Practicum

General Public Health students can conduct a practicum at any point after the completion of 15 credits of course work. It is strongly recommended that students take (or waive out of) both Biostatistics and Epidemiology prior to initiating a practicum. The practicum experience will be enhanced if other courses relevant to specific placements are completed prior to the practicum itself (e.g. Health Policy and Management).

A minimum of 140 hours of fieldwork is required for GPH students. This is usually accomplished by working approximately 10 hours per week during a 14-week semester, or 15-20 hours per week during the summer months. Many students exceed this hourly requirement, particularly those who seek summer-long, intensive experiences. Medical residents and Fellows often identify a project in conjunction with their parallel residency or fellowship program, although the component(s) of that project intended to fulfill the MPH practicum must be clearly identified.

Medical students at P&S may substitute their 4th Year Public Health Elective for the required Practicum. In all cases a Scope of Work (PDF) must be submitted and approved before commencing the practicum project.