The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Problem:

Distance education students are on average 10 years older, five years more experienced than residential students and are seeking credits applicable to an accredited degree program while maintaining their professional, family, and community ties. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goal 1. Convert existing MCH residential core courses – “Foundations of MCH” and “Understanding and Addressing Health Inequities in the US” to a distance learning format. The objectives are to convert (1) the residential MCH required core course “Foundations” in Year 1 (AY2008-09) and (2) the residential course “Understanding and Addressing Health Inequities” in Year 2 (AY 2009-10) to dynamic, interactive online formats with technologies for individual and group-based learning that replicate the classroom experience. Goal 2. Adapt the existing online PHLP courses to specifically address MCH competencies. The objectives are to adapt both (1) the face-to-face UNC Public Health Leadership Program Seminar for intensive leadership development and (2) the existing online Program Planning and Evaluation course to reflect increased MCH topical content, competencies and contextual issues by end of Year 1 (AY2008-09). Goal 3. Establish infrastructure for an online UNC Certificate and an MPH Program as a portal for graduate level distance education in public health leadership in MCH. The objectives are to (1) complete an MCH OLE! marketing plan and (2) integrate all administrative, academic program, technical, instructional design, and student services features of a 10-credit Certificate and a 42-credit Master’s Degree in Leadership in MCH into existing Department infrastructure by end of Year 1 (AY2008-09). Goal 4. Launch the UNC Distance Certificate in MCH Leadership and Distance Leadership Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in MCH. The objectives are to (1) Execute the UNC MCH/SPH state, regional and national marketing plan and (2) recruit and enroll the 1st cohort of distance students in the Certificate and MPH with matriculation end of Year 1 (AY2008-09). Subsequent cohorts enrolled in Spring of Years 2 & 3. Goal 5. Implement continuous quality improvement (CQI) to monitor, evaluate and disseminate information about MCH OLE! and sustain a Community of Practice (CoP) in MCH Distance Learning. The objectives are to (1) monitor and evaluate student and faculty experiences and (2) disseminate results from MCH OLE! and ensure project sustainability during Yrs 2 and 3 (AY2009-2011). ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN TO MEET PROJECT GOALS: Convert existing courses to online format, design marketing plan, implement marketing plan, enroll three cohorts for MCH Certificate and Master’s program, evaluate efforts, disseminate findings and ensure sustainability, arrange 2009 distance learning meeting. HP 2010 OBJECTIVES: 23-8, 23-9, and 23-10

Coordination:

The program will be coordinated with the Department of MCH, the Public Health Leadership Program and Instructional and Information Systems in the UNC SPH and NC Title V.

Evaluation:

Process, outcomes and impact evaluation will be conducted to assess online courses and the learning environment developed for MCH OLE! Certificate and Master’s programs. Data will be collected when students matriculate, during distance graduate studies, and from MCH Certificate and MPH alumni.