PHE6980: Practicum in Public Health

This course is a practical application of program knowledge, skills, and abilities to a real-world public health setting. The practicum involves placement of the student in a non-academic setting in the area where the student lives. The placement cannot be in the same department in which the student currently works and cannot assume the same role as the student currently works. Government agencies, community organizations, businesses, public health organizations, and social service agencies are all examples of the kinds of placements that would be appropriate. The student is expected to work with the agency/organization a minimum of twelve (12) hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks and a minimum of 120 contact hours. In addition, the student is expected to maintain close contact with his/her faculty member as well as a preceptor from the agency/organization. The student is to write a report of his/her experience, describing the nature and operation of the placement setting, detailing his/her activities, responsibilities, and interactions with other individuals, and any public health insights gained from the experience. Where the student is given an issue or problem by the placement supervisor, its nature and outcome should also be included in the report, along with the methods used to address the issue or problem.