Pedagogical Practices Shaping Professional Identity in Public Health Programs

Abstract

University academic preparation plays a critical role in guiding undergraduate public health students shape their professional identity (PI) and demonstrate professionalism in their transition to work environments. PI is an understanding of profession-related connections, characteristics, roles, values, standards, and culture continuing over time. Despite evidence supporting PI learning across medicine, nursing, or pharmacy, little is known about public health pedagogic and curricular approaches as important concepts to support PI learning. There is a need for an innovative curriculum redesign to include planning PI experiences, teaching professionalism across courses, and supporting students as they become early career professionals. By acquiring new knowledge and applying those skills during the undergraduate public health courses, students develop a commitment to and pride in their chosen profession. This article gives an overview of PI, provides a PI conceptual framework, and offers 10 suggestions on how to advance PI effectively in the redesigned public health curriculum.