The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Public and Population Health (SPPH) has identified essential functions that students must be able to perform to participate in and complete SPPH academic programs. These functions describe the observation, communication, cognitive, psychomotor, professional, social, and ethical abilities needed for academic work, applied learning, research, and practice experiences, with or without reasonable accommodations.
How these functions apply to SPPH students
Students are expected to review these essential functions carefully. Accepted applicants and enrolled students may be asked to confirm their ability to meet these expectations, with or without reasonable accommodations.
These functions apply across the academic and professional activities students may encounter in SPPH programs, including coursework, presentations, group work, data interpretation, research activities, community-based experiences, and professional communication with faculty, staff, peers, and partner organizations.
Students with documented disabilities or questions about accommodations are encouraged to contact UTMB’s Institutional ADA Office. Information related to disability accommodations is confidential and handled through the appropriate UTMB process.
Observation
Students must be able to observe and process information from a variety of sources effectively.
- Students must be able to decode written documents and gather information from multiple sources, including oral presentations, Blackboard data, diagrams, printed materials, electronic resources, PowerPoint presentations, videos, live demonstrations and experiences, and group discussions.
- Students must be capable of integrating information from these sources into their learning process.
- Students must be able to accurately observe close at hand and at a distance to gather data and learn skills.
Communication
Effective communication is vital in verbal, visual, and written forms.
- Students must be able to convey thoughts and ideas clearly in English through writing, speaking, and presentations.
- Students must be able to communicate research or scholarly approaches and results and articulate the implications of their work.
- Students must engage in discussions, answer questions, and ask pertinent questions in one-on-one and group formats.
- Students must be able to respond to questions asked or problems formulated and present their work to peers, faculty, and other audiences.
- Students must be able to participate in public speaking, respond to questions in real time, and deliver formal presentations.
- Students must be able to communicate and interact with peers, faculty, and other professionals within and outside of the academic environment.
Cognitive and psychomotor skills
Students must possess the intellectual abilities necessary for successful performance in academic and practical tasks. Students must be able to think critically, reason, analyze, synthesize, integrate, and apply information. Creative problem-solving, hypothesis generation, and data interpretation are fundamental.
Students are expected to become proficient in translating theoretical knowledge into hands-on projects. Students must be able to perform the following essential cognitive, affective, and psychomotor functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Process, retain, and integrate information from oral delivery by instructors or students.
- Process Blackboard data and diagrams, printed material, handouts, journals, manuals, books, medical records, computers, and computer printouts.
- Use PowerPoint presentations, slides, film and video segments, audio recordings, live demonstrations, virtual conferences, evaluation and intervention tools, and community-based experiential activities as part of the learning process.
- Operate computers and similar technology, including interacting with and processing information from digital displays and audio outputs.
- Physically manipulate keyboards, a mouse, and other standard peripheral devices similar to those common in standard office environments.
- Use sufficient dexterity and mobility to execute tasks in classroom, office-based, and practice-based settings.
- Stand, sit, lift, push, pull, and process visual and auditory information and directions when required for academic and practice-based activities.
- Physically attend classes of up to three hours in person on UTMB’s academic campus.
Professional and social attributes
Students must possess the interpersonal skills and emotional maturity necessary for academic and professional success.
- Students must be able to form and maintain productive relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and other professionals.
- Students must be able to function effectively as part of a team, including serving as a cooperative and contributing member of a group.
- Students must demonstrate a functional level of self-confidence and assurance and be able to assume responsibility for personal actions.
- Students must be able to provide and receive constructive criticism to and from students and faculty in the classroom and in public or community settings.
- Students must be able to arrive punctually and attend consistently for class, meetings with faculty and leadership, and meetings with community partners.
- Students must demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively under stress while managing personal mental and emotional strain.
- Students must exercise good judgment, maintain focus, and handle workloads that may require extended attention to detail and thoroughness.
- Students must demonstrate respect for different viewpoints, respect for the rights of others, and accountability for their actions.
- Students must be able to manage conflicting situations fairly and maintain professionalism in challenging circumstances.
- Students must demonstrate honesty and personal integrity and be able to handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
Ethical standards
Upholding high ethical standards is fundamental to professional practice in public health and the other fields represented by SPPH graduate programs.
- Students must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and reliability in all academic, practice, and research activities.
- Students are responsible for maintaining confidentiality, respecting privacy, and ensuring the ethical treatment of research subjects.
- Students must adhere to professional and ethical guidelines, including those set forth by partner agencies and organizations they may interact with during academic or practice-based activities.
- Students must avoid plagiarism, be timely and honest with data sharing, and apply ethical decision-making processes in all aspects of academic work.
- Students are expected to demonstrate concern for others, appreciation of public support, motivation, and commitment.
Support for students with disabilities
The School of Public and Population Health is committed to supporting students with disabilities and encourages students to seek reasonable accommodations when needed to meet these essential functions. Information related to disabilities is confidential, and support is provided to help students achieve academic success.
Students who have a documented disability or who would like information about services for students with disabilities at UTMB should contact the Institutional ADA Office. Students may also review IHOP Policy 07.01.01 (PDF) for additional information about UTMB’s student disability accommodation process.
For school-specific questions about how these essential functions relate to SPPH programs, students may contact the SPPH Office of Student Affairs or their program office.