Master of Public Health Practicum

What is a Public Health Practicum?

The curriculum includes a practicum that allows students to gain practical experience working on a project related to their area of interest and/or career goals in public health. The practicum is a unique opportunity for students to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired through coursework and other learning experiences and to apply theory and principles in a practical public health setting.

All students are required to complete the practicum. Students select their own practicum sites and projects. Students work on an approved project, develop two products, write a final report (also known as the integrative learning experience) and deliver an oral presentation. Examples of projects are program evaluations, case studies, research, policy analyses, or descriptive studies.

The program’s location near the state capital—the center of a populous region with varied needs in public health—allows for numerous practicum sites. For example, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), world-renowned for its programs in public health, provides practicum opportunities in areas such as chronic disease and injury control, maternal and child health, communicable disease control, occupational and environmental health, HIV prevention and rural health. In addition, opportunities are available through county public health offices and other organizations.

Practicum course faculty Marcella Gonsalves, Ed.D., M.P.H. gives her three tips for a successful practicum in this helpful article.

For Potential Preceptors

M.P.H. Practicum Opportunity Form

Letter from Dr. Gonsalves

Master of Public Health Practicum | Department of Public Health Sciences

Master of Public Health

What is a Public Health Practicum?

For Potential Preceptors

For Current Preceptors

For Faculty Advisors

For Students