Interprofessional Education at GWSPH
The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH) values interdisciplinary collaborative practice and the integration of knowledge diversity that provides innovative solutions to public health issues. Interdisciplinary collaborative practice complements the professional identity of public health practitioners and is an important innovation that combines purposeful integration among the disciplines in an educational or practice setting.
IPE Quick Links
What is Interprofessional Education?
Interprofessional Education (IPE) “occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other” (World Health Organization, 2010, p. 7). IPE is a collaborative method to develop students as future team members working with colleagues from different fields. IPE provides Master of Public Health (MPH) students with an opportunity to participate in an interactive learning experience with two or more disciplines represented.
IPE is a requirement of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for all accredited schools of public health and a recommendation suggested by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Who is required to complete IPE?
All GWSPH MPH students who entered the program in Fall 2019 or later are required to complete an IPE as part of their course of study. Students must register for a 0-credit section of PUBH 6023 associated with their chosen IPE experience.
When can students enroll in IPE?
Students may enroll in IPE (PUBH 6023) after they have completed the
- MPH Core Curriculum -or-
- completing at least 20-credits of their MPH degree.
How do I Complete the IPE Requirement?
Students can complete the IPE requirement in one of two ways.
- Register for and complete one of the school-sponsored IPE activities posted in the catalog found on this page.
- Register for and complete a MPH course with a substantive IPE component integrated into the student experience in that course (courses designated as IPE will be announced Spring 2021).
For all IPE activities, there will be several short required assessment activities located on Blackboard or 2GW. Students must complete these activities in full to receive credit for PubH 6023.
How do I enroll in IPE (PUBH 6023)?
Most IPE experiences will be announced with their own sign-up form. After completing the sign-up form and being informed that you have obtained a space in that experience, you will be automatically registered and placed in the appropriate section of PubH 6023.
You’ll be notified if there are no further steps for you to take.
How can I find School Sponsored IPE opportunities?
Students can explore the IPE Catalog for school-sponsored IPE opportunities.
Learning outcomes/competencies addressed
- Qualifying IPE activities address all four IPEC Core Competencies in some way IPEC Core Competencies (IPEC, p. 9) (Figure 2).
Competency 1
Work with individuals of other professions to maintain a climate of mutual respect and shared values. (Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice)
Competency 2
Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of patients and to promote and advance the health of populations. (Roles/Responsibilities)
Competency 3
Communicate with patients, families, communities, and professionals in health and other fields in a responsive and responsible manner that supports a team approach to the promotion andmaintenance of health and the prevention andtreatment of disease. (Interprofessional Communication)
Competency 4
Apply relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles to plan, deliver,and evaluatepatient/population-centered care and population health programs and policies that are safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable. (Teams and Teamwork)
Can students waive out of their IPE experience?
No. All MPH students must complete a qualified IPE activity as part of their MPH program of study. Students must enroll in the appropriate section of PUBH 6023 and receive a grade of “Credit” in order to satisfy the IPE requirement.
Is there tuition associated with PUBH 6023?
No. There are no tuition fees associated with enrollment in PUBH 6023. It is a 0-credit course.