Planning professional education at schools of public health

Objectives. Professional education in public health should equip graduates with adequate knowledge and skills to manage diverse and complex problems. How best to address this challenge is widely debated. We describe the Harvard School of Public Health's self-evaluation and development of a practice- oriented program. Methods. As part of Harvard's schoolwide review of the master of public health (MPH), self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all MPH students, 1987 to 1989, and international and US alumni, 1979 to 1986. Extensive discussions were conducted with relevant student and faculty groups. Results. Survey results provided a basis for educational policy and curricular changes that culminated in a revised MPH that targets key areas of public health practice. Examples from the Harvard experience are provided. Conclusions. Information derived from student and alumni surveys can be highly effective in the process of guiding curricular change at schools of public health. This should be coupled with a strategic approach to gain faculty support for proposed innovations. Ongoing monitoring and modification of the new curriculum is essential.