The program in Prevention and Public Policy has very specific learning objectives that all students are expected to meet by the time they complete the program. The objectives will be met through required and elective coursework, independent research, and the process or writing a dissertation. The learning objectives are: 1) Demonstrate knowledge of the development and implementation of health policy Identify and discuss the major public health problems in the US and provide examples of how health and health care policies have effectively reduced these health problems. Identify conceptual models linking the social, economic, and political context to population health and health care policy formation. Describe the process of constructing policy alternatives Describe the assessment and selection of policy from among different options Identify the role that various government agencies and officials, including public health agencies, in the formation and implementation of policy, and the role of law and regulation
2) Demonstrate knowledge of the issues, research literature, conceptual frameworks and research tools in one of the following areas: Application of environmental and occupational health policy concepts and theories to the field of public health Application of prevention concepts and theories to the field of public health Application of injury control concepts and theories to the field of public health Application of health and social policy concepts and theories to the field of public health
3) Conduct research from conception of ideas through study design, selection and application of appropriate analytic methods, interpretation of results and publication of findings. Pose innovative and unique research questions, informed by structured reviews of the literature and relevant theoretical and conceptual models; formulate testable hypotheses to address these questions Select appropriate experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational study designs to address specific research questions and be able to argue in favor of a specific design as the most appropriate; design studies to minimize bias and maximize generalizability Develop and implement research protocols that ensure adherence to ethical standards; prepare an application for IRB approval Obtain appropriate data sources from which sufficient variables can be validly measured to operationalize study constructs necessary for testing specific hypotheses Analyze data using appropriate epidemiological, statistical, economic, or qualitative research techniques Communicate research findings in oral and written form; place research findings in the context of current knowledge; identify limitations and further areas for research; discuss policy implications and public health significance of findings
4) Communicate scientific findings through written and oral methods to technical and lay audiences. Write manuscripts of publishable quality for the peer reviewed literature that describe and explain research findings Teach other students basic introductory materials in the student’s general area of expertise
5) Cultivate a community of scholars who are collegial and respectful, and who uphold standards of professional integrity in interactions with each other and the community at large. | 
