MPH Student Practicum

All students in the MPH Program must complete two credits of a public health practicum experience prior to graduation. Students with five or more years of public health experience are exempt from the two credits upon written approval by the Practicum Director. The practicum will provide Masters in Public Health students with the opportunity to gain skills and experience public health in real world setting. National, state and local organizations, agencies, and institutions interact with the Masters in Public Health faculty and staff to provide students with opportunities to refine their professional public health skills, as well as practice the concepts acquired through the academic program.

This information is merely a summary of the practicum experience. All necessary forms are contained in the Practicum Handbook. You may download a copy of the Practicum Handbook* or obtain a copy from the Practicum Director.

Student Objectives

Basic information on the practicum is contained in this section. Please refer to the Public Health Practicum Handbook for further information and necessary forms.

  • Utilize problem solving skills for assessing and analyzing a public health problem, and for proposing interventions to address the problem which are appropriate for public health.
  • Gain experience with public health settings and participate in interdisciplinary teamwork to address public health problems.
  • Practice applying at least one of the three Core Functions of Public Health (assessment, assurance/intervention, or policy), and reflect on how the two other functions would be incorporated.
  • Gain insight into a typical organization's activities. Develop critical observation skills that might improve effectiveness of public health practitioner.

Students are assisted in the selection of practicum experience by the Practicum Director. Academic advisors are also consulted for advice on learning objectives and field sites. Previous professional experiences, course work readings and discussions, critical self-assessment, and the Theory and Practice Seminar provide the foundation for field work selection and learning.

Practicum Options

All students must complete a minimum of two credit hours (a minimum of 160 hours of field work) for their practicum. Students now have two options from which to choose in completing their practicum experience. Please refer Practicum Handbook for details.

Practicum Requirements

  • Choose a practicum site: The training of health specialists is not possible without the existence of cooperating community agencies, and the participation of skilled practitioners who are willing to oversee the professional development of students. Please visit the useful practicum sites page for a list of potential practicum sites. Detailed information is also available on each site. You may choose one of these sites to complete your practicum.  If you do not wish to use one of these sites, you are free to find your own site and make your own arrangements. A signed learning contract between the student and an agency staff person formally establishes the site and conditions under which field learning occur. If you are unsure of your choice, please speak to the Practicum Director who can offer advice on the site.
  • Submit a summary paper to preceptor, advisor and the Practicum Director. The paper should consist of description and analysis of the field placement experience and an overview of the practicum related activities and skill building in one core public health function (assessment, policy, or assurance). Please refer summary guidelines in Practicum Handbook* for details. Summary Paper
  • Evaluation forms from the student, preceptor, and/ or field supervisor must be submitted.

(*Note: The handbook is in PDF format.  If you do not have Acrobat Reader, download Acrobat Reader.)