Applied Practice Experience

There are 6 prerequisites that must be met in order to register for the APEx:

• Attendance at the orientation session (held each semester).
• In good academic standing.
• Completion of at least six credit hours plus the CPH 500 Foundations in Public Health Course, which may be taken concurrently with CPH 528 APEx.
• Completion of affiliation agreement.
• Completion of professionalism training module no longer than 60 days prior to registration (located in Canvas under the COPH Student Success Center).
• Approval of the applied practice experience learning contract.

The following partner organizations have identified opportunities available for Summer 2025. More opportunities will be shared as they become available. 

With questions, email APEx Manager Julia Quigley, MA or Director of the MPH Laura Vinson.

• Access Period
• American Public Health Association - Coming Soon
• Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals 
• Doane University
• Douglas County Health Department

• Health Center Association of Nebraska

• Missouri Public Health Institute
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program 
• OneWorld Community Health Centers
• Public Health Association of Nebraska
• UNMC, Center for Preparedness and Emergency Response Solutions
• UNMC, Central States Center for Agricultural Health and Safety 

Once students have identified a partner organization, students should use the required learning contract template to further outline the scope of the applied practice experience. Please read template instructions carefully.

The Affiliation Agreement is a required, non-clinical legal document between UNMC and the partner organization for which the student is placed for academic course credit and must be completed prior to the beginning term of the experience. The Affiliation Agreement provides coverage for all College of Public Health students placed with the organization and is not project or student-specific. The organization may have additional requirements (background checks, drug testing, immunizations, etc.) before on-site experiences can begin. If these are required and the organization does not cover the expense, the student will be responsible for the expense.

College of Public Health students must contact Kelly Peterson, as soon as the organization is identified to determine appropriate requirements and to begin the process of establishing an Affiliation Agreement, if needed. Due to varying terms and conditions of certain Affiliation Agreements, these requirements must be handled on a case-by-case basis, and the length of time for completion can range from 2-6 months.

A current Affiliation Agreement List is available for your reference.

Students should begin planning for their applied practice experience at least three months before the intended registration semester. Since it must be completed in one semester, it is important for students to begin preparations during the semester prior. 

Student intends to register in the fall semester. 

• May: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest. 
• June: Student should attend the orientation session.
• June-July: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests.
• June-July: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the project coordinator of the Office of Public Health Practice. 
• July-August: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval.
• July-August: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register.
• August: Student should begin applied practice experience.

Student intends to register in the spring semester. 

• September: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest. 
• October: Student should attend the orientation session.
• October-November: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests.
• October-November: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the Public Health Practice Project coordinator. 
• December: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval. 
• December: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register.

• January: Student should begin applied practice experience.

Student intends to register in the summer semester. 

• January: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest. 
• February: Student should attend the orientation session.
• February-March: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests. 
• February-March: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the Public Health Practice Project coordinator. 
• April: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval.
• April: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register. 
• May: Student should begin applied practice experience.