Every MPH candidate is required to take a practice and culminating experience course within their field of study.
The course instructor for this course will approve your practicum project through a Learning Agreement. The course is designed to help you meet two degree requirements, the Applied Learning Experience (or “Practicum”); and the Integrative Learning Experience (previously called “Culminating Experience”). The APE and ILE are requirements of all nationally accredited schools of public health.
Course Learning Objectives
- Integrate and synthesize competencies gained during the degree program through coursework and field practice
- Apply graduate-level skills and competencies to a real world public health problem or issue
- Explore a substantive public health or health care topic that is salient to a health care or public health organization
- Acquire practicum and professional skills and knowledge from others including practicum instructors, experienced practitioners, and other students
- Complete a successful practicum as outlined by a scope of work and deliverables which are mutually agreed upon by the student, host organization, and faculty
- Identify career options with the assistance of experienced practitioners, faculty, alumni, and career counseling professionals
- Increase professional skills and knowledge through communicating practice experiences with peers
- Enhance the skills needed to function in a professional public health setting
- Reflect on professional growth in core competencies as a public health practitioner through a series of exercises called the culminating experience.