School of Public Health and Health Sciences

MPH Practicum
Student Handbook
                                                                                                        

Revised November 7, 2008

Table of Contents

Overview and Checklist…..…………………………………………………………….3

Guidelines and Procedures………………………………………………………………4

Frequently Asked Questions ……………………..……………………………………..9

Forms

I           Practicum Planning Form………………………………………..……..……….10

II          Practicum Scope of Work Form………………………….…..…………...……..13

III        Practicum Contact Hour Log.....……….…………………………………....…..15

IV        Student One Month Evaluation of the Practicum Form……..……….…………..16

V         Site Supervisor Evaluation of the Student’s Practicum Performance Form…….17

VI        Student Evaluation of the Practicum Form……...……………………….………20

Appendix: Concentration-Specific Competencies……………………………………….23

Definitions:

Practicum: The internship or field experience. NOTE: If you do your Practicum in the summer you must register thru Continuing Education.

Faculty Advisor: Your SPHHS faculty advisor.

SPHHS Practicum Coordinator: The SPHHS staff person or faculty member in each division/department who is responsible for assisting you in locating practica.

Practicum Site Supervisor: The professional mentor supervising the practicum.

Overview

   MPH students in Biostatistics, Community Health Education, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management, Nutrition, Public Health Practice, and the Worcester MPH Program are required to complete a three credit practice experience (200 hours) as part of their degree requirements. Some other concentrations in SPHHS also require a practicum, please contact your faculty advisor for clarification.

The checklist below is for your own use. Each step is described on the following pages.

Student Checklist for Completion of Practicum

NOTE: If you do your Practicum in the summer you must register thru Continuing Education.

One to Two Semesters Prior to the Practicum:

•  Step 1. Attend the Practicum Orientation Session
•  Step 2. Complete the prerequisite course requirements.
• Step 3. Complete the Practicum Planning Form
• Step 4. Review the Practicum Planning Form with your Faculty Advisor. 
• Step 5. Review the Practicum Planning Form with the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. 
• Step 6. Identify and meet with Practicum Sites/Practicum Site Supervisor.
• Step 7. Complete the Practicum Scope of Work Form.

Semester of the Practicum:

• Step 8. Register for PUBHLTH 698 or NUTRITN 698 and start the Practicum.
• Step 9. Maintain the Practicum Contact Hour Log.
• Step 10. Complete the Student One Month Evaluation of the Practicum Form.
• Step 11. Have your Site Supervisor submit the Site Supervisor Evaluation of the Student’s Practicum Performance Form.
• Step 12. Complete the Student Evaluation of the Practicum Form which involves a 10 page written report within 2 weeks of completing the practicum.
• Step 13. Present your practicum.

One to Two Semesters Prior to the Practicum
Step 1. Attend the Practicum Orientation session.

All MPH students are required to participate in a practicum orientation conducted at the division/department level. For Amherst students, this is typically scheduled for October in your first year. For on-line students, the orientation may be available on-line. For Worcester campus students, this is included in the orientation meeting scheduled for late August, prior to the start of your first year.  This meeting is facilitated by the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. At the orientation session, the following are provided to you:  (1) the overall goals and specific objectives of the practicum (Table 1), (2) lists of previous placements, past contacts, and (3) new possibilities. Following this meeting, the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator will pursue the identification of appropriate practicum placements.  You are also encouraged to investigate potential placements on your own.

Table 1. Goals and Objectives of the Practicum (adapted from the Albany School of Public Health).

1. The overall goal of the SPHHS practicum experience is successful completion of at least one of the following public health activities:

• Assessment, monitoring, or public health surveillance of a health problem/services in a population.
• Development of health objectives and priorities.
• Research on population-based health problems including biological, environmental, or behavioral issues.
• Development and/or implementation of health policies and/or intervention strategies to meet public health needs.
• Study of the natural history of a disease and/or its health-related effects in a population.

2. The specific objectives of the SPHHS practicum specific are to develop and apply at least five concentration specific competencies. Please see the Appendix: Concentration Specific Competencies.

Step 2. Complete the prerequisite course requirements.
The following prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the Practicum:

For Biostatistics, Community Health Education, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management, and Nutrition students: 3 of the 5 core courses [Environmental Health Sciences PH565, Principles of Epidemiology PH630, Introductory Biostatistics PH540, Principles of Public Health Practice PH620, Application of Social and Behavioral Theories in Public Health Interventions PH601.

For Public Health Practice on-line students: All 5 core courses

For Worcester MPH-Epidemiology students: 3 of the 5 core courses.

For Worcester MPH – General MPH students: All 5 core courses.

Step 3. Complete the Practicum Planning Form

Step 4. Review the Practicum Planning Form with your Faculty Advisor. 

Placements are arranged in consultation with your faculty advisor and the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. Although the faculty advisor and SPHHS Practicum Coordinator can provide you with appropriate guidance, the ultimate responsibility for obtaining a suitable practicum rests with you.

Table 2. Faculty Advisor Roles and Responsibilities (adapted from University of North Texas Health Science Center at Forth Worth).

• Review the Practicum Planning Form with you.
• Discuss readiness for practicum with you.
• Serve as a content resource for you as needed.
• Consult with the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator and Practicum Site Supervisor as needed.
• View your Presentation once the practicum is completed.

Step 5. Review the Practicum Planning Form with the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator.
Placements are arranged in consultation with your faculty advisor and the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. 

Table 3. SPHHS Practicum Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities (adapted from University of North Texas Health Science Center at Forth Worth).

• Develop and maintain affiliation with public and private agencies where appropriate practicum placements may be made.
• Conduct site visitations to verify that the site can provide appropriate practicum experiences as needed.
• Serve as a resource and consultant to you in defining practicum goals and selecting an appropriate placement.
• Consult with Practicum Site Supervisors concerning selection, experience and your progress while working at the agency.
• Visit you on-site as appropriate.
• Keep individual student files with all practicum forms.
• Act as an advocate for you.
• Coordinate the Practicum Orientation Session and the Student Presentation Session.
• Perform the necessary administrative functions relative to your placement.
• Complete forms as needed.
• View your Presentation once the practicum is completed.
• Review the Student Evaluation of the Practicum Form once the practicum is completed.

The SPHHS Practicum Coordinator:

• For Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Community Health Education, and Health Policy and Management the Practicum Coordinator is Shirley Mietlicki mietlicki@umext.umass.edu
• For Nutrition and Environmental Health, the Practicum Coordinator is your faculty advisor
• For Public Health Practice (PHP) on-line, the Practicum Coordinator is your faculty mentor (TBA)
• For Worcester, the Practicum Coordinator is Carol Bigelow cbigelow@schoolph.umass.edu

You may also visit the Office for Public Health Practice & Outreach to learn about opportunities for working in the community both to gain skills and share their expertise (please email risa@schoolph.umass.edu to set up a time).

Step 6. Identify and meet with Practicum Sites/Practicum Site Supervisor.

Table 4. Practicum Site Selection Criteria (adapted from University of South Florida College of Public Health) All Practicum Sites must meet the following selection criteria:

• The Practicum site is an organization, agency, or community that provides planning or services relevant to public health.
• The Practicum site enables you to further develop and apply specific skills or competencies learned in the SPHHS academic program.
• The Practicum site provides a Practicum Site Supervisor who is willing and able to spend regularly scheduled time with you and provide guidance.
• The Practicum site should afford you regular contact with public health practitioners.
• The Practicum site exhibits a willingness to provide support, ranging from a workspace, to stipends or salary if available and appropriate.
• The Practicum site is a good match with your needs and interests.

Table 5. Practicum Site Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities (adapted from University of South Florida College of Public Health)

The Practicum Site Supervisor should have:

• Substantial experience with the organization
• A working knowledge and practical experience in the project areas assigned to you.
• An interest in and commitment to helping you.

In addition, the Practicum Site Supervisor:

• Establishes training goals and an evaluation procedure for you. This program should attempt to meet your needs for professional growth and allow sufficient time with the Practicum Site Supervisor to help you recognize the practice roles of your public health concentration.
• Monitors your activities through regular meetings and provides feedback.
• Helps you meet your goals and objectives for the practicum.
• Gives professional career development advice
• Integrates you with the regular staff.
• Offers you a chance to learn new skills.
• Explains the structure and function of the agency.
• Helps you plan and execute specific programs/activities.
• Introduces you to other community agencies.
• Establishes a regular meeting time with you, sets standards for your reporting, and arranges for a substitute Site Supervisor during periods when the Site Supervisor will not be at the site.
• Creates and signs the Practicum Scope of Work Form that outlines your duties, site expectations with respect to hours, mutually arrived at goals, and agreement on such matters as payment for mileage when you use a personal vehicle, if appropriate.
• Signs the Practicum Contact Hour Log for time spent with the site.
• Invites you to professional meetings and encourages presentations at those meetings when appropriate.
• Models professional work habits and attitudes.
• Evaluates your performance on the Site Supervisor Evaluation of the Student’s Practicum Performance Form.
• Attends the Practicum Presentation session if available or within proximity.
• Provides the School with on-going evaluation of the practicum program and makes suggestions for alteration and improvement in the academic program

Step 7. Complete the Practicum Scope of Work Form.

Your placement at your preferred site is subject to the approval of your faculty advisor and the practicum coordinator who must sign this form.

Table 6. Student Roles and Responsibilities for Participating in Practica
Students participating in the Practicum must:

• Identify goals and objectives in collaboration with the Practicum Site Supervisor.
• Adhere to agency regulations.
• Dress appropriately for role and responsibilities during the practicum; be timely and responsible.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical standard.
• Maintain the Practicum Contact Hour Log.
• Participate in professional and in-service activities as appropriate.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by Practicum Site Supervisor.

Semester of the Practicum

Step 8. Register for PUBHLTH 698 or NUTRITN 698 and start the practicum.

Step 9. Maintain the Practicum Contact Hour Log.

Step 10. Complete the Student One Month Evaluation of the Practicum Form.

Step 11. Have your Practicum Site Supervisor submit the Site Supervisor Evaluation of the Student’s Practicum Performance Form.
Within two weeks of completion of the practicum, the Practicum Site Supervisor evaluates your performance and returns this form to the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. You will need to ensure that this is completed within the two week time frame.

Step 12. Complete the Student Evaluation of the Practicum Form.
Within two weeks of completion of the practicum, you are required to submit this evaluation which involves a 10 page written report to the SPHHS Practicum Coordinator. Please see the form for details.

Step 13. Present your practicum.
Using guidelines prepared by the individual department or concentration, you are required to prepare a presentation on your practicum.

For Amherst-based students: A symposium session will be scheduled each Fall. You will be allocated approximately 15 minutes for your presentation. The presentation should be 10 minutes long with an additional 5 minutes allocated for questions at the end of the talk. You should prepare the oral presentation as if it were to be given at a professional conference. Examples of presentations include a PowerPoint presentation, a poster, a community-based discussion, or an interactive workshop. The session will be attended by all MPH students, Practicum Site Supervisor (if available), faculty advisors, and the SPHHS Practicum Coordinators.

For On-line students: On-line students will post a PowerPoint presentation of no more than 15 slides and dialogue will occur through threaded discussions.

For Worcester Campus MPH students: Worcester campus MPH students will present a PowerPoint presentation of no more than 15 slides at a place and time to be determined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the practicum paid?
Agencies and organizations may provide paid or unpaid practica opportunities. There is no guarantee of financial support for you during your practicum. However, the School will assist you in finding paid placements whenever possible.

Can I do the practicum at my current job?
If you can do a practicum only in your regular place of employment, the assignment must extend beyond your regular work duties and allow application of knowledge and skills acquired through the MPH course of study.

After I have finished my practicum, what next?
Students who are interested in building on the practicum are encouraged to complete an MPH Project. You are also encouraged to utilize your practica to prepare a poster for inclusion in the SPHHS Research Day, which takes place each March.

How am I graded?
The practicum is graded on a pass/fail basis. In order to pass the practicum, your practicum file must contain all the items listed in Steps 1-13.

What is a suggested timeline for the practicum?
The Practicum process usually starts in the Fall of your first year.