Intent to Register for Practice Experience in Public Health Form (SPH 5850)
SPH 5850 Practicum Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a practice experience?
Public health practice experience is the term UNTHSC-SPH uses for an internship or practicum. All schools accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) are required to have an applied practice experience. The purpose of the public health practice experience is to apply skills and knowledge learned in your graduate studies in a professional public health work environment. The practice experience can be an opportunity to observe and network with public health professionals while practicing graduate skills.
T he practice experience should be an applied-project related work experience in a public health site such as a public health department, non-profit public health agency, hospital administration where you can advance your skills.
There are no exemptions for the public health practice experience.

Where do I find out the requirements for the practice experience?
You can download the SPH 5850 Student Manual on the SPH website under Forms . Please read the Manual. The Manual should answer all your questions plus list your responsibilities for the course, the site supervisor's responsibilities, poster session information and other helpful information.

When do I do a practice experience?
Once you have completed 21 course credit hours (15 hours of MPH Core courses; e.g., one from each of the public health disciplines, and 6 required departmental Core courses) you can then begin the practice experience. The 6 hours of departmental core courses does not include the required MPH core course.

Do I have to pay for the practice experience just like any course?
Yes, you will pay for SPH 5850 just like any other course in the curriculum. Beginning in the fall of 2006, if you do not finish the practice experience in maximum of two (2) semesters, you will need to re-register for the course and pay for the course each semester thereafter.

How many hours is a practice experience?
Currently the practice experience is 135 contact hours. That means you will spend 135 hours at the site or doing related work assigned by the site supervisor. The hours you spend preparing the poster are NOT counted in the 135 hours NOR is the time used to travel to and from the work site.

Do I get a grade for the practice experience?
Currently, the class is pass/fail and not part of the GPA.

Can I use my job as practice experience?
No. Our accrediting body, CEPH, does not permit us to give credit for job or life experience.

Can I do my practice experience at my work site?
You may do the practice experience at you work site, but the duties MUST BE OUTSIDE of your usual work duties and expectations. You also must have someone at your work site who is willing to serve as site supervisor.

Is the practice experience paid?
The practice experience may be paid or it may unpaid. Most of the sites do not pay due to budget constraints, but this varies from site to site. Pay makes no difference to the value of the experience.

Do I find my own site?
You may find your own site or Dr Coggin will assist you to find a site. Dr Coggin will make sure you have a placement for the experience. She attemps to match your interest and training with a site that has similar needs.

When should I begin searching for a practice experience?
You should begin searching at least the semester before you are going to sign up for the course. For example, if you are going to register for the practice experience in Fall 2006 you should start searching in Spring 2006 or earlier.

Where can I go to search for an opportunity for the practice experience?
Search the list of previous sites where students have worked on this web site.

• Search the list of previous sites where students have worked on this web site.
• Search the web if you are interested in out of town or state or international sites.
• Talk with other students about their experience.
• Attend the Public Health Practice Experience Poster Session and Reception sponsored by the Public Health Student Association and Center for Public Health Practice. Talk with the students about their experiences and how they found their placement.
• Respond to announcements from the Office of Student Services and other sources.
• Talk with Dr Coggin early in the semester to get her input.
• Talk with your academic advisor about possible sites

Can the experience be outside of Fort Worth or Texas?
Yes, the experience can be anywhere in the US as long as you are able to find a site supervisor.

Can the experience site be international?
Yes, the experience can be international as long as you are able to find a site supervisor. Currently the School does not have a formal international internship program. You may check other schools' sites to look for those types of programs.

Can several experiences be combined to meet the practicum requirements?
The usual Public Health Practice Experience is with one site.

When can I begin working at my practice site after I register for the course?
You may begin accumulating your practice hours as soon as you are registered for the course and met with your site supervisor to agree on the goals and objectives for your practice experience. Often student want to start during the break time between semesters and that is permitted with permission of your site supervisor.

Can I use an experience that I completed previous to enrolling in the course?
No, you may not use experience you have had prior to enrolling in SPH 5850. No credit will be give for previous experiences. You can only count the public health activities and experiences in which you participate during the time you are registered for the course.

Can I do the practice at a site one semester and then sign up for the course credit in another semester?
No. You must sign up for SPH 5850 and begin the practice experience in the same semester.

Once I have found the site, what is the next step?
Complete the Intent to Register and Application for Public Health Practice Experience form online at the SPH homepage under Forms and turn into Dr. Coggin. Download the SPH 5850 Practicum Manual.

Do I have to attend a class plus go to the site? What is the SPH 5850 class?
The Public Health Practice Experience Orientation class is a once-a-semester class that assists you to develop the goals and objectives for your practice experience. Attendance is required.

What if I don't finish my practice experience in one semester?
You must finish the hours and turn in the notebook by the date of the poster session. You may extend the practice experience into the next semester and a PR (in progress) will appear on your transcript for one semester only. When you complete the practice experience hours, turn in the notebook, and participate in the poster session then a grade change form will be completed for you. You may carry the PR for one semester. After a total of two (2) semesters in SPH 5850 and you have not completed the course requirements then you will need to re-register and pay for the course again.
You may certainly continue to volunteer at the site as long as you and your site supervisor wish, but no further credit will be awarded.

What is a poster session?
Once you complete the practice experience it is required that you present your work at a poster session. At the poster session reception, each student is expected to be present with their poster and be able to provide a brief (3-5 minute) overview of their experience to Dr. Coggin, your academic advisor, students, faculty, staff, site supervisors and other guests. You can bring any brochures, pamphlets, etc. related to the experience to distribute to guests. You are encouraged to invite your site supervisor to the poster session. The instructions for preparing the poster session are available in the manual.

Are there sample posters and notebooks I can view?
The Center for Public Health Practice has sample posters and notebooks you may view.

What is the role of the departmental academic advisor?
Your academic advisor is the content expert for your practice experience. That person will advise you regarding questions you may have about the actual content of your experience. You will also include them in the email practice experience updates you send Dr Coggin three times during the semester.