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Technical Standards for Admission, Progression, and Graduation

There are certain technical standards that must be met by all applicants and students at the Rutgers School of Public Health to effectively carry out the academic and professional responsibilities in the field of public health. We are committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified applicants and students with disabilities. It is the policy of the School that no person shall be excluded from participation solely by reason of their disability, should they meet the technical standards. The Requisite Technical Standards for the Practice of Public Health at the graduate level that must be met by applicants and students are:

  1. Knowledge, skills and attitudes to function in diverse public health settings and perform within the scope of practice;
     
  2. Sufficient ability to carry out the activities in the areas listed below with or without reasonable accommodations; and
     
  3. Ability to consistently and accurately integrate all information.

General Guidelines for Technical Standards

Rutgers School of Public Health is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of qualified learners with disabilities. Individuals who cannot meet the technical standards with or without the use of reasonable accommodations, including the use of auxiliary aids and services, may be subject to review to determine the appropriate action, which can include dismissal from the program. Individuals must be proactive in addressing deficiencies in meeting these standards and follow the appropriate University policies set forth in doing so.

A student whose behavior or performance raises questions or concerns pertaining their ability to fulfill these technical standards may be required to obtain evaluation and/or testing for the purpose of determining whether the student is fit to pursue the educational program.

Enrollment and matriculation of accepted students to the Rutgers School of Public Health is conditional, based on the results of certain laboratory tests and fulfillment of immunization requirements in order to determine their ability to meet all technical standards. 

Students in the Rutgers School of Public Health Must Meet the Technical Skills and Standards in the Following Areas

  • Individuals must be able to acquire a defined level of information in the basic sciences and public health. Individuals are required to observe and acquire this information through the classroom, practice settings, and/or the web-based environment. Such observations and educational experiences may require travel to facilities located at non-University owned campuses or properties.

  • Individuals must be able to communicate in English with clarity, sensitivity, and accuracy to the target audience with whom they serve, work, faculty, staff, and peers from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds and at appropriate levels of understanding for the target audience. Individuals must exhibit effective interpersonal skills to engage in public health work. Individuals must be able to clearly and accurately record and interpret communication within their public health work. Computer literacy is also a component of effective communication, including using word processing and similar programs, communicating via e-mail, using the University’s learning management system, and other educational and academic-related electronic technology/programs utilized by the University in the conduct of its educational programs. 

  • Individuals are required to accurately measure, calculate, reason, analyze, process, integrate, synthesize, apply, and retain facts, concepts and data related to the art and science of public health with or without reasonable accommodations. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to: effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in the classroom, online, and community settings; learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team; synthesize information both in person and via remote technology; and assess complex public health problems and use critical thinking to reach appropriate conclusions.

  • Individuals must possess the ability to perform the necessary movements reasonably required to complete their public health education and engage in public health practice.

  • Individuals must demonstrate emotional stability with appropriate interpersonal relationships and communication skills. Individuals must be able to exercise good judgment and sustain an attention level necessary to complete all responsibilities promptly and develop mature, sensitive, professional, and effective relationships with faculty, colleagues, and the public. Individuals must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in our communities. Individuals are expected to exhibit professionalism, personal accountability, motivation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to accept and apply feedback and to respect boundaries and work with all individuals in a respectful, ethical, and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Individuals must have appropriate hygiene and a professional appearance. Individuals must possess the emotional health required to fully utilize their intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and work effectively on teams.