Syllabus

Schedule

Course Schedule:

Each week opens on Wednesday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday. 

Wednesday – Wednesday 
Week 1: Jul 3 – Jul 10
Week 2: Jul 10 – Jul 17
Week 3: Jul 17 – Jul 24
Week 4: Jul 24 – Jul 31
Week 5: Jul 31 – Aug 7
Week 6: Aug 7 – Aug 14
Week 7: Aug 14 – Aug 21
Week 8: Aug 21 – Aug 25

The assignment and discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Please make sure to review the full prompts in Brightspace.

Week 1: Course Introduction

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application 

Lectures

• Module 1 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Preview the Final Project (due in Week 7)
• Week 1 Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement Quiz

Discussion 

• Introductions:
  • Initial Post: As you begin this course, it is important to understand what your personal learning goals are for the semester. First, describe two to three learning goals that you would like to achieve for this course. Second, identify the relevant course outcomes that are most aligned to your learning goals.

    Response Posts: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer. Link one of their learning goals to a skill/competency that you would expect a grant writer to routinely utilize. Explain why the skill/competency you identified is significant.

• Department of Health and Human Services
  • Initial Post: Review the supplemental reading on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Based on the information you’ve read, which agency’s funding opportunities are you interested in learning more about in order to develop a grant proposal? Describe the mission of this agency. Explain why you chose this agency

    Response Posts: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer who chose a different agency. Postulate the type of public health challenge or community need which could (potentially) necessitate an interagency funding opportunity between the agency your peer chose and your chosen agency.

Week 2: Identifying and Stating the Problem

Learning Outcomes

• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application
• Concisely write sections of a grant narrative
• Query key national, state, and local datasets to document the need for an identified targeted geography and community
• Describe the expected positive impacts (resultant to meeting the identified need) on the targeted community as a result of the grant-funded program
• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Identify minority populations at highest risk for experiencing health disparities as part of  the grant-funded program

Lectures

• Module 2 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Statement of Need and Disparity Impact statement

Discussion 

• Initial post: The 10-year U.S. Census Bureau survey is well known. The Census Bureau also conducts the American Community Survey which samples populations each year and provides overview and detailed data on communities (by state, city, county, and zip code).

  To compile useful data for your Statement of Need assignment complete the steps laid out in the instructions found in the module.

  Write a post in which you describe why the U.S. Census Bureau data you’ve queried is among the strongest type of data you can provide for your Statement of Need assignment. Utilize support from your text to develop your response. 

 

• Response post: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer. Counter their argument by identifying the specific elements that make the data presented weak? (In others, consider what data may be missing either entirely or within a specific category). Suggest another credible source of quantitative data that could be utilized in a Statement of Need. Explain how you located the source and why you chose it.

Week 3: Developing Realistic Goals and Measurable Objectives

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Administration for Children and Families
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application (Goals and Objectives)
• Concisely write sections of a grant narrative (Goals and Objectives)
• Describe the expected positive impacts (detailed in the stated goals and objectives) on the targeted community as a result of the grant-funded program

Lectures

• Module 3 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

Discussion 

• Definition of a Goal:
  • Initial Post: Utilize Karsh and Fox’s definition of a goal (Lesson 8 of your reading). After reviewing the Supplemental Reading on the U.S. DHHS, Administration for Children and Families, state the goal of the agency in your own words. Select one of the program offices (e.g., Children’s Bureau). Describe 2 of the goals and objectives for that program office.
  • Response post: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer. In your opinion is the goal of the U.S. DHHS, Administration for Children and Families OR the program office (selected by your peer) comprehensive enough. If yes, explain why. If no, then describe what you add to this goal.

Week 4: Understanding the Evidence-Base

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application (Methodology/Program Plan)
• Concisely write sections of a grant narrative (Methodology/Program Plan)
• Apply an evidence-based practice to demonstrate the expected positive impacts on the targeted community as a result of the grant-funded program

Lectures

• Module 4 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Evidence-Based Practices

Discussion 

• Case Study Review:
  • Initial Post: Explore the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website and review the case studies in your primary readings.

    First, provide a definition of an evidence-based practice. Describe the evidence-based practices identified.

    State whether or not you believe one or both of the evidence-based practices reviewed were effective. State why or why not?

  • Response posts: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer. Review the Criteria for Distinguishing Effectiveness From Efficacy Trials in Systematic Reviews. How does the rationale provided by your peer compare to these criteria for effectiveness?

Week 5: Implementing and Sustaining the Work

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application (Capacity, Partnerships, and Sustainability)
• Concisely write sections of a grant narrative (Capacity, Partnerships, and Sustainability)
• Apply a realistic staffing plan and partnership strategy to demonstrate and sustain the expected positive impacts on the targeted community as a result of the grant-funded program 

Lectures

• Module 5 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Staff and Organizational Capacity/Collaborative Partners

Discussion 

• Organizational Capacity and Collaboration:
  • Initial Post: Lesson 10 of the reading in the Karsh and Fox text discusses the importance of collaboration and specifically “getting the right people at the table together.” Explore the organizational capacity and collaborative partners for the hospital/health system (chosen from the list of 25 largest hospitals in America, Student resources – Becker’s Hospital Review) you identified in Module 2. To do this, see additional directions in the course module.
  • Response post. Respond to the initial post of at least one peer.
    • Critically evaluate the 2 existing hospital/health system community partners identified.
    • Propose 1 additional relevant partner that should be considered. Although the organizations/providers listed here are not required for inclusion, you may consider searching the list of SAMHSA-approved treatment providers (by the location of the hospital/health system) found on the SAMHSA website.
    • Thinking about sustainability, how would this additional partner support the long-term (ongoing) implementation of the grant-funded program proposed.

Week 6: Evaluation

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Differentiate various evaluation methods to assess the expected positive impacts on the targeted community as a result of the grant-funded program

Lectures

• Module 6 Lecture

Discussion Forums

• Economic Evaluations
  • After reviewing both CDC Program Evaluation Tip Sheets:
    • Choose 1 type of Economic evaluation that could be used in your proposed grant-funded program.
    • Provide a definition.
    • Provide the primary purpose of the Economic evaluation (e.g., to minimize program cost).
    • Explain why it would be appropriate (based on the audience and purpose defined in the Tip Sheet).

• • Response post. Respond to the initial post of at least one peer.
    • Based on the Economic evaluation chosen by your peer, select at least 2 Cultural Competence tips that could be implemented in your peer’s grant-funded program (remember, the purpose of the program is to address the problem of opioid use disorder (OUD) by expanding/enhancing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) (the purpose of all assignments in this course). Remember to preserve/support the stated primary purpose of the Economic evaluation which your peer identified in their initial post.
    • Explain why you selected the 2 Cultural Competence tips you identified.

Week 7: Budgeting

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Health Resources & Services Administration
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application
• Concisely write sections of a grant narrative
• Apply basic tools of budgeting and resource allocation to implement the grant-funded program for a targeted community

Lectures

• Module 7 Lecture

Learning Activities

• Line-item Budget and Budget Narrative

Week 8: Course Reflection

Learning Outcomes

• Identify major federal funding agencies for public health programs, with an emphasis on U.S. DHHS, Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health
• Assess the ability to interpret major components of a grant application

Lectures

• Module 8 Lecture

Discussion Forum

• Personal learning goals
  • Initial Post: As you end this course, it is important to understand if you achieved your personal learning goals this semester. First, review the 2-3 learning goals that you identified in Module 1. Second, summarize the goals here in your initial post and their alignment to the relevant course outcomes. Thirdly, select 1 learning goal, and describe whether or not you achieved the selected goal. Finally, relate your learning goal to a significant skill/competency that you learned (in this semester) that a grant writer would routinely utilize.
  • Response Post: Respond to the initial post of at least one peer. Do you agree that the skill/competency your peer identified is significant for a grant writer? Explain how the skill/competency you identified in your initial post supports the skill your peer identified.

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

• Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
• Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
• Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

• UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

• ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Passing Grade Statement

A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement

Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.

Students in the Graduate Programs in Public Health (GPPH) must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. GPPH students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

Within GPPH, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.

Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.

For example, 

Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2024).

Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.

The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.