Institution: University of Waterloo
Department: School of Public Health and Health Systems
url: http://uwaterloo.ca/public-health-and-health-systems/
Contact: Dr. Kelly Skinner
Email: kskinner@uwaterloo.ca
Tel: 519-888-4567 ext. 38164
Or: Dr. John Garcia
Email: john.garcia@uwaterloo.ca
Tel: 519-888-4567 ext. 35516
School of Public Health & Health Systems
University of Waterloo
Waterloo ON, N2L 3G1
Description: The School of Public Health and Health Systems (SPHHS) is one of three academic units that comprise the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (AHS), which in turn represents one of the six academic faculties at the University of Waterloo. The SPHHS offers thesis-based graduate degrees in Public Health and Health Systems (PHHS) to MSc and PhD students wishing to pursue a research-intensive program in the interdisciplinary aspects of population health. This includes specialized training in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention, gerontology, health informatics, environmental health, and other fields related to improving health throughout the lifespan. The SPHHS graduate program also includes specialized collaborative PhD degrees in Aging, Health & Well-Being; and in Work & Health. The SPHHS graduate research programs have a long established and widely recognized record of supporting interdisciplinary education and research for the effective development, dissemination, and assessment of health promotion and disease prevention programs—both in Canada and in the global community. The MSc and PhD programs are offered to on-campus students only, while the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Informatics (MHI), and Master of Health Evaluation (MHE) professional programs are provided to non-thesis students through a series of online courses and a professional field placement in the form of a supervised practicum. The Master of Health Evaluation (MHE) online professional graduate program is provided to non-thesis students through a series of online courses and a professional field placement in the form of a supervised practicum. The MHE program began in September 2015 with options for part-time and full-time and the required practicum component. All SPHHS graduate programs include evaluation course offerings.
GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSES OFFERED
Course Number: PHS 614
Course Title: Foundations of Program Evaluation
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. Methods and applications of intervention evaluation in public health, as a means to ensure the effectiveness, accountability and continuous improvement of public health interventions. Basic evaluation models and concepts of evaluation design are provided as an introduction, including the relationship between intervention planning (organization and program planning) and evaluation. Case examples are used to illustrate methodological, political and ethical challenges of program evaluation in the public health context.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Fall
Course Number: PHS 605
Course Title: Quantitative Methods & Analysis
Description: Online course required for MHE and MPH students, and elective course for MSc and PhD students. This course is an introduction to biostatistics for those planning a career in public health. Students will learn various biostatistical techniques, how to apply those techniques in the analysis of data from health studies, and how to interpret the results from those analyses. Topics include types of data, descriptive statistics, probability, distributions of data, exploratory data analysis, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance, and brief exposure to categorical data analysis and survival analysis. Emphasis will be on conceptual understanding of topics as well as carrying out various data analysis applications.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Fall
Course Number: PHS 655
Course Title: Health Measurement and Survey Methods
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. This course provides in-depth coverage of measurement and survey methods needed for evaluation data collection and other research or clinical applications. Various measurement approaches will be studied, including classical test theory and item response theory. Students will learn how to develop a measure or questionnaire and test its reliability and validity, or to critically appraise an existing measure or questionnaire. Issues and methods related to administering health measures or questionnaires will be covered, including sampling and ethical issues.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Fall
Course Number: PHS 651
Course Title: Theory and Applications in Program Evaluation
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. An advanced program and policy evaluation course that provides theoretical knowledge, skills, and application of program evaluation approaches, including organizational and program planning. A more in-depth coverage of topics will be presented, including case studies and the understanding and use of program and policy intervention theory. This includes the creation of logic models, the identification of the purpose of the evaluation, the development of an appropriate evaluation design, and consideration of factors associated with knowledge use.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Winter
Course Number: PHS 652
Course Title: Qualitative Methods and Analysis
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. This course explores qualitative method approaches to program evaluation and public health practice. A critical analysis will inform health policy and practice based on methodological approaches most appropriate to the type of evaluation being conducted. Data collection tools, such as focus groups or interviews will be taught, as well as useful techniques for data analysis, interpretation of results, and presentation of findings. Mixed methods are introduced.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Winter
Course Number: PHS 654
Course Title: Systems Thinking and Analysis in Health Program Planning and Evaluation
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. This course provides the theory and tools needed to apply systems thinking and a systems approach to health program evaluation. Course includes application of ethical theory to health reform, systems approaches to health programming planning and evaluation, international comparison of health systems, and an in-depth investigation of health sector subsystems or building blocks.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Winter
Course Number: PHS 653
Course Title: Evaluation Practice and Management
Description: Online course required for MHE and elective course for MPH, MSc and PhD students. Key concepts necessary for successful evaluation practice and management are discussed and applied using case examples. Evaluation practice examples that are discussed include learning to understand and incorporate consideration of diversity, societal, organizational and environmental context in the conduct of evaluations. Key project management concepts relevant to each step of the evaluation of intervention will be covered, including (but not limited to) selecting research questions and focusing design considerations, budgets, timelines, politics, and contingency plans as well as creating and working in teams.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Spring
Course Number: PHS 641
Course Title: Professional Experience Practicum
Description: Online course required for MHE, MPH and MHI students. The supervised practicum is intended to provide the student with an opportunity to apply course learning in a health or health system setting. The placement may involve any of the activities or functions of students’ field of study: public health, informatics, evaluation, etc. A contract stipulating practicum objectives, and work to be completed and evaluated to meet these objectives, must be jointly approved by the student, the student’s field supervisor, the academic supervisor, and the practicum coordinator. A written report by the student, together with a letter from the field supervisor, are used by the practicum coordinator to evaluate student performance at midterm and completion of the practicum. Graded on a Credit/Non-credit basis. Course open to School of Public Health and Health Systems students only. Completion of all prerequisite coursework is required before commencing the practicum.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Fall
Course Number: HLTH 620 (cross-listed as RLS620 Program Evaluation in Recreation, Sport and Tourism)
Course Title: Experiential Learning in Evaluation
Description: Elective course for MHE, MPH, MHI, and MSc, PhD students; Online and on-campus components. This intensive short course (0.5 credits) will provide graduate students with hands-on experience in designing evaluation processes for programs, services, responses and/or interventions. Students will be exposed to contemporary trends and issues in evaluation theory, as well as methods and practice, while working with stakeholders. Course content covers evaluation planning, design and implementation. Attention will be given to theories of change, stakeholder engagement, evaluation approaches and methodologies. Discussions extend beyond basic evaluation to include interpretation and dissemination of findings, as well as evaluation management. The course uses real world problems across a range of applied health interests, and emphasizes experiential learning through a case- and team-based approach.
Instructor: TBA
Terms Offered: Spring (first offered Spring 2018)