Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
11/6/2016	Johns Hopkins University Proposal	P.B.C.	Public Health Advocacy Online	1/5/2017	Recommended	3/9/2017
Public Health Advocacy Online Program Description
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (P.B.C.) in Public Health Advocacy is designed to promote advocacy aspects of public health success and failure in order to impact policy.  The program will allow students to engage deeply with core theories and skills in public health advocacy, and to augment these with an understanding of how to apply these in a variety of policy and geographic settings.  The program includes core courses in public health advocacy, theories and practices of media advocacy and campaigning and organizing for public health.  Additionally, it addresses the policy process for improving the health status of populations; the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems; and the merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies.  Graduates of the program will be able to discuss the role of political actors inside and outside governments in developing and implementing health policy; identify other actors in the policy making process and how actors such  as the media help shape policy; improve policies and laws and their development, adoption and implementation; increase and influence better use of resources for interventions and scientific inquiry; set agendas in policy circles and the media environment through higher visibility and understanding of issues; and shift public attitudes, behaviors, and social norms toward better public health.