TABLE 2. PHAC Competency Categories and MPH Course Coverage.

Competency	Percentage of Programs Requiring 1 Core Course	Course Themes	Number of Courses	Percentage of Total Courses From All MPH Programs (N = 267)
Public Health Sciences “...key knowledge and critical thinking skills related to the public health sciences: behavioural and social sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental public health, demography, workplace health, and the prevention of chronic diseases, infectious diseases, psychosocial problems and injuries.”	100	Foundations/Core Concepts of Public Health Epidemiology Environmental Health Health Promotion Biostatistics Indigenous Health Determinants and Social Aspects of Health Health Practice and Policy Research Seminar Community Health, Services and Systems Disease/Injury Prevention	123	46
Assessment and Analysis “...core competencies needed to collect, assess, analyze and apply information (including data, facts, concepts and theories). These competencies are required to make evidence-based decisions, prepare budgets and reports, conduct investigations and make recommendations for policy and program development.”	100	Biostatistics Epidemiology Research Health Care Systems	98	38
3.0 Policy and Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation “...core competencies needed to effectively choose options, and to plan, implement, and evaluate policies and/or programs in public health. This includes the management of incidents such as outbreaks and emergencies....”	94	Population and Public Health Policy Health Policy and Planning Knowledge Translation Research Program Planning and Evaluation Health Systems and Services Public Health Practice Indigenous Health Health Promotion and Nutrition Determinants of Health	68	25
4.0 Partnerships, Collaboration, and Advocacy “...captures the competencies required to influence and work with others to improve the health and well-being of the public through the pursuit of a common goal. Partnership and collaboration optimizes performance through shared resources and responsibilities. Advocacy—speaking, writing, or acting in favour of a particular cause, policy or group of people—often aims to reduce inequities in health status or access to health services.”	67	Research Collaboration and Partnerships Foundations Knowledge Translation Economic Evaluation of Health Care Health Promotion Indigenous Health Engagement and Leadership Management and Administration of Health Services Health Policy	31	12
5.0 Diversity and Inclusiveness “Category identifies the socio-cultural competencies required to interact effectively with diverse individuals, groups and communities. It is the embodiment of attitudes and practices that result in inclusive behaviours, practices, programs and policies.”	56	Indigenous Health Health Policy Foundations Health Promotion Social Determinants of Health	28	10
6.0 Communication “This category addresses numerous dimensions of communication including internal and external exchanges; written, verbal, non-verbal and listening skills; computer literacy; providing appropriate information to different audiences; working with the media and social marketing techniques.”	67	Health Communication Seminar Research Public Health Practice	17	6
7.0 Leadership “This category focuses on leadership competencies that build capacity, improve performance and enhance the quality of the working environment. They also enable organizations and communities to create, communicate and apply shared visions, missions and values.”	67	Leadership in Public Health Ethical Issues and Theories, and Integrity in Public Health Foundations Research	30	11

Abbreviations: MPH, Master of Public Health; PHAC, Public Health Agency of Canada.