Applied Practice Experience
The purpose of the Applied Practice Experience course is to provide all students with an applied, scholarly and mutually beneficial experience in a public health practice setting. This experience augments the academic course work, meets community needs, and provides students with an opportunity to integrate and apply at least five foundational public health competencies. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of public health principles, values and practice.
All partner organizations must be approved by the College of Public Health. Applied practice experiences may involve governmental, nongovernmental, nonprofit, industrial and for-profit settings or appropriate university-affiliated settings. To be appropriate for applied practice experience activities, university-affiliated settings must be primarily focused on community engagement, typically with external partners. University health promotion or wellness centers may also be appropriate.
With questions, email Julia Quigley, MA or Laura Vinson, MPH.
Applied Practice Experience General Orientation
The required general orientation guides students through completing their applied practice experience.
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- Attendance at the orientation session (held each semester).
- In good academic standing.
- Completion of at least six credit hours plus the CPH 500 Foundations in Public Health Course, which may be taken concurrently with CPH 528 APEx.
- Completion of affiliation agreement.
- Completion of professionalism training module no longer than 60 days prior to registration (located in Canvas under the COPH Student Success Center).
- Approval of the applied practice experience learning contract.
The following partner organizations have identified opportunities available for Spring 2025. More opportunities will be shared as they become available.
With questions, email APEx Manager Julia Quigley or Director of the MPH Laura Vinson.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Summer 2025 Internship Program; applications due October 11th)
- Calistus Multiple Myeloma Foundation
- Project Extra Mile - Coming soon
Remember to consider the funded opportunities discussed at the orientation.
Once students have identified a partner organization, students should use the required learning contract template to further outline the scope of the applied practice experience. Please read template instructions carefully.
The deadline to submit a reviewed learning contract will vary each semester. The date will be announced at each semester's required general student orientation.
Sample Timelines
Student intends to register in the fall semester.
- May: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest.
- June: Student should attend the orientation session.
- June-July: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests.
- June-July: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the project coordinator of the Office of Public Health Practice.
- July-August: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval.
- July-August: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register.
- August: Student should begin applied practice experience.
Student intends to register in the spring semester.
- September: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest.
- October: Student should attend the orientation session.
- October-November: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests.
- October-November: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the Public Health Practice Project coordinator.
- December: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval.
- December: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register.
- January: Student should begin applied practice experience.
Student intends to register in the summer semester.
- January: Student should begin thinking about applied practice experience and brainstorm possible partner organizations of interest.
- February: Student should attend the orientation session.
- February-March: Student should begin contacting organizations to explore the organization’s needs and the student’s personal interests.
- February-March: Student should verify the status of the affiliation agreement with the Public Health Practice Project coordinator.
- April: Student should draft the learning contract and receive approval.
- April: Student should meet all applied practice experience registration prerequisites and contact the Service Learning Programs manager to request to register.
- May: Student should begin applied practice experience.