Useful Practicum Resources

Below are some resources for students undertaking the master's practicum, including links to mandatory practicum trainings and to forms.

Patient Privacy (HIPAA) Training

The Department of Epidemiology requires students doing practicum and thesis work to complete a training session in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"). (The law mandates that Columbia University Medical Center conduct training for all its employees and affiliates who access, use, manage, control, disclose, and/or release patient Protected Health Information).

The web-based HIPAA training course is approximately 40 minutes in length followed by a timed test of 15 questions. It can be taken from a work, school, or home-based computer. After successful completion of the online test, one is considered "HIPAA certified," which will be required prior to beginning your practicum.

To take the on-line HIPAA training course, log on to RASCAL,Columbia University's Electronic Research Administration system. Select Testing Center and log in using your UNI and password. Select training module TC0019 (HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Training Course).

Certificates can be e-mailed or dropped by the practicum office in person. University policy does not provide reciprocity for training taken at other institutions

Human Subjects Protection

All students should become certified in Human Subjects Protection prior to beginning their practicum. The certification "Training Center" can be found on the Rascal homepage. Log-in to Rascal's Testing Center with your UNI ID (University ID) and password and select course listings. The Protection of Human Subjects course modules can be found under course number TC0087. Once testing has been completed successfully, save and email a copy of the certification to the practicum office or print the certification and submit in hard copy.

University policy does not provide reciprocity for training taken at other institutions.

Funding for Travel Expenses

The Mailman School’s Office of Career Services (OCS) administers a travel fund that helps defray some of the costs of students completing a domestic or international internship. To be competitive for funds, students must have written proof (an e-mail will generally suffice) of a firm practicum commitment by the funding application deadline, which generally occurs around April 1st. Past awards have varied from year to year depending on the number of students applying and fund availability, with awards generally falling in the range of $1000-$1100. For application information and exact deadlines, visit: Student Travel Fund: Domestic Internships and Student Travel Fund: International Internships. Other sources of travel funding are sometimes available as well.

Practicum Opportunities

Organizations that offer practicum placements vary in their scope of health topics and the degree to which they are organized to provide a training experience. Log in with your UNI to view specific practicum opportunity details and application information for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as a table of Epidemiology faculty research interests.

The Mailman School Office of Career Services is also a useful resource in identifying and pursuing practicum opportunities.

International Travel Assistance

The International Travel Assistance section contains links for country-by-country information: visas and other travel document requirements; traveler's health; state department safety, security and emergency situation recommendations; travel discounts for students and faculty; and funding for student international travel.

The Student Health Service at Columbia University provides pre- and post-travel services. You may call 212-305-3400 to make an appointment, to reach the physician-on-call for after hour emergencies, or if you have questions. In addition, one of the practicum faculty team members, Dr. Simon Tsiouris, is a practicing physician who is available to advise Department of Epidemiology students on immunizations, vaccinations, and other practicum-related pre-travel and post-travel issues.

In general, students contemplating international placements should seek medical care to discuss immunizations approximately 2 months before anticipated departure.

For more information about international and domestic travel, visit the Student Travel section.

The Practicum and Thesis Data Checklist

The Practicum and Thesis Data Checklist is an aid intended to help students track their progress in completing the practicum process.

Practicum Forms

There are several forms for facilitating the practicum process and ensuring a smooth transition from the practicum to the thesis. These provide a mechanism for us to: 1) gather information needed to advise and assist students in locating a suitable practicum match; 2) document the practicum and thesis data arrangements that are sometimes made many months in advance of starting the practicum; and 3) document the fulfillment of this graduation requirement.

Practicum Evaluation Forms

Practicum Evaluation Forms are completed by the student and by the practicum site mentor/supervisor at the conclusion of the practicum. Completion of both the student and supervisor form is essential for clearance of the practicum requirement for graduation.

The Department’s practicum process continuously improves thanks to feedback provided by students and supervisors at practicum placement sites. The practicum forms provide a formal mechanism for the flow of this information which allows us to better prepare students prior to practicum placement; improve our practicum procedures and performance in matching students to practicum sites; and document that the student has satisfactorily met all practicum requirements. All individual responses are strictly confidential.

These forms can be submitted electronically to jp376@columbia.edu or mailed to Joyce Pressley, Ph.D, M.P.H., 722 West 168th Street, Room 17-12, New York, NY 10032. Forms should be completed within two weeks following conclusion of the practicum except under the circumstance where the student is graduating the same semester in which the practicum is being completed. In such cases, the forms should be submitted at least two weeks prior to graduation.

Student Practicum Evaluation Form A forum for the student to comment on the learning environment and supervision provided at the practicum site.

Supervisor Practicum Evaluation Form Allows the on-site practicum supervisor to comment on the student's performance during the practicum.

Practicum Agreement Form

The Practicum Agreement Form should be completed after finalizing the practicum site but prior to beginning the practicum. The practicum agreement form is signed by the student, practicum advisor and the on-site practicum supervisor signifying agreement and acceptability of practicum arrangements.

Epidemiology