Faculty at the University of Washington School of Public Health developed
an MPH program that departs significantly from traditional graduate training. They
initially sought a pedagogy rooted in adult learning theory and social justice that would
prepare courageous problem solvers and excellent critical thinkers. The first step
toward this goal was selection of the problem-based learning method to replace the
lecture mode. Faculty secured funds to support training in writing PBL cases and
facilitating PBL groups, designing a curriculum, and developing administrative
processes. They created a two-year curriculum that covers all the core competencies of
public health through PBL cases, which are in part shaped by community partners.
Fifteen years later, the program that resulted from this effort—the MPH in
Community-Oriented Public Health Practice—continues to prepare public health
professionals who demonstrate exceptional skills in self-discovery, leadership,
teamwork, and collective analysis.
Keywords: Adult learning theory, Community, Curriculum, Critical thinking,
Education, MPH, Pedagogy, Practice, Problem-based learning, Public health.
