CORE COURSES

Caring for Health: A course designed to expose students to primary health care issues through the Healthy People 2010 objectives, presentations, case studies, communication exercises and hands-on activities.

Thinking about Thinking: A series of sessions examining paradigms, creativity, constructive criticism, reflective learning, and writing, designed to orient the student to the type of intellectual work they are expected to perform at PGSHC.

CORE COURSES

Caring for Health: A course designed to expose students to primary health care issues through the Healthy People 2010 objectives, presentations, case studies, communication exercises and hands-on activities.

Thinking about Thinking: A series of sessions examining paradigms, creativity, constructive criticism, reflective learning, and writing, designed to orient the student to the type of intellectual work they are expected to perform at PGSHC.

Public Health Improvement Project: A team learning experience in which student groups examine a public health issue affecting Pennsylvania, its ethical and public policy attributes, and the possible causes and solutions.

Making a Difference: A series of lectures, discussions and exercises designed to assist students in the planning and implementation of a leadership project, personal and professional development and improvement of their teamwork skills.

CONCENTRATION COURSES

All students are assigned to a concentration course to pursue one area of study in depth. The courses vary from year to year, but in the past have included health care for the chronically ill, family and child health, behavioral health, geriatrics, global health, and public health. Every effort is made to match students with their first choice, but if demand exceeds space, some may have to go with a second or third choice.

REFLECTIVE PORTFOLIO and RESEARCH PROJECT
PGSHC is an ungraded program. Students measure their own experience and progress by developing a reflective portfolio of their learning and work in the program. PGSHC has designed reflective journals for organizational purposes and as building blocks for portfolios. Students also develop a public health research project related to their proposed leadership activity.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Two day-long shadow experiences, multiple site visits, leadership projects, small discussion groups, guest speakers, simulation games, team projects and presentations, videos, independent study and cultural events are included in the PGSHC curriculum. The program also schedules social and recreational activities. Typically, students spend evenings after 8:30 p.m. working in computer laboratories or doing advance readings.

FACILITIES AND FACULTY
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is one of the nation's most renowned academic medical centers. PGSHC students are privileged to meet with the professionals who develop health policy, conduct research, and deliver patient care. Many of the PGSHC classrooms are situated in the medical center hospitals. A wide range of professionals volunteer their services as instructors and mentors at PGSHC.

The University of Pittsburgh campus is urban, and the program rules are strict for the well being of participants. Students live in gender-separate quarters exclusive from other campus groups. Trained staff monitor curfews and residential life and act as facilitators for projects and discussions.