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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Information for Students

If you are a current MPH student planning for your APEx, this page offers information about how to get started.
APEx Overview One-Pager
When meeting with a potential partner for the first time, students are encouraged to share the APEx One-Pager document with the organization to help explain the requirements. At the start of each semester (January, May, and August), there is a preceptor orientation session held to help give partners an overview of the APEx.
Seeking Partner Organizations
There are multiple ways a student may seek a partner organization. The following are suggestions for students to consider:
  • 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.
  • 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.
Contacting Partner Organizations
To prepare for the APEx and identify a partner, students may reach out to a range of organizations. Here are some tips to keep in mind when reaching out to a potential APEx partner:
  • 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.

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:

Application of Foundational Public Health Competencies
The purpose of the APEx is to augment academic coursework, meet community needs, and provide students an opportunity to integrate and apply foundational public health competencies. Students are required to select 5 foundational public health competencies across 5 distinct competency domains to be the focus of their APEx. Competencies are identified through an iterative process, by determining partner priorities and narrowing down a scope of work. See the learning contract template for more information.
Mutual Reciprocity
Mutual reciprocity between a partner organization and student is central to the APEx. The student gains invaluable real-world experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, while the preceptor or organization benefits from the student’s fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and contributions to projects or initiatives. This reciprocity is built on respect, active engagement, and shared learning.
Supervision
An APEx must be supervised by a qualified preceptor who is responsible for evaluating and providing feedback on student performance.
Hour Requirements
Students are expected to use the learning contract template to outline their 100-hour scope of work.
Products
Through the APEx, students must produce 2 products that are collaboratively determined with their preceptor during APEx planning. These products should be practical, non-academic work that provide tangible value to the partner organization beyond the period of student involvement. Products must align with the project's defined scope of work, showcase the student’s achievement of specific MPH foundational competencies and support their professional growth and skill development.

Student FAQs

Can I complete my APEx at my place of employment?
Yes, an APEx can be completed at a student’s place of employment if it meets the following criteria: 1) your APEx scope cannot be the same as your employment responsibilities, and 2) your APEx preceptor cannot be your direct supervisor.
Can my APEx be completed virtually or in-person?
The APEx can be an in-person, virtual, or hybrid experience.
Can the APEx be a paid experience?
Students may use internship programs to complete their APEx if minimum course requirements are met (see APEx Criteria). Funding opportunities are available to students whose APEx activities and partners meet funding criteria. For more information, visit our funded opportunities page.
Does research or lab work count towards APEx activities?
Research or lab work cannot be used for the APEx. Students may engage in this work alongside other activities, but research or lab work cannot be the sole focus of an APEx.
How do I get in touch with partner organizations?
There are multiple ways to get in touch with a partner organization. See the section “identifying a partner” above to learn more.
Can I use my APEx to fulfill my capstone requirements?
While the APEx cannot be used to fulfill a capstone, the APEx can be used to prepare for a capstone project or contribute to a capstone proposal. To learn more, reach out to your faculty advisor and Director of Master’s Programs Laura Vinson.