Doctor of Public Health Practicum
The purpose of the Doctor of Public Health Practicum is to provide all Doctor of Public Health students with an applied, scholarly and mutually beneficial advanced-level practice experience in a public health setting.
This experience augments the academic coursework, meets community needs and advances public health practice. It also allows students to integrate and apply at least six foundational public health competencies, including at least three leadership-related competencies.
Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of public health principles, values, and practice and develop leadership competencies. Students will complete a total of 300 hours of experience for their practicum.
Practicum Details
Through participation in CPH 798 Practicum, students will:
- Engage in a practicum with a partner organization that:
- Clearly demonstrates integrated and applied knowledge, principles, and skills acquired through classroom instruction
- Meets the partner organization’s identified needs and advances public health practice
- Perform activities demonstrating the development, enhancement, and application of Doctor of Public Health foundational public health competencies (including at least three leadership competencies) and describe activities performed to achieve/address these competencies
- Develop at least one beneficial product for the partner organization demonstrating leadership competencies
- Develop a final presentation that integrates public health knowledge, principles, and skills and demonstrates mastery of public health principles, values, and practices
-
Participation in Doctor of Public Health Practicum Orientation, held every semester.
- Good academic standing.
- Completion of at least six credit hours in the Doctor of Public Health program.
- Completion of affiliation agreement.
- Approval of the practicum learning contract by the director of professional programs.
Students should begin planning for practicum at least one semester in advance. They should talk with their faculty advisor about practicum options and how to ensure it meets their career goals early in the Doctor of Public Health program.
Example Timeline (student intends to register in the summer semester):
- November/December: Student should begin thinking about practicum and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest.
- January/February: Student should attend practicum 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 Service Learning Programs manager.
- April: Student should draft the practicum learning contract and receive approval.
- April: Student should meet all practicum registration prerequisites and contact the director of professional programs to register.
- May: Student should begin practicum.
