MPH@Simmons - Section Instructor

The MPH@Simmons, a Master of Public Health in Health Equity, prepares public health professionals to address health inequities by challenging the socio-structural determinants of health existing within and outside of traditional health domains. The curriculum invites students to engage critically and historically to analyze and address systems of power that perpetuate inequities, leading with a racial and intersectional justice lens. Students learn core public health science and methodological skills, including epidemiology, biostatistics, policy analysis, and community-based, participatory approaches to study population health challenges. Students also gain the leadership and management skills, and health advocacy and organizing skills to design, implement, manage, and evaluate programs, policies and campaigns targeted to improve health equity.

The program uses a robust set of online course delivery tools to support high-level student engagement. MPH@Simmons features a low student-to-faculty ratio, with live synchronous instruction for professor/student interaction through videoconferencing, complemented by high-quality, asynchronous self-paced online content. Learn more here: https://online.simmons.edu/our-programs/mph/

The MPH@Simmons is seeking Section Instructors across its curriculum. The Section Instructor is responsible for the academic success of students enrolled in an online course in accordance with program and course objectives and course syllabi. Each Session Instructor should be highly knowledgeable about the subject matter for their assigned course, and maintain expertise in the subject area. The MPH@Simmons focuses on Health Equity. As such, Section Instructors with knowledge and applied experience advancing health equity will add unique value to the program. Simmons University is interested in developing long-term relationships with adjunct faculty who bring academic and professional public health practice experience, particularly working toward health equity; excellent communication skills; excellent organizational skills; and enthusiasm and passion for providing an extraordinary public health education. We are seeking academics,

Professionals, and community-engaged practitioners to share their knowledge and experience with graduate students in public health. We are especially interested in candidates who will enrich the diversity of our program's faculty.

All MPH@Simmons courses are taught from a standard syllabus that are designed by a Course Designer, in consultation with the full team of MPH faculty. All syllabi are approved by a Curriculum Committee at Simmons University, and syllabi and key assignments have been carefully tailored to meet accreditation criteria. As such, all faculty are expected to execute the competencies and learning objectives encompassed in the course. Simmons values the public health practice-based experience and competency that each faculty member brings to the course and to students through feedback and insight provided. The Section Instructor is expected to actively monitor and track individual student progress and provide support and direction as needed, both during the class and outside of class as needed and appropriate. Section Instructors use their experience and knowledge of public health and health equity to help students meet the course objectives. Any course modification a Section Instructor desires must be discussed with and approved by the Course Lead who oversees quality for the course, with final approval from the Program Director prior to implementation.

It is expected that each Section Instructor will spend approximately 9-12 hours per week facilitating live session instruction, providing support to students, evaluating required assignments, reviewing asynchronous course materials, and preparing for live sessions. Weekly time commitments may vary, but will typically include:

• 2 hours of weekly live session facilitation and teaching

• 1 to 2 hours of out-of-classroom electronic support and scheduled appointments with students

• 1.5 hours to 3 hours prepping for teaching

• Up to 4-5 hours per week grading and assessing other student products

• Attending weekly or biweekly mandatory course meetings per term with Course Lead, as determined by Course Lead; These meetings are approximately 30-60 minutes in length and are scheduled over the 11-week term.

• Attending 2 mandatory MPH Faculty Meetings per term; These meetings are approximately 60-90 minutes each in length and review important program requirements.

Specific Duties

• Teach material from approved curriculum in accordance with the syllabus and course design

• Assume responsibility for the academic supervision and teaching of enrolled students

• Attend regularly scheduled, mandatory Course Lead meetings

• Attend MPH Faculty Meetings

• Provide full coverage for all scheduled synchronous/live sessions

• Participate in and lead synchronous discussions and didactic sessions

• Maintain and evaluate records of student’s performance within the grading systems of the Learning Management System (LMS) and the University

• Provide meaningful and timely feedback on asynchronous and required written assignments. All feedback must be provided within 7 days of assigned due dates for submission

• Maintain all administrative/academic components of the course section

• Maintain communication, both online and virtual/in person, with Course Lead on a regular basis regarding course and student-related performance problems and concerns

• Respond in a clear manner to student questions within 24-48 hours

• Foster and encourage an online culture of learning that values professionalism, accountability, empathy, life-long learning, respect for diversity, and ethically-minded practice, as well as personal and professional development

General Qualifications

• MPH or closely related degree required

• DrPH or PhD in public health or closely related field preferred

• Public health applied practice experience preferred

• Research, practice, service, and/or otherwise evidenced commitment to health equity preferred

• Graduate level teaching experience specific to public health preferred

• Online teaching exposure/experience preferred