Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in public health workforce data capabilities, prompting increased investment in data science training. This instrumental case study examined the effectiveness of University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health's online data science training program, developed in partnership with the California Department of Public Health to strengthen the state's public health workforce. The study analyzed program artifacts collected between October 2023 and September 2024, including Course Analytics Reports documenting enrollment patterns and Course Evaluation Reports structured according to considering the first two levels of Kirkpatrick's Four-Level Training Evaluation Model (1994). Analysis of nine courses revealed consistently high satisfaction across all course types, with overall program satisfaction averaging 96%. Technical courses showed strongest outcomes in perceived satisfaction, understanding, and confidence in skill application. These courses also demonstrated strong workplace relevance and high implementation intent. Conceptual courses maintained strong perceived satisfaction and understanding scores, though participants reported significantly lower confidence in applying their learning. Courses combining theoretical concepts with programming practice achieved similar satisfaction levels but showed considerable variation in understanding rates.
The findings suggest that while online training can effectively deliver data science education to public health professionals, success requires careful attention to practical application opportunities, technical accessibility in government settings, and structured interaction in self-paced formats for subjects that incorporate theoretical concepts. The study contributes to understanding how academic institutions can effectively support public health workforce development through online technical training, with implications for similar initiatives.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public health—Information technology—Study and teaching (Continuing education); Public health personnel—Training of—California
Date of Award
2025
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Education
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Kay Davis
Recommended Citation
Ruiz, Michelle, "Upskilling California’s public health: an assessment of an online data science program" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 1667.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1667