Information for Students
- Personal network: With what organizations have you previously volunteered, worked, or partnered?
- Long-term goals: What types of organizations are you interested in working for? What are your long-term career goals?
- Skill development: What kinds of skills or public health experience are you hoping to gain through the APEx? What type of public health work interests you?
- Online search: Consider your local community nonprofits and other associations.
- Examples: Local food banks, United Way, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, Area Health Education Centers.
- Local, state, and Tribal health departments and state public health associations
- Current student opportunities: Listed below.
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Another strategy to help brainstorm is to refer to the affiliation agreement list to see names of organizations. However, students are not limited to working with organizations that have an affiliation agreement.
- Email Julia Quigley, MA, applied practice manager.
- Be transparent. When contacting potential partner organizations, students should remember to state their intentions of exploring multiple opportunities with different organizations to determine the best fit for the applied practice experience. Once a partner organization has been identified, students should inform all organizations for which they have been communicating about the decision and offer appreciation for the time spent discussing opportunities.
- Ask good questions. Asking probing questions can help you get to the why and offer insight into how an organization works to achieve their mission, values, and vision.
- Follow up. If you reach out to a potential partner and more than 5 days have passed, don’t be afraid to send a friendly follow-up email.
- Say thank you! Even if you don’t end up moving forward with an organization, as stated above, if you have met with them, a friendly thank-you for their time goes a long way.
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
- 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
APEx Criteria
The Applied Practice Experience is a requirement for all UNMC College of Public Health, Master of Public Health students as part of their degree program. The goal of the APEx is to provide students with a hands-on experience in public health practice, grounded in the foundational public health competencies. Below are the minimum criteria for an APEx:
Student FAQs
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