All M.P.H. candidates must complete an Applied Practice Experience (APE) to apply classroom learning and theories to address public health issues in a professional setting to foster skills and professional development. Students in the APMPH program will complete the APE in the spring term of their one-year program. This experience serves as a means for the student to demonstrate competencies from the core curriculum, department, and chosen concentrations/tracks.

The APE is supported and managed by the Office of Community & Practice (OC&P) and may be met through (1) an OC&P-approved student project (e.g., summer internship, independent project) conducted during the summer, fall, or spring after a student’s first year by registering for PUBH 521 or (2) a practicum course (instructor permission required) usually taken in the second year of study. Students may take a practicum course in their first year of study. Students who take a practicum course in first year may be eligible for summer internship funding if their work plan meets APE standards. If a student took a practicum course in the first year and chooses to do a summer internship, they should not enroll in PUBH 521 in the summer term. Students can take a maximum of three practicum courses throughout their academic program. 

For a student project to meet the APE requirement the following must be met: 

1. The project must:

• be public health or population focused,
• include community engagement,
• take place after the student’s first year of coursework,
• be a minimum of 100 hours, and
• meet five competencies, a minimum of three foundational.

2. All students must have an OC&P-approved work plan prior to the beginning of the project start date. 
3. The approved site/agency will have the infrastructure to support an M.P.H.-level student learning experience and provide a preceptor/site supervisor who has public health expertise (master’s-level or beyond) or expertise in a related field to oversee the work and provide mentorship. 
4. Students must produce at least two deliverables of tangible value to the placement agency to evaluate mastery of competencies from the student’s applied practice experience.
5. All students must submit a final evaluation.

• EMD 588/SBS 588/LAW 30186, Health Justice Practicum
• HPM 555, Health Policy Practicum
• HPM 556, Advanced Health Policy Practicum
• HPM 565, Health Care Management Practicum
• PUBH 500, Public Health Practicum (only offered to Advanced Professional M.P.H. students)
• PUBH 501, U.S. Health Justice Concentration Practicum (only offered to students in the U.S. Health Justice Concentration)
• PUBH 555, Clinic in Climate Justice, Law, and Public Health
• SBS 589, Housing and Health Practicum