Practicum

A strong practicum opportunity includes a defined project, meaningful responsibilities, and opportunities for a student to apply public health knowledge and skills.

Suitable projects should:

• Address a public health or population health need.
• Have clear goals, activities, and expected outcomes.
• Allow the student to take an active role in completing the work.
• Include at least two substantive work products or deliverables that demonstrate public health competencies.
• Be feasible within the student's practicum timeline and available hours.
• Include a professional mentor who can provide guidance, feedback, and evaluation throughout the experience.

Projects focused exclusively on routine administrative tasks, observation, or individual clinical care do not meet the practicum requirements.

Mentors help students understand the project, develop their skills, and complete their work.

Responsibilities generally include:

• Defining project goals, activities, deliverables, and timelines with the student.
• Providing an introduction to the organization and project.
• Meeting with the student regularly and providing feedback.
• Helping the student access relevant information, resources, and staff.
• Reviewing the student's work and completing the required final evaluation.

The level of supervision will depend on the project, but mentors should be available to provide ongoing guidance throughout the practicum.

Students must complete at least two (2) substantive work products that demonstrate the application of public health competencies. The specific deliverables depend on the project and should be agreed upon by the student and mentor.

Examples include:

• Reports and data analyses: Analyze health trends, summarize findings, or evaluate program outcomes.
• Policy briefs and recommendations: Develop evidence-based recommendations to inform public health decisions.
• Program plans and evaluations: Design a public health initiative or assess an existing program.
• Educational materials: Create fact sheets, brochures, presentations, or training resources for specific audiences.
• Community health resources: Develop outreach materials or tools to support community programs.
• Grant proposals and project plans: Prepare funding applications or detailed plans for public health initiatives.
• Presentations and reports: Communicate findings and recommendations to organizational staff, community partners, or other stakeholders.

Deliverables should be useful to the host organization, appropriate for the student's role, and developed in accordance with applicable ethical, confidentiality, and organizational requirements.

Practicum Timeline and Deadlines

• Quarter Dates: These are the academic quarter dates and represent the ideal timeframe for the practicum.
• Student Submission Deadline: Students should submit their signed Learning Contract and Project & Activity Tracker by this date to allow sufficient time for review and approval before the quarter begins.
• Recommended Deadline to Notify Practicum Coordinator: Sites are encouraged to notify the MPH Practicum Coordinator by this date if they plan to offer a practicum opportunity for the upcoming quarter. This allows sufficient time for the opportunity to be shared with students and for students to apply, finalize their project details, and complete the required documents.

Interested in getting involved? 

1. Identify a potential project or opportunity
   Consider an ongoing or planned initiative that could benefit from a student's contributions. You may have a specific project in mind or an opportunity for a student to support an existing team or program.
2. Submit your opportunity.*
   Complete the MPH Practicum Opportunity Submission survey to share information about your organization, project, responsibilities, and qualifications. Submitted opportunities may be considered for inclusion in the MPH practicum opportunities database, which is available to MPH students and program staff. Qualified opportunities may also be shared with students through program announcements.
3. Connect with an interested student.
   Students review opportunities and contact organizations directly to inquire or apply. The MPH Program does not directly place or match students with host organizations.
4. Develop the project together.
   Once you and a student agree to work together, you will collaborate to define the project scope, timeline, and expected work products. The student submits the required practicum materials for program review and approval before beginning the practicum.

*Please note: Submitting an opportunity does not guarantee that a student will apply or that a placement will result. Your opportunity will be submitted to be considered for our secure practicum database, accessible only to MPH students and program staff. Opportunities may be shared with students throughout the academic year.