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Field Experience

Please review the Field and Capstone Project Handbook for complete details on the requirements and structure of field experience and capstone project. The information listed here simply provides an overview.
 
Field Experience
The Field Experience is a required component for all students in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This requirement provides students with practical experience in a public health setting that allows them to apply and incorporate skills and knowledge that they have acquired during their didactics. Students participate in a population-focused field experience following the completion of the majority of their coursework.
 
MPH Students are required to register for a total of 6 credits and complete at least 400 hours of field work to meet the requirements of the program. The field experience can be completed on a full-time basis during the course of a semester or summer or on a part-time basis over several semesters using variable credits.
 
Field Experience Objectives
Overall Objective: Students will apply population-focused skills in a community or public health setting.
 
Learning Objectives: Through the field experience, students will be able to:
 
  • Integrate public health theory, knowledge and skills in a community or public health practice setting;
  • Experience the “realities” of public health practice – organizational structure, local and organizational politics, program administration, community relationships, program coordination;
  • Complete a defined project in an area of public health practice including core public health functions such as needs assessment, program planning, program evaluation, policy development, educational campaign, applied research project;
  • Gain/expand/develop skills and knowledge in an area of interest not covered in depth elsewhere in the student’s educational plan;
  • Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, communication skills and creativity in the development of public health practice activity.