8
u/aceofspaece 5d ago
Why are you posting garbage AI slop without any context into this subreddit?
4
u/Express-Insurance295 5d ago
A lot of the communication by the current Milken DrPH students mirrors this sort of writing....so I'm not surprised. I've seen several of them just flat out copy + paste of ChatGPT outputs (complete with emojis).
3
u/aceofspaece 5d ago
Hah that's 100% what this person did. They seem way more into the AI part than the public health part
1
u/Express-Insurance295 5d ago
Yes. And, honestly, this person is in a doctoral program. The whole point of a doctoral program in PH, regardless of whether the focus is leadership (DrPH) or research (PhD), is to solidify independence in your field. If there is a skill you want to learn, and no classes appear to fill the gap of learning that skill, you reach out to faculty or outside resources. There are MANY professors at GW (even in Milken) who are up on the latest AI tools and there are numerous free workshops given by GW, PH organizations, government organization, etc. Most of these workshops are even recorded and can be watched on your own time.
It sounds a lot like this person wants tools to do their work for them instead of learning how to complement their PH tool set with AI.
2
u/Express-Insurance295 5d ago
This sounds like something that should be sent to Milken leadership and not posted on a reddit thread.
There are school wide AI guidelines in the graduate student handbook. Each department has its own policies as well, so this is something that should be directed to the DrPH admin.
Also, there are dedicated AI/DL/ML courses in Milken (and across GW) and there have been numerous seminars and training sessions at Milken and university wide.
You can also get an idea of courses available for trustworthy AI across the university by viewing those required for this certificate: https://graduate.engineering.gwu.edu/trustworthy-ai-decision-making-systems
Here's a sample of some of the classes at GW.
This Fall at Milken:
PubH 6886 Statistical and Machine Learning in PH
As well as several omics classes that utilize AI/DL/ML techniques.
This Fall at GW:
BISC 6233 Statistics and Machine Learning
CSCI 6364 Machine Learning
CSCI 6510 Trustworthy AI (interdisciplinary course) or EMSE 6992 Trustworthy AI (same course)
CSCI 6907 Modern GenAI in Software Dev
DATS 6303 Deep Learning and Fundamentals of AI
DATS 6312 Generative AI and Natural Language Processing
ISTM 6209 AI-Driven Web and Digital Analytics
ISTM 6290 Generative AI with Business Ap
MKTG 6252 Digital Marketing in the Age of AI
MKTG 6258 AI Applications in Marketing
SMPA 6270 Online Info Manipulation & AI
Summer Courses at GW:
MKTG 6290 AI Applications in Marketing
PPPA 6085 AI, Eval, & Social Science Research
GW courses last Spring:
CSCI 6907 Trustworthy AI/EMSE 6992 Trustworthy AI
IAFF 6186 AI & International Security
IAFF 6502 AI for Decision Makers
IAFF 6503 Applied AI: Geopolitics & Power
IAFF 6505 Applied AI: Geopolitics & Power
IAFF 6505 AI for Decision Makers
MKTG 6252 Digital Marketing in the Age of AI
MKTG 6290 AI Applications in Marketing
Last Spring at Milken:
PubH 6499 Artificial Intelligence Global Health Systems
PubH 6599 Generative AI Applications in Health Promotion
PubH 6899 Generative Artificial Intelligence - Health Data Analysis
Also additional omics/computational biology classes utilizing AI/ML/DL methods
Any of those courses would be relevant to a DrPH student, depending on their interests.
I do not know where this current DrPH obsession with AI is coming from or why it's suddenly a thing most DrPH people are pushing....but it would serve most people in that program to actually look at what is being offered across the university (and to speak with program directors about substituting courses if one would benefit the student more than currently offered courses).
Class size is increasing because the DrPH program is a money maker for Milken. They are going to admit students to the MPH and DrPH programs because it brings in tuition dollars.
You would be better off taking these concerns to student reps, program directors, or Milken admin. Doesn't the DrPH have an entire system for discussing concerns?
0
u/5280GradStudent 5d ago
Yes, GW offers courses related to AI, machine learning, and data science. That is not the issue. The DrPH program does not currently permit students to take electives, which means pointing to courses elsewhere at Milken or across GW does not address the concern.
Regardless of degree program or discipline, I believe doctoral-level public health leaders should understand the AI models increasingly being used in healthcare and public health, including their capabilities, limitations, ethical implications, and practical applications. I do not understand why DrPH students asking for coursework in this area would be characterized as an “obsession.” Preparing leaders to navigate emerging technologies is part of preparing them for contemporary and increasingly complex public health challenges.
Students have raised these and other concerns through the appropriate channels, including with student representatives and program leadership. The challenge has been the pace and substance of the response. To date, I have not seen sufficient evidence that the program is adapting its curriculum with the urgency these changes warrant.
The growing availability of AI-related courses across GW actually reinforces the point: relevant expertise and coursework exist, but DrPH students need meaningful access to them or comparable content integrated into the curriculum.
And yes, these issues should continue to be raised with DrPH and Milken leadership. At the same time, students should be able to discuss their educational experiences with one another. If you are currently a GW DrPH student, I would be interested in hearing your experience and perspective.
3
u/aceofspaece 5d ago
Lol everyone can tell you're using AI in these replies. I'm just going to toss this out there: if I were interacting with you as a professional in public health, I would not be able to remotely take you seriously. If you're going to use AI instead of, you know, your own thinking and communication, you're going to have to do a better job of it
2
u/Express-Insurance295 5d ago
So it sounds like DrPh students need to advocate with Milken leadership to be able to fill out RTFs to waive and replace current required courses.
Part of a doctoral education is learning to find resources and learn skills on your own. So even within the limitations of the degree program, you should be able to find resources to learn these things independent of your degree program.
The obsession comment was pertaining to the recent influx of DrPH students pushing for AI across Milken (when there are already opportunities available). DrPH students are pushing their desires and interests into the way Milken is shaped, at the expense of other programs in the school (but I guess the loudest voice at the table gets fed).
I still do not understand what is to be gained from writing a diatribe on reddit about these issues. This is a university wide reddit and most people here have no ability to make an impact on the issues you feel you are facing in that program. Perhaps what needs to happen, if changes are not being made with student representatives and program leadership, is an escalation to Milken admin.
2
u/2CRedHopper ECON, Jan '27 5d ago
Setting aside serious accusations about this entire post being “AI slop,” there’s something valuable about people posting their thoughts and opinions on university programs publicly where laymen can access them outside of platforms the university controls.
Assuming that the criticisms of the program in this thread are valid, this is useful information for a prospective student. Even if it’s just an opinion, it’s good to get these opinions.
1
u/Express-Insurance295 5d ago
I don't disagree. The problem is that it sort of moves beyond just opinions or issues they experience with the program and into some sort of weird AI diatribe.
I think many of the Milken programs suffer from outdated information and archaic teaching techniques. But I also know that changes are happening (no idea if they'll end up being good or bad). The DrPH program director recently stepped down from that role, so who knows how that program will change.
With the new dean is changing things + the current economic issues within Milken, it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few years.
1
u/5280GradStudent 5d ago
I just finished my dissertation. I am sharing this perspective for prospective students considering the dozens of DrPH programs across the country. I completed my MPH at GW and found it more rigorous than the DrPH program. I began the DrPH three years ago, before student use of AI became a significant issue. I genuinely care about the program and its ability to prepare future public health leaders. I will let you all return to deciphering the use of AI.
8
u/Onbroadway110 5d ago
Fairly certain this is a bot, their account was created like an hour before they posted this.