209 3
Total Total
Fall 2020 Units Grade Spring 2021 Units Grade
PH 206 3 PH 203 3
PH 280 3 PH 213 3
PH 223 1
Total Total
Fall 2021 Units Grade Spring 2022 Units Grade
PH 225A 3 PH 225B 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
PH 285F 2-4 PH 285F*** 2-4
PH 298 or PH 299 2 PH 298 or PH 299 2
Total
Total
* Please note that the suggested semester-by-semester plan is a general academic plan for a
graduate student. The MPH Program is currently transitioning to a two-year program. Thus, the
academic plan may vary in terms of how many years a student is in the program.
**University policy stipulates that students have five (5) years to complete the degree from the
time they take their first graduate level course.
**PH 285F Fieldwork will be taken in the 2nd
or 3rd
year of study after completing the MPH
core requirements: PH 202, PH 206, PH 208, PH 209, PH 210, & PH 280.
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Master of Public Health – Record Roadmap
Student’s Name: ___________________________________ Year Entered: 2019
Date Date
Plagiarism Workshop: __________________
Graduate Writing Studio*: ______________
Classified Graduate Standing: ____________
Graduate Writing Requirement: __________
Advanced to Candidacy: ________________
Human Subjects Certificate: ___________
Committee Assignment: ______________
Culm. Exp. Oral Defense: _____________
MPH Exit Survey: ___________________
Graduate Degree Clearance: __________
SEMESTER 1: FALL ___________ SEMESTER 2: SPRING ___________
PH 208 Health Promotion (3 units) PH 202 Adv. Health Statistics (3 units)
PH 210 Introduction to Health Policy (3 units) PH 209 Adv. Concepts in Epi. (3 units)
SEMESTER 3: FALL ___________ SEMESTER 4: SPRING ___________
PH 206 Environmental & Occupational Health
(3 units)
PH 203 Health Promotion & Policy Advocacy
(1 unit)
PH 280 Seminar – Health Research (3 units) PH 213 Seminar – Community Health (3 units)
PH _____ PH 223 Health Planning (3 units)
SEMESTER 5: FALL ___________ SEMESTER 6: SPRING ___________
PH 225A Foundations of Health Promo. (3 units) PH 225B Foundations of Health Promo. (3 units)
PH 285F Fieldwork in Public Health (2 units) PH 285F Fieldwork in Public Health (2 units)
PH _____ Thesis or Project (2 units) PH _____ Thesis or Project (2 units)
PH _____ Elective: _________________________ PH _____ Elective: _______________________
*Graduate writing studio visits only required when it is listed as a prerequisite in the student’s
acceptance letter. Six (6) visits must be made during the 1st academic year.
Degree Deadline: 2024*
* Please note that the roadmap is a general academic plan for a graduate student. The MPH Program is
currently transitioning to a two-year program. Thus, the roadmap may vary from student-to-student.
21
Graduate Student Forms
Timeline
22
FORMS DIRECTORY
The following forms may need to be filled out during your graduate studies. The forms listed
in bold can be found in the MPH office (MCL 292) or on the MPH webpage. They can also
be found in the following webpage provided by DRGS:
https://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/forms/
Advancement to Candidacy
Attestation for Graduate Credit in an Undergraduate Class
Certificate of Advanced Study
Change of Degree
Change in Project Committee and/or Topic - Inter-Departmental Form
Change in Thesis Committee and/or Topic
Classified Graduate Standing
Course Validation
Graduate Degree Clearance – the student cannot submit this form to DRGS. Contact the MPH
office for more details.
Fieldwork Authorization (PH 285F) – Must contact the MPH Internship Coordinator
Grade Correction
Graduation
Independent Study Authorization (PH 290)
IRB
Program Adjustment Request
Project Authorization Form (PH 298)
Project Committee Assignment (PH 298) - Inter-Departmental Form
Thesis Authorization Form (PH 299)
Thesis Committee Assignment (PH 299)
Withdrawal
23
The three (3) most important forms in a graduate student’s academic career include the
following:
Classified Graduate Standing form
Advancement to Candidacy
Graduate Degree Clearance
Classified Graduate Standing Form This form signifies that the student has been officially admitted to the program. A student is
granted the classified graduate standing when they have:
Fulfilled all prerequisites listed in their acceptance letter, also known as program
admission requirements.
When you believe you have fulfilled all program requirements in the acceptance letter, make
an appointment with your program advisor and fill out the Classified Graduate Standing form.
Make sure to obtain signatures from the MPH Program Advisor and the MPH Program
Director before the form is sent to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies, also known
as DRGS or DGS.
Advancement to Candidacy This form serves as a guideline for progress toward and completion of the degree. A student is
ready to advance to candidacy when they have fulfilled the following requisites:
Attained Classified Standing.
Completed at least nineteen (19) units at Fresno State toward the proposed program.
Fulfilled the Graduate Writing Requirement (GWR).
Maintained a 3.0 GPA or above in the courses listed on the Advancement to
Candidacy form.
When you believe you have fulfilled all program requirements in the acceptance letter, make
an appointment with your program advisor and fill out the Advancement to Candidacy form.
Make sure to obtain signatures from the MPH Program Advisor, MPH Director, and the
Department Chair.
Graduate Degree Clearance The Graduate Degree Clearance form provides certification that the student has met all
requirements for the graduate degree to be granted. Students may not deliver the clearance
forms themselves, but it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the clearance form is
submitted. No clearance = no degree.
When you believe you are ready to submit this form, make an appointment with your program
advisor and fill out the Graduate Degree Clearance form.
Make sure to obtain signatures from the MPH Program Advisor, MPH Director, and the
Department Chair.
Remember to submit all forms in a timely manner!! Any late forms can result in a delay.
24
Human Subjects Application (IRB)
25
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Committee
on the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS)
What is the IRB?
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent committee established to review and
approve research involving human subjects. The primary purpose of the IRB is to protect the
rights and welfare of the human subjects.
What is the CPHS? The Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects serves as the Institutional Review Board
(IRB) for the University. First formed in 1971, the CPHS at California State University, Fresno
serves to protect the rights and health of human subjects used in research investigations.
Why it is Important to Complete the Human Subjects Application
Graduate students who are planning to do research involving human subjects need to be complete
the Human Subjects Application and receive IRB approval before they can start recruiting
subjects or collecting any data. If students fail to receive IRB approval, they may not be able to
use their data in their research.
In short, the Human Subjects application helps establish the credibility of the researcher.
Human Subjects Application Process Step 1: Complete the CITI Human Subjects Protection Training:
http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/humansubjects/training-modules/index.html
Step 2: Submit a copy of the Certificate to the MPH Office (MCL 292).
Step 3: Complete the Human Subjects Application; forms are available in our MPH webpage or go to
the following webpage: http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/humansubjects/forms/. You can also
ask for an application by visiting the Frank W. Thomas Building, Room 130 here at Fresno State.
Review Time
The committee will have two working weeks to review research proposals. The committee will
not review research proposals submitted after the first working day in December for the fall
semester and May for the spring semester. The committee does not meet during the summer
term and any proposal submitted during that time is handled in an ad-hoc basis.
Any Questions
Any questions can be directed to the following webpage:
http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/grants/proposal/policies/irb.html or simply search
‘Human Subjects at Fresno State’ and the webpage will pop up as the first option. You can
also go to the Frank W. Thomas Building, Room 130 if you have any questions.
Approved by the Department of Public Health CPHS: 10-3-05
26
PH 285F - Fieldwork in Public Health
Course
27
OBJECTIVES OF PH 285F
Through fieldwork, the student should:
Analyze the structure, general function, and programs of the agency including their
goals and objectives.
Identify the program and interpersonal relationships within the agency, describing
individual roles within the organization.
Identify the relationships the agency has with the community, and particularly with
other health personnel and organizations.
Identify public health problems of the community that need to be approached within
the agency’s responsibilities.
Describe the roles of administration, mid-management, and technical staff of the
agency.
Demonstrate teamwork skills in functioning as a member of the health agency team.
Sample Agency Websites:
Fresno Madera Red Cross – www.arccentralvalley.org
American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org
American Lung Association – www.lungusa.org
County of Fresno Public Health – www.co.fresno.ca.us/publichealth/
County of Madera Public Health – www.madera-county.com/publichealth/
County of Tulare Public Health – www.tularehhsa.org/index.cfm/publichealth/
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OVERVIEW- PH 285F FIELDWORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH Eligibility 1. Complete the 19 units of core requirements. 2. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA. 3. Attain Classified Graduate Standing. Before beginning the PH 285F course: Students need to consult with the MPH Director and the MPH Internship Coordinator to determine
fieldwork placement.
Examples of fieldwork placements, throughout the Central Valley that Master of Public Health
students have participated in include:
Non-profit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart
Association, American Lung Association of California, etc.
Hospitals, including the Saint Agnes Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Valley
Children’s Hospital, etc.
Government entities which include County health departments
How many hours do students need to complete?
Students are required to complete a minimum of 45 hours per unit of the PH 285F course.
How are the hours divided up per week?
Some agencies prefer to schedule the hours during the regular working hours, five days per week,
while others prefer to space the hours over a longer period. In addition, some agencies may
provide greater scheduling flexibility with evenings and weekends.
Does the fieldwork course provide paid positions?
A few fieldwork positions provide a stipend, however; paid fieldwork experiences are rare. As
with professional employment, these positions are highly sought after and are extremely
competitive. Applicants who possess the required skills and experiences have a competitive
advantage for these positions.
Most fieldwork positions are on a volunteer basis, for which students do not receive financial
support. Thus, PH 285F Fieldwork in Public Health is a means by which students may receive
university credit for completing a specific number of internship hours. Students may receive up to
five (5) units of university credit.
How is the PH 285F course graded?
The course is graded CREDIT/NO CREDIT.
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Graduate Writing Requirement
(GWR)
30
GWR INFORMATION
Introduction
Students should submit a writing sample—usually a revised research paper written for a
graduate seminar—at the beginning of the semester during which a student plans to advance
to candidacy.
In the Master of Public Health Program, the PH 210 course, “Seminar in Health Services
Administration”, meets the needs for the Graduate Writing Requirement (GWR).
General Information
PH 210 is only taught during the Fall semester.
Students must take the course within the first six (6) units of the program.
During the course, students will be counseled on their writing skills.
Students enrolled in PH 210 will submit a copy of an assignment, as defined in the
class syllabus, for review no later than the 12th
week of class during the semester in
which they take the class.
Faculty will spend three (3) weeks reviewing the document based on the GWR Rubric.
Grading
The instructor who will determine if the paper has passed the requirement will review
each paper. The instructor will notify the MPH director of this assessment and will
provide them with a copy of the scoring rubric and the final score.
Writing requirements for this course will be graded in the areas of style, format,
mechanics, content, and organization. Scoring will take place using the rubric
included in this policy (see page 32).
The student must receive a score of nine (9) or higher on the rubric with a score of
three (3) or greater for each section.
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Students Who Pass the GWR
Students who pass the GWR will have a memorandum placed in their files indicating
the date and grade received on the Graduate Writing Requirement.
Students Who Do Not Pass the GWR
Students who do not pass the GWR will be assigned a D or F in the course and will
need to re-take PH 210.
Until they pass the GWR, students will be unable to take additional MPH coursework.
Students may appeal the decision they received from the GWR.
Appeal Process
If the student does not pass the GWR, the student can appeal the decision by
consulting with the MPH Director. If there is no resolution, the student may consult
with the Department Chair.
At this time, the Department chair will appoint an ad-hoc committee of three MPH
faculty members who will make the final decision on whether the student has passed
the Graduate Writing Requirement based on the rubric for the GWR (see rubric).
The committee will have two weeks to convey their decision to the MPH Director. The
MPH Director will notify the student about the committee’s decision.
If the student does not pass the Graduate Writing Requirement based on the appointed
ad-hoc committee review, the student will be dismissed from the program.
After this decision, students will need to follow the appeal process guidelines at the university
level as needed. The appeal policy at Fresno State indicates that “Students who believe they
have been evaluated incorrectly and/or unfairly should first request a review by the instructor
and the department chair before appealing to the Student Academic Petitions Committee
according to procedures established in the Policy and Procedures for Reviewing and
Appealing an Assigned Grade” (policy 242-2).
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33
Culminating Experiences
34
CULMINATING EXPERIENCES-INFORMATION The California State Education Code, Title 5, carefully spells out the culminating experience
for students in the Master of Public Health program. Students may choose one culminating
experience from the two available in the program: Project or Thesis. Selection of a culminating
experience should not be taken lightly, as the Master of Public Health program seldom
approves changes.
Once enrolled in a culminating experience and having earned an RP grade (Report in Progress),
students may not switch to an alternative. For example, a student who has received a
semester/term RP grade for units in a thesis may not file a “Program Adjustment Request”
(PAR) to change to a project. As indicated above, the Master of Public Health program does not
approve changes in culminating experiences. Students are expected to be enrolled each
semester while working on their project or thesis.
Tips
The total number of units assigned for the thesis or project may not exceed six (6) or be
less than two (2).
After a student takes either the thesis or project course more than two times, students
can enroll in PH 298C or PH 299C, “C” standing for “continuous enrollment”. The “C”
courses are worth zero (0) units.
Grades must be submitted to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies on the
Graduate Degree Clearance form. This is the only acceptable method for submitting
these grades.
No academic distinction is made between a thesis and a project. Either one is
acceptable as a means of fulfilling the requirements of the master’s degree.
Coordinators provide essential guidance and instructions on whether a student should
enroll in 298 (project) or 299 (thesis).
It is imperative that programs and individual committee advisors set early dates for
completion of project or thesis. This will ensure enough time for completing the review,
grading, and submission of the Graduate Degree Clearance form by the MPH Director
to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies by the posted deadline.
o If the Graduate Degree Clearance form has not been submitted by the deadlines
listed in the DRGS website, the graduation date for the student may be
delayed or postponed to the following semester or term.
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REQUIREMENTS FOR PH 298 AND PH 299
Details
Four (4) units are required in Project or Thesis:
The department requires that a student will register for two (2) units during the first
semester of their culminating experience. During this semester, the student will be
required to complete the first three (3) chapters, which have been approved by the
student’s Committee.
After approval of the first three (3) chapters, the candidate will register for the
remaining two (2) units.
Before registration, all students should have:
1. Advanced to candidacy
2. Maintained a 3.0 GPA or above
The Project/Thesis Process – The student must do the following:
3. Create a committee.
This committee will be comprised of a chairperson and, at minimum,
two additional members. All members must be tenure-track faculty.
Once the proposed chairperson accepts the position, they will assist
in the selection of the other members. (NOTE: each faculty member
must be consulted and accept the responsibility of serving on the
Project or Thesis Committee).
4. Submit a proposal to proposed committee members.
Make sure to get the approval of the committee members.
5. For students taking PH 298/ PH 299 for the first time: submit either the
Project or Thesis Committee Assignment – available on the MPH webpage.
Wait for approval.
6. Submit either the Project or Thesis Authorization Form in order to receive a
permission number for either the Project (298) or Thesis (299) course.
7. Remember to keep track of deadlines! Students are responsible for arranging
appointments with their committee members and for their oral defense date.
REMINDER
Each candidate will defend his or her Project or Thesis. This will be an open event with all
faculty and students are invited to attend. Let the MPH Director, Committee Chair, and
the MPH Student Assistant know 2 weeks in advance regarding any documents
regarding your thesis AND the date that you will plan on defending your thesis.
36
Note: Students are strongly advised to create a Gantt chart with clearly
defined timelines that are approved by their project/thesis chair.
Students who will be completing a project (298) or thesis (299) and have enrolled in all
courses toward their degree, including project or thesis units, must maintain continuous
enrollment by re-enrolling in project or thesis units each semester until the awarding of the
degree. Students who have other courses to register for after their initial enrollment in
project or thesis must continue to enroll in project or thesis units in addition to the other
courses they are taking.
Project (PH 298)
The “project” in the Master of Public Health program is designed to allow students to
develop a product that is scientifically sound and applicable to their professional lives. As
such, there is great latitude in the development of a project, which is directed by the
committee selected by the student.
Thesis (PH 299)
Master of Public Health program students completing a thesis as their culminating
experience shall comply with all current requirements for thesis published by the Division
of Research and Graduate Studies and found in their website at
www.csufresno.edu/gradstudies.
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FLOW CHART FOR PROJECT/THESIS
The project or thesis is usually a one-year effort. It is unrealistic to think that you can
complete a quality project or thesis in less than two semesters. Please remember that once
you select your option, you cannot change to a different culminating experience. Students
must complete PH 280 prior to establishing a project or thesis committee. Most students
use the first three chapters developed in PH 280 as the basis for their project or thesis.
Please note that the dates above are tentative and are subject to change.
Deadline
•August 30th
•Meet with Committee Chair and select two other committee members
Deadline
•September 15th
•Share first three chapters of your thesis (full proposal) with committee chair
Deadline
•September 30th
•Agree on research questions and methodological approaches(s)
Deadline
•October 15th
•Meet with full committee for approval of Project/Thesis proposal
Deadline
•October 30th
•Human Subjects paperwork completed
Deadline
•November 30th
•Working on research; on-going revisions Chapter 1-3
Deadline
•Holiday/ working on research, revisions to chapters 103
•Working on Chapters 4-5
Deadine
•January 31st
•Vacation/Working on research & chapters 1-5
Deadline
•February 28th
•Working on revising Chapters 1-5
Deadline
•March 4th
•Final approval of project/thesis committee
Deadline
•March 18th for DRGS
•Final revisions - Register thesis with DRGS - Meet with Chuck Radke
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PROJECT (PH 298)
Project Process
A project is a significant undertaking of a pursuit appropriate to the professional field and it
must evidence originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and
a rationale. This culminating experience reflects applied field research or creative effort,
often suited to the student’s individual and/or professional goals. A project allows
application of technical skills and knowledge with a practical emphasis.
When you have chosen the Project as your culminating experience, please follow the steps
below:
1. Must have advanced to candidacy.
2. Must form a committee of at least 2-3 members.
3. Contact the MPH Office for the following inter-departmental forms:
Project Committee Assignment form
PH 298 Project Authorization form
4. Wait for an approval – phone call or email from the MPH Office.
39
THESIS (PH 299)
Thesis Process (Q&A)
Starting the Thesis
Q: What forms must I have filed with the Division of Research and Graduate Studies
office and/or my department before starting my thesis work?
An approved Classified Graduate Standing form.
An approved Advancement to Candidacy form.
A Thesis Committee Assignment form.
While Working on Your Thesis
Q: What paperwork must I file while doing my thesis work?
Registration form(s). You must be enrolled at the university during all fall and spring
semesters when you are working on your thesis; if you plan to graduate during the
summer, you must also be enrolled for that term.
a. PH 299 Thesis Authorization form: When first registering for 2-4 thesis units, go
to your MPH Program Advisor to verify your eligibility. Obtain the thesis schedule
and permission number from the MPH Graduate Assistant prior to registration.
b. Do not forget! Be sure you are registered during the semester/term when you are
applying for graduation! (Summer applicants, please note!)
Q: What additional paperwork must I file when I have reached the semester when I
expect to turn in my thesis and want to graduate?
Graduate Degree Clearance. This form must be filed during the first two weeks of the
semester (three weeks, summer term) when you intend to graduate. No exceptions.
Q: What materials do I need in order to format my thesis?
Guidelines for Thesis Preparation prepared by the Division of Research and Graduate
Studies. It is available for purchase in the Kennel Bookstore or at no cost from the
Thesis Office Web site (www.fresnostate.edu/gradstudies/thesis).
Style manual or style sheet: The MPH program uses the APA style format.
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Finishing the Thesis
Q: How should my first submission be sent, and in what form?
Submit your final thesis draft electronically to the DRGS website. Be certain that
the thesis is paginated, has an abstract of no more than 150 words, has a table of
contents and complete reference list, and is as close as possible to the final format.
Run a spell check on your document. Tables and figures may be in draft form.
Q: When do I submit the copy of my publication?
Dates are assigned when the first submission is returned. Unless you are
otherwise informed, your publication copy will continue being processed along its
own assigned timeline until the end of the semester. You will be asked to meet the
final deadline for submission of all copies, fees, and required paperwork as posted
by the thesis office. Thesis clearances granted after this date move you into the next
semester.
Q: What graduate forms must I turn in to the Division of Research and Graduate
Studies by the end of the semester in order to graduate?
Graduate Degree Clearance. This form should be given to your thesis committee
chair, who will report the committee's grade for your thesis work. The form then
goes on to your MPH Graduate Advisor, who reviews your complete file for
compliance with degree requirements, signs off on the form, and (where required)
forwards this to the college or school dean for signature. This form may be filed
whenever your committee feels it is ready to award a grade; the process is not
contingent upon graduate office review of the thesis, which is handled separately.
Continued on the following page…
41
Q: What thesis paperwork must be submitted to the Thesis office before I can
graduate?
Laser printed publication copy. Tables, figures, and graphs must be in final form.
Appendix material must fit inside margins and be reproduced legibly.
Note: Your thesis committee members will need to sign the publication copy
approval page (see Guidelines example) preferably in black ink. The Graduate Dean
will sign this page as soon as the thesis has met publication standards.
Copyright permission forms. Submit all forms granting you permission to publish
material you have reproduced in your thesis that is taken from copyrighted sources.
University Microfilms Int’l. (UMI) form. Usually, this form is filled out when
you turn in the final draft of your thesis. If you are copyrighting your thesis, you
will need to fill out and sign the copyright authorization portion of the UMI form
and pay the additional $45 copyright fee when making your thesis fee payment (see
last item below).
After final thesis reader review and approval, make a minimum of two additional
copies (for library and the department) at the Kennel Print and Copy Center. The
original may be sent to UMI for microfilming and not returned to you, or be bound
for your personal use.
Fee slip. Pay your copying, binding, and microfilming fees (UMI copyright, if
selected) at the Kennel Bookstore Print and Copy Center, and bring your receipt to
the Division of Research and Graduate Studies office. Your thesis clearance will
then be given to the evaluator.
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REQUIREMENTS FOR FINAL THESIS DRAFTS
1. All thesis committee members must have signed the thesis approval page
("Approved for Final Draft Submission").
2. A digital copy of the thesis, along with the hard copy, should be submitted.
3. All critical elements of the thesis must be present. Students must not be engaged in
writing parts of the thesis prior to submission. The thesis must have an abstract and
all required preliminary pages (see the Guidelines for Thesis Preparation: title page,
approval page, authorization sheet, table of contents, and, as needed, list of tables
and list of figures), as well as a completed reference list or bibliography. The
abstract must be 150 words or fewer.
4. The thesis must be paginated (numbered).
5. The references or bibliography must be complete and follow the format of a
selected style sheet (indicate your choice to the thesis office; include a recent
sample if you have chosen a special journal format).
6. All content additions or corrections made by your committee members must be
incorporated into the draft that is reviewed by the Thesis office.
7. The thesis must be typed, and the text must be spaced at exactly 24 points, per
Guidelines specifications.
8. Paper quality is not important: the thesis may be submitted on standard paper.
9. Where multiple figures and/or tables are involved, these may be included in draft
form. A sample of each table or figure must be included, however, for layout and
clarity of presentation review.
10. The use of color is acceptable, providing all critical elements also are equally clear
in black and white (the required microfilm medium).
Note: If the formatting review reveals more than a minimal number of computer
formatting problems, we will refer you to a professional formatter for assistance in
preparing the publication copy.
43
THESIS CHECKLIST
o File a Petition of Advancement to Candidacy form.
o Select a thesis topic and write a proposal, if required by your program. Select a
chairperson and two committee members for your thesis committee (the chair and
one other committee member must be graduate faculty from your degree program).
o Determine (check with your chairperson) whether you need to file a Human or
Animal Subjects application for your thesis and start the process as soon as possible.
o Complete the top half of the Thesis (299) Committee Assignment form, including
your topic and committee members; get the required signatures; and file this form
with the Graduate Division. Complete this form before you sign up for thesis units
in your department.
o Complete the PH 299-Thesis Authorization form, obtain the Thesis schedule and
permission number, and enroll in your department for your thesis units. (For
summer enrollment, you will need to pick up your enrollment form from the
Division of Research and Graduate Studies office.).
o Establish a timeline and meeting schedule with your chair and your committee.
Include goals for each stage of thesis development and establish member
responsibilities.
o Purchase and/or download from the Web the university's Guidelines for Thesis
Preparation and obtain a copy of the style manual/journal style sheet used in your
program. Check with your thesis chair if you are not sure of the correct choice of
manual/journal style sheet.
o Organize your work, do your research, and write your study, staying in close touch
with your committee. Get the Thesis Template from the Thesis Office Web site, if
using MS Word. .
o Maintain university enrollment throughout each semester of your thesis work, either
through regular university enrollment (required of all international and domestic
students) or through PH299 C (Continuation-0 units, for those students who have
completed all their coursework). Students intending to graduate in summer must
register for the summer term.
o At the beginning of the semester (first two weeks) or summer term (three weeks)
when you intend to graduate, apply for graduation. Be sure you are also registered
(see #9 above).
44
o Note the posted deadline for Final Draft submission to the Division of Research and
Graduate Studies. When you have finished your thesis and have obtained approval
of all members of your thesis committee, collect your committee signatures on
the Final Draft approval page, and submit your signed final draft to the Division
of Research and Graduate Studies for review. .
o When you receive a call from the Thesis Consultant, pick up the thesis, and make
the recommended corrections. Laser print this corrected Publication copy of your
thesis, collect your committee’s signatures on the Publication Copy approval
page, and resubmit this copy, along with the final draft, to the Division of Research
and Graduate Studies for its final review and approval for binding. The Thesis
Consultant will obtain the Dean’s signature for you.
o When given the final Thesis office approval, take your publication copy to the
Kennel Bookstore Print and Copy Center for copying onto acid-free 20-pound bond
paper, pay your processing, copying, and binding fees, and bring the payment
receipt to the Graduate Division for final thesis clearance. .
Check with your department to assure that they have submitted your Graduate Degree
Clearance form (which includes your thesis grade) to the Division of Research and
Graduate Studies by the posted clearance deadline.
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THESIS/DISSERTATION COMMITTEE POLICY
AND GUIDELINES Division of Research and Graduate Studies at CSU Fresno
It is the purpose of this document to set forth policies for the functioning of thesis and
dissertation committees appointed at California State University, Fresno, in order to
maintain high standards of quality in the conduct of graduate student research and writing
and to provide guidelines for the orderly transfer of members' responsibilities if this
should become necessary.
Insofar as it is judged the academic obligation and expectation of all graduate faculty to
serve on graduate thesis and dissertation committees, this work in turn is recognized by
the Division of Research and Graduate Studies. [It is recognized by] the university in
support of tenure and promotion, and individual faculty mentorship is publicized through
listings and published records of the abstracts and theses/dissertations at a national level.
Where joint doctoral or master’s degree programs are offered, policies and procedures of
participating campuses may also apply. Additionally, joint requirements for approval of
committee assignment and completion of the final document may add to or supersede this
policy. The following policy and guidelines have been established for faculty members at
California State University, Fresno who direct theses and dissertations.
Thesis/Dissertation Committees
Thesis/dissertation committees have an established place in the academic world and play
a vital role in the guidance and direction of graduate student research. One member of the
committee, the chairperson, has a more formal administrative relationship with the
student because of the way the university recognizes the chairperson's responsibilities.
On occasion, the roles of the chairperson and the committee members require
clarification.
1.0 Thesis/Dissertation Committee Structure
1.1 Number of Members
1.11 Each master's thesis and doctoral dissertation committee shall be composed of a
minimum of three members.
1.12. Under extenuating circumstances (e.g., member's death or sudden leave), to be noted
by the graduate program coordinator in a letter to the graduate dean, an individual student
in the final stages of the thesis/dissertation may request to have fewer than three members
on the committee.
1.13 A fourth and/or fifth member may be added to the committee when deemed
appropriate/necessary to provide required expertise.
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1.2 Committee Membership
1.21 Two of the three required committee members, including the chair, shall be members
of the Master's Graduate Faculty Group of the student's degree program. Only members
of this group are allowed to chair a thesis. In order for a member to chair a thesis, he/she
must have previously served as a second or third member of a thesis committee (per APM
226-2, III. Criteria for Membership in a master’s Graduate Faculty Group, par. 3( PDF
document)). The Graduate Group in the program, with the approval of the department, may
invite their Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) faculty members to participate on
thesis/dissertation committees as second or third readers, with the stipulation that they
demonstrate a personal commitment to function in this capacity and that they have been
appointed as members of the consultative body. Graduate faculty members whose status
has been terminated due to retirement or who are in FERP status may complete outstanding
examining committee, thesis committee, and advising assignments as chair if they wish to
do so, but they may not accept new assignments to chair such committees (see APM 226-3,
III. Criteria for Membership in a Master's Graduate Faculty Group, par. 8 ( PDF
document)). Note: In order for the thesis/dissertation committee to function as required, the
program must appoint FERP faculty serving on these committees as adjunct faculty during
each of the academic terms in which they have inactive status.
1.22 An individual who possesses requisite expertise, but who is not a member of the
Graduate Faculty Group in the student's program, may serve as a third reader on a thesis or
dissertation committee with the approval of the department chair. This may include part-
time and adjunct faculty, retired program faculty, faculty from other programs or
universities, and community professionals. In such cases, a curriculum vita of the
individual concerned must accompany the submitted Master's Thesis (299) Committee
Assignment form.
1.23 Each graduate program committee may establish additional procedures for the
appointment of thesis committee members. It is recommended that these procedures be
published and be made available to incoming graduate students and new faculty members.
1.24 The committee chair shall be a faculty member of the graduate faculty from the
student's program. A faculty member from another department may assume the role of
committee chair only if eligible for and appropriately appointed as program graduate
faculty (see APM 226 ( PDF document)) the student's degree program.
1.25 For the doctorate degree, the committee chair must be a member of the Doctoral
Graduate Faculty Group will and possess requisite knowledge and experience in
discipline-based research theory and methodologies at the doctoral level, knowledge of the
requirements for doctoral dissertations in the discipline, and a demonstrated ability to
successfully direct others in research activities. The first time an individual is being
47
considered as a chair of a doctoral dissertation committee, supporting documentation must
accompany the recommendation through all levels of review (per APM 227-2, III. Criteria
for Membership in a Doctoral Graduate Faculty Group, par. 6c (PDF document)).
1.26 Each graduate program's graduate group should establish a reasonable maximum for
the number of theses an individual faculty member may supervise.
1.27 The department chair should ensure that work of the thesis or dissertation committee
chair is calculated as part of the faculty's required regular workload. Interdisciplinary
Studies (formerly Special Major): As representatives of the departments related to the
student's fields of interest, the interdisciplinary studies student's program committee,
approved by the graduate dean, will also serve as the thesis committee for the student.
2.0 Thesis Committee Responsibilities
2.1 The Committee as a Whole
2.11 The initial responsibility of the committee is to meet and determine the feasibility of
the topic and the thesis/dissertation plan or proposal, and to permit the student to proceed
only after such determination has been made. The committee shall sign off on the student's
plan or proposal and a copy should be kept in the student's file in the department. The
signing of this document signifies that the student has permission to proceed with the study
as outlined in the plan.
2.12 The committee is responsible for assuring that the student is familiar with and has
received copies of appropriate university policies concerning the handling of dangerous
materials, laboratory and fieldwork safety, and maintenance of standards of quality, ethics,
and professional performance. The committee (chair) should inform the student regarding
proprietary interests and ownership of data or research product as appropriate and reach
agreement about these issues. Formal written agreements may be desirable or even
mandatory when patent-related issues may arise. This needs to be done as early in the
process as possible, preferably at the time the proposal is accepted.
2.13 The committee shall determine whether the student's research is subject to the
university policy on research on human or animal subjects and advise the student
accordingly.
2.14 The committee shall determine the adequacy of the bibliography.
2.15 The committee shall review and approve the methodology and any instrument or
questionnaire used in data collection.
2.16 Committee members are responsible for reviewing thesis and dissertation drafts and
providing feedback in a timely manner. Depending on circumstances, there should be no
48
more than a four-week turnaround review time for each of the committee members to
review the manuscript for a thesis or dissertation.
2.17 The responsibility of the committee as a whole is to examine the student's work and to
meet and make a final determination of the acceptability of the thesis/dissertation, and to
arrange for any oral defense of the thesis in accordance with written department policies.
2.18 It is the policy of this university to make all theses [dissertations] available to the
public through the library and through established academic abstracting services. On rare
occasions, committee members shall assist the graduate dean in determining the need for
and recommending the withholding of material for publication for a specified period of
time, not to exceed one calendar year.
2.19 It shall be the responsibility of the student to observe graduate deadlines for the
submission of final and publication copies of the thesis/dissertation. A reasonable amount
of time (not more than four weeks) should be allowed for each of the committee members
to review the manuscript.
2.2 The Chair
2.21 The student and the committee chair, insofar as it is possible, should arrive at an
agreement on an approximate time schedule, including meetings of the committee, for the
accomplishment of thesis/dissertation-related work for each semester or term that the
student is engaged in such work.
2.22 The chair shall have primary responsibility for the supervision of the student's work,
setting deadlines, and guiding the student's progress.
2.23 The chair shall assume the role of "principal investigator" when the student's research
involves human or animal subjects, and shall ensure that university policies in this area are
carefully observed (The Policy and Procedures for Research and Human Subjects at
California State University, Fresno, available from the Office of the Vice President for
Administration; Policy and Procedures for Handling all Warm-Blooded Animals Used for
Teaching, Experimentation, or Research at California State University, Fresno, see the
(Academic Policy Manual, 525 (PDF document)).
2.24 The chair shall inform the student of university regulations regarding the need to
maintain continuous enrollment while working on the thesis/dissertation, and the zero-unit
policy requiring enrollment in a zero-unit "C" (thesis continuation) course. (For full policy,
see http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/requirements/enrollment.html).*
2.25 The chair shall inform the student of the university's Guidelines for Thesis
Preparation and shall encourage attendance at a thesis workshop as early as possible in the
student's thesis process. The Guidelines for Thesis Preparation are available at the Kennel
Bookstore or from the Thesis Office Web site.
49
2.26 In consultation with the other members of the committee, the chair shall determine the
final grade on the thesis/dissertation and see that it is properly reported on the Graduate
Degree Clearance form.
2.27 The chair is responsible for evaluating the student's progress before assigning an "RP"
(formerly "SP") grade for thesis/dissertation units. (The "RP" grade is automatically
assigned unless a student is not making significant progress, in which case an "I" grade may
be assigned.)
2.28 The chair shall inform the student of the style manual or journal style required by the
department for formatting the reference list or bibliography.
3.0 Vacancies and Replacements
3.1 If any committee member anticipates an extended but temporary absence during the
time the student is working on the thesis/dissertation, he or she should arrange for means of
communicating during this leave or designate an appropriate temporary/permanent
substitute.
3.2 The determination to make a change in committee chair or membership must be
reported on a Change in Master's Thesis (299) Committee and/or Topic form, submitted to
the Graduate Division, and must be approved by the graduate program coordinator and
department chair. A change in the committee chair requires a letter of justification from the
department chair at the time the Change in Master's Thesis (299) Committee form is
submitted, as stated on the form. Faculty members who are replaced must be so informed
by the department chair.
3.3 If the chair is unexpectedly absent or absent due to planned sabbatical/retirement at the
time the student completes the thesis/dissertation, the department chair may act for the
thesis chair, in consultation with the absent chair or other committee members.
4.0 Disputes
4.1 In the event that a dispute or disagreement arises between a student and a member of
the committee or between members of the committee, the committee chair shall call a
meeting of the committee and the student for resolving the problem.
4.2 If the dispute cannot be resolved through this process, or if the proposed solution is
unacceptable to the student or one of the committee members, the disagreeing party or the
department chair may request that the graduate committee of the student's
department/program review the problem and recommend a solution.
4.3 If the problem cannot be resolved at the department level, the dispute should be
appealed to the college or school dean. This will be the final level of appeal.
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5.0 Termination of the Committee
5.1 The committee shall have discharged its obligations when the final manuscript has been
approved by the Graduate Dean, each member has signed the approval page for the
publication copy of the thesis/dissertation, and the thesis/dissertation grade is recorded on
the clearance sheet.
5.2 In the event a student does not register for thesis/dissertation or fails to maintain an
active status within one semester or term after official acceptance by a thesis committee,
the committee chair has the option of dissolving the committee, in which case a new
committee must be secured and approved before registration can be authorized.
5.3 If a student must suspend work on the thesis/dissertation for educational reasons
acceptable to the committee chair, the student should obtain a planned educational leave of
absence. These leaves may be approved for two to four semesters. If the leave is approved,
the committee shall continue its existence until the student returns.
Thesis Committee Policy and Guidelines
*Zero-unit policy approved by the University Graduate Committee, 2011
Thesis Committee Policy and Guidelines
Revised April 2002
Approved by the University Graduate Committee May 14, 2002
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Program Policies & Procedures
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STUDENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Plagiarism
All MPH students are required to complete a plagiarism workshop by the end of the first
semester. Students will not be classified as a graduate student until verification of
completion of the cheating and plagiarism workshop has been received by the MPH office.
Please contact the MPH office for details.
Academic Probation
Students who fall below a 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation. The student is
expected to contact their academic advisor and develop a plan to correct any deficiencies
within two semesters. If the deficiencies are not corrected after two semesters, the option
advisor will review the student’s academic record and make a recommendation to the
program director for academic disqualification. If the MPH Advisor and MPH Program
Director recommend disqualification, the student’s file will be forwarded to the faculty for
review and recommendation.
Graduate Writing Skills
All mph program students must satisfy the university’s writing requirement as defined by
the student’s program and approved by the university graduate committee before being
allowed to advance to candidacy (See the Graduate Writing Requirement section in this
orientation package).
PH 285F – Fieldwork in Public Health
MPH program students completing the requirements for PH 285F – fieldwork in Public
Health, need to abide by the requirements established in the current version of the PH 285F
– Fieldwork in Public Health Student Manual.
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Continued Enrollment
The continued enrollment policy states that students need to reapply to the university and to
the MPH program for a leave of absence extending more than one semester. Readmission
to the MPH program will not be allowed after more than two semesters as students will not
have the continuity in the courses, which is necessary to develop the required professional
competencies. Readmission will also not be allowed for students exceeding a five-year
period. Upon approval at the University level, this policy will be incorporated into the MPH
program orientation manual, and will be posted on the program’s website. Please note:
The program might not be able to accommodate your request to return after you break
continuous enrollment.
After registering for PH 298 or PH 299, students must remain in continuous enrollment
with the university. After the first semester, you may receive a “SP” (Satisfactory Progress)
or an “I” (Incomplete) if you have completed at least 75% of the course requirements. If
you receive an incomplete, you must complete the work within one year or the “I” reverts
to an “F”. If the work is not completed in one year, you will need to re-register for the
course.
**Important Policy Change Affecting ALL Graduate Students: Effective in the
Fall 2011 semester, university policy will require all graduate students to
maintain continuous enrollment at the university through regular enrollment
until the awarding of the degree. Graduate students will no longer have the
option to enroll in zero units (GS Continuation or GS 299C) to satisfy the
continuous enrollment policy. Instead, they must maintain continuous enrollment
by enrolling in coursework each fall and spring semester, and in any summer term
in which an application for graduation is filed. Enrollment through Continuing and
Global Education (Extension) may not be used to satisfy the continuous enrollment
requirement.
Advisory Board The MPH program has an advisory board with the purpose of providing consultation to the
MPH graduate faculty on student recruitment, curriculum development and assessment, and
enhancing professional skill acquisition through field training and internships. Students are
invited to participate in the Advisory Board. Call the MPH office for more information.
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PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
The MPH curriculum is based on a matrix, indicating the required learning experiences that
provide exposure to each of the learning objectives. Below are all the competencies that are
applied within our curriculum.
CORE COMPETENCIES
1. Explain the public health history, philosophy and values.
2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services.
3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing
and assessing a population’s health.
4. List the major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other
community relevant to the school or program.
5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population
health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge.
7. Explain the effects of environmental factors on a population’s health.
8. Explain the biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health.
9. Explain the behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health.
10. Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they
contribute to population health and health inequities.
11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease.
12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal
health and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health).
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ASSESSMENT OF COMPETENCIES FOR MPH
Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health
1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health
context.
3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based
programming and software, as appropriate.
4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.
Public Health & Health Care Systems
5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems
across national and international settings.
6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create
challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.
Planning & Management to Promote Health
7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health
policies or programs.
9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
Policy in Public Health
12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and
evidence.
13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing
public health outcomes.
14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse
populations.
15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
Leadership
16. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision,
empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.
17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
Communication
18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral
presentation.
20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
Interprofessional Practice
21. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams.
Systems Thinking
22. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.
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QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
(From page 8)
Goal 1.
Objective 1.1. The full-time MPH graduate faculty (50% of time) will review course offerings and
document which competencies are addressed in each course at a minimum of once every three years.
Objective 1.2. At least 80% of students will demonstrate mastery of competencies required in the public
health field.
Objective 1.3. At least 80% of the MPH core and elective courses will incorporate written communication.
Objective 1.4. At least 80% of the MPH core and elective courses will incorporate oral communication.
Objective 1.5. At least 80% of the MPH students will participate in an international educational experience.
Goal 2.
Objective 2.1. All MPH students will complete a 180-hour internship at a pre-approved field-training site
to demonstrate the application of knowledge, skill, and attitude competencies.
Objective 2.2. All MPH students will complete a field-training course to understand leadership in public
health and health education.
Goal 3.
Objective 3.1. At least 75% of full-time MPH graduate faculty will participate in research activities either
directly for or in consultation with local, regional, state, national, international and/or organizations in the
investigation of public health-related issues and problems.
Objective 3.2. At least 75% of full-time MPH graduate faculty will publish one paper in a peer-reviewed
journal during a three-year period.
Objective 3.3. At least 75% of full-time MPH graduate faculty will present his or her scholarly endeavors
at a local, regional, state, national, or international conference during a three-year period.
Goal 4.
Objective 4.1. All MPH program students will report having some experience in research and projects.
Objective 4.2. At least 80% of MPH students will obtain a “B” or better in PH 202 (Advanced
Biostatistics), PH 209 (Advanced Epidemiological Concepts), and PH 280 (Research Methods).
Goal 5.
Objective 5.1. All full-time MPH graduate faculty will be involved in at least one community service
activity per academic year.
Objective 5.2. All MPH students will report participating in a community service project through
coursework, community organization, or regional initiative.
Goal 6.
Objective 6.1. At least 80% of the full-time MPH graduate faculty will provide consultation and other
service related to their area of expertise through participation in governing boards, advisory boards, task
forces and the like, for groups, organizations, and agencies at the local community, regional, or
national/international levels.
Objective 6.2. The MPH program and its constituencies will plan, implement, and evaluate at least one educational program (i.e., training, professional development, etc.) for public health professionals in the
Fresno State service area.
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MPH STUDENT CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The Master of Public Health program is committed to ensuring a professional and collegial
environment for student education. In accordance with the university’s Honor Code, the MPH
program is committed to maintaining a culture of academic integrity in which all members are
expected to adhere to fundamental values in both academic and non-academic endeavors.1
Academic integrity is defined as “a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five
fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.”2
As members of the California State University, Fresno academic community, MPH students
are expected to adhere to the principles of academic integrity and mutual respect while
engaged in university work and related activities. In accordance with university policy, the
principles of implementation include:
1. All members of the university community are responsible for adhering to high
standards of academic integrity, for actively ensuring that others uphold the
Code and for responding assertively to violations.3
2. Faculty are responsible for informing students of academic behaviors that are
permissible and not permissible and for reporting violations of the code to the
proper campus authorities.4
3. Students shall not give or receive unauthorized aid on examinations or other
coursework that is to be used by the instructor as a basis of grading.
As part of the university policy, California State University, Fresno MPH students will:
1. Understand or seek clarification about expectations for academic integrity (including
no cheating, plagiarism, and inappropriate collaboration) as noted by faculty and on
class syllabi, the university catalog, university Web sites, and other referenced sources
(APM 235, 241)
2. Sign a statement when asked, “I have done my work and have neither given nor
received unauthorized assistance on this work.”
3. Take responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the
instructor or another appropriate official for action.
MPH students are expected to be civil and respectful in all relationships and value the dignity,
diversity, and worth of all persons. The university is committed to maintaining an
environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Behavior that threatens or
endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the University community
will not be tolerated.5 MPH students are expected to demonstrate civility and respect in the
classroom.6
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The Student Code of Professional Conduct begins when a student accepts admission to the
MPH Program and is enforceable until the MPH degree has been awarded. This code governs
behavior by MPH students which occur on or off California State University, Fresno property
(i.e., during Fieldwork (experience) and throughout the entire matriculation period, regardless
of whether classes are in session or students are enrolled in classes. The code applies to all
MPH students even while participating in educational and research activities, and workshops
or conferences in other schools or colleges of California State University, Fresno, or in other
academic institutions.7
In addition, the Master of Public Health program requires that all students complete a
culminating experience that demonstrates the integration of all program coursework. As
detailed in the university catalog, the culminating experience can be fulfilled through the
successful completion of a thesis or project.
By signing below, I understand the conditions for my admission into the Master of Public
Health program for Fall 2019. I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will abide by
the Master of Public Health program’s code.
_____________________________________________________________________
Full Name (Print)
_____________________________________________________________________
Signature
____________________________
Date
1 2016-2017 California State University, Fresno General Catalog.
2 Center for Academic Integrity, Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity.
3 Academic Policy Manual, APM 336.
4 Academic Policy Manual, APM 235, 241, 336.
5 California Codes of Regulations, TITLE 5 Education Division 5. Board of Trustees of the
California State Universities Subchapter 4. Student Affairs Article 2. Student Conduct §
41301. Standards for Student Conduct.
http://www.csufresno.edu/judicialaffairs/home/title5.shtml. 6
Academic Policy Manual, APM 419. 7
The University of New Hampshire. 2010-2011 Master of Public Health (MPH) and Public
Health Certificate Program (PHC) Student Handbook, p. 17.PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL
BEHAVIOR
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PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Students enrolled in the Master of Public Health program are expected to abide by the Code of
Ethics of the American Public Health Association. In addition, MPH students are expected to
also abide by the Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession.
Students who fail to abide by the professional Code of Ethics or otherwise engage in unethical
behavior (e.g. using the MPH designation after their name before graduation) will be subject
to disciplinary action including dismissal from the program.
Components of Professionalism
1. Honesty/integrity is the consistent regard for the highest standards of behavior and the
refusal to violate one's personal and professional codes. Honesty and integrity imply
being fair, being truthful, keeping one's word, meeting commitments, and being
forthright in interactions with patients, peers, and in all professional work, whether
through documentation, personal communication, presentations, research, or other
aspects of interaction. They require awareness of situations that may result in conflict
of interest or that result in personal gain at the expense of the best interest of the
patient.
2. Reliability/responsibility means being responsible for and accountable to others, and
this must occur at a number of levels. First, there must be accountability to one's
patients, not only to children but also to their families. There must also be
accountability to society to ensure that the public's needs are addressed. One must also
be accountable to the profession to ensure that the ethical precepts of practice are
upheld. Inherent in responsibility is reliability in completing assigned duties or
fulfilling commitments. There must also be a willingness to accept responsibility for
errors.
3. Respect for others is the essence of humanism, and humanism is central to
professionalism. This respect extends to all spheres of contact, including but not
limited to patients, families, other physicians, and professional colleagues, including
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nurses, residents, fellows, and medical students. One must treat all persons with
respect and regard for their individual worth and dignity. One must be fair and
nondiscriminatory and be aware of emotional, personal, family, and cultural influences
on patient well-being and patients' rights and choices of medical care. It is also a
professional obligation to respect appropriate patient confidentiality.
4. Compassion/empathy is a crucial component of the practice of pediatrics. One must
listen attentively and respond humanely to the concerns of patients and family
members. Appropriate empathy for and relief of pain, discomfort, and anxiety should
be part of the daily practice of medicine.
5. Self-improvement is the pursuit of and commitment to providing the highest quality of
health through lifelong learning and education. One must seek to learn from errors and
aspire to excellence through self-evaluation and acceptance of the critiques of others.
6. Self-awareness/knowledge of limits includes recognition of the need for guidance and
supervision when faced with new or complex responsibilities. One must also be
insightful regarding the impact of one's behavior on others and cognizant of
appropriate professional boundaries.
7. Communication/collaboration is critical to providing the best care for clients. One
must work cooperatively and communicate effectively with clients and their families
and with all health care providers involved in the community.
8. Altruism/advocacy refers to unselfish regard for and devotion to the welfare of others
and is a key element of professionalism.
A complete listing of policies can be found on-line at:
www.fresnostate.edu/academics/aps/forms-policies/apm/index.html
www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/1CED3CEA-287E-4185-9CBD-
BD405FC60856/0/ethicsbrochure.pdf
www.nchec.org/credentialing/ethics/
www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/divison/general/univhonor.html
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Acknowledgment The Department of Public Health would like to thank the Division of Research
and Graduate Studies and the American Board of Pediatrics for the use of
materials presented in this publication.