— College of Public Health — Academics — Student Experience — Student Practice Opportunities — Applied Practice Experience

Applied Practice Experience

The purpose of the Applied Practice Experience course is to provide all students with an applied, scholarly and mutually beneficial experience in a public health practice setting. This experience augments the academic course work, meets community needs, and provides students with an opportunity to integrate and apply at least five foundational public health competencies. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of public health principles, values and practice.

All partner organizations must be approved by the College of Public Health. Applied practice experiences may involve governmental, nongovernmental, nonprofit, industrial and for-profit settings or appropriate university-affiliated settings. To be appropriate for applied practice experience activities, university-affiliated settings must be primarily focused on community engagement, typically with external partners. University health promotion or wellness centers may also be appropriate.

With questions, email Julia Quigley, MA or Laura Vinson, MPH.

Applied Practice Experience General Orientation

The required general orientation guides students through completing their applied practice experience.

General orientation is a prerequisite for registering for the applied practice experience. This recording is from the orientation provided on October 3rd, 2024, for students planning to complete the program in spring 2025. Our orientation for the summer 2025 semester will be held Wednesday, February 12th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm CST.

Prerequisites

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.

Current Student Opportunities

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

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

Calistus Multiple Myeloma Foundation

CHI Health

Health Center Association of Nebraska

Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence

UNMC, Central States Center for Agricultural Health and Safety

Remember to consider the funded opportunities discussed at the orientation.

Learning Contract

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 deadline to submit a reviewed learning contract will vary each semester. The date will be announced at each semester's required general student orientation.

Affiliation Agreement

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.

Overview

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.

Fall Semester Timeline

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.

Spring Semester Timeline

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.

Summer Semester Timeline

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.